Sunburn — The Morning Read Of What’s Hot In Florida Politics — 10.20.21

 By Peter Schorsch

Good Wednesday morning.

— SITUATIONAL AWARENESS —

—@DrTomFrieden: COVID was the #1 cause of death among people ages 35-54 last month, driven overwhelmingly by unvaccinated people.

—@MCatronDHS: Secretary (Alejandro) Mayorkas tested positive this morning for COVID-19 after taking a test as part of routine pre-travel protocols. He is experiencing only mild congestion; he is fully vaccinated and will isolate and work at home per CDC protocols and medical advice.

Tweet, tweet:

—@AGAshleyMoody: Incredibly proud to stand up for all who wish to express their faith and pray in public. I will always fight for the right of Americans to practice their faith.

Tweet, tweet:

—@Paul_Renner: I am fortunate to have President-Designate @Kathleen4SWFL as my counterpart. She is a strong, principled leader and an honest broker. I look forward to our partnership and all the good that we will accomplish together.

Tweet, tweet:

Tweet, tweet:

— DAYS UNTIL —

’Dune’ premieres — 2; ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’ returns — 4; World Series Game 1 — 6; Florida Chamber Future of Florida Forum begins — 7; Florida TaxWatch’s annual meeting begins — 7; Georgia at UF — 10; St. Petersburg Municipal Elections — 13; Florida’s 20th Congressional District Primary — 13; The Blue Angels 75th anniversary show — 16; Disney’s ’Eternals’ premieres — 16; ’Yellowstone’ Season 4 begins — 18; ’Disney Very Merriest After Hours’ will debut — 19; U.S. to lift restrictions for fully vaccinated international travelers — 19; Miami at FSU — 22; ‘Hawkeye’ premieres — 25; ExcelinEd National Summit on Education begins — 29; FSU vs. UF — 38; Florida Chamber 2021 Annual Insurance Summit begins — 42; Jacksonville special election to fill seat vacated by Tommy Hazouri’s death — 48; Steven Spielberg’s ’West Side Story’ premieres — 51; ’Spider-Man: No Way Home’ premieres — 58; ’The Matrix: Resurrections’ released — 63; ’The Book of Boba Fett’ premieres on Disney+ — 70; CES 2022 begins — 77; NFL season ends — 81; 2022 Legislative Session starts — 83; Florida’s 20th Congressional District election — 83; Florida TaxWatch’s 2022 State of the Taxpayer Day — 84; Joel Coen’s ’The Tragedy of Macbeth’ on Apple TV+ — 86; NFL playoffs begin — 87; Super Bowl LVI — 116; Daytona 500 — 123; St. Pete Grand Prix — 130; ‘The Batman’ premieres — 135; ’Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ premieres — 198; ’Top Gun: Maverick’ premieres — 219; ’Platinum Jubilee’ for Queen Elizabeth II — 225; ’Thor: Love and Thunder’ premieres — 261; San Diego Comic-Con 2022 — 273; ’Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse’ sequel premieres — 352; ‘The Flash’ premieres — 380; ‘Black Panther 2’ premieres — 387; ‘Avatar 2’ premieres — 422; ‘Captain Marvel 2’ premieres — 485; ‘Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania’ premieres — 639.

— TOP STORY —

“Seminole Tribe pushes ‘don’t sign petition’ message for gambling initiatives” via Scott Powers of Florida Politics — A newly-formed political committee backed by the Seminole Tribe of Florida has launched a statewide counterattack on other gaming groups that have been trying to get gambling expansion constitutional amendments on next year’s General Election ballot. “Don’t sign gambling petitions” declares a 30-second television and digital media ad released this week by the Standing Up for Florida committee. The commercial, “Watch Out Florida,” began airing this past weekend in all Florida markets. With $10 million from the Seminole Tribe, the committee warns Floridians against “out-of-state gambling companies” trying to get them to sign petitions to expand sports betting and casino gambling in Florida. Both initiatives aim to home in on the action now largely reserved for the Seminole Tribe.

To watch the ad, click on the image below: