Happy Monday.
The weekend could have gone better for Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran, who managed a more disappointing finish in the FSU prez race than Medina Spirit did in the Preakness. Despite getting rec letters from influential alums and one-time rivals such as former FEA head Fedrick Ingram he didn’t win, place or show. We’ll be kind and say he finished fourth.
Actually, when you consider the latest development in the Matt Gaetz–Joel Greenberg saga, falling just short of succeeding John Thrasher sounds like a freakin’ blast. According to … well, everyone … disgraced former Seminole County Tax Collector Greenberg is ready to spill his guts to federal investigators. We’d say we hope Gaetz had a fun weekend since it appears it could be his last before an indictment drops, but wild weekends are what got him in this situation in the first place.
To make matters worse, the lengthy ledger of receipts for “tuition” payments aren’t tax deductible — sorry, they have to be for your minor, not ANY minor. And while the rules are lax on what qualifies for the 50% (in some cases 100% this year) business meal deduction, Venmo payments for “food” will likely lead to an audit — even if your dinner guest was on the clock.
For everyone else, however, Tax Day should only be a mild annoyance. Just make sure you file that return, or at least file for an extension, or else you’ll find yourself having a disastrous weekend down the road.
The good news is, if you were clairvoyant enough to bet on Rombauer to win the Preakness, you not only struck it big, you won’t have to pay taxes on the windfall until next year. If you’re looking to blow the winnings on something fun, maybe plan a trip to Tampa Bay. Tourism has been booming there with no signs of a slowdown — in fact, Pinellas County’s tourism revenues in March beat those from the same month in 2019, a year before COVID-19 hit the travel industry like a freight train.
If you bet on Medina Spirit, don’t fret. Sure, you’re out a few bucks, but if you did your duty and got your vaccine, the CDC says you can ditch your mask in most situations, including your next trip to Wally World, Costco, Starbucks, and more. That’s a lot better than the post-shot lollipops of yesteryear. Speaking of which, make sure you grab yourself a cookie on your next grocery run — the Publix freebies are back! Yeah, yeah, it’s a “kids only” treat, but you could probably get away with it if you shave off the quarantine beard or wear pigtails.
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Florida Politics is flooding the zone with coverage of the Special Session; we have a deviated section on the front page of FloridaPolitics.com where you will find a constant stream of stories about this week’s proceedings.
As for what I think will happen this week, here are three quick thoughts:
Pure, raw politics: Whether you love him or hate him, there is currently not a hotter figure in Florida politics than Gov. DeSantis. The Governor is on the verge of doing something historic (something his predecessor never could) and you better believe the people in his orbit know it. Expect the Governor to lean in heavily this week, essentially daring those from his party to cross him at their own peril. When your name, signature and reputation are this closely tied to the Compact, you leave nothing to chance.
The hometown kids: Just how hot is DeSantis? The Seminole Tribe of Florida has spent big bucks, rather masterfully, on a television advertising campaign linking the Compact with the Governor while also profiling the Tribe as one of Florida’s greatest success stories. Behind the scenes, Jim Allen, CEO of Seminole Gaming, has been making the case directly to lawmakers from both parties on the merits and economic benefits the state will reap from the compact. With a 30-year deal on the table, the Tribe has called on the big guns to carry it over the finish line.
Amendment 3 debate: Depending on who you talk to the gaming Compact is either in violation of Amendment 3 or in accordance with it. What everyone can predict, however, is a post-session legal challenge derby over sports betting in the months ahead. And we haven’t even begun to talk about online gaming. Place your bets and lawyer up.
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Happening tonight — Rep. Elizabeth Fetterhoff will marry John William Ward in a ceremony followed by a reception at the Governors Club and dinner at Il Lusso. 5:30 p.m., Historic Senate Chambers of the old Capitol.
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