A rundown of the day’s politics and politics as the bartender refreshes your drink.
Last Call — A prime-time reading of what’s happening in Florida politics.
Attorney General Ashley Moody on Monday praised Governor Ron DeSantis for signing a bill to crack down on shoplifting.
The law, which takes effect October 1, will make it a third-degree crime to steal 10 or more items in five separate robberies within 30 days. If the aggregate value of the stolen goods reaches $3,000, or the number of items stolen reaches 20, the charge will be elevated to a felony of the second degree.
Moody said the bill is one of his top priorities in the 2022 Legislative Session and that it is an integral part of the fight against “circles of organized retail theft.”
“We continue to be proactive in ensuring that organized retail theft networks don’t get a free pass for loot retailers in Florida,” Moody said. “While prosecutors in other states may turn a blind eye to these massive retail crimes, in Florida we apply the law to protect our citizens and visitors. This new law will help us to continue this important work and increase public safety. I want to thank Governor DeSantis and the state legislators who fought for this important legislation to help us build a stronger, safer Florida.”
The signing of the project comes six months after Moody launched the Florida Organized Retail Crime Exchange – a statewide task force and database to help identify trends, identify suspects and take down organized retail theft networks. The task force also aims to help law enforcement, prosecutors and retailers work together and share information about theft incidents across the state.
—“Alimony: Allies and enemies alike campaign feverishly for Gov. Ron DeSantis Sign or Veto Review” via Laura Cassels of Florida Phoenix
—“’Hole in the skyline’: A year after condo collapse, Surfside still feels impact” via Martin Vassolo of the Miami Herald
—“DeSantis Government: ‘We’re Not Asking’ Children’s Vaccines for State Health Departments” via Caroline Catherman of the Orlando Sentinel
—“Nikki Fried: Gov. DeSantis made an ‘authoritarian’ move to schedule the Cabinet meeting during Primary” via Renzo Downey of Florida Politics
—“Joe Biden says gas tax ruling could come this week” via Aamer Madhani and Josh Boak of The Associated Press
– “Donald Trump’s most experienced advisers have already headed for exits” via Juliette Kayyem of The Atlantic
— “Poll: Voters Attending January 6 Hearings Are Not DeSantis Fans” via A.G. Florida Politics’s Gancarski
—“GM and Ford, driving to beat Tesla, turn on each other” via Mike Colias of The Wall Street Journal
– “Florida gas prices dropping, might not hit $5 a gallon after all” via Jay Cridlin of the Tampa Bay Times
—“Why gas is so expensive in some US states but not others” via Aaron Gregg, Laris Karklis and Adrian Blanco of The Washington Post
—“In a city crippled by pain, the healing power of a perfect tone” via Edgar Sandoval of The New York Times
“The entire ordeal appears to have been (an) intentional attempt to create chaos and confusion in hopes of discouraging parents from accessing vaccines by making it look like there will be no doses available in the state of Florida.”
— Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, on the DeSantis administration not ordering COVID-19 vaccines for children.
