In this episode: The release of a bombshell grand jury report into the $10 million “Hope Florida” affair has rocked the state’s political landscape two months before the election. James Uthmeier, the former Ron DeSantis chief of staff at the center of the scandal who the governor then promoted to attorney general, threatened a television reporter simply for asking him a question about it. Byron Donalds, the Republican candidate to become DeSantis’ successor, initially dismissed the issue but is now trying to reassure voters that he will demand reform. And pollsters are scurrying to figure out who Floridians ultimately blame for what the grand jury called “a sophisticated scheme” to spend taxpayer money on political campaigns. Plus: Updates on the state-altering property tax proposal that will appear on the November ballot and a developer-backed law that continues to cause chaos in local communities around the state.
Show notes
For more information about the Urban Land Institute Central Florida’s Oct. 1 panel on Amendment 3, click here.
The webinar with Welcome to Florida cohost and candidate for Florida House District 15 Chadd Charland about the importance of state government will be held the evening of Sept. 9, starting at 8 pm. You will be able to join the Zoom conversation at this link.
To watch the Florida Center for Government Accountability’s Aug. 26 webinar on Hope Florida, click here.
To make a donation to Seeking Rents, click here.
Stories discussed in today’s show:
Florida AG says he wasn’t a grand jury target. So why didn’t he testify?
Donalds dismisses Jolly’s call for new Hope Florida investigation as ‘politics’
Donalds and Jolly call for Hope Florida reforms after scathing grand jury report
The legal loophole Florida is using to keep people locked in cages in the Everglades
Property Tax Cuts Under Amendment 3 Would Lead to Reductions in Services for Some Florida Hospitals
Attorney General James Uthmeier is raising hundreds of thousands from firms he hired
Questions or comments? Send ‘em to Garcia.JasonR@gmail.com
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