State of Emergency

In the wake of Hurricane Ian, former 'master of disaster' Jared Moskowitz and Peter Schorsch bring back the podcast to discuss Florida's way forward. Sen. Jeff Brandes joins the conversation to discuss the fragility of the property insurance market.

Special Guest: Jeff Brandes.

On the new State of Emergency, hosts Jared Moskowitz and Peter Schorsch welcome House Redistricting Committee Chair Tom Leek for insight into the process — and challenges — of drawing new political maps. Among the topics — redistricting done right while keeping cities and counties as whole as possible. The proposed state maps — the Supreme Court still has to sign off on them — have 19 incumbents facing off in redrawn districts, an unforeseen challenge considering not knowing where many lawmakers live. As for congressional maps, Leek breaks news as the House is filing a brief to compel a decision in light of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ own map submission — a relative rarity for the chief executive. Leek’s other Session issues include supporting law enforcement and making Florida one of the most LEO-friendly states. What are the Democrats’ chances in 2022? Kudos to U.S. Senate candidate Val Demings, a tough-as-nails “rock star” and formidable challenger to incumbent Marco Rubio.  Excitement mounts as Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser is set to open; it’s an innovative and unique hotel experience — with a price tag to match. And the latest on Disney Wish, the new cruise ship delayed by COVID-19, but a maiden voyage is coming soon.

Special Guest: Tom Leek.

Joining Jared Moskowitz and Peter Schorsch on a special State of Emergency — the first of 2022 — is House Speaker Chris Sprowls of Palm Harbor (during Session, no less) to discuss Florida’s new major reading initiative to put books in the hands of thousands of children. This ‘”moon shot” reading program aims to promote reading skills of about 80,000 kids and their families. Topics include the recent passing of Jared’s beloved father, prominent Miami lawyer and Democratic fundraiser Michael Moskowitz; the limits of home rule as a “true intersection between local and state governing; a possible name change for Broward County; the role of legislation in people’s everyday lives and how being Florida House Speaker is the “greatest opportunity in American politics.” The next challenge for the podcast: getting Rep. Tom Leek to join in.

Special Guest: Chris Sprowls.

Hosts Jared Moskowitz and Peter Schorsch join Florida health care veteran Justin Senior, Chief Executive Officer for the Safety Net Hospital Alliance of Florida for a discussion on how the omicron variant impacted the health care industry during the holidays, and in what way it is a much different challenge than delta, especially on visitations in nursing homes. Justin gives an update on his priorities for the 2022 Legislative Session, which includes possible budget cuts. The talk turns to Florida’s growing attraction for relocation, where other parts of the county give off a ‘post-war’ feel. Jared provides an update on his father, and how it has been a complicated holiday season; he worries about 2022 and agrees with Peter that comedy is ‘getting soft.’

Special Guest: Justin Senior.

Joining Jared Moskowitz and Peter Schorsch on a new State of Emergency is Williston Republican Rep. Joe Harding of Florida House District 22 to discuss being a first-term lawmaker at the final committee week before the Session, as well as Jared’s recent appointment to the Broward County Commission. Among the topics — representing rural Florida’s “horse country,” avoiding partisan traps, being authentic, and how some politicians are different when the cameras are off. Joe talks about his priorities for the Session, updating the state’s investment laws and the process of firearm permits. They all see a need for both sides to talk — despite differences — on how to balance public safety, personal choices, and doing what’s right. The Republican big tent may be getting a little too big and infighting within the Party could backfire in the long run.

Special Guest: Joe Harding.

On the new State of Emergency, hosts Jared Moskowitz and Peter Schorsch welcome Sen. Janet Cruz who has represented Senate District 18, covering Tampa and northwest Hillsborough County, since 2018. Among the issues — ways Democrats can move forward in Florida after a shocking loss in the Virginia Governor’s race.

Special Guest: Janet Cruz.

On the new State of Emergency, hosts Jared Moskowitz and Peter Schorsch welcome Sen. Tina Polsky, who was recently diagnosed with Stage 1 breast cancer. The Boca Raton Democrat made national news this week when she asked newly named state Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo and his two legislative aides to leave her office after Ladapo flippantly refused to comply with her request to mask up.

Topics include:

— Life in the Twitterverse; Twitter Space hangovers.

— “Cancer sucks.” The fight and the need for more money into research and prevention.

— A new opportunity for Jared?

— Early detection, mammograms and quick treatment can make breast cancer “very curable.”

— Polsky’s newfound platform; preparing for the 2022 Session.

— The Ladapo dust-up brings bipartisan support, some hate mail, and a touch of antisemitism.

— Today’s politics promotes extremism; life imitates Twitter.

— Ron DeSantis’ lack of empathy; doubling down on Ladapo over a “simple request.”

— Politics over compassion, respect and comfort; defying logic, common sense.

— Vaccine mandates are good, but should you lose your job? Mandates are nothing new: No shoes, no shirt, no vax?

— “We’ve gotten stupid.” Political bubbles.

— Conservative Senate President Wilton Simpson a RINO? Weathering the radical fringe.

— Is nice the exception, not the rule?

— Fighting the good fight, being kind and a little more “rachmones.”

— Anti-vaxxers hurt normal childhood vaccinations.

— Pandemic politics getting worse. Corporations on the outs?

— Nikki Fried and Charlie Crist … reefer madness.

— Is DeSantis a juggernaut?

Special Guest: Tina Polsky.

On the new State of Emergency, hosts Jared Moskowitz and Peter Schorsch welcome Rep. Jay Trumbull, the Bay County native who serves the Panhandle’s House District 6. Trumbull will be House Appropriations Chair for the 2022 Legislative Session, which is expected to have the largest state budget in history.

Topics include:

— The challenge of hosting a podcast in a hospital waiting room, as Peter’s wife Michelle awaits surgery.

— No longer funny: When do appropriations lobbyists stop laughing at the chair’s jokes?

— Rebuilding at three years after Hurricane Michael, and the region is coming back better.

— Florida’s whopping $100 billion budget; more growth means more services.

— Discretionary money and the state’s billion-dollar rainy day reserve.

— Unforeseen circumstances (like a pandemic).

— Speaking of COVID-19, Florida’s Medicaid population is growing.

— Contrasting approaches to managing budgets.

— The ins (and outs) of social media.

— Being nice … until budget meetings start.

— Working across the aisle with Democrats (and the impact they have through budgets). Fond memories of the opposing side.

— Eight days of sprinkles!

— Understanding the Panhandle region.

— State of play in Governor’s race: Charlie Crist versus Nikki Fried. Who has traction to take on Ron DeSantis?

— Val Demings fundraising triumph; is Marco Rubio vulnerable?

— Will Demings be a “savior” for Florida Democrats? Which way will voters land?

— The national spotlight heads to Florida. How strong is DeSantis, really?

Special Guest: Jay Trumbull.

On a brand-new State of Emergency, Jared Moskowitz and Peter Schorsch welcome POLITICO senior political reporter Matt Dixon.

Topics include:

— Making podcast magic.

— Matt’s impending marriage/honeymoon (Mazel Tov).

— Happy birthday Disney World! (Don’t mess with the Mouse.)

— Florida Republican Party voter registration; will it overtake the Democratic advantage?

— NPA matter in elections.

— Center-right voters flock to Florida; there’s no “woke bullshit” here.

— Republican areas growing fastest, i.e., The Villages.

— Systemic problems with Florida Dems. Can it be overcome?

— Embracing a “need to win” mentality.

— Dems need compromise, not “swinging for the fences.” Working more to make GOP bills “less bad.”

— Fewer men in college; a good thing? Pros and cons of higher education.

— Work in progress: Matt’s upcoming book on Florida politics.

— Twitter rants, appreciating the hate and being “sorta famous.”

— Rapid-fire “big deal/no-deal” … Sabatini, Taddeo, Ladapo, Sprowls, Lukis, abortion and more.

— Redistricting battle begins in Florida!

Special Guest: Matt Dixon.

On the latest “State of Emergency," Jared Moskowitz and Peter Schorsch welcome Rep. Randy Fine, who is one never to shy away from a good debate, particularly regarding individual freedom and his deeply felt ideological beliefs.

— Randy gives an ‘alternate view’ on the battle over school mask mandates and why they won’t work (because he "can read,” he says). He points out that science isn’t there, and neither is the practicality of having children mask up in schools. The CDC’s own research backs him up, Randy adds.

— While insisting on vaccinations — having battled COVID-19 himself — Randy bristles at the idea of mandates of any kind, especially in schools.

— Instead of “catering to the unvaccinated,” we should just get the vaccine. There should be more incentives, Randy says.

— Jared discusses his take on the mask debate, especially since it has been politicized “by both sides.”

— Personal choice, getting vaccinated, and whose responsibility it is to protect society?

— Randy gives “three nice things” he has to say about Florida universities.

— The slippery slope of having two classes of citizens: vaccinated and unvaccinated.

— Affordable housing amendment, and Peter’s upcoming trip to NYC for the reopening of Broadway (and “Hamilton”).

— Celebrating the Jewish New Year.

Special Guest: Randy Fine.