Backroom briefing: Farm feud and more
Weekly political notes from The News Service of Florida
Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson [fdacs.gov]
Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson, a former Senate president, took exception this week when the powerful Senate Rules Committee postponed consideration of his “farm bill.”
The committee is chaired by Sen. Kathleen Passidomo, a Naples Republican who succeeded Simpson as president. Simpson criticized Passidomo in a social-media post on Jan. 27 after the bill (SB 290), sponsored by Senate Agriculture Chairman Keith Truenow, R-Tavares, was put on hold.
“It is unconscionable that a single committee chair would pick up that mantle and reverse the gains we’ve made,” Simpson posted on X.
“My hope is that Chair Passidomo reconsiders her support for agriculture in our state and puts the Farm Bill back in front of the Senate,” Simpson continued.
House Budget Chairman Lawrence McClure, R-Dover, quickly backed Simpson, noting that Senate President Ben Albritton, a citrus grower from Wauchula, had been hospitalized after experiencing chest pains over the weekend and that the Rules Committee meeting was held on “Farm Bureau Day” at the Capitol.
“100’s of kids from FFA and 4H — Future of Agriculture at the Capitol to advocate for FL Ag. To call only opponents to speak, while one of the greatest advocates for FL Ag is in the hospital. It wasn’t politics, it was intentionally mean,” McClure posted on X.
In a statement, Passidomo, who served as Senate president during the 2023 and 2024 legislative sessions, replied that the bill was postponed at Truenow’s request.
“The bill sponsor TP’d (temporarily postponed) the bill and when he’s ready to present it again, I look forward to a thoughtful discussion on the proposed policy,” Passidomo wrote. “I’ve reached out to Commissioner Simpson and I look forward to speaking with him.”
During the committee meeting, Truenow said conversations were ongoing about different aspects of the bill.
“I think some of these things will be rectified in the future,” Truenow told Passidomo.
The wide-ranging bill addresses numerous issues such as preventing local bans on gas-powered farm and landscape equipment and expanding the ability of farmers to pursue legal damages over “disparagement” of agricultural products.
It also addresses numerous issues in the Simpson-led Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, such as prohibiting commercial solicitation on properties with “no solicitation” signs, adding criminal penalties for receiving or providing unauthorized assistance on commercial driver’s license exams and repealing a 2016 program designed to financially aid grocery stores in underserved or low-income communities.
SWEDISH FISH EYED
First, baby formula. Now, candy.
After the Gov. Ron DeSantis administration posted information this month about testing baby formula for toxins, it expanded testing efforts to include 46 different candies.
First Lady Casey DeSantis said this week the effort is designed to “get in front of these problems” and to lead “a coalition of states to trust but verify the integrity of our food supply.”
The DeSantis administration has tied the effort to moves by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
“Our goal really has been, as the governor has articulated, to support the federal movement,” Casey DeSantis said during an event in The Villages.
The administration said the testing found more than half the targeted candy had elevated arsenic levels that could negatively affect people who overindulge beyond low recommended amounts.
Candies exceeding a safe consumption limit for arsenic, according to the DeSantis administration, included Black Forest Gummy Bears, Laffy Taffy Banana, Nerds Grape, Hershey’s Cookies ’N’ Crème, Snickers and Swedish Fish.
None showed elevated levels of lead, mercury, cadmium or other problematic carcinogens.
Other candies, such as Hershey’s Milk Chocolate, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, M&M’s and Milky Way, were not flagged.
Previously, the DeSantis administration posted test results of 24 infant formulas. It contended 16 had at least one “heavy metal” — arsenic, cadmium, lead, mercury or pesticides — that exceeded the maximum daily limit set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
RETURN TO THE CAPITOL
Republican gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds made a point on Jan. 28 to appear before Capitol reporters between meetings with lawmakers. Donalds served in the state House from 2016 to 2020, before getting elected to Congress.
Most of Wednesday’s brief talk with reporters centered on federal immigration-enforcement efforts and the public reaction to two fatal shootings in Minnesota.
Donalds was also asked about his gubernatorial run, where his endorsement by President Donald Trump has him ahead in polling. That has also made Donalds the focus of attacks from other candidates, with the field also including Lt. Gov. Jay Collins and former House Speaker Paul Renner.
“My rivals would all love to be in my position. And they’re not. Next question,” Donalds snapped.
SOCIAL MEDIA POST OF THE WEEK: “@GovRonDeSantis has a slogan on property taxes, not a plan. No proposal. No math. No studies. Just vibes… while cities, counties, schools, police & fire are left holding the bag.” — former Sen. Jeff Brandes (@JeffreyBrandes), as DeSantis pushes to put a proposal on the November ballot to reduce property taxes.
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