You’d think they wouldn’t be so chummy. But apparently Gov. Rick Scott is warming up to Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross. And vice versa.
Politico reported Friday that Ross will have a fundraiser tonight for Scott at his home in the Hamptons. In New York. Not Florida, where the guv’s increasingly tough re-election, according to polls, will be next year.
But that’s not really why this seems out of sync with the universe. It’s because the billionaire who wanted the public to pony up for the upgrades to his private SunLife Stadium has all but declared war on House Speaker Will Weatherford and several legislators he blames for burying his bill in Tallahassee, which would have gotten his hands on millions of public tax dollars.
Wonder how State Rep. Carlos Trujillo (R-Doral), Michael Bileca (R-Pinecrest) and Jose Felix “One More Pepe” Diaz (R-Kendall) feel about this. The three of them were attacked by Ross’ PAC in two mailers already, this early out from 2016. And Ladra has confirmed they are seeking candidates to run against them in the primaries (more on that later).
Trujillo was very forgiving with the guv when we spoke Sunday morning. “He is raising money for his PAC and working for his re-election,” the representative told Ladra, sort of like saying Scott’s doing what he has to do.
“It’s a decision the governor has made.”
There is no doubt that Ross can raise Scott a lot of money. Heck, he poured nearly $10 million himself into the failed attempt to take up to $200 million in public dollars for his private stadium. I’m sure he could make a nice contribution himself to any Scott Super PAC. Oh, wait, maybe the Florida Jobs First PAC — er, I mean non-profit, because even though it acts like a PAC it isn’t technically a PAC, according to Ross’ people — could make contributions to Scott’s campaign while simultaneously paying for attack pieces against his fellow GOPpers. It was reportedly formed to support Scott and make a “nonpartisan effort” in other state races, according to Politico.
And there is no doubt that Ross is going to try to get his hands on those public funds again. There has already been talk about Ross going back to the legislature next year with another attempt, if he doesn’t find a way to do it at the county level. So, what better way to start the wheels moving than a little grease all the way at the top?
Yeah, but the bill still has to go up through the bottom, right? “It still has to be heard through the two chambers,” Trujillo said, referring to the House and Senate.
Still, that is some powerful lobbyist that Ross might have the next time around. It’s a good thing the stadium instituted that clear bag policy so that nobody can smuggle absentee ballots in.
Or, maybe, it’s more simple than that. Maybe with Mike Dee gone since he left for a job with San Diego’s baseball team, Ross is just looking for another creepy bald guy to hang around with.