He Said, She Said: Poll tax or not with James "J.W." Grant & #BillsAreDying with POLITICO's Matt Dixon

Key Insights

• Peter and Michelle break down their weekend in Lakeland at Ella's dance competition, the moral issues associated with competitions, and life as #DanceParents.
• They give a rundown of their Sunday night entertainment. TV shows include Billions, Barry, and the final season of Veep with Julia Louis-Dreyfus - what Peter and Michelle call the funniest show on television.
• Michelle says Veep is a great show for anyone who has ever worked on a campaign, as it gives voices to the "crass thoughts" every political operative has when running a campaign.
• Peter breaks down the latest edition of Influence Magazine: The Technology Issue. It focuses on the intersection of technology and politics, and where technology is headed in Florida.
• Tally Madness is in full swing: Like March Madness, people pick brackets and vote on who they believe is the best lobbyist in Florida. The biggest upset so far? The #16 seed just took down the #1 seed.
• Find out who Michelle is lobbying for to win Tally Madness.
• Crazy stories in Florida Politics: Janelle Irwin's story on David Straz's mausoleum, which is complete with custom stained glass that depicts a Rolls Royce logo, a private jet, and the arts.
• What would go on Michelle and Peter's stained glass? Peter's wedding band, a cross, filet mignon, Beauregard and Romeo (their dogs), their golf cart, a Disney cruise ship, the family portrait would include Rapunzel, ear buds, and a Kindle.
• Update on the session: Florida Politics has long been at the center of coverage on leadership races, Peter talks why leadership races are important and how they effect politicians' influence. Danny Perez to be in line for speaker in 2022, based on the assumption of Republican leadership.
• This is the time where bills begin to die: #BillsDying. Michelle talks preemption bills and her carrying plastic straws everywhere she goes.
• Amendment implementation bills are a huge issue Tallahassee at the moment, especially Amendment 4.
• Peter and Michelle welcome Tampa State Representative James J.W. Grant to talk the Amendment 4 implementation bill, Auburn basketball, and what it's like to be in the crosshairs of a divisive national debate.
• Diving into Amendment 4: Why does it need an implementing bill? "It's not self executing, there are details that they put in front of the Supreme Court that need to be ironed out. Felony sex offense means nothing legally, murder means nothing legally."
• The language of the bill: "Automatically restore the right to vote for people with prior felony convictions, except those convicted of murder or a felony sexual offense, upon completion of their sentences, including prison, parole, and probation."
• Grant's take: From a legal definition, murder means nothing. Homicide is a large chapter of laws, and attempted murder was left out. Felony sex offense was also not clearly defined.
• The "after they complete all terms of the sentence" portion has stirred up media controversy, many are calling this a poll tax and Grant is at the center of a national debate.
• Grant has sat down with NAACP and prominent black pastors throughout the state to explain the problems associated with the implementation of the bill and its execution.
• "What I would say on this one is, who I'm most disappointed for is the people who invested their time and their money - who went and got petitions and campaigned to get something on the ballot and then campaigned to get something passed that they believed said something that it doesn't say." - James J.W. Grant
• Grant says this is an example of why making policy constitutional is so dangerous and why amendments must have clearer language around execution and policy implementation.
• Now Rep. Grant is working on a bill to limit amendment referendums, increase transparency around who is paying for amendments and who is collecting signatures.
• "Much like cyber security, I don't need to wait until harm happens to recognize that we are vulnerable." - Rep. Grant
• Matt Dixon on budget time: "It's fascinating time, everyone's got both their parochial and their partisan knives out and we're going to see how they figure out a way to cobble this together.
• Dixon on hiccups in the budget: Education funding. There is a big gap between Senate and House. House budget goes toward school choice/charter school, Senate's budget goes toward traditional neighborhood schools. Visit Florida could also be a big budget issue.
• Dixon is not predicting Visit Florida's demise, but says, "they're getting a haircut, regardless."
• Hot takes: Peter on being a #DanceDad and Michelle on choosing partisan sides.