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While Peter Schorsch holds many titles — blogger, consultant and editor-in-chief of Florida Politics, the most influential political website in the Sunshine State — the one which he’s proudest is “husband and father.” That’s what makes his new podcast so exciting: Peter’s co-host, a woman every bit as accomplished as he is — his wife, Michelle Todd Schorsch. “He Said, She Said” has Peter and Michelle — previously a respected political consultant, now the CEO of the bustling Schorsch household — discussing the driving topics of the day, especially how politics really goes down in Florida. But the political talk is just a jumping off point to a wide-range of subject matter, from the latest in pop culture to some very strong opinions on family life and parenting. Listen in to hear how one political couple balances it all.

07/30/2019 | Episode 020 | 1:56:12

He Said, She Said: Vacation is over and it's 'back to school' with Sen. Janet Cruz and the Florida Retailers' James Miller

He Said, She Said: Vacation is over and it's 'back to school' with Sen. Janet Cruz and the Florida Retailers' James Miller

On this episode of He Said, She Said, the Schorsches return from their three week trek through Europe for a packed episode. They share some memorable experiences from their trip, and get down to business interviewing guests. Peter and Michelle welcome Florida Retail Federation's James Miller to talk Tax Free Weekend. Next, they welcome State Senator Janet Cruz to talk about the Get The Lead Out Hillsborough campaign, a movement to equip school drinking fountains with water filters. Cruz gives an update on what she's working on this summer and her top choices for the 2020 presidential race.

Key Insights

  • On this episode of He Said, She Said, the Schorsches return from their European vacation. They recap some of the best parts of their trip and their favorite AirBnB Experiences.
  • Peter and Michelle celebrate the 8th anniversary of their engagement. Peter proposed at Quorum, A Not Too Political Happy Hour, which he used to host in St. Pete.
  • First guest: James Miller, Senior Director of External Affairs for the Florida Retail Federation (and Peter's fraternity brother) talks Tax Free Weekend.
  • The Tax Free Weekend sale has traditionally been three days, but this year it has been extended to five. Miller says the extended Tax Free Weekend both helps consumers and eases pressures on retailers.
  • Tax Free Weekend is the informal kick-off for back to school. Consumers can buy up to $1000 in electronics tax free, up to $60 tax free for clothing items, and up to $15 in school supples.
  • Retails expect families K-12 to spend an average of nearly $700 this weekend. College students are expected to spend an average of $1000.
  • Janet Cruz, State Senator from Tampa joins the podcast as the second guest of the day. Florida Politics ranked Cruz the 11th most powerful politician in Tampa Bay.
  • Get The Lead Out Hillsborough: Cruz tried to pass SB 66 last session, but it came back with an indeterminate fiscal (meaning they didn't know how much it would cost). But she's now privately funding a private project to put water filters in schools built before 1986, when schools were built with lead pipes.
  • Cruz has raised almost $100,000 of the $250,000 goal. The first filter of the project was installed last week in just 15 minutes. Donors can adopt a water fountain for $30, adopt a school for $1500, and adopt five schools for $5000.
  • Michelle and Peter are asking two other listeners to adopt Michelle's elementary school, Citrus Park Elementary, alongside them for $500 each.
  • What else is Cruz working on this summer? A bill to put a cap on the cost of insulin, keeping co-pays at $100 a month or less. Cruz is also working on programs for veterans, including alternative treatments and education incentives, and free medical marijuana cards.
  • Cruz' top spots in the Democratic race for 2020? Joe Biden and "Mayor Pete" Buttigieg.
  • Peter predicts that Biden will drop from front-runner status and the top three will be Elizabeth Warren, Kamala Harris, and Pete Buttigieg.
  • Peter talks history, travel, and the beauty of ceremony he saw while traveling Europe and how that contrasted with reading racist tweets from President Donald Trump.
  • Peter and Michelle list off their foodie tour, including multiple Michelin 2-star restaurants and a few of the top restaurants in the world.
  • Hot takes: Michelle says we no longer deserve the Statue of Liberty. Peter says that despite the pushback, the NFL should extend to 18 regular season games.
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About the host

While Peter Schorsch holds many titles — blogger, consultant and editor-in-chief of Florida Politics, the most influential political website in the Sunshine State — the one of which he’s proudest is “husband and father.” That’s what makes his new podcast so exciting. Peter’s co-host is a woman every bit as accomplished as he is: his wife, Michelle Todd Schorsch. “He Said, She Said” has Peter and Michelle — previously a respected political consultant, now the CEO of the bustling Schorsch household — discussing the driving topics of the day, especially how politics really goes down in Florida. 


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