THE MESSENGER The Newsletter of The Institute 2018 | Edition 2 www.jamesmadison.org

President’s Legislative Florida Influence Campus Message Summary Events PAGE 8 Update PAGE 2 PAGE 3 PAGE 6 PAGE 10

Pundits on Annual Civics Civics Policy the Porch Dinners Education Fellowship Centers

Inside PAGE 12 PAGE 13 PAGE 14 PAGE 14 PAGE 15 President’s Message

t’s already the midway point of 2018 – and Iwe are fast approaching what will be one of the most consequential elections in Florida’s The James Madison Institute Trusted Solutions for a Better Florida history. While we have strived as a state over the past 20 years to place the economy of BOARD OF DIRECTORS Florida on a trajectory for lasting prosperity, CHAIRMAN | Jeffrey V. Swain Tallahassee PRESIDENT & CEO | J. Robert McClure III, Ph.D. the progress we have made is 100 percent at Tallahassee stake and on the table for voters to decide on VICE CHAIRMAN | Robert H. Gidel Sr. Sarasota TREASURER | Glen T. Blauch Naples November 6. Typically, I am reluctant to make too much MEMBERS OF THE BOARD of the long-term consequences of any election. Allan G. Bense | Chairman Emeritus, Panama City J. F. Bryan IV | Jacksonville I tend to smirk when pundits talk about each Timothy M. Cerio | Tallahassee upcoming election as “the most important election in history.” But all hyperbole L. Charles Hilton Jr. | Chairman Emeritus, Panama City John F. Kirtley | Tampa aside, I truly believe that Floridians will look back on the 2018 election as one Frank C. Kruppenbacher | Orlando where we decided to stay the course or chose to move in a totally different Lisa A. Schultz | Orlando Joe S. York | Ponte Vedra Beach direction and pursue the path of progressive states like California, Illinois, and Connecticut. ADVISORY COUNCIL When Floridians take to the polls on the first Tuesday of November, they Dr. Michael Bond | University of Arizona Jack Chambless | Valencia College will cast votes for more offices and issues than at any other time in recent Dr. Marshall DeRosa | Florida Atlantic University history. On the ballot will be all new cabinet members (Governor, Attorney Dr. Dino Falaschetti | House Committee on Financial Services General, Chief Financial Officer, and Agriculture Commissioner), all 120 Elizabeth Price Foley, J.D. | Florida International members of the Florida House of Representatives, more than one-third of University College of Law Dr. James Gwartney | Florida State University the Florida Senate, our 25 members of the United States Congress, a highly- Dr. Randall Holcombe | Florida State University contested U.S. Senate seat, and 13 ballot initiatives for the Florida Constitution. Robert Poole | Reason Foundation Peter Schweizer | Government Accountability Institute In addition, three members of the Florida Supreme Court will be retiring, Dr. Sam Staley | DeVoe L. Moore making this election all the more pivotal for the future of our courts. Center at Florida State University James M. Taylor, J.D. | Heartland Institute Regardless of the results of November 6, the staff at The James Madison Dr. J. Antonio Villamil | Economics Group Institute will continue to engage in the battle of ideas in Tallahassee, across INSTITUTE STAFF the great state of Florida, and in the corridors of Washington, D.C. While we Daniel Behrens | Communications Coordinator have seen great strides over the course of the term of President Trump, there Jessica Brewton | Director of Events & Logistics are absolutely areas in which we haven’t been successful and need to continue Tanja Clendinen | Database Manager Rebecca Liner | Executive Vice President the fight. Jill Mattox | Foundation Grants Manager As we enter the heart of 2018, I continue to be humbled by the engagement William R. Mattox Jr. | Director of the J. Stanley Marshall Center for Educational Options of our supporters. Our work here at JMI could not be done without your Dr. J. Robert McClure, III | President & CEO generosity - through the gifts of your time, your talents, and your treasure. It Sal Nuzzo | Vice President of Policy Logan Elizabeth Padgett | Director of is through your engagement that we are able to accomplish far more than we Communications and Public Affairs could alone. Together, we will continue to stand as a beacon of liberty and Clay Tullos | Financial Manager freedom for Florida’s leaders to reach out to as they chart the next course for CONTACT US our great state. We look forward to seeing you soon. Mail The James Madison Institute The Columns 100 North Duval Street Sincerely, Tallahassee, FL 32301 Phone 850-386-3131 Email [email protected] Website www.jamesmadison.org J. Robert McClure III, Ph.D.

2 | SUMMER 2018 | MESSENGER 2018 Legislative Summary loridians have a brighter future thanks to tireless work from Governor Rick Scott, Senate President Joe Negron, FHouse Speaker Richard Corcoran, and other legislative leaders. Over the 2018 Legislative Session, a wide range of policy priorities of The James Madison Institute were passed by the Legislature and signed into law by the Governor in the key areas of education, economic prosperity, and private property rights. The entire team at JMI worked hard to educate and inform state legislators on policies that significantly advance limited government, personal liberty, and economic freedom through written publications, face-to-face meetings, expert testimony, workshops, press conferences, and various other efforts

Update from the J. Stanley Marshall Center for Educational Options

• Reading Improvement colleges – and allow qualifying Scholarship. This new program, students to use their Bright Futures which House Education Committee Scholarship to pay for summer Chairman Michael Bileca said was courses. Greater student flexibility he 2018 Legislative Session proved inspired by JMI, gives elementary and improved space efficiency Tthat House Speaker Richard school students who do not yet read should result, since many classrooms Corcoran wasn’t kidding when he set well the opportunity to acquire currently sit idle during the summer out to make education choice a major supplemental reading assistance months. part of his lawmaking legacy. A year such as tutoring. Importantly, • Campus Free Speech and after championing the groundbreaking parents will enjoy wide latitude in Intellectual Diversity. These “Schools of Hope” initiative, Speaker choosing learning aids to purchase measures ban so-called “free speech Corcoran and his legislative allies for their child, as this new program zones” (often no bigger than a passed two significant education choice is patterned after the highly-flexible postage stamp) on state-funded programs that Gov. Rick Scott signed (and very popular) Gardiner college campuses – and commission into law. These initiatives topped Scholarship for special-needs a study designed to measure the an impressive list of newly-adopted children. education reforms, which included: viewpoint diversity of college faculty • Computer Science and at Florida institutions of higher • The Hope Scholarship (aka The Financial Literacy. These learning. measures give Florida high school Student Safety Scholarship). • Bethune Statue. This measure students wider access to courses This measure gives student victims provides for the creation of a Mary where they can acquire computer of bullying, sexual harassment, McLeod Bethune statue to represent coding skills (which are increasingly or violent assault the option of the state of Florida in the U.S. needed in the marketplace) and to transferring to a different school – Capitol’s Statuary Hall. In 1904, semester-long courses in financial public or private – with funding that Dr. Bethune founded the Daytona literacy (to help them learn how to “follows the student” rather than School for Negro Girls, which grew manage their personal resources). dictating where it must be spent. into what is now Bethune-Cookman Nearly 50,000 Florida students • Dual Enrollment and Summer University; and she inspired many are expected to qualify for this Course Options. These measures Florida educators, including JMI’s scholarship. give all Florida high school founder, Stan Marshall, who served students (not just those attending on B-CU’s Board of Trustees, for public schools) free access to dual many years. enrollment courses taught at state

www.jamesmadison.org | 3 Update from the Center for Economic Prosperity

process. This will bode well for 2019 with the passage of a gold-standard and a new House Speaker and Senate data collection package championed President. A few of JMI’s notable by leaders in both the Florida House he 2018 Legislative Session in policy wins include: and Senate. The tool, which will Tmany ways resembled a massive, standardize data metrics across all tall, looping roller coaster we all had to • Direct Primary Care. After four 67 counties and every single judicial endure as it whipped and rolled for just long years trying, the chambers circuit, will make Florida a national a hair longer than 60 days. The session agreed on legislation that enables leader in data-driven reform. In began with a very bold, ambitious, and direct primary care networks addition, Florida’s standout juvenile principled set of priorities to advance (contracts between doctors and civil citation program was expanded limited government and economic patients) to operate without fear of to adults, providing a one-time prosperity for all Floridians. And then, insurance regulations negating them. opportunity for those committing right around the mid-point of session, minor offenses to participate in • Teacher Union Recertification. a diversionary program that has the tragedy at Marjory Stoneman While Florida is a right-to-work proven to reduce recidivism. Douglas High School tossed what can state, the negative impact of the only be described as a 10,000-pound teachers’ union monopoly is still felt. • Tax Policy. In November, wrench in the gears of the legislative Unencumbered by any competitive Floridians will have the opportunity process. While JMI does not engage in forces, teachers unions have thrived to vote on a constitutional provision Second Amendment policy, the impact by cronyism and authoritarian that would require a 2/3 majority of the legislature deciding to address the fiat. With the passage of this year’s for any future tax increases. This tragedy with a major reform package education reform package, any common-sense initiative would brought some substantial challenges to collective bargaining unit that fails protect the citizens of the Sunshine the rest of policymaking, including the to have more than 50 percent of State from the never-ending push to budget, in the final two weeks of the its potential membership as dues- grow government at the expense of annual session. paying members will be required liberty and freedom. By requiring Nevertheless, substantial progress to hold a recertification election. new tax increases to be approved by was made on several specific issues Expect this reform to have a positive a supermajority, a valuable check on of importance to Floridians. Major impact on teacher unions as a level the power of future legislatures will policy successes occurred in the areas of competitive force is finally brought ensure that Florida’s government of healthcare reform, criminal justice to bear. retains its position as one of the most policy, and labor reform, just to name efficient in the United States. a few. In addition, in areas where • Criminal Justice Reform. The we didn’t see actual policy enacted, path for criminal justice reform big strides were seen in the legislative became much more visible in 2018,

4 | SUMMER 2018 | MESSENGER Update from the Center for Property Rights

by government lobbyist groups, a real • Home Sharing. Over the past win for property owners was secured. several years, JMI has been at the forefront of debate on the innovation • Property Rights and economy. In 2018, this debate Comprehensive Plans. In land- hile the 2018 Legislative Session entered the realm of property rights use decisions, the comprehensive was not as strong with regards to with the initiation of debate on W plans of local governments private property rights as prior sessions short-term rental policies. Local are mandated to consider nine have been, several policy issues were governments would like the ability to issues such as the environment, addressed, and some efforts began restrict private property owners from infrastructure, water, etc. Missing their paths to reform (which often take renting rooms in their own homes from the list is a requirement to several years to reach fruition). While for short durations. This policy is not consider private property rights. several specific efforts didn’t make only a violation of private property In the 2018 Session, this issue was “the finish line” and to the Governor’s rights, it is also a short-sighted initiated and a bill was filed to add a desk, there were victories to highlight, attack on the sharing economy – tenth mandate or element to consider including: one destined to ultimately fail. JMI private property rights. A contentious participated aggressively in attempts issue, it will require additional effort • Private Property Owners and to educate policy makers on the need in future sessions to see full adoption. Customary Use. This issue was to reach a statewide solution that one of JMI’s top priorities. The • Property Owners and Land protects private property owners. Doctrine of Customary Use permits Stewardship. A bill was offered While the process will continue into the public to temporarily use private that would allow property owners 2019, this will be a major issue for property when such use can be to trim or cut their trees on their JMI in the years to come. proven as a historical and owner- own property without government allowed occurrence. The bill, which permission. The bill was strongly While there were still a number of was passed, places conflicts over opposed by environmental and important issues left undone during the customary use in their proper place government lobbying groups. The legislative session, JMI will continue to – a court of law (where due process Florida House of Representatives promote the tried and tested principles can be objectively employed) rather passed the policy through its of free markets and limited government than in a city council or county chamber, and JMI will continue to as we look toward the 2019 Legislative commission. It also defines the advance this issue with the Florida Session and beyond. procedure with which a government Senate in future legislative sessions. entity must comply when it seeks to allow the public to use private property. Although strongly opposed

www.jamesmadison.org | 5 JMI staff, interns, and campus representatives gather at the Special Guest Nigel Farage, Fox News commentator and the man 2018 Annual Dinner in Tallahassee. behind Brexit, addresses the crowd at the 2018 Naples Dinner.

JMI’s Sal Nuzzo and Dr. Bob McClure field questions with Erika Former Speaker of the Florida House and JMI Chairman Donalds and Byron Donalds at Inside Sources, a behind-the- Emeritus Allan Bense and his family are honored at the 2018 scenes look at the 2018 Legislative Session and Constitution Annual Dinner in Tallahassee. Revision Commission.

JMI President and CEO Dr. Bob McClure welcomes guests to the Constitution Revision Commissioner Erika Donalds and Rep. 2018 Annual Dinner in Tallahassee. Byron Donalds with JMI staff at The Columns.

Special Guest Nigel Farage stands with JMI board member Glen Sen. Jeff Brandes and author Dick Carpenter discuss the need for Blauch and his wife, Sandra, at the 2018 Naples Dinner. occupational licensing reform at a JMI event.

6 | SUMMER 2018 | MESSENGER JMI Events

JMI’s Dr. Bob McClure discusses free-market reform with AROUND Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai. FLORIDA

JMI staff at the Sarasota Regional Breakfast with Dr. Susan MacManus.

JMI staff members volunteer with A Full Summer, which prepared over 60,000 meals for food-insecure children and families.

www.jamesmadison.org | 7 Influence

Our President and CEO, Dr. J. Robert McClure, speaking at Holland & Knight to West Palm Beach supporters and friends.

J. Stanley Marshall Center Director William Mattox championing school choice on a panel at Broward College.

JMI represented at the United States Supreme Court for the Janus v. AFSCME oral arguments.

J. Stanley Marshall Center for Educational Options Director William Mattox testifying on a school choice bill at a Senate committee meeting during the 2018 Legislative Session.

8 | SUMMER 2018 | MESSENGER JMI staffers at The Columns with Congressman Neal Dunn JMI’s Director of Communications and Public Affairs Logan Padgett moderating a “Women in Government” panel at the 2018 Girls State meeting with Judge Nina Ashenafi Richardson, Michelle Rehwinkel Vasilinda and Major Eileen Powell.

JMI’s Vice President of Policy Sal Nuzzo in Anchorage, Alaska at JMI Vice President of Policy Sal Nuzzo sitting at Vice President the Annual Tax Reform Summit with Americans for Tax Reform Mike Pence’s desk while at The White House to talk with President Grover Norquist senior staff and the National Economic Council on state-based solutions to healthcare policy challenges.

JMI policy staff participating in a press conference during the As part of Boys State 2018, J. Stanley Marshall Center for 2018 legislative session with criminal justice reform coalition Educational Options Director William Mattox moderates a panel members and Florida House and Senate leadership. discussion with prominent journalists on the role of the media in politics and government.

www.jamesmadison.org | 9 AN UPDATE FROM Florida’s College Campuses

y name is John Towey and government and economic MI am a senior studying freedom through campus and politics and economics at Ave community events. Maria University (AMU) in In just three years, the JMI southwest Florida. In addition Campus Representative Program to my studies, I serve as the has already been influential Campus Representative for in impacting the culture on The James Madison Institute Florida’s college campuses and has reached more than 60,000 at AMU. My role as a JMI college students. Classes, research Campus Representative is papers, and campus involvement to represent The Institute can often leave a college student and its core values of limited ambivalent, if not indifferent, to

10 | SUMMER 2018 | MESSENGER the world of policy and government, throughout the state. By engaging but JMI has embraced the challenge Florida’s students, JMI is creating an of forming a more engaged student avenue for the advancement of liberty body committed to the open inquiry and economic freedom one campus at and exchange of ideas required for a time. liberty. This past semester I had the privilege of bringing along a group of Ave Maria students to a campus free speech symposium in Naples hosted by the William F. Buckley Program at Yale. If not for The James Madison Institute, this opportunity would not have been available to the students of Ave Maria. JMI’s Campus Representatives are playing a crucial role on college campuses

A Conversation with Victor V. Claar, Ph.D.

am an associate professor their own valuable work in the service of others. I of economics in the Lutgert My other job that comes with my BB&T professorship College of Business at Florida is organizing speakers and events throughout the year— Gulf Coast University (FGCU) most of which are open to the public as well as the campus where I hold the BB&T community. In the Fall of 2017, I gave a lecture about some Distinguished Professorship in of my own research about fair trade coffee and whether Free Enterprise. I also serve as an it really does help the poor as intended. Our Spring 2018 Affiliate Scholar in Economics BB&T event was a screening of Poverty, Inc. The film was at the Acton Institute in Grand introduced by its director and following the film we had a Rapids, Michigan. My most panel discussion that included Ismael Hernandez from popular book is Economics the Freedom & Virtue Institute and Kristina Ribali from in Christian Perspective: Theory, Policy, and Life Choices FlourishNow—both from Southwest Florida. (IVP Academic), which is now in its tenth printing and is JMI plays a critical part in helping policy makers and also available in Chinese. I arrived at FGCU in time for the voters in Southwest Florida think more carefully about the 2017-18 school year, and previously taught at both private individual human beings likely to be affected by proposed and public institutions in Arkansas and Michigan. or existing policy initiatives. Just like my own work this As the BB&T professor, my duties include teaching our year—whether it be thinking critically about the effects senior capstone course for economics majors, Moral and of international aid or fair trade coffee upon the lives of Ethical Foundations of Capitalism. The class is a Socratic individual human beings who each face a unique set of seminar, which means that each time we meet I get to play circumstances known best to themselves—JMI communicates Socrates and pummel the students with questions regarding clearly that sometimes, despite our best intentions, policy the readings. My job isn’t to tell them what to think; instead I actions can backfire. And often they backfire in ways that help them arrive at their own conclusions about the readings adversely affect the very individuals we want most to help, though our dialogue. We cover about 2,000 pages of reading and who are in fragile circumstances already. I am proud each semester, and our authors include Adam Smith, to be a partner with JMI in making sure that Florida policy Ludwig von Mises, Friedrich Hayek, and Ayn Rand. One works for all Floridians, and that we constantly work to goal of the course is to help students move beyond the data eliminate existing obstacles that stand in the way of lasting and analytics of economics to think intentionally about the gains for all Floridians. human person in relation to the economic order, including

www.jamesmadison.org | 11 Pundits on the Porch

This spring, JMI’s influence expanded into new areas as we launched our very own podcast series. “Pundits on the Porch” with Dr. Bob McClure and Sal Nuzzo is now live! “Pundits on the Porch” features interviews with political and policy “pundits” about freedom, culture, and Florida’s future. Head over to iTunes or the JMI Podcast Page to subscribe and listen!

12 | SUMMER 2018 | MESSENGER 2018 Annual Dinners

2018 Tallahassee Annual Dinner Naples Annual Dinner In the midst of a tumultuous and The James Madison Institute had a brilliant night of insight unpredictable legislative session, The into international policy, American politics, and British James Madison Institute and its special comedy on March 8th at the beautiful Ritz-Carlton Golf guests came together on February 15 for Resort in Naples, Florida. The 2018 Naples Annual Dinner the 2018 Tallahassee Annual Dinner. We hosted keynote speaker Nigel Farage. Mr. Farage is a British celebrated many things, including the politician, broadcaster, and political analyst who led the successes and leadership of former Speaker Independence Party of the United Kingdom twice. He is of the Florida House and JMI Chairman one of the most widely-recognized individuals in Europe and Allan G. Bense. JMI also welcomed Guy has a dedicated following of fans in the United States where P. Benson and Mary Katharine Ham to he is often consulted for his views on the changing nature of the stage, a spirited duo of authors and American politics. political commentators, who provided us Mr. Farage spoke on the importance of great leadership and with laughter and fresh insight. Thanks educating the future generation in the importance of standing to our honored guests and attendees, up for their principles. He also mixed in British comedy that the 2018 Tallahassee Annual Dinner had the entire audience laughing throughout the night. Nigel was a success and left us hopeful about Farage was a delightful speaker and we hope to host him Florida’s future. again soon.

www.jamesmadison.org | 13 Civics Education Initiatives with the Preston A. Wells, Jr. Center for American Ideals

An Update from the JMI Leaders Fellows

outstanding way to learn more about our great state, a place where Americans from around the country and foreigners alike seek to build their lives and careers, and which also promises a bright future for ’m Aramis L. Perez, happily based in those of us blessed to be native Floridians. Imy hometown of Miami, the natural Through the Leaders Fellowship, a crossroads between the United States, Latin Around town, I volunteer for the unique group of thoughtful and dedicated America, and Europe. As an independent Catholic Church through Juventutem individuals learn about the issues at the consultant, I help clients advance their Miami and Catholic Young Professionals, heart of these hopeful prospects, as well as interests by navigating regional dynamics serve as Vice President of Cuban Cultural policy solutions intended to make Florida and making critical connections. Building an even better place to live, learn, work, and maintaining strategic relationships Heritage (Herencia), and patronize the arts with stakeholders has been a constant through South Florida organizations like and flourish. throughout my business, non-profit, and the renowned vocal ensemble, Seraphic Through the Leaders Fellowship, my volunteer experience. Communications Fire. I hold an A.B. in Government from love for our home state and the wonderful management, media relations, public Harvard and have a strong interest in people in it has grown, as well as my advocacy, and project management political philosophy. appreciation of what Florida represents are some of the other areas where I’ve The James Madison Institute’s for the rest of America and the world: been proud to make contributions to Leaders Fellowship Program for a place of healthy community, growing organizations. professionals under the age of 40 is an opportunity, and ordered liberty.

14 | SUMMER 2018 | MESSENGER Centers

MISSION: To advance free-market solutions that promote entrepreneurialism and create economic opportunities for all.

MISSION: To promote policy reforms that empower Florida parents to choose the schools, courses, resources and programs that best meet their child’s unique needs, interests, aptitudes and learning styles. MISSION: To promote liberty, economic prosperity, and the rule of law by recommending property rights policy that will: 1. Maximize an owner’s right to enjoy and use one’s property 2. Prevent government attempts to overregulate the use of property, limit government ownership of property, and eliminate government abuse of MISSION: To help students of all ages learn more property owners about the time-honored ideals that have animated 3. Promote responsible stewardship of all property American life since our nation’s founding by providing regardless of ownership—private, corporate, high-quality resources to teachers and students. and public

MISSION: To raise up young leaders who impact MISSION: To build a network of supporters, American culture with the principles of limited investors, ambassadors, and friends across the government, economic freedom, and individual Sunshine State who protect and promote the ideas of responsibility through training and experience. free markets, economic opportunity and prosperity for every Floridian.

www.jamesmadison.org | 15 Stay Connected Non-Profit Org. The James Madison Institute U.S. Postage PAID @JmsMadisonInst Tallahassee, FL @DrBobMcClure Permit No. 640 The James Madison Institute P.O. Box 10150 youtube.com/user/JamesMadisonInstitut Tallahassee, FL 32302 flickr.com/photos/jmsmadisoninst 850-386-3131 [email protected] pinterest.com/jmsmadisoninst www.jamesmadison.org

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leave a why publius? The James Madison Institute’s Publius Society is a group of men and women who believe the most Publius was the pseudonym chosen legacy important legacy they can leave their children is a by James Madison, John Jay, and bequest of freedom. Alexander , in their original collective writing of The Federalist of Become a friend of the people of Florida and join The Papers. The Roman name“Publius” James Madison Insititute’s quest to leave a permanent also means “a friend of the people.” legacy of liberty to future generations. liberty These 85 papers from the anonymous If you are interested in joining The Publius Society, “Publius” appeared in newspapers please contact Don Orrico at across the country to support the [email protected] or call 850-386-3131. ratification of the U.S. Constitution.