Last Call – A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics.
First Shot
For once, the state is taking textbook publishers to task not about the words on the page, but the sticker on the cover.
Attorney General James Uthmeier has filed suit against McGraw-Hill and Savvas Learning Co., alleging the companies systematically overcharged Florida school districts in violation of state law.
The case, filed in the 2nd Judicial Circuit, says the publishers ignored requirements that Florida schools be offered the same lowest price available anywhere else in the country. Instead, the complaint accuses the publishers of “systematically overcharging Florida school districts” while withholding discounts extended to districts elsewhere, leaving taxpayers to pick up the tab.
The Governor’s office and Education Department are in on the effort, with Gov. Ron DeSantis issuing his own news release touting it as a move to protect schools and taxpayers.
“Florida continues to lead in education because we stand up for schools, students, and taxpayers,” DeSantis said. “Textbook publishers that exploit Florida school districts must be held accountable, and I commend Attorney General Uthmeier for bringing this action.”
Textbook contents did, however, get a mention: “Florida districts, teachers and students deserve better than textbooks filled with ideological content sold at inflated costs. That’s why we’re building an English language arts curriculum developed in Florida, for Florida’s students with a focus on lower costs, foundational learning, academic integrity, and factual content,” said Education Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas.
With at least 5,900 alleged instances of overcharging — including examples running into the hundreds of thousands for a single district — the state is looking to claw back millions.
Evening Reads
—”How an obscure firm bet on the Trumps and became their go-to dealmaker” via David Uberti of The Wall Street Journal
—”How a rubber band explains my view on Donald Trump and democracy” via Chris Cillizza of So What
—”Trump buys more time for Vladimir Putin” via Tom Nichols of The Atlantic
—”Why Ukraine won’t just give up its territory” via Joshua Keating of Vox
—”How one American brand stays ahead of Trump tariff Whac-a-Mole” via Peter S. Goodman of The New York Times
—”This burger is brought to you by immigrants” via Elly Fishman of Rolling Stone
—”Florida files suit against textbook publishers, alleging unfair pricing” via Jay Waagmeester of the Florida Phoenix
—”What is ‘AI psychosis’ and how can ChatGPT affect your mental health?” via Nitasha Tiku and Sabrina Malhi of The Washington Post
—”Silicon Valley is panicking about Zohran Mamdani. NYC’s tech scene is not” via Caroline Haskins of WIRED
—“14 candidates enter races for Florida Legislature seats within Brevard in 2026 election” via Dave Berman of Florida Today
Quote of the Day
“Our lawsuit exposes a textbook case of corporate greed …”
— Attorney General James Uthmeier, coming in hot with the perfect idiom.
Put it on the Tab
Look to your left, then look to your right. If you see one of these people at your happy hour haunt, flag down the bartender and put one of these on your tab. Recipes included, just in case the Cocktail Codex fell into the well.
It’s not a drink, it’s hundreds of them — with the state going after ‘greedy’ publishers, here’s a shoutout to Ten Speed Press for slashing the price of the Cocktail Codex.
We’re not sure whether DeSantis’ claim that 95% of asylum claims are bogus, but his analogy warrants a Monkey Wrench (With Ratchet).
With UWF’s new program to boost computer science education in public schools, Florida is on track to give the Cocktail Computer (AKA ‘the perfect computations for life’s libations’) a run for its money … once students hit legal drinking age, of course.
Breakthrough Insights
Tune In
Rays, Yankees open series at Steinbrenner Stadium
The Tampa Bay Rays open a three-game series against the New York Yankees tonight in the Yankees’ minor-league park now serving as the Rays’ temporary home (7:35 p.m. ET, FanDuel Sports Net Sun).
The series is an important one for the Rays as they try to stay within reach of the American League wild card race. Tampa Bay begins the day 11.5 games behind the American League East-leading Toronto Blue Jays and 6.5 games out of the final wild card spot. The Yankees, Seattle Mariners, and Boston Red Sox occupy the three spots in the A.L. wild card standings with identical .540 winning percentages.
The Yankees have won seven of the last 10 games, including a sweep of a three-game series in St. Louis against the Cardinals.
Tampa Bay has won four of the last six but lost to the Giants in San Francisco on Sunday.
Tonight’s game and the next two in the series are scheduled to be played at Steinbrenner Field, the Yankees’ spring training stadium and typically the home of the Yankees’ minor league affiliate in the Florida State League. After Hurricane Milton damaged Tropicana Field, the Rays moved to Steinbrenner Field for the 2025 season.
The Rays have won 32 of 62 games at their temporary home.
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Last Call is published by Peter Schorsch, assembled and edited by Phil Ammann and Drew Wilson, with contributions from the staff of Florida Politics.
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