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Gary Fineout's must-read briefing on what's hot, crazy or shady about politics in the Sunshine State | | | | |  | | By Gary Fineout | Good morning and welcome to 2023. Center stage — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis will be sworn in for a second term on the steps of the Old Capitol today with a fair amount of the nation’s political world waiting and watching to see what the Republican star and likely presidential contender will say and do next. Split screen — The scene in Tallahassee won’t be quite as exciting as Washington, D.C., where the turmoil surrounding Rep. Kevin McCarthy’s bid for House speaker involves McCarthy antagonist Rep. Matt Gaetz and Rep.-elect Anna Paulina Luna. The moment — But DeSantis enters his fifth year in office with several lingering questions, including the big one about his own future. What to listen for — Will he use his second inaugural speech to simply recount again the highlights of the past four years — including his well-documented battles over Covid-19 policies — or will he lay out an agenda for his second term … however long that may last. The road ahead — DeSantis has made it clear that he’s prepared to loosen the state’s concealed weapons law and tighten further abortion restrictions, as part of an expected run-up to an anticipated presidential announcement. But will he delve into those topics or will he instead use his inaugural address to compare and contrast his record with President Joe Biden in an obvious signal to his future intentions? Last time — Four years ago DeSantis — in a speech that lasted a succinct 16 minutes — pledged that he would “not be a rudderless vessel in this endeavor” and outlined priorities for education and the environment as a well as promise to tackle immigration issues. While DeSantis did focus on those issues during his first term, his inaugural address in 2019 did not forecast the battles ahead on the pandemic as well as several other flashpoints that have come to define him. Words — Expect a lot of pundits from D.C. to New York to Miami and beyond to listen for any meaningful clues in what is said and what isn’t said. — WHERE'S RON? — Gov. DeSantis will be in Tallahassee for his inauguration, which will include the swearing-in ceremony on the steps of the Old Capitol and an inaugural ball at the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for Playbook? Get in touch: gfineout@politico.com
|  | DRIVING THE DAY | | COMING ATTRACTIONS — “DeSantis second inauguration is being watched closely as a preview of what’s to come,” by Miami Herald’s Mary Ellen Klas: “Ron DeSantis will be sworn in Tuesday to his second term as Florida’s 46th governor, and it is already being seen as the start of his audition for the presidency. DeSantis has positioned himself on the national stage as a likely front-runner for the Republican nomination for president in 2024, but that requires him to launch a campaign for a new job while barely into the four-year term for his current one.” — “Gov. DeSantis embarks on a second term next week with bigger political ambitions,” by USA Today Network-Florida’s John Kennedy |  Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks to the Republican Jewish Coalition in November. DeSantis will be sworn in on Tuesday to a second term in office amid signs that he will run for president. | Scott Olson/Getty Images |
TWO DAYS AND DONE — In the past, inaugural events have stretched out over several days and have even included parades. The DeSantis inauguration is confined to a short two-day window that will feature smaller private events. This included a candlelight dinner with donors and supporters on Florida State University’s campus on Monday evening. The events on Tuesday include the swearing-in, a “Toast to One Million Mamas” event at the governor’s mansion and the inaugural ball at the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center.
Not this time — DeSantis, four years ago, held a prayer breakfast on the campus of Florida A&M University, which is a traditional event that has been held by previous governors including both Jeb Bush and Rick Scott. Instead of the breakfast, DeSantis will have a closed “Florida Faith Leaders Prayer” event. Also happening — Florida Cabinet members plan to participate in the governor’s inaugural events, although Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis did have a separate party on Monday. Incoming Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson is scheduled to hold a “Fresh from Florida” open house in the Capitol following the inauguration. | | CAMPAIGN MODE | | FLORIDA DEMOCRATS PAY HEFTY FINE OVER 2020 — Florida Democrats, who have been reeling over the last few years, agreed to pay a $43,000 civil penalty to the Federal Elections Commission to settle campaign finance violations that occurred during the 2020 campaign. The agreement with the FEC was approved in late November and was made public late last week. The document posted by federal regulators states that Democrats failed to report nearly $285,000 in debts incurred during the 2020 election cycle and that Democrats accepted excessive and prohibited contributions. The agreement states that “during the 2020 calendar year, the committee accepted contributions that exceeded $10,000 in the aggregate from 10 individuals, which totaled $175,200.” The settlement does note that the party took corrective actions, including refunding and returning contributions and that “respondent contends that, as a result of its 2020 compliance challenges, it hired a new compliance firm in late 2020 which undertook an extensive review of its 2020 financial activity.” — New data shows the folly of Trump’s crusade against early voting, by POLITICO’s Jessica Piper | | DATELINE D.C. | | DOWN TO THE WIRE — Conservatives threaten to withhold critical McCarthy support, hours before speaker vote, by POLITICO’s Olivia Beavers and Jordain Carney: Rep. Kevin McCarthy met briefly with Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), one of his most ardent opponents, as well as Reps. Scott Perry (R-Pa.) and Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.), neither of whom have committed to voting for the California Republican. But while Gaetz quipped heading into the meeting that they could be on “the verge of a New Year’s miracle,” he said afterward that the talk was “brief and productive” — and, critically, that he and five others are still “no” votes. CAUTION — ‘We better watch out’: NASA boss sounds alarm on Chinese moon ambitions, by POLITICO’s Bryan Bender: The race to the moon between the United States and China is getting tighter and the next two years could determine who gains the upper hand. So says NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, who warns that Beijing could establish a foothold and try to dominate the most resource-rich locations on the lunar surface — or even keep the U.S. out. NEXT CHAPTER — “Jared Moskowitz, lone new member of Congress from South Florida, prepares for two years as Democrat in Republican-ruled House,” by South Florida Sun-Sentinel’s Anthony Man: “And he comes with another unique credential: He was a Democratic agency head, running the Division of Emergency Management for most of Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis’ first term. 'He’s not really coming in as a rookie,' said U.S. Rep. Lois Frankel, D-West Palm Beach, who has served in the majority and the minority in the House and years ago, like [Jared] Moskowitz, was a Democrat in the Republican-controlled Florida House.” | 
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— “Al Lawson secured millions for North Florida in his final weeks of Congress. What’s next?” by Tallahassee Democrat’s James Call
— “First Gen Z member elected to Congress prepares for new job on Capitol Hill,” by ABC News’ Julia Cherner — “Rick Scott had a rocky year, but he’s still a favorite for reelection,” by Orlando Sentinel’s Steven Lemongello | | IN CASE YOU MISSED IT | | WHAT WE DID FOR THE HOLIDAYS — The news did not completely slow down during the final days of the year. So before shifting our attention fully to 2023, here’s a few noteworthy stories from the winter break: TO COURT — “Florida’s expanded lobbying ban faces legal challenge. Some officials already resigned,” by Miami Herald’s Ana Ceballos: “A legal challenge could complicate the future of Florida’s voter-approved, six-year lobbying ban, a long planned change that has likely been responsible for an exodus of high-profile public officials ahead of its taking effect on New Year’s Eve. In the federal lawsuit, five elected officials in Miami-Dade, Palm Beach and Leon counties are seeking to block the new lobbying restrictions, which are expected to be the toughest in the country.” — Diamond-studded thorns: 2 House Dem centrists speak up on their way out, by POLITICO’s Sarah Ferris — “Ex-Congressman David Rivera says charges of being a Venezuelan agent ‘completely false,’” by Miami Herald’s Jay Weaver — Sarah Huckabee Sanders picks Florida official to ‘transform’ Arkansas education, by POLITICO’s Andrew Atterbury — Newly released records show top DeSantis adviser used private email and alias to coordinate migrant flights, by POLITICO’s Matt Dixon — “‘An impossible dream’: Before flights to Martha’s Vineyard, migrants endured harrowing odyssey,” by Boston Globe’s Mike Damiano — “DeSantis’ culture wars grabbed headlines – and legal challenges that cost $17 million,” by Miami Herald’s Mary Ellen Klas — “Abortion, guns, big tech: 10 Florida legal battles to watch in 2023,” by News Service of Florida’s Jim Saunders — “Gov. DeSantis hails Cord Byrd return as Secretary of State,” by Florida Politics — “DeSantis elevates Florida judge who lost reelection after blocking teen’s abortion,” by Tampa Bay Times’ Dan Sullivan | | TRUMPLANDIA AND THE SWAMP | | STORM WARNINGS — “Trump rings in 2023 facing headwinds in his White House run,” by The Associated Press’ Jill Colvin: “One year later, Trump is facing a very different reality. He is mired in criminal investigations that could end with indictments. He has been blamed for Republicans’ disappointing performance in the November elections. And while he is now a declared presidential candidate, the six weeks since he announced have been marked by self-inflicted crises. Trump has not held a single campaign event and he barely leaves the confines of his Mar-a-Lago club in Florida.” — “Trump’s New Year’s Eve party at Mar-a-Lago: Who was there (and who wasn’t)?” by Palm Beach Post’s Antonio Fins — “How Trump jettisoned restraints at Mar-a-Lago and prompted legal peril,” by Washington Post’s Rosalind S. Helderman, Josh Dawsey, Ashley Parker and Jacqueline Alemany — “Judge says Trump may have been urging supporters to ‘do something more’ than protest on Jan. 6,” by NBC News’ Ryan J. Reilly — Inside the Jan. 6 committee’s massive new evidence trove, by POLITICO’s Kyle Cheney | | PENINSULA AND BEYOND | | FOR YOUR RADAR — “Cuban migrant officials overwhelm federal immigration officials in the Florida Keys,” by FLKeysNews.com’s David Goodhue and Miami Herald’s Pedro Portal: “So many people from Cuba are arriving in the Florida Keys that days could go by before federal officials are able to pick up migrants on the side of U.S. 1 to be processed, according to local law enforcement. Since Friday, more than 500 Cubans arrived in the island chain. So many landed in a group of sparsely inhabited islands off Key West that the federal government was forced to close the Dry Tortugas National Park on Sunday.” BALLARD’S L.A. GROWTH — Ballard Partners is hiring former Los Angeles City Council member Joe Buscaino to be managing partner of the powerhouse firm’s new Los Angeles office. Buscaino was on the city council for a decade and the Democrat mounted a brief campaign to run for mayor. In 2019, he was elected president of the National League of Cities. “His expertise on issues across Los Angeles, his relationships throughout the Southern California region and his role as national municipal leader will be invaluable to our firm’s clients.” RULING — “Divided US appeals court says transgender bathroom ban doesn’t discriminate,” by News Service of Florida’s Jim Saunders: “After a five-year legal battle, a sharply divided federal appeals court Friday upheld a St. Johns County School Board policy that prevented a transgender male student from using boys’ bathrooms at a high school. The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, in a 7-4 decision, said the policy did not violate the constitutional equal protection rights of Drew Adams, who was required to use a gender-neutral, single-stall bathroom or girls’ bathrooms while a student at Nease High School.” R.I.P. — “‘Legend Harvey Ruvin, Miami-Dade’s longest serving elected official, dies at 85,” by Miami Herald’s Devoun Cetoute and David Ovalle: “Clerk of Courts Harvey Ruvin, Miami-Dade County’s longest-serving elected official, has died at 85, shocking those in the legal and political communities. ‘Tonight, we are heartbroken to learn of Harvey Ruvin’s death — a public servant who embodied the best of government, and someone I was proud to call a friend,’ Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava tweeted Saturday night. Ruvin served seven consecutive four-year terms as the county’s clerk in charge of Miami-Dade’s court system. However, his start in politics dates back to the 1960s.” — “UF professors say high-profile lawsuit now ‘moot,’” by News Service of Florida’s Dara Kam — “Air-traffic computer issue cause Florida flight delays, FAA says,” by South Florida Sun-Sentinel’s Amber Bonefont — “Three months after Hurricane Ian landfall, Florida’s official death toll at 144,” by USA Today Network-Florida’s Douglas Soule — “Biden pardons St. Augustine man in marijuana grow house case,” by St. Augustine Record — “Owner of Bartow company gets 10 years in prison for forced labor of Mexican workers,” by The Ledger | | ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN | | — “Florida is the fastest-growing state in the nation, Census estimates show,” by Tampa Bay Times’ Ian Hodgson: “It’s not your imagination: People really are flocking to Florida. The Sunshine State had the fastest-growing population in the country last year — the first time the state has taken the top spot since 1957, according to U.S. Census Bureau estimates released last week. The nation’s third-largest state grew by 1.9% from July 2021 to July 2022 — netting over 400,000 new residents to reach an estimated population of 22,244,823. That’s the second-largest numeric gain behind Texas, which has a larger overall population.” WELCOME TO THE WORLD — Jenna Box Sarkissian, director of open government and special projects for Florida House, and POLITICO's Arek Sarkissian welcomed Anna Sarkissian on Sunday. Pic. BIRTHDAYS: State Rep. Tom Fabricio … Al Cardenas, former Republican Party of Florida chairman … Birthdayweek … Chris Hartline (was Monday) | | | | Follow us on Twitter | | | | Subscribe to the POLITICO Playbook family Playbook | Playbook PM | California Playbook | Florida Playbook | Illinois Playbook | Massachusetts Playbook | New Jersey Playbook | New York Playbook | Ottawa Playbook | Brussels Playbook | London Playbook View all our political and policy newsletters | | Follow us | | | | |  |
