|
Gary Fineout's must-read briefing on what's hot, crazy or shady about politics in the Sunshine State | | | | |  | | By Gary Fineout | Good Thursday morning. Coming attractions — With the future of Florida’s abortion laws a legal and political question mark, Vice President Kamala Harris is visiting the state Sunday to “deliver a major address on the fight for women across America to have access to reproductive care and make their own healthcare decisions.” Note the date — This Sunday marks the 50th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision, which was rolled back last summer by the Supreme Court. Chosen destination — Harris’ decision to come to Florida — the home turf of potential presidential rival Gov. Ron DeSantis — is deliberate of course. (The White House did not disclose the exact location yet. Stay tuned.) The rationale — Senior Biden administration officials said on Wednesday that Florida was picked because state legislators passed a ban on abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy without any exceptions for rape and incest. The White House also aired concerns about a recent warning sent out by state officials that contends that pharmacies cannot distribute abortion pills despite federal regulators saying they could. At the same time — Still, senior administration officials said Florida “is a place that offers greater access than its neighbors” because the state’s 15-week ban is not as strict as some other Southern states. The future — Of course that could change. The Associated Press reported that “Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of the Susan B. Anthony List, an anti-abortion group, told reporters that her organization will be focusing on state legislation and asking, 'What is the most ambitious we can be?'” AP said Dannenfelser recently met with DeSantis and said she "extremely satisfied" although she told reporters that the governor said he did not know what would happen next. Been here before — This is not the first time that Harris has come to Florida to discuss the future of abortion. She discussed abortion rights last July during a roundtable with Democratic state legislators in Orlando. (Let’s note, however, that while abortion rights were seen as a factor in the midterms, the issue did not seem to drive turnout or swing votes to Democrats in Florida. Some Democrats have argued that was due in part to gubernatorial nominee Charlie Crist’s muddled track record on the issue.) Timing — But this visit comes with the DeSantis presidential speculation in full tilt — and an expectation that the Republican-controlled Legislature is poised to pass yet another abortion law during the upcoming session even though there is a still a legal challenge to the existing 15-week ban that remains unresolved in court. — WHERE'S RON? — Gov. DeSantis will hold a press conference in Fort Myers with Florida Division of Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for Playbook? Get in touch: gfineout@politico.com
| | | | STEP INSIDE THE WEST WING: What's really happening in West Wing offices? Find out who's up, who's down, and who really has the president’s ear in our West Wing Playbook newsletter, the insider's guide to the Biden White House and Cabinet. For buzzy nuggets and details that you won't find anywhere else, subscribe today. | | | | | |  | DESANTISLAND | | DEMAND LETTER — DeSantis targets trans health care in Florida universities, by POLITICO’s Andrew Atterbury: The DeSantis administration is requesting a trove of information on individuals who receive gender-affirming treatments at Florida universities, furthering its practice of questioning or scaling back treatment for transgender people. In a blanket request to 12 state universities, top officials with Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis are seeking data on the number of individuals who have been diagnosed with gender dysphoria or received treatment in campus clinics across Florida. DETAILS — Florida universities spent at least $34.5M on diversity programs. Where did it go? by POLITICO’s Andrew Atterbury: “Florida universities are spending a combined $34.5 million on diversity, equity and inclusion programs in 2022-23 according to the results of a new survey compiled at the request of Gov. Ron DeSantis to scrutinize possible “woke” higher education practices. This funding, of which approximately $20.7 million comes from state dollars, goes toward high-ranking staff positions such as chief diversity officers on university campuses and faculty leading classes on subjects like “Nationality, Race, and Ethnicity in the United States” and the “Anthropology of Sport.” MEANWHILE — “DeSantis administration trumpets colleges’ statement on CRT as ‘anti-woke’ victory,” by Orlando Sentinel’s Annie Martin: “But state education leaders offered a much more sweeping interpretation of the college leaders’ statement, trumpeting it as a vow to eliminate ‘woke positions and ideologies’ from their campuses and support Gov. Ron DeSantis’ higher education priorities, even though the one-page document does not make those promises.” AND THE BEAT GOES ON — “Ron DeSantis backers plan $3.3mn spending blitz on White House bid,” by Financial Times’ Jason Politi and Lauren Fedor and Caitlin Gilbert: “An outside group supporting Ron DeSantis is planning to spend $3.3mn over the next six months to boost his national profile, adding to expectations that the Florida governor will challenge Donald Trump for the Republican presidential nomination in 2024. Ready for Ron, a political action committee backing the Florida governor for the White House, will file a report on Thursday with the Federal Elections Commission disclosing the expected expenditures.” — “DeSantis inauguration sponsored by companies he loves to bash,” by Washington Post’s Isaac Arnsdorf
| | ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... | | LEGISLATIVE OVERSIGHT — OR NOT — “Florida legislators dodge chance to get answers on migrant flights, ask no questions,” by Miami Herald’s Mary Ellen Klas: “While [Gov. Ron] DeSantis has defended the flights, his administration has provided few details. Most of the information that has emerged has been released in piecemeal fashion by the governor’s office or FDOT as a result of lawsuits from the independent, non-partisan Florida Center for Government Accountability and public records requests made by a coalition of news organizations including the Miami Herald. "When a reporter asked Perdue after the meeting Wednesday to answer how much of the money has been spent from the $12 million allocation, his chief of staff, Leda Kelly, interrupted and told the reporter to direct questions to the FDOT communications staff. The communications staff did not respond to a list of questions.” TURNED DOWN — “Judge denies Florida’s request to do mental exams of 12-year-old transgender plaintiffs,” by News Service of Florida’s Dara Kam: “A federal judge has rejected a request by Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration to conduct “mental examinations” on a pair of 12-year-olds who are plaintiffs in a challenge to a state rule prohibiting Medicaid coverage for gender-affirming care for transgender people. U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle’s two-page decision, released Wednesday, came after lawyers for the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration, which largely oversees the Medicaid program, filed a motion asking him to order evaluations of plaintiffs identified as ‘Susan Doe’ and ‘K.F.’” | | DATELINE D.C. | | HOSPITALIZED — “Sarasota Congressman Greg Steube injured in accident at his property,” by Sarasota Herald-Tribune’s Zac Anderson: “Sarasota Congressman Greg Steube "sustained several injuries" during an accident Wednesday afternoon, according to his office. Steube's office did not release information on the severity of the injuries or the nature of the accident, which occurred on his property late in the afternoon. ‘We will provide additional updates when possible,’ the statement reads.” | 
Rep. Greg Steube, R-Fla., questions former special counsel Robert Mueller as he testifies before the House Judiciary Committee hearing on his report on Russian election interference, on Capitol Hill, Wednesday, July 24, 2019 in Washington. | Alex Brandon/AP Photo |
UNSOCIAL MEDIA — “Republicans Gaetz and MTG trade blows on Twitter as bad blood from House speaker fight continues,” by Fox News’ Bradford Betz: “Some bad blood may still be lingering between Reps. Matt Gaetz of Florida and Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia over the prolonged House speaker battle that delayed the nomination of Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif. The lawmakers traded barbs during a back-and-forth on Twitter after Greene appeared to reject praise from her colleague for getting committee assignments back after she was stripped of them from the Democratic-controlled Congress in 2021.”
| | | | DOWNLOAD THE POLITICO MOBILE APP: Stay up to speed with the newly updated POLITICO mobile app, featuring timely political news, insights and analysis from the best journalists in the business. The sleek and navigable design offers a convenient way to access POLITICO's scoops and groundbreaking reporting. Don’t miss out on the app you can rely on for the news you need, reimagined. DOWNLOAD FOR iOS– DOWNLOAD FOR ANDROID. | | | | | | | CAMPAIGN MODE | | DECISION — “Florida judge rejects request to subpoena journalists’ documents in ‘ghost’ candidate case,” by Orlando Sentinel’s Martin E. Comas: “A former and three current Orlando Sentinel journalists do not have to hand over records relating to Florida Power & Light’s and other organizations’ possible involvement in the ‘ghost’ candidate scheme to Eric Foglesong, a political consultant charged with falsifying campaign finance records, a judge ruled Wednesday. In her ruling, Circuit Judge Donna McIntosh said Florida law makes clear that ‘professional journalists enjoy a qualified privilege’ not to disclose their information, including the identity of any source, that they obtained while doing their jobs in gathering news.” — “Florida Democrats, Republicans need new leaders but for opposite reasons,” by Orlando Sentinel’s Steven Lemongello — “Lawsuit challenges Jax mayoral candidate Daniel Davis’ continued Jax Chamber employment,” by Florida Politics A.G. Gancarski — “Judge: Mayo can’t run for West Palm Beach mayor because he does not meet residency requirement,” by Palm Beach Post’s Wayne Washington | | TRUMPLANDIA AND THE SWAMP | | HERE HE COMES — “Donald Trump prepares for his return to Facebook and Twitter,” by NBC News’ Marc Caputo and Jonathan Allen: “Mounting a comeback for the White House, Donald Trump is looking to regain control over his powerful social media accounts. With access to his Twitter account back, Trump's campaign is formally petitioning Facebook’s parent company to unblock his account there after it was locked in response to the U.S. Capitol riot two years ago. ‘We believe that the ban on President Trump’s account on Facebook has dramatically distorted and inhibited the public discourse,’ Trump’s campaign wrote in its letter to Meta on Tuesday, according to a copy reviewed by NBC News.” |  Former President Donald Trump has formally petitioned Facebook’s parent company to unblock his account | Alex Brandon/AP Photo |
ANOTHER DAY, ANOTHER POLL — “Trump trounces DeSantis in potential GOP primary match-up, new poll finds,” by The Hill’s Jared Gains: “Former President Trump holds at 17-point lead over Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) in a hypothetical GOP primary match-up, according to a new poll. A Morning Consult poll released Wednesday showed Trump with 48 percent support among potential Republican primary voters, followed by DeSantis with 31 percent. Trump’s front-runner position differs from some polls since the November midterm elections, which have shown DeSantis closing the gap with Trump or taking a lead in some cases.”
| | ...HURRICANE HOLE... | | SLOW GOING — “DeSantis touts $37.6 million for Volusia beaches, but hurricane frustrations remain,” by Orlando Sentinel’s Skylar Swisher: “[Gov. Ron] DeSantis visited Daytona Beach Shores, one of the hardest-hit parts of Volusia County, and vowed to continue efforts to help the region rebuild. A.J. Rockwell, a contractor working on hurricane damage in Volusia County, said he appreciated the governor’s visit, but he has been frustrated by slow permitting and inaction on beach nourishment needed to restore sand lost in the storms. ‘Everything is at a standstill,’ said Rockwell, who owns Sea Level Development in New Smyrna Beach.” — “Hurricane Ian damage for Florida agriculture tops $1 billion,” by News Service of Florida’s Jim Turner
| | PENINSULA AND BEYOND | | NATIONAL STAGE — “Suarez calls for end of ‘defund police,’ cash bail reform at national mayors conference,” by Miami Herald’s Joey Flechas: “Miami Mayor Francis Suarez called on state governments to reverse cash bail reform during an address at the U.S. Conference of Mayors’ winter meeting in Washington, D.C. Suarez, president of the mayors group, has been floated as a potential candidate for higher office in some Republican circles. He has said he would consider a White House bid if the “mood of the country” was right. Some of his comments at this week’s meeting of mayors might hint at a developing platform.” WHAT’S GOING ON HERE? — “Florida HS sports association panel recommends making menstrual cycle questions mandatory,” by Palm Beach Post’s Katherine Kokal: “A panel of the Florida High School Athletics Association voted Tuesday to recommend that the association's board adopt a national sports registration form that makes mandatory questions for female athletes about when they got their first period, how many weeks they typically go between periods and the date of their most recent menstrual period. The form is used by more than a dozen other states to collect athletes' information.” CRYPTO CAPERS — “Russian arrested in Miami on charges of illegally transmitting millions in cryptocurrency,” by Miami Herald’s Jay Weaver: “A Russian operator of a China-based cryptocurrency exchange with links to South Florida and other parts of the world appeared in federal court in Miami Wednesday on charges of running an unlicensed money transmitting business that is suspected of laundering hundreds of millions of dollars in drug trafficking and other criminal proceeds, federal authorities said. Anatoly Legkodymov, 40, the founder and majority owner of Hong Kong-based Bitzlato Ltd., which authorities say he also managed from Miami over the past year, was arrested Tuesday night at a family home in the Miami-Dade area while he was on vacation.” — “Miami-Dade School Board welcomes DeSantis appointee, elects vice chair appointed by governor,” by Miami Herald’s Sommer Brugal — “With new board member in place, superintendent’s firing could be in sight,” by South Florida Sun-Sentinel’s Scott Travis — “Flo Rida wins suit against Celsius energy drink maker. Jury awards $82.6 million in damages over endorsements,” by South Florida Sun-Sentinel’s Rafael Olmeda — “New social studies textbooks: What reviewers are saying amid new ‘parental rights’ laws,” by Palm Beach Post’s Giuseppe Sabella — “Florida officials blame unions as thousands of teachers still await raises,” by Tampa Bay Times’ Jeffrey S. Solochek
| | ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN | | — “Polk County man denies offering to sell venomous snake following arrest,” by WFLA’s Staci DiSilva: “Delvin Sasnett was in denial mode Tuesday when it came to allegations he offered a venomous coral snake to an undercover officer. 'I did not have no venomous snakes,' said Sasnett, who was released on bond. 'What did you have?' asked reporter Staci DaSilva. 'I had corn snakes,' he replied. He was one of eight suspects arrested in a years-long investigation by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission meant to disrupt a possible venomous reptile black market in Florida.” BIRTHDAYS: Dan Holler, deputy chief of staff for Sen. Marco Rubio … Curtis Morgan, editor at The Miami Herald … Former state Rep. Jayer Willamson | | | | 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 | | | | |  |
