| | | | | |  | | By Gary Fineout | Presented by Masterworks | Good Monday morning. The daily rundown — Between Saturday and Sunday, the number of Florida coronavirus cases increased by 10,105 (nearly 1.2 percent), to 885,201; active hospitalizations went down by 34 (nearly 1.1 percent), to 3,118; deaths rose by 29 (nearly 0.2 percent), to 17,518. Provocative — In the immediate aftermath of the election, Gov. Ron DeSantis went on Fox News and floated the idea that GOP-controlled Legislatures in Michigan and Pennsylvania should overturn the results and name electors for President Donald Trump. Governor who? — Since then, the governor hasn't been out in public much. Or talked to the press. Low-profile — Save a brief appearance on The Weather Channel to discuss Tropical Storm Eta, DeSantis has been holed up at the mansion or his office and said little about President-elect Joe Biden. DeSantis skipped holding press briefings on the tropical storm that hit the state twice (something that would have never happened under Gov. Rick Scott). Getting ready — DeSantis spokesman Fred Piccolo told our Arek Sarkissian that DeSantis is preparing for the 2021 session that starts in March. Although the governor's budget recommendations are due a month in advance, Piccolo, who relishes in Twitter combat, told a newspaper editor on Sunday that the governor would "likely" meet with the press this week "assuming there are serious questions I think he'd take Plenty of them." The list — OK, we look forward to asking questions about the election (and the refusal to recognize the results), a potential Covid-19 surge, the state's plans for a vaccine, his push to get legislators to hold a special session, unemployment, his anti-protest legislation, the state's budget situation, and his administration's hiring decisions. Are those serious enough? — WHERE'S RON? — Nothing official announced for Gov. DeSantis. | | | | A message from Masterworks: You don't have to take big risks to make big returns. Take it from us, day trading doesn't work—boost your portfolio stability with art, one of the oldest and largest uncorrelated assets. For the first time ever, Masterworks makes it possible for anyone to invest in iconic works of art by the likes of Banksy, Kaws, Basquiat (and more) at a starting point everyone can afford. Skip the waitlist here. | | |
|  | ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... | | HELLO I MUST BE GOING — "Legislators return Tuesday but will keep their distance — from tacking COVID concerns," by Miami Herald's Mary Ellen Klas: "Florida legislators meet for the first time in eight months on Tuesday to swear in newly elected lawmakers, but legislators will keep their distance from one another, in an attempt to stave off the coronavirus — and from any talk of addressing the economic and health-related fallout from it. The one-day legislative session is required by the state Constitution "on the fourteenth day following each general election...for the exclusive purpose of organization and selection of officers" and it is expected to last just two hours." QUIET TIME — "After Trump's loss, DeSantis goes low profile," by POLITICO's Arek Sarkissian: Leading into Election Day, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis was a regular on television news and at public events across the state, stumping for President Donald Trump, a political ally who had helped the Republican governor win election. DeSantis was keen to repay his political debt and put Florida in the president's column. But in the days following Trump's re-election defeat, the governor largely has gone silent, even as Florida was battered by a tropical storm and a steep increase in Covid-19 infections — and as other Republicans rallied around their soon-to-be-former president. This is the reason? — DeSantis spokesman Fred Piccolo said the governor has limited his public appearances as he prepares for the legislative session, which begins in March, but has been busy. Since the election, DeSantis' office has announced a veterans job fair, a $5 million grant tied to Hurricane Sally, and more than 20 board appointments. He spoke with state and local emergency management officials about Eta. INDUSTRY BAILOUT AHEAD? — "As property insurance costs skyrocket, lawmakers will consider these ideas to keep coverage affordable," by Sun Sentinel's Ron Hurtibise: "As Florida homeowners recover from shocking cost increases for their next year of insurance coverage, pressure is mounting on state lawmakers to step in and stem the bleeding. Property owners have been waking up to premium hikes as high as 30% to 40% for their upcoming policy terms. Insurance insiders hope their anger will force the Florida Legislature to adopt reforms aimed at quelling runaway litigation costs during the 2021 legislative session that begins March 1." | | | | JOIN WEDNESDAY - CONFRONTING INEQUALITY TOWN HALL "BRIDGING THE ECONOMIC DIVIDE": Although pandemic job losses have been widespread, the economic blow has been especially devastating to Black workers and Black-owned businesses. POLITICO's third "Confronting Inequality in America" town hall will convene economists, scholars, private sector and city leaders to explore policies and strategies to deal with the disproportionate economic impact of the pandemic and the broader factors contributing to the persistent racial wealth and income gaps. REGISTER HERE. | | | | |
| | TRAIL MIX | | ANTICIPATING WHAT'S NEXT — "While Florida Republicans stay silent, Democrats look ahead to President-elect Biden," by Sarasota Herald-Tribune's John Kennedy: "Although Florida Republican leaders are staying silent – clearly wary of antagonizing President Donald Trump by acknowledging his defeat – Democrats across the state are looking ahead to President-elect Joe Biden's transition to power. Some may even be part of the new administration. "There's a lot of talent in Florida," said Dick Batchelor, a former Orlando state House member and longtime Democratic fundraiser. "I think the Biden administration will be looking here." U.S. Rep. Val Demings, an Orlando Democrat who was on Biden's list of possible vice presidential picks, appears best positioned. She's talked up as a candidate for the Cabinet post of Homeland Security secretary. BUT MEANWHILE — "500 Trump supporters — including pardoned Roger Stone — rally in Delray, insisting that the election was stolen," by Palm Beach Post's John Pacenti: "In a remarkable display, 500 supporters of President Donald Trump — nearly all maskless despite the ongoing COVID-19 surge — converged Saturday to insist the election was stolen from the Republican incumbent and to encourage him to stay in power no matter the results. The event was highlighted by an impressive and noisy march down Atlantic Avenue and a speech by provocateur Roger Stone — the Broward-based political adviser freed by Trump after his witness-tampering conviction. Stone said the CIA changed vote tallies in favor of Democrat President-elect Joe Biden." WHO NEEDS DIRECT DEMOCRACY? — "'Slower, longer, more expensive': Tougher slog coming for constitutional amendments in Florida," by Tallahassee Democrat's Jeffrey Schweers: "A record-setting turnout for the presidential election has raised the bar for groups hoping to get a proposed state constitutional amendment on the ballot in 2022. That's in addition to a new law raising the signature threshold on an already cumbersome petition gathering process. 'It will mean a slower, longer and more expensive path,' said Steve Vancore, a political consultant who worked on the All Voters Vote campaign in 2020." WHAT'S IN YOUR WALLET? — "Bloomberg's big spending struggles to sway election outcomes," by Associated Press' Brian Slodysko: "After pouring more than $1.2 billion of his personal fortune into presidential politics this election, former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg has little to show for it. His only win during a short-lived Democratic bid for the White House was in the territory of American Samoa. And after pledging to spend "whatever it takes" to defeat President Donald Trump, he routed $110 million to Florida, Ohio and Texas — all states that President-elect Joe Biden lost." FINAL TALLY — Thanks in part to Bloomberg's effort in Florida, the final tally of television and digital ad spending in the Sunshine State during the 2020 election cycle clocked in at just under $529 million, according to an analysis by Advertising Analytics. Most of that spending — nearly $408 million — was driven by the presidential race and the quest for the state's 29 electoral votes. More than $55 million was spent on congressional races, while $65 million went to ads in down-ballot legislative races or local elections. OFF THE TRAIL — "Florida Sen. Rick Scott to quarantine after contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19," by NBC Miami: "Florida Sen. Rick Scott said he would begin quarantining on Saturday after coming into contact with a person who tested positive for COVID-19. In a tweet, Scott said he came into contact the person after arriving into the state Friday night. He says he tested negative for the virus Saturday morning. Scott added that he felt no symptoms, but would quarantine "out of an abundance of caution." — "Here's how post-election audits work in Florida," by Tampa Bay Times' Allison Ross | | | | A message from Masterworks:   | | |
| | CORONAVIRUS UPDATES | | 'A VERY DANGEROUS PERIOD' — "Florida records 10,000+ new COVID-19 cases, most since July," by Palm Beach Post's Jane Musgrave: "For the first time since July, Florida on Sunday recorded more than 10,000 new COVID-19 cases, joining just a handful of states that are tallying five-digit single-day increases as the deadly coronavirus rages across the nation. The 10,105 new cases reported by the Florida Department of Health pushed the nation beyond the 11 million mark in the number of people who have been infected with the deadly virus." THE TOLL — "Florida long-term care COVID deaths top 7,000," by News Service of Florida's Jim Saunders: "The number of Florida long-term care residents and staff members who have died of COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic topped 7,000 on Sunday, while the state saw an overall jump of more than 10,000 cases of the infectious disease. The 7,002 reported long-term care deaths — the vast majority involving residents of nursing homes and assisted living facilities — was a grim reminder of the toll that COVID-19 has taken on seniors and people with underlying health conditions." WORTH NOTING — "Physician shortage expected to worsen amid COVID-19 pandemic impact," by Naples Daily News' Liz Freeman: "A shortage of primary care physicians in Florida and nationwide is expected to worsen while the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is not looking favorable. The Kaiser Family Foundation recently ranked states based on the number of communities that face health professional shortages. Florida comes in fifth." — "Federal judge dismisses parts of lawsuit challenging Collier County's mask order," by Naples Daily News Laura Layden — "Lawsuit urging DeSantis to close Florida beaches rejected as perhaps 'frivolous,'" by News Service of Florida's Jim Saunders and Dara Kam | | TRUMPLANDIA AND THE SWAMP | | HIDING OUT? — "The Trump corner is officially closed. What other changes can Palm Beach County expect when Trump's a regular citizen again?" by Palm Beach Post's Christine Stapleton: "Most of Trump's nearly three dozen presidential visits have lasted just two or three days, with longer visits over the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. However, since Trump declared Palm Beach his legal residence in September 2019, no one knows how long his visits will last when he is a former president — or if he will simply move into Mar-a-Lago during the six-month-long winter social season. The club closes during summer from Mother's Day to Halloween." — "Newsmax chief says he'd welcome Trump to his cable channel but 'we don't want to be Trump TV,'" by Sun Sentinel's Anthony Man | | | | TRACK THE TRANSITION, SUBSCRIBE TO TRANSITION PLAYBOOK: As states certify their election results, President-elect Biden is building an administration. The staffing decisions made in the coming days, weeks, and months will send clear-cut signals about his administration's agenda and priorities. Transition Playbook is the definitive guide to what could be one of the most consequential transfers of power in American history. Written for political insiders, it tracks the appointments, people, and the emerging power centers of the new administration. Stay in the know, subscribe today. | | | | | | | PENINSULA AND BEYOND | | FLY BY NIGHT — "Not a test anymore: SpaceX, NASA launch 4 astronauts from Cape in historic mission," by Orlando Sentinel's Caroline Glenn and Trevor Fraser: "A Falcon 9 rocket carrying four astronauts cut through the night sky on Sunday, signaling a historic return to a greater American role in space exploration. SpaceX's Crew-1 launched at 7:27 p.m. with American astronauts Mike Hopkins, Victor Glover and Shannon Walker and Japanese astronaut Soichi Noguchi strapped inside the Crew Dragon capsule that will take them to the International Space Station. 'The view is beautiful. That was one heck of a ride," Hopkins told the command center. It's the first "operational" flight of Elon Musk's crewed commercial spacecraft, and only the second time NASA has launched astronauts from American soil since the end of the space shuttle program in 2011." | 
CAPE CANAVERAL, FL - NOVEMBER 15: The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with the manned Crew Dragon spacecraft attached lifts off from launch pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Center on November 15, 2020 in Cape Canaveral, Florida. NASA astronauts mission specialist Shannon Walker, vehicle pilot Victor Glover, commander Mike Hopkins and mission specialist Japanese Agency astronaut Soichi Noguchi are on board the Crew Dragon Spacecraft and will mark the second astronaut launch from U.S. soil by NASA and SpaceX and the first operational mission named Crew-1 to the International Space Station. (Photo by Red Huber/Getty Images) | Red Huber/Getty Images | WHAT'S GOING ON HERE? — "Little information on deadly deputy shooting involving two teens," by Florida Today's J.D. Gallop: "The parents of a 14-year-old and an 18-year-old shot and killed Friday along a Cocoa residential road by at least one Brevard County sheriff's deputy, said Sunday that law enforcement authorities have yet to talk with them or explain what happened. Two days after the Friday afternoon shooting, the mothers of the teens gathered with other family members and friends to talk with community leaders, hold a vigil and share videos of the shooting's aftermath. 'We need justice. We want the names of the deputies and their badge numbers. There's going to be some justice for A.J. and Sincere,' said Quasheda Pierce, who identified her 18-year-old son Sincere as of one of the teens killed. The mother of A.J. Crooms, the other teen, said investigators have told her, 'nothing.'" IN THE SAME COUNTY — "Sadness, calls for justice from community leaders and friends of Gregory Edwards," by Florida Today's J.D. Gallop: "The redacted security footage was released to the public at 12:30 p.m. Friday. The release follows a settlement that Sheriff Wayne Ivey agreed to in lieu of going to trial after FLORIDA TODAY sued his office for the video. Ivey had been refusing to make the footage public because he said it would reveal jail security features, putting staff and inmates in danger. The lightly redacted video satisfies Sheriff Ivey's security concerns. Many of those who watched the video expressed sadness at what transpired along with questions about the response of deputies as the incident unfolded at the jail. [Gregory] Edwards was punched, kneed, pepper sprayed, tased, handcuffed and strapped into a restraint chair with taser darts in his back, a spit hood over his head and pepper spray still on his face. The video covered the entire time Edwards was at the jail, from the time he arrived in a West Melbourne police cruiser until he left on a gurney two hours later. The tape showed Edwards resistance to being booked into the jail, his fight with deputies and him left alone in a holding cell, hooded and struggling in the restraint chair before going limp." MORE DETAILS — "FBI wanted to arrest Epstein while he was judging a beauty pageant. The plan was overruled," by McClatchy's Ben Wieder and Kevin G. Hall: "A Justice Department look-back report into its abortive 2008 prosecution of Jeffrey Epstein found that the Federal Bureau of Investigation had planned to arrest Jeffrey Epstein in May 2007, but pulled back after the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida, led by former Labor Secretary Alexander Acosta, frowned on the plan. The report also concludes that Epstein wasn't assisting the federal government in prosecuting Wall Street traders behind the collapse of investment bank Bear Stearns or serving as an 'intelligence asset,' long rumored to be reasons for his notoriously lenient treatment." THINGS FALL APART. IT'S SCIENTIFIC — "Cable failures endanger renowned Puerto Rico radio telescope," by Associated Press Danica Coto: "The giant, aging cables that support one of the world's largest single-dish radio telescopes are slowly unraveling in this U.S. territory, pushing an observatory renowned for its key role in astronomical discoveries to the brink of collapse. The Arecibo Observatory, which is tethered above a sinkhole in Puerto Rico's lush mountain region, boasts a 1,000-foot-wide (305-meter-wide) dish featured in the Jodie Foster film "Contact" and the James Bond movie "GoldenEye." The dish and a dome suspended above it have been used to track asteroids headed toward Earth, conduct research that led to a Nobel Prize and helped scientists trying to determine if a planet is habitable." — "Jacksonville Sheriff's Office charges one of its own after suspect beaten with Taser," by Florida Times-Union's Dan Scanlan | | | | A message from Masterworks: History shows adding blue-chip art can boost portfolio stability. Data from Citi's Global Art Market Report 2019 finds art to be one of the least volatile asset classes, sharing a correlation factor of just 0.13 to public equities. Beyond that, contemporary art has outperformed the S&P by over 180% from 2000–2018, according to industry benchmarks. Although investing in art has been around for centuries (Sotheby's was once the oldest company listed on the NYSE) only the ultra-wealthy have been able to participate. 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| | ODDS, ENDS, AND FLORIDA MEN | | — "Python hunters break records after state agencies combine forces," by Naples Daily News' Karl Schneider: "Less than a year after two state agencies combined efforts to remove invasive snakes from the Everglades, contractors caught a record number of Burmese pythons. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Executive Director Eric Sutton spoke at a Southwest Florida Water Management District meeting Thursday to update the district's board on the progress of the python elimination program. "I'm here today to tell you we have achieved what we set out to do a year ago, but we also have the same goal moving forward," Sutton said. "We're unified, but our mission remains removing as many invasive species, Burmese pythons, as we can." BIRTHDAYS: (Was Sunday) State Rep. Michael Gottlieb … State Rep. Will Robinson … Wayne Bertsch, communications and government relations liaison for Pasco County schools ... Trimmel Gomes of Gomes Media Strategies … (Was Saturday) Former House Speaker Will Weatherford
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