News: POLITICO Florida Playbook: DeSantis, White House spar over vaccine rollout — Florida lawmakers unlikely to make major changes to mail-in voting — Senate limits access during session as more legislators test positive

Tuesday, January 26, 2021

POLITICO Florida Playbook: DeSantis, White House spar over vaccine rollout — Florida lawmakers unlikely to make major changes to mail-in voting — Senate limits access during session as more legislators test positive

Jan 26, 2021

Good Tuesday morning.

The daily rundown — Between Sunday and Monday, the number of Florida coronavirus cases increased by 8,720 (0.5 percent), to 1,658,169; active hospitalizations went up 172 (nearly 2.6 percent), to 6,899; deaths rose by 153 (0.6 percent), to 25,446.

The starting gun — Well, that didn't take long.

What's going on? — Just five days in and the administrations of Gov. Ron DeSantis and President Joe Biden are now trading blows over who's to blame for the jumbled vaccine rollout. Last week, DeSantis criticized a plan by Biden to use federal help to distribute Covid-19 shots, saying the state needs more vaccine doses, not "FEMA camps."

Now it's the feds' fault — DeSantis repeated that at a Jacksonville press conference on Monday, saying over and over again that the state could double the number getting shots if the federal government delivered more doses and that past promises to ramp up the number of doses had stagnated in recent weeks. (But wait, wasn't that under the previous administration…oh nevermind.)

When numbers get serious — So, enter White House press secretary Jen Psaki. After Psaki was asked a question about DeSantis' "FEMA camps" comment she put the blame back on Florida. "Because we're data first here, fact first here — they've only distributed about 50 percent of the vaccines that they have been given in Florida. So, clearly, they have a good deal of the vaccine."

Breaking it down — Ok, so then let's look at the data. CDC's tracker shows the state has gotten 2.9 million doses — and that 1.54 million have been administered (although DeSantis said the data lags by a few days). But Florida officials are also quick to point out — they have about 907,000 doses in reserve for the second shot. Count those additional doses into the total and it undercuts the criticism.

Get it done — The point is this: Florida has been around the national average for dispensing the shot and while it's trailing states like New York and Texas, it's doing a much better job than California. DeSantis has his fair share of critics (and he does himself no favors with his combative style) but sometimes his strategies for battling Covid-19 has been proven to have merit and have been replicated by others. Now that said, the administration could also do a better job of explaining why it had to transition from a bumpy rollout using county health departments to leveraging a grocery chain. And the governor could acknowledge there have been — and continue to be — problems with a distribution system that is frustrating Floridians.

— WHERE'S RON? — Gov. DeSantis will be in Vero Beach where he will hold a press conference at a Publix Super Market.

Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for Playbook? Get in touch: gfineout@politico.com

TRACK THE FIRST 100 DAYS OF THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION: A new president occupies the White House and he is already making changes. What are some of the key moments from Biden's first week in office? Find out in Transition Playbook, our scoop-filled newsletter tracking the appointments, people, and emerging power centers of the first 100 days of the new administration. Subscribe today.

CORONAVIRUS UPDATES

FINGER-POINTING — "White House: Florida has used only half its COVID vaccines," by Sun Sentinel's David Fleshler: "The Biden administration Monday said Florida had used only half the COVID vaccines given to it by the federal government, challenging Gov. Ron DeSantis' attempt to blame the slow pace of vaccinations on a lack of federal supplies. White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki made the claim at a news briefing Monday, after being asked about DeSantis' criticism of Biden's plans for fighting the pandemic. DeSantis has repeatedly claimed Florida had the capacity to dramatically increase vaccinations if the federal government would provide more doses. And last week he dismissed Biden's plan to use the Federal Emergency Management Administration to set up vaccination centers."

White House press secretary Jen Psaki speaks during a press briefing at the White House, Monday, Jan. 25, 2021, in Washington.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki speaks during a press briefing at the White House, Monday, Jan. 25, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

FINGER-POINTING PART 2 — "DeSantis to feds: Florida wants more COVID-19 vaccine doses," by Associated Press' Adriana Gomez Licon: "Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis says the flow of COVID-19 vaccines has been stagnant and the state needs more to meet the increasing demand from residents. In a news conference at a nursing home in Jacksonville, DeSantis said officials in Washington said the state would start to see its supply increase around this time, but that hasn't happened. 'We are at the mercy of what the federal government sends us, and right now we are able to go through it quicker than what we are receiving,' DeSantis said."

ONE-STOP SHOTS AND SHOPPING — "Publix the only game in town for seniors to get vaccine," by Palm Beach Post's Jane Musgrave and Sonja Isger: "Publix will be the main source of the coronavirus vaccine for seniors in Palm Beach County as the health department has been largely taken out of the inoculation business, Dr. Alina Alonso said Monday. Describing the new system as a 'pilot project' initiated by Gov. Ron DeSantis, the county's health director said appointments will continue to be scheduled for the tens of thousands of seniors who emailed requests to her agency. However, instead of receiving the shots from the health department, seniors who have requested appointments will get them from Palm Beach County's tax-financed health care district, which has been helping Alonso whittle the wait list. 'I have no vaccine right now. All my vaccines have been diverted to Publix,' she said. The grocery giant has been blasted by many seniors over its online appointment system."

JUST IN TIME FOR THE SUPER BOWL — "Trump White House's last warning to Florida: Promote masks, consider closures as COVID-19 variant spreads," by Orlando Sentinel's Kate Santich: "The highly contagious COVID-19 variant first detected in the United Kingdom is likely more widespread in Florida than publicly released data would suggest, while homegrown mutations of the virus have probably already produced other, more infectious strains here, the latest White House Coronavirus Task Force report warns. The report, dated Jan. 17 but just released from Florida Department of Health, recommends Floridians take action now — 'before an increase in hospitalizations is seen' — including a campaign with retailers reminding customers to wear masks and 'substantially' curtailing or closing public indoor spaces where masks can't be worn continually."

ON A FAST TRACK — "COVID-19 protections for businesses backed in Florida Senate," by News Service of Florida's Christine Sexton : "The Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday approved a proposal that would give Florida businesses that 'substantially' comply with public-health guidelines broad protection from coronavirus-related lawsuits filed by customers and employees. The bill (SB 72) would not apply to health-care providers such as hospitals, nursing homes, and physicians, who have been clamoring for protections since spring. Instead, the bill would help shield other types of businesses and educational and religious institutions from claims for damages, injuries, or deaths."

— "47,484 evictions were filed in Florida during 2020 pandemic months," by Tampa Bay Times' Emily Mahoney

— "More cancellations for Carnival amid jumbled vaccine rollout," by Associated Press's Dee-Ann Durbin

— "Ultra Music Festival has been canceled again due to COVID. Organizers hoping for 2022," by Miami Herald's Howard Cohen

— "When will Florida's statewide COVID-19 vaccine registration system launch?" by WFLA's Mahsa Saeidi

— "Former Rosen Hotels employee, laid off in the pandemic, files class-action lawsuit for backpay," by Orlando Sentinel's Trevor Fraser

HAPPENING TODAY - DRAWING THE ETHICAL LINE ON ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE: As AI becomes increasingly ingrained in our everyday lives, there are concerns about biases in these systems and ethical standards to guide their fair use. Without an international framework or set of principles governing AI, the ethical guidelines for its use vary across countries and cities and sometimes even come down to individual policymakers, elected leaders, the private sector, and grassroots advocates' work. Join POLITICO for a conversation to explore the pace of global AI innovation and development and what it means for the future of ethical standards in this space. The virtual program features an executive conversation between POLITICO CEO Patrick Steel and Workday EVP of corporate affairs Jim Shaughnessy. REGISTER HERE.

TRAIL MIX

WHEN YOU'RE WINNING — "Florida GOP to sidestep major mail-in voting changes, bucking national Republicans," by POLITICO's Gary Fineout: Republicans across the country are clamoring to roll back state laws that made it easier for people to vote amid a raging public health crisis, fueled by former President Donald Trump's baseless accusations of widespread fraud in the 2020 election. Florida Republicans, however, aren't losing any sleep over the issue. After pulling off a relatively smooth election that saw Trump easily carry the state, lawmakers in GOP-controlled Florida aren't looking to propose the sweeping types of changes to mail-in balloting that are being whipped up elsewhere. "We are always open to looking at ways to improve the efficiency and transparency of our elections," House Speaker Chris Sprowls told POLITICO in a text message. "However, as I look across the country, it is clear that Florida is a leader when it comes to election integrity."

What supervisors want — Florida's county election supervisors, meanwhile, are asking for more leeway to set up early voting sites, and they want the ability to set up "super" voting sites that can process far more people at a central location like Bay County did in the aftermath of Hurricane Michael. Citing the threat of the Covid-19 pandemic, supervisors asked Gov. Ron DeSantis for permission to replicate the Bay County setup. Ultimately, the governor turned them down. Still, GOP Sen. George Gainer on Monday filed a bill that would allow all counties to set up their own super voting sites that would allow voters to cast ballots there instead of their assigned polling place. Craig Latimer, the Hillsborough County supervisor of elections and president of the state association for supervisors, said that counties want more flexibility for where they can set up early voting sites, citing examples of large subdivisions in his county where there are no government buildings but plenty of space inside strip malls.

NOT TYPICAL — "Republicans in some battlegrounds left GOP after Capitol riot ," by ABC News' Meg Cunningham: "Dr. Michael McDonald, a political science professor at the University of Florida who studies voting and elections, told ABC News that this kind of change right after a federal election is out of the ordinary. 'It's very unusual for people to change or switch their party registrations without some incentive to do so,' he said. 'The typical reason why people change their registration is there's a primary approaching and that primary is in a party-registration state, where you have to be registered with a party or as an independent. So, before an election you'll see people re-registering in order to participate in the primary in the states that have party registration,' McDonald added. 'It's not a typical activity for people to call up and say, 'I want to be registered as a Democrat, Republican, independent or nonpartisan.' That's a very unusual thing to be happening and reports that we're getting from election officers — it seems like it's a thing.'"

— "John Lowndes elected Maitland's next mayor," by Orlando Sentinel's Lisa Maria Garza

... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ...

HIDE AND SEEK — "DeSantis doesn't always give notice about his whereabouts, blocking media from asking tough questions," by Florida Phoenix's Michael Moline: "The lack of transparency is a reversion to the norm the governor's office established soon after taking office — failure to announce planned events and releasing his daily schedule well into the evening hours. The schedules are public records that the governor's aides are obliged to share with the public, although timing is up to them. Neither Meredith Beatrice, director of strategic initiatives in the communications office, nor Cody McCloud, the press secretary, has responded yet to an emailed request for an explanation about DeSantis' Saturday events."

THE NEW NORMAL — "Florida Senate President expects COVID-19 restrictions to stay through session," by News Service of Florida's Jim Turner: "Senate President Wilton Simpson doesn't expect his side of the Capitol to be open to the public or lobbyists until after the upcoming 60-day legislative session, as many lawmakers and staff members likely will continue to await COVID-19 vaccinations. During a meeting Monday about Senate procedural issues, Simpson advised members to get used to talking with lobbyists outside the Capitol complex."

MORE POSITIVE TESTS — " Loranne Ausley says she is COVID-19 positive, second Leon County legislator this week," by Tallahassee Democrat: "Democratic state Sen. Loranne Ausley of Tallahassee announced on Facebook Monday that she tested positive for COVID-19, but is 'Only experiencing minor symptoms.' She is now the second state lawmaker representing Leon County to announce a positive test result. State Rep. Jason Shoaf, a Port St. Joe Republican, announced on Sunday night he too had tested positive. Half of Leon's legislative delegation now is sidelined by the virus as Florida lawmakers currently gather in Tallahassee for the second of five committee weeks leading up to the 60-day session that kicks off March 2."

— "Federal judge orders Daniel Baker held pending trial in Florida Capitol threat case," by Tallahassee Democrat's Jeff Burlew

— "Bill eliminating regional planning councils faces opposition heading into hearing," by POLITICO's Bruce Ritchie

— "Florida's K-12 enrollment projections remain cloudy for 2021-22," by POLITICO's Andrew Atterbury

— "Eskamani files bill to repeal 'rights of nature' preemption," by POLITICO's Bruce Ritchie

— "Florida senators back plan to collect online sales taxes," by News Service of Florida's Jim Turner

TRUMPLANDIA AND THE SWAMP

AFTERMATH — "Blue-chip clients dump Trumpworld lobbying shops," by Axios' Lachlan Markay: "Ballard Partners, the firm headed by Trump fundraiser Brian Ballard, has dropped seven clients since Election Day, most notably ridesharing giant Uber… It's not all bad news for the larger firms: Ballard and Miller [Strategies] have both picked up new business since the election, even as some previous clients head for the exits."

— "Members are quitting 'sad' Mar-a-Lago after Trump loses," by CNN Business' Alexis Benveniste

— "Trump financial report shows steep revenue drops – except at Mar-a-Lago," by Palm Beach Post's Christine Stapleton

MERCY PLEASE — " Businessman seeks to avoid prison in Giuliani-tinged case," by Associated Press' Larry Neumeister: "Florida businessman who hired Rudy Giuliani to lend credibility to a fraud-busting company that was a fraud itself is seeking to avoid a prison sentence at his upcoming sentencing. A lawyer for David Correia said in a submission to a judge Monday that his client is a changed man no longer likely to be lured into wrongdoing by greed-driven accomplices. He said he's needed at home in West Palm Beach, Florida, to take care of his wife and young children. In his own partially redacted letter to the judge and through his lawyer's legal arguments, Correia expressed regret at becoming enamored as a young man with the luxury-studded ways of Lev Parnas, a co-defendant in the criminal case in Manhattan federal court."

— "Trump announces 'Office of Former President,'" by Sun Sentinel's Brooke Baitinger

PENINSULA AND BEYOND

DEPARTURE LOUNGE — "Former lawmaker ends contract to redraw Miami voting districts after questions arose," by Miami Herald's Joey Flechas: "Former state Senate President Bill Galvano has terminated his $10,000-a-month contract to redraw Miami's voting districts after a majority of city commissioners signaled they were ready to fire him. During a meeting Jan. 14, Commissioner Jeffrey Watson proposed ending Galvano's contract after questions arose about Galvano's past experience with redrawing statewide voting districts for the Florida Legislature. That process, led by Galvano, was mired in years of litigation and an admission that Republicans intentionally drew districts that favored incumbents and parties, which violates the law."

NOT IN THE CLEAR — "Trump's clemency freed Esformes, but he still faces pending Medicare fraud charges," by Miami Herald's Jay Weaver: "After his sentencing, U.S. District Judge Robert Scola ruled that Justice Department lawyers could proceed with retrying [Philip] Esformes on those hung counts and reiterated his position after Trump's commutation, which only affected the 52-year-old businessman's prison sentence — not his conviction or the unresolved jury verdicts. Esformes still has to repay $5.3 million to the taxpayer-funded Medicare program along with a $38 million forfeiture judgment to the U.S. government. In a post-Christmas court order involving a co-defendant in the same Medicare fraud case, Scola noted 'that while Esformes's sentence has been commuted, he still has pending charges ... and [is] awaiting trial.'"

R.I.P. — "Nilda Pedrosa, who led notable Florida Republicans to victory, dies at 46," by Miami Herald's Bianca Padro Ocasio: "Nilda Pedrosa, a top-ranking federal official from Miami-Dade County who led multiple Florida Republicans to victory, died Saturday night after battling cancer. She was 46. Pedrosa, who served visible roles on U.S. Senate campaigns and congressional offices alike, is consistently described by friends and former colleagues as a kind and stubbornly optimistic companion. Throughout her work in politics, colleagues say Pedrosa was charismatic and worked well with Democrats and Republicans alike. She was passionate about the fight against human trafficking, child abuse, and human rights violations in Cuba."

CC: APALACHICOLA — "Georgia signs contract to pull disputed water from lake," by Associated Press: "Georgia has signed an agreement with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that for the first time formally ratifies the rights of two suburban Atlanta counties to use Lake Lanier for drinking water. The lake northeast of Atlanta, formed by damming the Chattahoochee River, has been used for drinking water for decades. But federal litigation among Georgia, Alabama and Florida over who gets to use water in the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint river system had questioned that use."

— " Fatal police shooting of St. Petersburg suspect was justified, reports find," by Tampa Bay Times' Jack Evans

ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN

BURN NOTICE — "Robert Kraft's sex videos from police sting will be destroyed, judge says," by Sun Sentinel's Marc Freeman: "Sex videos of New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft will be destroyed under a court order. It's been two years since the 79-year-old billionaire was among more than two dozen people secretly videotaped by police during a massage parlor prostitution sting in Palm Beach County. U.S. District Judge Rodolfo A. Ruiz II on Friday ruled that the videos of Kraft and the others must be wiped from existence, because the Jupiter police surveillance was deemed unlawful. Kraft had feared the tapes of him in the nude would be publicized on the internet."

BIRTHDAYS : Tallahassee Democrat's Byron Dobson ... Dave Royse, author and journalist ... Jan Pudlow , former senior editor at The Florida Bar and former journalist .

Want to make an impact? POLITICO Florida has a variety of solutions available for partners looking to reach and activate the most influential people in the Sunshine State. Have a petition you want signed? A cause you're promoting? Seeking to increase brand awareness amongst this key audience? Share your message with our influential readers to foster engagement and drive action. Contact Jesse Shapiro to find out how: jshapiro@politico.com.

Follow us on Twitter