| | | | | |  | | By Gary Fineout | Good Friday morning. The daily rundown — Between Wednesday and Thursday, the number of Florida coronavirus cases increased by 13,720 (0.9 percent), to 1,531,192; active hospitalizations went up by 178 (2.3 percent), to 7,762; deaths rose by 217 (0.9 percent), to 23,613. Delay tactic — Given a life raft by nearly $6 billion in federal aid last year, Gov. Ron DeSantis and state lawmakers have pushed off and pushed off and pushed off responding to the damage caused to the state budget by the coronavirus pandemic. Time Has Come Today — For DeSantis, time is just about up. Details wanted — In the next two weeks, the governor must lay out in detail how he plans to deal with a budget shortfall of at least $2.1 billion. House and Senate budget committees, meeting for the first time in 10 months, surveyed the damage this week and the outlook isn't good. Cuts are likely coming, legislative budget chiefs cautioned. But lawmakers may also consider other actions to raise money, such as raising college tuition for the first time in a decade. 'All of those are on the table' — Sen. Kelli Stargel, a Lakeland Republican and head of the Senate Appropriations Committee, said Thursday that this may be the year the state finally passes a law that requires major retailers that sell products online to collect state sales taxes from Floridians. Stargel argues this would not be a tax increase, but a "tax collection" change. His turn — But the first step in the budget process is hearing the governor's budget recommendations. This is the first time that DeSantis has had to grapple with a budget shortfall. Will he embrace tuition hikes even though it will likely bring sharp criticism from Sen. Rick Scott, who pushed to freeze tuition during his time as governor? What about school funding and Bright Futures college scholarships? Now it's true that Congress may come to the rescue (a purple state bailout?) but it won't come soon enough for the governor. He has to come up with a plan now. — WHERE'S RON? — Nothing official announced for Gov. DeSantis. PROGRAMMING NOTE: Florida Playbook will not publish on Monday, Jan. 18. We'll be back on our normal schedule on Tuesday, Jan. 19. Please continue to follow POLITICO Florida. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for Playbook? Get in touch: gfineout@politico.com | | | | A NEW YEAR, A NEW CONGRESS, A NEW HUDDLE: It was an ugly and heartbreaking week inside the Capitol, particularly for all of those who work on the Hill. How are lawmakers planning to move forward? How will security change? How will a new Senate majority impact the legislative agenda? With so much at stake, our new Huddle author Olivia Beavers brings you the most important news and critical insight from Capitol Hill with help from POLITICO's deeply sourced Congress team. Subscribe to Huddle, the essential guide to understanding Congress. It has never been more important. SUBSCRIBE NOW. | | | | | |  | ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... | | SHUTTING DOWN — "City Hall, County Courthouse closed Tuesday, Wednesday amid threats of violence," by Tallahassee Democrat's Jeff Burlew: "Tallahassee City Hall and the Leon County Courthouse will be closed Tuesday and Wednesday as local law enforcement agencies brace for possible violence at the state Capitol. 'This action is being taken out of an abundance of caution related to possible protests at the Florida Capitol,' the city said in a news release. 'The city of Tallahassee is committed to ensuring the reliability of its services, while protecting the health and safety of residents and employees.'" — " U.S. Attorney: Law enforcement working to 'disrupt and dismantle' any Florida Capitol threat," by Tallahassee Democrat's Jeff Burlew WHERE ARE THE CHILDREN? — "Florida's K-12 enrollment drop throws another wrench into the state budget," by POLITICO's Andrew Atterbury: Florida's K-12 enrollment was down nearly 84,000 students at the midway point of the 2020-21 school year, according to data obtained by POLITICO, a dramatic fall poised to further complicate the state budget. The estimates show how large of a dent Covid-19 has put on enrollment, something that has largely been unidentified on the state level while local school districts work tirelessly to track down students that have yet to turn up this school year. The uncertainty surrounding student counts throws yet another wrench into the 2021 session as lawmakers and education leaders attempt to budget for a moving target — and a $2.7 billion deficit deepened by the pandemic-battered economy. "We have a lot of students across the state … that we don't know how they're being educated," Sen. Kelli Stargel, the Senate budget chief, said at a committee meeting Thursday. HIGH HOPES — "'Heavy risk': Legislative economist explains pandemic revenue dispute," by POLITICO's Matt Dixon: Florida's top legislative economist says Gov. Ron DeSantis' office is taking too rosy of an approach to predicting cash available to write future state budgets, a disagreement that was at the heart of an open clash last month. The fight was over the amount of general revenue the state has at its disposal. DeSantis administration economists pushed for a revenue estimate that was $1.6 billion over two years larger than what Amy Baker, the lead legislative economists, thought was prudent because "heavy risk" remains as Florida's economy tries to recover from the coronavirus pandemic. ALLEGATIONS — "State Sen. Manny Diaz accused of inappropriate behavior as Hialeah-Miami Lakes teacher," by Miami Herald's Colleen Wright and Ana Ceballos: "Prominent Miami state Sen. Manny Díaz Jr. is facing allegations of inappropriate behavior with former students — accusations he denies and is threatening legal action against — following social media posts and a broadcast by his accuser on Miami Spanish-language radio. JennyLee Molina, a 2000 graduate of Hialeah-Miami Lakes Senior High when Díaz was a teacher there, accused Díaz of making inappropriate comments about drugs and clubbing to students, as well as on girls' appearances, allegations that two other former students largely corroborated to the Miami Herald. 'I didn't expect it to be [so] explosive because this was common knowledge, this was common culture that people knew about and talked about in circles,' Molina told the Herald." TO COURT — "Groups file lawsuit challenging federal wetlands permitting transfer to Florida," by POLITICO's Bruce Ritchie: Environmental groups on Thursday filed a lawsuit against the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency for its decision to transfer federal wetlands permitting to the state of Florida. The details: The groups said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler's decision on Dec. 17 was so rushed ahead President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration that the agency violated federal law in failing to follow proper procedure. They are asking a federal judge in Washington, D.C., to immediately put the rule on hold. "Florida's record of wetlands protection is already abysmal," attorney Bonnie Malloy of the Earthjustice law firm said in an announcement. "And now is not the time for the federal government to turn over a massive Clean Water Act program to a state with a shrinking budget amid the economic losses in the pandemic." A NEW QUEST — "DeSantis' top legislative priority: Stopping censorship of conservatives online," by Tampa Bay Times Kirby Wilson and Miami Herald's Mary Ellen Klas: "Gov. Ron DeSantis laid out a top policy priority on Thursday, but it wasn't shoring up the economy or slowing the spread of the coronavirus. Nor was it stopping protests from turning into riots. DeSantis said his top legislative goal "to get right" in 2021 and beyond is to prevent the censorship of conservatives online by technology behemoths like Google, Facebook, Twitter and Amazon, which isn't an issue that Florida's government has the ability to control." | | | | KEEP UP WITH THE FIRST 100 DAYS OF THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION WITH TRANSITION PLAYBOOK: It was a dark week in American history, and a new administration will have to pick up the pieces. Transition Playbook brings you inside the last days of this crucial transfer of power, tracking the latest from President-elect Biden and his growing administration. Written for political insiders, this scoop-filled newsletter breaks big news and analyzes the appointments, people, and the emerging power centers of the new administration. Track the transition and the first 100 days of the incoming Biden administration. Subscribe today. | | | | |
| | TRUMPLANDIA AND THE SWAMP | | MAST VS. TAPPER — "CNN's Tapper won't take back criticism of congressional vet," by Associated Press' David Bauder: "CNN's Jake Tapper, under fire for a comment questioning a Republican congressman and combat veteran's commitment to democracy, said Thursday the criticism is an attempt to change the subject from the attack on the U.S. Capitol. During coverage of Wednesday's House vote to impeach President Donald Trump, Tapper referenced U.S. Rep. Brian Mast of Florida, who was among Republicans who voted last week against the certification of President-elect Joe Biden's victory. Mast lost both legs in an explosion while serving in the U.S. Army in Afghanistan in 2010. Tapper noted Mast's sacrifice 'fighting for democracy abroad, although I don't know ... about his commitment to it here in the United States.' That made Tapper an immediate target online and elsewhere. Fox News Channel's Pete Hegseth, a former U.S. Army National Guard member, called Tapper 'an emotional bowl of soup with a serious inferiority complex for veterans and the military.' HE'S COMING — "Trump plans to live at Mar-a-Lago, employ some current aides," by Bloomberg News' Jennifer Jacobs and Saleha Mohsin: "Donald Trump plans to fly to his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida the morning of Joe Biden's inauguration, where several current White House staff are expected to work for him or his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, after his presidency, according to people familiar with the matter. Trump intends to live at the Palm Beach resort, the people said, though some of his future neighbors are trying to stop him from taking up permanent residence." — " Donald Trump Jr., girlfriend Kimberly Guilfoyle seen house-hunting in Palm Beach, sources confirm," by Palm Beach Daily News' Darrell Hofheinz — "As New York dumps Trump, a Trump exodus to Florida is underway," by ABC News' John Santucci | 
FILE - In this Nov. 24, 2017 file photo shows President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Fla. President Trump's Mar-a-Lago club will partially reopen to members this weekend as South Florida slowly reopens from the coronavirus lock down. An email sent Thursday, May 14, 2020 to members says the Palm Beach resort's Beach Club restaurant, its pool and its whirlpool will reopen Saturday after being closed two months, but its main building that includes hotel rooms, the main dining area and the president's private residence will remain closed. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File) | DON'T DO THAT — "Trump's Mar-a-Lago warned over coronavirus mask violation," by Associated Press' Terry Spencer: "President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago club's failure to enforce a local mask ordinance at its New Year's Eve bash has resulted in a warning but no fine or other punishment. Palm Beach County sent a letter to the club's manager, Bernd Lembcke, on Wednesday telling him that future violations of the county's coronavirus ordinance could result in fines of up to $15,000 per violation. Video of the party posted online by Donald Trump Jr. shows that few of the 500 guests wore masks as they crowded the dance floor while rapper Vanilla Ice, Beach Boys co-founder Mike Love and singer Taylor Dayne performed." IN THE ROUGH? — "Palm Beach County looking for a way to end lease with Trump's West Palm Beach course," by Palm Beach Post's Alexandra Clough: "A Palm Beach County official this week examined a contract with a Trump Organization affiliate to see if the county could end its lease with the president's signature Trump International Golf Club in unincorporated West Palm Beach. Howard Falcon, chief assistant county attorney, told The Palm Beach Post on Wednesday he was asked by an unnamed county commissioner about whether the lease with Trump International Golf Club could be canceled. Falcon said he does not think the county can end its lease with Trump, who pays $88,338 a month in rent for the property. 'My initial reaction is it would be a stretch,' Falcon said." — "Florida holds out hope for part of Space Force after Alabama wins headquarters," by News Service of Florida's Jim Turner | | CORONAVIRUS UPDATES | | POINTING NORTH — "Florida disaster chief blames Trump COVID-19 vaccine task force for sidelining 1M shots," by POLITICO's Arek Sarkissian: Florida Division of Emergency Management Director Jared Moskowitz blamed the White House's Operation Warp Speed for allowing most of the state's allotment of Covid-19 vaccine to sit unused for weeks, telling a state House committee Thursday he predicts the pandemic to continue longer than he thought. Why it matters: Moskowitz told the House Pandemics and Public Emergencies Committee that Florida only used 45 percent of the 1.68 million doses of the Covid-19 vaccine shipped by Operation Warp Speed over the past month. The Florida Department of Health only received some of the doses, but thousands of shots went to CVS and Walgreens, which were contracted with the White House to inoculate residents living in nursing homes and assisted-living facilities. "More people are going to get sick and more people are going to die," Moskowitz said. "Trust me, it takes a toll." MORE PLEASE — "Republicans and Democrats from Florida request more COVID-19 vaccines for snowbirds," by Miami Herald's Alex Daugherty: "Members of Florida's congressional delegation asked the federal government Thursday for more COVID-19 vaccines to account for the thousands of seasonal residents who move to the state during the winter months, saying that the influx of "snowbirds" is straining the initial allotment. Seventeen of the state's 27 House members, along with Republican Sen. Marco Rubio, sent a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar and Operation Warp Speed COO Gen. Gustave Perna asking to increase Florida's vaccine allocation from the federal government." — " Florida to begin statewide appointment system for vaccine," by Associated Press' Bobby Caina Calvan and Tamara Lush NOTHING TO SEE HERE — "Gov. DeSantis' office: Publix PAC money not linked to launch of COVID-19 vaccine program," by The Ledger's Gary White: "Any implication that the governor is rewarding Publix for the donations from its political committee is "baseless and ridiculous," DeSantis spokeswoman Meredith Beatrice said in an email to The Ledger. "Governor DeSantis is focused on putting Seniors First and is leaving no stone unturned in our efforts to ensure the vaccine as accessible as possible to Florida's broader 4.5 million senior population," Beatrice wrote." KEEP AN EYE ON THIS — " Florida's unemployment claims more than triple to highest level since August," by Sun Sentinel's David Lyons: "Florida's surge in COVID-19 cases has suddenly thrust thousands more people out of work, with first-time unemployment claims more than tripling in a week. New claims rose to 75,444 for the week ended Jan. 9, after consistently totaling around 25,000 a week during December and into the first week of 2021. The latest figures spiked by 50,747 claims from the week before." — "Florida health officials want to scrutinize COVID test results. It's unclear why," by Miami Herald's Ben Conarck — "New rollout rules stir worry about second doses in Florida and Tampa Bay," by Tampa Bay Times' Allison Ross, Megan Reeves and Kirby Wilson — "Two vials of Moderna COVID-19 vaccine stolen from Florida State Hospital in Chattahoochee," by Tallahassee Democrat's Jeffrey Schweers — "More Disney World employees are back to work, but recovery is a long way off ," by Orlando Sentinel's Gabrielle Russon and Stephen Hudak — "BayCare pauses vaccinations, citing lack of supply," by Tampa Bay Times' Megan Reeves | | TRAIL MIX | | SCOTTWORLD — "Rick Scott's rocky start atop GOP Senate campaign arm," by POLITICO's James Arkin: But some Republicans fear that his vote, the general antipathy toward the GOP among some donors right now and the party's disappointing losses in Georgia will combine to hamper the NRSC at the outset of the cycle, according to conversations with nearly a dozen party operatives, donors and lobbyists, most of whom spoke on condition of anonymity to speak candidly. "I think a lot of people are thinking, 'We just lost the majority. We all put an enormous amount of personal and client money into the races, and we lost,'" said one GOP donor. "A lot of those who helped raise money are thinking, 'Give me a breath for a minute.' And especially in the context of what happened in the last week at the Capitol." Pushing back — Scott's strategists also dismissed the complaints and frustrations as anonymous griping that did not match the reality of the start of his tenure as chair. "The courageous anonymous sources pushing this false narrative do not believe a single word they are saying, which is why they won't put their names on this nonsense," Curt Anderson, a top adviser to Scott, said in a statement. "They are completely disingenuous. They know Rick Scott is the best fundraiser in the Republican Party, and he is already off to a fast start. Their aim is only to brow-beat Rick Scott for his vote, which proves that they do not know much about him. He will not be intimidated by anonymous Washington, D.C., bedwetters." TRANSITIONS — Joanna Rodriguez is joining the Republican Governors Association as deputy communications director. Rodriguez, who has worked for Sen. Marco Rubio and former Rep. Carlos Curbelo, had been press secretary for the National Republican Senatorial Committee during the 2020 cycle. — " Councilman Matt Carlucci will run for Jacksonville mayor in 2023," by Florida Times-Union's Christopher Hong | | MEDIA MATTERS | | SIGNING OFF — "Univision layoffs affect several conservative radio shows in Miami and Padre Alberto," by El Nuevo Herald's Daniel Shoer Roth and Arturo Arias-Polo: "This week's layoffs at the Univision Network has left popular Cuban exile figures with outstanding careers on Radio Mambí 710- AM and WQBA 1140-AM off the air. A nationwide wave of layoffs came after the recent sale of the Spanish-language media colossus to investment firms. Univision Radio stations parted ways with hosts José Alfonso Almora, José 'Pepe' Forte, Humberto Cortina and Father Alberto Cutié, sources confirmed to El Nuevo Herald. 'There remains a void of the traditional voices of Cuban exile,' Cortina, who for 20 years hosted Al Ritmo de Miami, at Mambí, told el Nuevo Herald." | | PENINSULA AND BEYOND | | PUSHBACK — "Florida prison chief rebuffs federal findings of 'systemic' sexual abuse at Lowell," by Miami Herald's Ana Ceballos: "[Florida Corrections Secretary Mark] Inch, speaking to the Senate Criminal and Civil Justice Appropriations Subcommittee on Wednesday, said that while he is expected to stay silent on the matter 'due to likely pending litigation,' he thought it was 'really important' to explain why nothing has been done in response to the federal report. 'I absolutely, and our agency, takes every allegation of sexual abuse seriously. But I disagree with the conclusions of that report,' Inch told the Senate panel. The report concluded that correctional officers and staff at Lowell — the second-largest women's prison in the country — raped, sodomized, beat and at times demeaned female inmates in exchange for basic necessities like toilet paper, as part of a 'long history of tolerance for sexual abuse and harassment.'" | | ODDS, ENDS, AND FLORIDA MEN | | — 'It was torture':11-year-old boy saved from abuse by server at Orlando restaurant, cops say," by Orlando Sentinel's Hannah Phillips: "The server flashed a handwritten note to a little boy at her table. He wore glasses, a mask and a hoodie, but bruises peeked out from behind all of them. 'ARE YOU OK?' the note said. The boy nodded. He was skinny, Flaviane Carvalho said, and he was the only one at the table of four who hadn't been ordered any food. She flashed a second sign behind his parents' back a few minutes later. 'DO YOU NEED HELP?' He nodded again. Carvalho, a manager and server at Mrs. Potato Restaurant on South Kirkman Road, called the Orlando Police Department shortly before midnight Jan. 1." BIRTHDAYS: Ed George , former journalist and former communications director for the Department of Lottery.
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