| | | | | |  | | By Gary Fineout | Good Monday morning. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers — after winning three straight road games — are headed to the Super Bowl, which will make them the first team to ever play that game in their home stadium. This was Gov. Ron DeSantis' response shortly after the Bucs sewed up their victory on Sunday over the Green Bay Packers: "In politics if you want a friend, get a dog. In football if you want to go to the Super Bowl, get a GOAT. Congratulations to @TomBrady & the @Buccaneers on the NFC Championship win. See you in Tampa for the Super Bowl." The daily rundown — Between Saturday and Sunday, the number of Florida coronavirus cases increased by 9,535 (nearly 0.6 percent), to 1,649,449; deaths rose by 129 (0.5 percent) to 25,293. The number of active hospitalization is 6,727, a decrease of 297 (4.2 percent) since last Thursday. Limited attendance — And this is a reminder that the NFL's premier game on Feb. 7 will take place amid the continuing threat of Covid-19. Just three days before the Bucs advanced to the Super Bowl, the NFL announced it was limiting attendance to 22,000 and that up to 7,500 vaccinated health care workers, many of them from the Tampa Bay area, will be among those invited to come. Mask mandate — DeSantis, who grew up in the Tampa Bay area, last September gave his full-throated endorsement for a stadium packed full of fans. But the NFL did not endorse that approach — and the league will also impose a mask mandate, which is something else that Florida's governor has refused to issue. "We focused on the core protocols around the game, the fans in pods separated around the stadium, the mandatory masks, and otherwise landed on that," Peter O'Reilly, the NFL executive vice president of club business and league events, told CBSSports.com in an interview . "And that was done in conjunction with public health officials, feedback from the CDC, local officials here in Tampa." Blocking and tackling — That's a bit of counterpoint from this recent Republican Party of Florida fundraising pitch attributed to DeSantis: "Joe Biden is already relying on his communications department (the liberal news media) and the Radical Left to punish conservatives across the country for supporting our pro-America agenda. The national media is busy attempting to attack me for refusing to close schools, shut down our businesses and lock people down in the state of Florida as we speak — but I promise you, I will hold the line." — WHERE'S RON? — Nothing official announced for Gov. DeSantis. 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 | | FROZEN OUT? — "Democratic leaders, Florida residents urge DeSantis not to 'exile' them on vaccination effort," by Palm Beach Post's Wendy Rhodes: "Now Gov. Ron DeSantis is again drawing fire from Florida's congressional Democrats. A letter they sent the governor on Friday called for "improved communication" and insisted "more can be done to expeditiously administer the vaccines." Democrats in the state legislature say they, too, are impatient. 'It says to me that he cares more about the politics of working with a Democratic administration than he does about taking care of seniors and the vulnerable in Florida," said State Sen. Tina Polsky, D-Boca Raton. 'The fact he doesn't even know what the federal government is offering and he's already saying no, shows that it is purely political.'" PREMATURE CELEBRATION — "Florida governor walks back claim over 1 millionth shot," by Associated Press' Bobby Caina Calvan: "Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis had a made-for-TV moment: A 100-year-old World War II veteran getting a vaccine against the coronavirus. 'An American hero,' the governor proclaimed Friday, would be the 1 millionth senior in his state to get a lifesaving shot in the arm. As it turned out, the assertion was premature, and the Republican governor later walked back the claim, saying instead that the injection was symbolic of the state being on track to hit 1 million doses soon. State officials acknowledged that it could take a few more days to reach the milestone." | 
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks at a new conference about the surge in coronavirus cases. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images) | NOTHING TO SEE HERE — "Many people say it's hard to get the second dose of the COVID vaccine. Florida stops reporting number overdue," by Sun Sentinel's David Fleshler: "The number of people overdue for second doses reached 44,470 Monday, according to the daily vaccine reports issued by the Florida Department of Health. But after that day, and after news media reports publicized the high number of people overdue for second shots, the health department started omitting that statistic from its daily reports. Jason Mahon, spokesman for the Florida Department of Health, said the 'overdue' category was removed to bring the state's report in line with the daily reports by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. And he said the word 'overdue' conflicts with CDC guidance, which sets minimum time periods for receiving the second dose but not maximum ones. — "Miami-Dade's wealthiest ZIP codes are the most vaccinated for COVID-19, data shows," by Miami Herald's Douglas Hanks and Ben Conarck — "Florida offered COVID-19 vaccine to all seniors before many in assisted living got the shot ," by Sarasota Herald-Tribune's Zac Anderson A SMALLER PARTY — "Super Bowl 55 will have 22,000 fans, including 7,500 vaccinated health care workers," by Tampa Bay Times' Rick Stroud: Glenda Wright grew up a Philadelphia Eagles fan. But the Director of Environmental Services at Tampa General Hospital didn't recognize the masked former Bucs player who prevented her favorite team from going to the Super Bowl 18 years ago. Ronde Barber's 92-yard interception return for a touchdown in the NFC Championship Game following the 2002 season sealed a 27-10 win and sent Tampa Bay, not Philadelphia, to Super Bowl 37. On Thursday, it was a giveaway — not a takeaway — that was on Barber's mind as he presented Wright with a mini-helmet and news that she would be receiving tickets to Super Bowl 55. 'IT WILL CONTINUE TO MUTATE' — "More contagious COVID-19 variant is spreading in Florida. What does it mean?" by Orlando Sentinel's Ryan Gillespie: "The state has 46 reported cases of the B.1.1.7 strain, according to the CDC, a count that has steadily grown since the first infection, discovered in a Martin County man in his mid-20s with no travel history, was announced on New Year's Eve by the Florida Department of Health. Dr. Gregory Poland, a vaccinologist with the Mayo Clinic, said COVID-19 has been able to mutate because of how easily it's been able to circulate. 'It will continue to mutate…as long as we allow in this country the incredible rate of infections we have,' Poland said. 'This is happening because of our irrational human behavior.'" — "Jason Shoaf, a Florida House member who represents part of Leon, 'positive for COVID,'" by USA Today Network Florida Capital Bureau | | | | HAPPENING TUESDAY - 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. | | | | |
| | TRUMPLANDIA AND THE SWAMP | | 'BAD FOR AMERICA' — "Marco Rubio: It's 'arrogant' to impeach Trump to ban him from running again," by POLITICO's Kelly Hooper: Sen. Marco Rubio on Sunday said the argument that former President Donald Trump should be impeached so that he can't seek public office again is "an arrogant statement for anyone to make." When "Fox News Sunday" host Chris Wallace asked the senator about the idea that Trump should be impeached to ban him from running for office again, the Florida Republican quickly shot down the argument. "I think that's an arrogant statement for anyone to make. Voters get to decide that. Who are we to tell voters who they can vote for in the future?" Rubio said. Trump's second Senate impeachment trial starts Feb. 8, and a conviction would disqualify him from running for president ever again. — "We found why Marco Rubio keeps wearing USF Cougars gear," by Sioux Falls Argus Leader's Trevor J. Mitchell CALLED BACK — "Several governors order National Guard troops out of D.C.," by POLITICO's Ben Leonard and Lara Seligman: DeSantis called the deployment a "half-cocked mission at this point" and said it was time to bring the Guardsmen home. "These folks are soldiers," DeSantis said on Fox News on Friday morning. "They're not Nancy Pelosi's servants. This comes on the back end of them trying to investigative the backgrounds of our guardsmen. Florida, we did not let them go into their political beliefs. That was totally inappropriate." — " Kissimmee police officer fired over Facebook posts supporting Capitol insurrection, predicting Civil War," by Orlando Sentinel's Katie Rice — "'Zip tie guy' Eric Munchel, who has Florida connections, to appear before D.C. judge," by Nashville Tennessean's Mariah Timms and Brinley Hineman — "Senate Chamber selfie leads to Fort Pierce man's federal charge in Capitol riot," by Treasure Coast Newspapers Melissa E. Holsman and Will Greenlee WHAT HAPPENS IN MAR-A-LAGO — "Trump goes MIA as former aides deal with the harm he caused them," by POLITICO's Gabby Orr, Meredith McGraw and Daniel Lippman: But without a social media loudspeaker through which to tease his plans, few know what to expect next, including his own former aides. "We'll do something, but not just yet," Trump told a reporter at his Mar-a-Lago compound on Friday. So far, the former president has floated the creation of a third-party movement that would enable him to support MAGA-friendly candidates in the 2022 midterms and beyond. He is also interested in becoming "the nation's leader on ballot and voting integrity," his senior adviser Jason Miller said on a podcast last Thursday. | | THE 46TH | | MAGIC 8-BALL SAYS — "Will they work together? Biden faces Florida Republicans who rejected their win," by Orlando Sentinel's Steven Lemongello: "Republican House members across Central Florida, including U.S. Reps. Bill Posey, R-Rockledge, Daniel Webster, R-Clermont, and Scott Franklin, R-Lakeland, were asked if they would work with Biden, acknowledge his win and push back on conspiracy theories such as QAnon and the false allegation that Antifa or other left-wing groups were behind the Capitol assault. Only U.S. Rep. Michael Waltz, R-St. Augustine Beach, answered. Waltz was not one of the 12 Florida Republican House members who voted to overturn the results in one or more states, having changed his mind after the Capitol riot. 'I'll work with the Biden administration on any issue that advances the needs of Floridians in my district and the nation,' Waltz said in an email." | | DATELINE D.C. | | ANOTHER GO — "Menendez to renew push for protecting Venezuelans from deportation," by POLITICO's Sabrina Rodriguez: Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) on Monday will launch another effort to offer Venezuelan exiles protection from deportation through Temporary Protected Status — a move that the Biden administration supports and former President Donald Trump fell short of doing. Menendez will introduce a bill that would allow Venezuelans fleeing the humanitarian crisis brought on by Nicolás Maduro's government to live and work legally in the U.S. through TPS. It comes less than a week after Trump, on his last full day in office, used executive power to shield Venezuelans from deportation through the Deferred Enforced Departure program, or DED. | | TRAIL MIX | | IVANKA WHO? — "Florida Sen. Marco Rubio coy on possible challenge from Ivanka Trump," by New York Daily News' Shant Shahrigian: "Republican Sen. Marco Rubio was coy Sunday when asked about a possible 2022 primary challenge for his Florida seat from former President Trump's daughter and senior adviser. 'I don't really get into the parlor games of Washington,' he said on "Fox News Sunday" about speculation Ivanka Trump is gunning for his job. 'If you're going to run for the Florida Senate, you're going to have a tough race, including a primary. That's their right under the system.' Rubio continued. | | ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... | | WHAT'S IN YOUR WALLET? — "Florida lawmakers prepare for perilous fight over state pensions," by POLITICO's Matt Dixon: Florida's nearly $3 billion pandemic-driven budget gap is priming the Legislature for a bruising confrontation this spring over how to restructure the state's pension system, an issue that has long pit Republican majorities against Democrats and their union allies. Republican leaders openly say sweeping changes to the $150 billion Florida Retirement System are on the table in the upcoming legislative session, which kicks off March 2. A bill was filed on Thursday in the GOP-led Senate that would limit access to the system for new hires in the name of slashing long term costs. State actuaries have also quietly lowered expectations for investment returns once again, and major reforms ushered into law by then-Gov. Rick Scott are under new scrutiny over whether they were falsely sold as a way to strengthen the state retirement system. Spelling it out — Nearly a decade later, the state's pension plan remains underfunded and state investment officials are viewing the Scott-era reforms through a more critical lens. During a September meeting of the Investment Advisory Council, a panel that gives investment advice to DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet, [Ash] Williams said it was his belief that state worker were misled about how the 3 percent contribution plan would work. "That was sold to the employees as them participating in ensuring the health of their own pension system," Williams said, according to a transcript of the meeting. "In fact, what happened was the Legislature put on that contribution and then reduced the government's contribution dollar for dollar." TAXMAN COMETH? — "Honor system failure; Florida one of two states not collecting sales tax from all remote sellers," by Sarasota Herald-Tribune's John Kennedy: "When Florida lawmakers were last staring at a budget abyss like the one created by the coronavirus, it was 2009 and the collapsed housing market was the cause. At the time, the Republican-led Legislature did what many thought was unthinkable: It raised taxes and fees on Floridians by a staggering $2.2 billion, upping the cost of everything from cigarettes to traffic tickets and turkey hunting. On Monday, the latest version of a GOP-controlled Florida Legislature is expected to have its own tax-and-spend moment." SPECIAL TREATMENT? — "Trump administration gives Medicaid gift to Florida prior to leaving office," by News Service of Florida's Christine Sexton: "Former President Donald Trump's administration gave Florida's health-care system one last parting gift before he left office Wednesday to return to his adopted home state. The Trump administration last week agreed to extend a 'waiver' for Florida's Medicaid program — and $1.5 billion in supplemental funding each year until June 2030, which means the move would outlast newly installed President Joe Biden." | | PENINSULA AND BEYOND | | GETTING OUT — "Former Florida white nationalist reckons with his past, America's present," by Tampa Bay Times' Claire McNeill: "In the mass of far-right flags and clashing bodies, he saw reminders of his too-recent past. That Camp Auschwitz shirt — he was well-acquainted with talk like that. A familiar face storming the Capitol in an Oath Keepers hat — he'd had a drink with that guy once. The 'Q Shaman' with his horns and heathen costume — all symbols Ernest knew, twisted into hate. I enabled that, he thought." | | ODDS, ENDS, AND FLORIDA MEN | | BIRTHDAYS: State Sen. Aaron Bean … Gus Corbella, senior director with Greenberg Traurig … (Was Sunday) … Karen Woodall , director and CEO of Florida People's Advocacy Center ... Tampa Bay Times photojournalist Scott Keeler
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