| | | | | |  | | By Gary Fineout | Presented by AARP | Hello and welcome to Thursday. The daily rundown — Between Tuesday and Wednesday, the number of Florida coronavirus cases increased by 7,128 (nearly 0.4 percent), to 1,885,661; active hospitalizations went down by 121 (nearly 2.9 percent), to 4,077; deaths of Florida residents rose by 127 (0.4 percent), to 30,340; 2,792,118 Floridians have at least one dose of the vaccine. At the top — A Florida man will loom large in the 2024 elections. Pilgrimage — POLITICO's Marc Caputo points out that at least eight potential presidential hopefuls — including Gov. Ron DeSantis and Sen. Rick Scott — will speak at this weekend's Conservative Political Action Conference in Orlando. But former President Donald Trump, who is scheduled to speak on Sunday, remains the leader of the Republican Party and whether he chooses to run again he will play a pivotal role in shaping the Republican primary. Loyalty test — Rep. Matt Gaetz, who met with Trump last week at Mar-a-Lago, told Caputo that "the winner of our primary [in 2024] will be someone from the Full Trump lane who embraces Trump and is embraced by him." Warning — Gaetz, who is also scheduled to speak at CPAC, predicted that candidates who fail to embrace Trump's legacy in full will only have a "mirage" of support "because their base is essentially Washington-based media who give them more appearances on the Sunday shows than their percentage point support in polling of Republican voters." — WHERE'S RON? — Gov. Ron DeSantis will hold a press conference at Edward Waters College in Jacksonville. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for Playbook? Get in touch: gfineout@politico.com | | | | A message from AARP: Don't cut quality care for nursing home residents. Nearly 10,000 residents and staff of Florida nursing homes, assisted living and other long-term care facilities have died from COVID-19. Now is the time to strengthen protections for our loved ones — not cut them. Vote 'No' on HB 485/SB 1132. | | |
|  | TRUMPLANDIA AND THE SWAMP | | MY WAY OR THE HIGHWAY — "The GOP's choice in 2024: Trump Ultra, Trump Lite or Trump Zero," by POLITICO's Marc Caputo : "There isn't a Trump lane. There's a Trump Turnpike with multiple lanes and multiple people," said Chris LaCivita, a veteran GOP strategist who most recently headed the anti-Biden super PAC Preserve America. Conversations with more than a dozen Republican consultants, strategists and officials depict a party over which Trump exerts an irresistible gravitational pull, pointing to his continued strength in polls and the megawatt energy he generates among the GOP grassroots. 'DESTRUCTIVE' — " Why CPAC's last chairman is staying far away from this year's Big Trump-Fest," by Vice News' Cameron Joseph: "Al Cardenas, the former chair of the American Conservative Union (CPAC's parent organization), told VICE News he expects Trump to issue 'a laundry list of demands for loyalists' and use his Sunday speech — the first public one since he left office — to air 'a number of grievances.' Strong words — He warned that anyone who promoted Trump's voter fraud lie would further damage democracy. And he lamented the lack of ideological and racial diversity in this year's CPAC lineup. 'Disrespecting the outcome [of the 2020 election] is disrespecting the rule of law, and it weakens our democracy,' Cardenas said. 'Anyone who continues to claim the election was rigged … is in essence creating a sense of doubt in America that your vote counts, and that, in my opinion, is destructive.'" — "Tampa man granted bail in federal hearing after arrest in Capitol riot," by Tampa Bay Times' Anastasia Dawson | | | | NEW - "THE RECAST" NEWSLETTER: Power dynamics are changing. "Influence" is changing. More people are demanding a seat at the table, insisting that all politics is personal and not all policy is equitable. "The Recast" is our new twice-weekly newsletter that breaks down how race and identity are recasting politics, policy and power in America. And POLITICO is recasting how we report on this crucial intersection, bringing you fresh insights, scoops, dispatches from across the country and new voices that challenge "business as usual." Don't miss out on this important new newsletter, SUBSCRIBE NOW. Thank you to our sponsor, Intel. | | | | |
| | CAMPAIGN MODE | | IN THE MIX — "Rep. Stephanie Murphy 'seriously considering' bid to unseat Rubio," by POLITICO's Marc Caputo: Florida Rep. Stephanie Murphy is seriously considering a bid to unseat Sen. Marco Rubio's 2022 reelection, announcing Wednesday that she's launching a statewide listening tour and has hired a top Democratic operative to manage the effort. Murphy, 42, has been elected three times to one of Florida's most competitive congressional districts in Orlando, and first won the seat by knocking out 12-term incumbent GOP Rep. John Mica when few thought she could. It was a giant-killer act that Democrats hope she can repeat if she takes on Rubio, widely seen as a hard-to-beat incumbent. Her story — Murphy's record and her unique biography — she would be the first Asian-American elected statewide in Florida and was the first woman of Vietnamese descent elected to Congress — has made her a top recruit for Sen. Chuck Schumer. The Senate majority leader has urged her privately to consider challenging Rubio and help Democrats win a clear majority in the 50-50 U.S. Senate, according to two sources who have been briefed on his recruitment effort. Murphy declined to discuss the conversations. Here's the video where Murphy discusses her background and her plans. | 
Rep. Stephanie Murphy (D-Florida-7th District) photographed May 1, 2019 at the Cannon House Office Building in Washington, DC. (M. Scott Mahaskey/Politico) | M. Scott Mahaskey/POLITICO |
WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS — During the past four years Joe Gruters, as both a state representative and then state senator, has mounted a crusade against "dark money" in Florida politics. Prompted by his own 2016 race where someone paid for attack mailers, Gruters proposed cracking down on practices that allowed money to be endlessly transferred around political committees in order to make it harder to figure out the initial source.
Bottled up — Yet Gruters own fellow Republicans have refused to even hear the bill even though he has filed bills the last four sessions in a row. The stiff-arming by members of his own party is even more remarkable given that Gruters has been the head of the Republican Party of Florida. Stopping at 0-4 — This year Gruters is turning his attention elsewhere. In a text message, he said that during the 2021 session he is "working on bills that I hope can pass." Gruters pointed out as part of that he has cut down the number of bills he is sponsoring this year. GILLUM WATCH — "Latest records show Andrew Gillum political fund still has about $743K," by Tallahassee Democrat's Jeffrey Schweers: "The largest amount spent over the last 10 months was $503,674 to Perkins Coie for legal services related to a federal subpoena served to [Andrew] Gillum for matters during his time as mayor 2014-18. Perkins Coie, which also has represented the Democratic National Committee, is the firm of Marc Elias, attorney for Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential campaign and former Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson's 2018 campaign." — "Laura Loomer announces 2022 congressional run ," by The Floridian's Javier Manjarres | | | |   | | |
| | CORONAVIRUS UPDATES | | BY THE NUMBERS — "Florida administered over 94K Covid vaccines at 'pod' sites," by POLITICO's Arek Sarkissian: More than 94,000 people have received the Covid-19 vaccine from one of Florida's 16 pop-up vaccination sites, and most of those shots went to two of the bluest counties in the state. Vaccination totals for the temporary "pod" sites were provided by the Florida Department of Health Wednesday after POLITICO reported the governor's office could not provide them. The sites exceeded Gov. Ron DeSantis' own account of their performance during a Wednesday news conference in Brooksville. The counties of Broward and Palm Beach administered 73 percent of the 94,201 vaccines distributed by pod locations statewide. Both counties historically vote Democrat in statewide races. DIGGING DEEPER — "Another upscale community got special vaccine access; this one has a splash park," by Sarasota Herald-Tribune's Zac Anderson: "Residents of the upscale Grand Palm community in Venice, where one home currently is listed for sale at $855,000, have access to a resort-style swimming pool with a water slide, miles of hiking and biking trails, a children's splash pad and basketball, tennis, bocce ball and volleyball courts. Grand Palm property owners and family members also were offered special access to the COVID-19 vaccine through a pop-up clinic in Charlotte County organized by Grand Palm developer Neal Communities, according to emails obtained by the Herald-Tribune." — " Naples' upscale Pelican Bay community gets private COVID-19 vaccine clinic," by Naples Daily News' Liz Freeman PUSHING BACK — "DeSantis calls criticism of pop-up coronavirus vaccination sites in wealthy neighborhoods 'a joke,'" by Orlando Sentinel's Tiffini Theisen and Steven Lemongello: "Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, speaking Wednesday at a senior community in Hernando County, lashed out again at criticism of pop-up sites for coronavirus vaccines in wealthy, white neighborhoods. 'There's some people who are more upset at me for vaccinating seniors than they are at other governors whose policies have killed seniors, and that is a joke,' he said in response to a reporter's question at the High Point Community, a 55-plus residential and golf development in Brooksville." WINGING IT — "Florida is better off without a detailed vaccination plan, DeSantis says," by Tampa Bay Times' Megan Reeves: "Gov. Ron DeSantis and Hernando County's top Republican lawmaker defended Florida's coronavirus vaccine rollout on Wednesday, saying the state is a national leader in the effort and touting the lack of a detailed plan as a plus. 'We are approaching this pandemic in ways that other states are not,' state Rep. Blaise Ingoglia said at a news conference in Brooksville where DeSantis announced a new vaccination site for seniors 65 and older. 'What other states are getting wrong, I believe that this governor is getting right.' Two things make Florida stand out when it comes to the vaccine rollout: It's one of only two states to prioritize residents 65 and older in its first phase of distribution, and it's the only state that hasn't told residents specifically who will get vaccines after that group." PRETZEL LOGIC — "DeSantis advances questionable link between lockdowns and despair," by Kaiser Health News Phil Galewitz: "[Gov. Ron] DeSantis' office did not provide any data showing how rates of suicide and drug abuse in Florida compared with those in so-called lockdown states. It sent us a Miami Herald article that said in Florida, according to preliminary medical examiners' statistics, 2,975 people died by suicide in 2020, down 13% from the previous year. But the article did not have nationwide data or figures from California or New York. Concerning overdose deaths, DeSantis' office did not provide specific information." NEXT STEPS — "DeSantis expects to lower COVID vaccine age to 60," by Palm Beach Post's Jane Musgrave: "With Florida poised to hit the 50% mark for the number of seniors who have received coronavirus vaccines, Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday indicated he may start lowering the age limit for those who can be inoculated against the deadly virus. While he isn't backing away from his "Seniors First" strategy, he said he is likely to lower the age incrementally, allowing those who are over the age of 60, or possibly as young as 55, to begin lining up for vaccines." — " Florida vaccine supply to jump to nearly 450k first doses next week," by Orlando Sentinel's Richard Tribou — "Free life-saving treatment for coronavirus patients, just like Trump received, is going unused in South Florida," by Sun Sentinel's Cindy Krischer Goodman — "FIU tells employees to return to campus by Monday, pushing for summer reopening," by Miami Herald's Jimena Tavel | | ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... | | THE AGENDA — "Florida Senate moves to the right — and fast," by News Service of Florida's Dara Kam: "But the November elections, the coronavirus pandemic and an expanded GOP caucus have emboldened Senate leaders to embrace what may be the most conservative agenda in recent years as they prepare for the 2021 legislative session that begins Tuesday. 'They are purely political red-meat issues, and they're not real. These are not things that Floridians are clamoring for for legislative action,' Senate Minority Leader Gary Farmer, D-Lighthouse Point, told The News Service of Florida in a phone interview." BREAKING IT DOWN — " FL Legislature 2021: Black lawmakers have to struggle to gain leadership roles, address issues affecting Blacks," by Florida Phoenix's Isaac Morgan: "But in state politics, Black lawmakers in the Florida Legislature still have to struggle. Struggle to increase the number of Black lawmakers in both the House and Senate chambers. Struggle to move into leadership roles, such as committee chairs. Struggle to get legislation through both chambers and on to the governor's office, to help uplift communities of color across the state. When reality sets in, State Sen. Shevrin Jones, a Democrat representing part of Broward and Miami-Dade counties, says proposals aimed to improve conditions for Black people in the state may not see the light of day. 'People have filed legislation, but the question is will they ever get heard and the answer is probably 'no,' he said." DELAYS LOOMING — "Protest threatens to stall Florida's $8M school panic alarm project," by POLITICO's Andrew Atterbury: Multiple companies vying for an $8 million school panic alarm contract are fighting the Florida Department of Education's decision to open the deal to nine vendors, triggering a process that puts in jeopardy the August deadline for launching the security project. Three protests over the bids have been filed surrounding the initial contracts awarded Feb. 12 by Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran, the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Commission reported at a meeting on Wednesday. — " Breaking from big business, some Florida Republicans call for closing corporate tax loopholes," by Orlando Sentinel's Caroline Glenn — "State Rep. Angie Nixon signs settlement over financial disclosure complaint," by Florida Times-Union Steve Patterson — "What to watch in 2021 legislative session: policy debates, key lawmakers and dates," by Miami Herald's Ana Ceballos — "Remove consequences from student test results, key Florida lawmaker says," by Tampa Bay Times' Jeffrey S. Solochek | | | | TUNE IN TO GLOBAL TRANSLATIONS: Our Global Translations podcast, presented by Citi, examines the long-term costs of the short-term thinking that drives many political and business decisions. The world has long been beset by big problems that defy political boundaries, and these issues have exploded over the past year amid a global pandemic. This podcast helps to identify and understand the impediments to smart policymaking. Subscribe and start listening today. | | | | |
| | DATELINE D.C. | | CONFRONTATION — "Stephen Miller tangles with Florida GOP freshman at House immigration meeting," by POLITICO's Olivia Beavers and Melanie Zanona: Freshman GOP Rep. María Elvira Salazar got into a lively exchange over immigration with former Trump aide Stephen Miller during a meeting with House Republicans on Wednesday, according to multiple GOP sources. The confrontation came during the end of Miller's presentation before the Republican Study Committee, the largest conservative caucus within the House GOP. Miller, the architect of Donald Trump's hard-line immigration policies, such as the separation of migrant families at the border, addressed the group alongside another former Trump administration immigration official. Sources say the Floridian Salazar pushed for immigration policies that would broaden the GOP tent while challenging Miller on how Republicans can attract Latino voters given the ultraconservative policies he is advocating. IMMIGRATION SUMMIT — Happening Thursday: A group of business leaders, current and former elected officials, as well as the children of undocumented immigrants are holding a virtual summit called Florida Thriving: Bipartisan Immigration Solutions 2021. Among those scheduled to participate are Rep. Mario Diaz Balart, Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, Former U.S. Senator Mel Martinez, Miami-Dade Commissioner Rene Garcia, former Florida Speaker of the House Will Weatherford, Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, Miami Archbishop Thomas Wenski, Al Cardenas, senior partner, Squire Patton Boggs, Mike Fernandez, CEO and Chairman, MBF Healthcare Partners, and Norman Braman, CEO Braman Auto Group. The registration information can be found here. SMOKE 'EM — "Cigars in the Senate: Rubio brings backs cigar bill," by Cigar Aficionado's David Savona: "Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL), one of the strongest supporters of cigars in Congress, reintroduced a bill today seeking to protect premium cigars from legislation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The Traditional Cigar Manufacturing and Small Business Jobs Preservation Act was first introduced in 2011, and was most recently brought up by Rubio in 2019. 'The premium cigar industry is an iconic staple in Florida's economy,' Rubio said. 'For far too long, small and family-owned businesses have been facing the threat of regulation that could force many to close their shops.'" | | PENINSULA AND BEYOND | | TOUGH CHOICES — "Miami wants to slash carbon emissions 60 percent by 2035. How? That's still up in the air," by Miami Herald's Alex Harris: "Miami has plans to slash carbon emissions, and those plans could change the way its residents get around town, cook their food and cool their homes — soon. Miami is committed to going carbon neutral by 2050, and now the city has identified a halfway mark: reducing greenhouse gas emission by 60% by 2035. Getting there will require massive changes in a city where most people couldn't imagine getting around without using a car." WHY LISTEN TO THE VOTERS? — " Palm Beach County charter schools win tax fight," by News Service of Florida Jim Saunders: "Reversing course from a decision last year, a fiercely divided appeals court Wednesday said charter schools are entitled to a cut of tax dollars that Palm Beach County voters approved in 2018 for more-traditional public schools. The 7-4 ruling by the 4th District Court of Appeal said wording in a referendum that excluded charter schools from receiving a share of increased property-tax revenues violated state law. The decision reversed a 2-1 decision by a panel of the court in April. Through 43 pages of majority, concurring and dissenting opinions Wednesday, judges battled about the issues, with one dissent describing parts of the majority opinion as 'judicial hocus pocus' and 'bait and switch.'" — "Sheriff Greg Tony's opponents pull out of lawsuit against him for now," by Sun Sentinel's Rafael Olmeda | | | | A message from AARP: PROTECT NURSING HOME RESIDENTS NOW
Right now, nursing home residents receive much of their daily care—like bathing and vital checks— from Certified Nursing Assistants, who must obtain at least 120 hours of training. But a proposal in the Florida Legislature would permanently allow that hands-on assistance to come from Personal Care Assistants with a mere 8 hours of training. Florida's most vulnerable residents deserve better.
Nearly 10,000 residents and staff of Florida nursing homes, assisted living and other long-term care facilities have died from COVID-19. Now is the time for commonsense solutions that strengthen protections for our loved ones — not cut the quality of their care. Tell state lawmakers: Vote 'No' on HB 485/SB 1132. | | |
| | ODDS, ENDS, AND FLORIDA MEN | | BIRTHDAYS: Rep. Darren Soto … Former U.S. Ambassador Carlos Trujillo … Florida Public Service Commissioner Mike La Rosa … POLITICO's Matt Dixon
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