| | | | | |  | | By Gary Fineout | Presented by the Coalition for Affordable Prescription Drugs | Hello and welcome to Tuesday. The daily rundown — Between Sunday and Monday, the number of Florida coronavirus cases increased by 3,615 (nearly 0.2 percent), to 1,830,988; active hospitalizations went up by 3 to 4,676; deaths rose by 155 (0.5 percent) to 28,934; Floridians vaccinated with at least one dose is 2,387,350. Departing words — Florida emergency management director Jared Moskowitz has some stern words for his fellow Democrats as he heads to the exit : beware of spreading Covid-19 conspiracy theories that confirm your biases. Not necessarily so — "You may see a conspiracy theory and you want it to be true and you believe it to be true and you forward it to try to make it be true. But that doesn't make it true," Moskowitz told POLITICO's Marc Caputo. "We've seen this, quite frankly, within the last four years with the previous administration." Caution — "But Democrats should not be so naive to think that they don't accidentally participate in things like that — for instance when they forward things around that falsely claim Florida has more deaths than New York when it comes to coronavirus. That is just not supported by the data." And about New York — "And in fact, for all the stuff about how Florida was not being transparent, it's not Florida that's in the national news. It's New York, that's in the national news, and it was New York that had a cover up for the last six months, and hid 50% of the nursing home deaths. We would never have gotten away with that for 15 days in Florida, let alone six months." Timing — The warning from Moskowitz — who backed President Joe Biden despite his ties to DeSantis — comes while fellow Democrats continue to pound the Florida governor. Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried on Monday sent out a fundraising pitch that said all of DeSantis' Covid-19 decisions were made strictly for "political purposes." Context — DeSantis attracts criticism in part because of his combative nature (which earns him plaudits among conservatives), his difficulty with empathy, and because he has trouble acknowledging when something didn't go as planned. And yes, his administration has had its own transparency problems (which at times has led to lawsuits from media organizations). But that doesn't mean some of his steps haven't appeared to work. And that's a big reason he will be hard for Democrats to beat in 2022. — WHERE'S RON? — Gov. DeSantis is scheduled to be in Tallahassee. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for Playbook? Get in touch: gfineout@politico.com | | | | A message from the Coalition for Affordable Prescription Drugs: PBMs work with Florida's employers and the Medicaid program to keep health care more affordable for millions of Floridians and are poised to save consumers and the State $70 billion over the next 10 years. Today, as Florida faces a global pandemic and multibillion budget shortfall, now is the time for legislators to maintain, not limit, the PBM tools that employers and consumers rely on to manage costs and ensure access to medicines. Learn more. | | |
|  | TRAIL MIX | | 'HAVING A MOMENT' — "Covid wars launch DeSantis into GOP 'top tier,'" by POLITICO's Marc Caputo: Ron DeSantis once drew national scorn for his stewardship of Florida's Covid-19 response — critics took to referring to the governor as "DeathSantis" for his resistance to restrictive measures. But that very blowback — marked by predictions of doom and widespread criticism for being divorced from science — has made DeSantis ascendant in the GOP. His position is strengthened among the GOP grassroots and elites heading into his 2022 reelection in Florida and accompanied by increasing conservative chatter nationwide about a presidential bid. On the radar — By scrapping with reporters and President Joe Biden's White House — which has singled out Florida and the governor in recent weeks — the wonky but combative governor has elevated his profile at a time when other big-state governors have been laid low… "Ron DeSantis is having a moment with conservatives," said Josh Holmes, a top adviser to Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell. "Part of this is liberals tried to cast this in the yin-and-yang comparison with Cuomo ... It's policy and it's partly stylistic, the way he handles the news media and his blue-collar appeal." — "Matt Gaetz floats Florida's Ron DeSantis as 2024 presidential candidate," by Newsweek's Danya Hajjaji | 
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis addressed the media at the River Garden Hebrew House for the Aged in Jacksonville, Fla., on the status of COVID-19 vaccination rates in the state's nursing homes and assisted living facilities Monday, Jan. 25, 2021. (Bob Self/The Florida Times-Union via AP) | Bob Self/The Florida Times-Union via AP | CENTER OF THE ACTION? — "Why upstart political 'sommelier' Blair Brandt says GOP money base is Palm Beach," by Palm Beach Post's Christine Stapleton: "Today, [Blair] Brandt is back in Palm Beach, where he has meshed his entrepreneurial instincts with his new-found passion for conservative politics to create a sort of concierge-style political consulting and fundraising firm, The Brandt Group LLC. The business not only helps candidates and conservative causes raise money but also advises donors on which candidates and causes jibe with their political and ideological beliefs. 'I kind of view myself as a political sommelier,' said Brandt. 'It's like being a concierge at a hotel, or a Sherpa — you're kind of guiding people through a massive maze.' — "Elections supervisor oppose bill to require yearly mail-in ballot requests," by WFSU's Valerie Crowder | | | | GET TRANSITION PLAYBOOK TO 100K: In three months, our scoop-filled Transition Playbook newsletter has grown from zero to more than 90,000 subscribers. Find out what's really happening inside the West Wing, who really has the ear of the president, and what's about to happen, before it occurs. Transition Playbook chronicles the people, policies, and emerging power centers of the Biden administration. Don't miss out, subscribe today. And once you do, we'd be grateful if you could spread the word to your friends and colleagues, or, even better, post about Transition Playbook on Facebook or Twitter using this link: politico.com/newsletters/transition-playbook | | | | |
| | ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... | | REFLECTIONS — "What if Gillum won? Florida GOP eyes DeSantis' emergency powers," by POLITICO's Gary Fineout: Now, as legislative leaders assess Florida's coronavirus response and how long the crisis has raged, a small number of Republicans are starting to weigh the possibility of new limits on [Gov. Ron] DeSantis' executive powers — something Democrats have been clamoring for. Fear of more severe lockdowns in the future has rattled some GOP lawmakers. 'What would have happened if Andrew Gillum had won?' state Sen. Jeffrey Brandes, a St. Petersburg Republican, said in an interview, referring to DeSantis' 2018 Democratic opponent for governor. "Would we be like California? Would we be like New York?" Spread out decision-making? — It's not yet clear what lawmakers may do to alter the governor's emergency powers, but Brandes — who sits on the Senate's select committee looking at the pandemic — and others suggested that the governor should not have unilateral authority to impose business lockdowns. "I think a part of our role is absolutely to look at what the Legislature's role is in a sustained emergency," said state Sen. Danny Burgess (R-Thonotosassa), who chairs the select Senate committee. "We have never been in a situation where it's been this prolonged and ongoing." HOMEWARD BOUND — " Jared Moskowitz, Florida's top crisis manager, who led pandemic response, is resigning," by Sun Sentinel's Lisa J. Huriash and Austen Erblat: "Jared Moskowitz, the director of Florida's Division of Emergency Management who has overseen the pandemic response, including rolling out the vaccine distribution and ensuring masks get to front-line workers, is resigning. Moskowitz, 40, of Parkland, told the South Florida Sun Sentinel that he will turn in his formal resignation early Tuesday and will leave April 30 to head home to South Florida." It's personal — "Moskowitz said he made the decision to leave several weeks ago after his 4-year-old son told him: 'Daddy works for the governor, but I don't want him to work for the governor anymore. I want him to come home.'" From Moskowitz's resignation letter — "If only more people could put aside policy differences for the benefit of Americans we would be better off as a country. I am hopeful that my two years can serve as an example and not an exception that working together can be done despite corporations making hundreds of millions of dollars beaming division into people's brains every night on television." ROUND 2 — "DeSantis, GOP leaders push 'big tech' bill to beef up consumer privacy laws, " by Orlando Sentinel's Leslie Postal: "Gov. Ron DeSantis said Monday he will support legislation to "check the growing power and influence of big tech" and give Florida consumers "more control of their data." Speaking at a press conference in Tallahassee, DeSantis said he and Florida House leaders will push a bill (HB 969) that gives consumers the right to demand information about how companies use their data. 'They have all the power. They dictate all the rules,' DeSantis said. 'We can't let it go on any longer.'" — "Bill seeks to remove B.K. Roberts' name from FSU Law School," by News Service of Florida — "Florida retailers plead for sales tax collections on e-commerce," by Florida Politics' Scott Powers — "Demand for Florida concealed weapons surge, depleting fund," by News Service of Florida | | | |   | | |
| | CORONAVIRUS UPDATES | | DELAYS — "Massive winter storm closes airports and delays vaccine deliveries to Florida," by Tallahassee Democrat's James Call: "A winter storm with icy roads, power outages and dangerous low temperatures has snarled traffic from coast to coast — and will delay shipments of coronavirus vaccines to Florida. Jared Moskowitz, director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management, said the state has been alerted the massive weather system will delay the Monday-Tuesday shipment of vaccines. It is unclear how many doses will be affected and when deliveries will resume. The state's Department of Health did not immediately respond to a request for information." EXTENSION — "Florida schools get more time for spring tests due to coronavirus concerns," by Tampa Bay Times' Jeffrey S. Solochek: "Facing mounting concerns about the safety of in-person testing, the Florida Department of Education on Monday announced it would give schools two extra weeks this spring to conduct the Florida Standards Assessments. 'This emergency order simply delays statutory deadlines for the reporting of assessment results, so districts and schools can implement lengthened testing schedules,' K-12 chancellor Jacob Oliva told superintendents in a memo accompanying the emergency order. 'This allows for more continued social distancing during test administration.'" — "'We are not turning back': Gov. Ron DeSantis says schools will remain open despite CDC guidance," by Florida Politics' Jason Delgado — "FIU tells employees to return to campus, saying the university's success depends on it," by Miami Herald's Jimena Tavel — "Judge to weigh lawsuit on Florida's unemployment problems," by News Service of Florida's Jim Saunders: — "Marlins will allow fans, with capacity at about 25 percent," by The Associated Press' Steven Wine — "Sarasota County advocates want better COVID-19 vaccine equity," by Sarasota Herald-Tribune's Elizabeth Djinis | | DATELINE D.C. | | 'VERY CLEAR WHERE I AM'— "GOP freshmen of color eyeing Dem-dominated minority caucuses," by POLITICO's Melanie Zanona and Sarah Ferris: Freshman Rep. Byron Donalds wants to pull off something Washington has never seen: Membership in both the liberal Congressional Black Caucus and the ultra-conservative House Freedom Caucus. Donalds — a Black Tea Party Republican who represents Naples, Fla. — said both groups are a natural fit for someone like himself, who believes conservative policies best improve the lives of the Black community. And he isn't afraid to defy norms in a Congress where being a lawmaker of color has historically meant belonging to the Democratic Party. 'A wide range' — "Obviously, the dominant voice in the CBC tends to be Democrat or liberal voices, and I want to bring change to that," Donalds said, noting that he's used to people gauging his political identity on his race. Shortly after arriving in Congress, Donalds recalled, a reporter asked if he'd be supporting Nancy Pelosi for speaker, assuming he was a Democrat. "Yes, I'm a conservative Republican, but I think in the Black community, we have a wide range of political thought," he added. "It doesn't always get talked about, but it exists." MESSAGE TIME — " House Republican resolution urges US to boycott 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing," by Fox News' Brooke Singman: "Republican Rep. Mike Waltz on Monday introduced a resolution urging the U.S. to boycott the 2022 Winter Olympic Games in Beijing if they are not moved, saying the U.S. 'cannot in good conscience' have American athletes celebrating an event hosted by 'a brutal dictatorship' and warning that China's Communist Party would be 'emboldened by the legitimacy conferred by the Olympics.'" | | | | JOIN TODAY - PLAYBOOK INTERVIEW WITH ASSISTANT HOUSE SPEAKER KATHERINE CLARK: How are House Democrats helping move the Biden administration agenda forward, including a Covid-19 vaccine rollout economic recovery plan? Join Playbook co-author Rachael Bade for a live conversation with Assistant House Speaker Katherine Clark (D-Mass.) on the most pressing legislative priorities and her approach to getting things done. REGISTER HERE. | | | | |
| | TRUMPLANDIA AND THE SWAMP | | MEANWHILE, IN PALM BEACH — "Trump looks to reassert himself after impeachment acquittal," by The Associated Press' Jill Colvin: "Donald Trump took in the win at Mar-a-Lago, surrounded by friends and family. His lawyers celebrated with hugs and smiles. One joked, 'We're going to Disney World!' Now acquitted in his second Senate impeachment trial, Trump is preparing for the next phase of his post-presidency life. Feeling emboldened by the trial's outcome, he is expected to reemerge from a self-imposed hibernation at his club in Palm Beach, Florida, and is eyeing ways to reassert his power." STONE ZONE — " First they guarded Roger Stone. Then they joined the Capitol attack," by The New York Times' Christiaan Treibert, Ben Decker, Derek Watkins, Arielle Ray and Stella Cooper: "At least six people who had provided security for Roger Stone entered the Capitol during the Jan. 6 attack, according to a New York Times investigation. Videos show the group guarding Mr. Stone, a longtime friend of former President Donald J. Trump, on the day of the attack or the day before. All six of them are associated with the Oath Keepers, a far-right anti-government militia that is known to provide security for right-wing personalities and protesters at public events." | | Bidenology | | NEXT MOVE — "Biden accused Trump of ignoring Haiti. As turmoil deepens, will he change US policy?" by Miami Herald's Jacqueline Charles: "The Biden administration has stated it supports [President Jovenel] Moïse's claim that his term expires in 2022 and called on Haiti to hold new legislative elections and ensure a peaceful transfer of power when the president's time in office ends. But thus far there have been few changes from the Trump administration's policies. Planeloads of Haitian deportees continue to arrive in Port-au-Prince. Official remarks still skirt around addressing broader concerns about human rights and rising fears of authoritarianism. No high-level visit has been announced, something former diplomats believe could help break the impasse if the right person is sent." | | PENINSULA AND BEYOND | | WORTH NOTING — "Despite rising housing costs, more South Floridians are staying put," by Miami Herald's Rob Wile: "The rising cost of living has been driving Miami-Dade residents outward for a decade. Is the tide finally turning? New projections from real estate group Redfin show that despite another year of outflows among existing residents of Southeastern Florida — driven largely by Miami-Dade County — the pace of the exodus appears to be slowing. That's good news for municipal coffers and the taxpayers who feed them." — " Florida likely failed to meet 2020 recycling goal, despite inflated calculations," by WUFT's Zhe Zhang | | | | A message from the Coalition for Affordable Prescription Drugs: Employers in Florida provide prescription drug coverage for nearly 8.5 million Floridians. In order to help keep care more affordable, employers work with pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), who deploy a variety of tools to reduce prescription drug costs and help improve health outcomes. PBMs also work with the Florida Medicaid program in the same way to help control costs. In fact, PBMs are poised to save consumers and the State $70 billion over the next ten years. Today, as Florida faces a global pandemic and a multibillion budget shortfall, now is the time for legislators to maintain, not limit, the tools that employers, consumers and the State are relying on to manage costs and ensure consumers can access the medicines they need. Learn more. | | |
| | ODDS, ENDS, AND FLORIDA MEN | | BIRTHDAYS: Rep. Kat Cammack … Rep. Neil Dunn … State Rep. Dan Daley … Michael Griffin, VP of advocacy and public policy at AdventHealth ... (Was Monday) …. State Rep. Bobby DuBose …. (Was Sunday) Former Rep. Donna Shalala ... Cari Roth, vice president of governmental and regulatory affairs for Lykes Bros .. (Was Saturday) Alex Burgos, policy communications director at Facebook
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