News: POLITICO Florida Playbook: Scott sticks by McConnell — DeSantis steamrolls Rubio, Scott in new poll — Pizzo says there was 'no path' in governor's race — SCOTUS skeptical of Florida's lawsuit against Georgia

Tuesday, February 23, 2021

POLITICO Florida Playbook: Scott sticks by McConnell — DeSantis steamrolls Rubio, Scott in new poll — Pizzo says there was 'no path' in governor's race — SCOTUS skeptical of Florida's lawsuit against Georgia

Feb 23, 2021

Presented by AARP

Hello and welcome to Tuesday.

The daily rundown — Between Sunday and Monday, the number of Florida coronavirus cases increased by 4,151 (0.2 percent), to 1,872,923; active hospitalizations increased by 15 (nearly 0.4 percent), to 4,175; deaths of Florida residents rose by 159 (0.5 percent), to 30,065; 2,698,591 Floridians have at least one dose of the vaccine.

Staying put — Don't look for Sen. Rick Scott to abandon Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.

Jobs, jobs, jobs — Scott, the chair of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, told POLITICO's Burgess Everett on Monday that he "absolutely" supports McConnell even though the Kentucky Republican has started to face the wrath of former President Donald Trump. "I'm not going to get involved in that," Scott said. "My job as chair of the NRSC is just to focus on recruiting candidates and raising money."

Supporting the president — Scott, who recently talked to Trump about Senate races, challenged the certification of Pennsylvania's electors and sharply criticized the impeachment of Trump as a "complete waste of time." McConnell was blasted by Trump after McConnell assailed Trump over the Jan. 6 riots at the Capitol.

It's a bit of a balancing act — Scott has put himself on a path as a potential 2024 presidential contender, so he doesn't want to alienate Trump loyalists who will play a large role in deciding who will follow the former president (if he chooses not to run a second time).

Put on the Navy cap — But Scott also must navigate the kind-of post-Trump era as he seeks to restore the GOP majority in the Senate. And in Scott's first month on the job, the NRSC outraised its Democratic counterpart. Filings show the NRSC collected $8.3 million, spent $5.5 million and had $17.2 million in cash reserves, with $9 million in debt. Scott supporters say this showing proves that Scott's votes against the certification won't stop him from being able to succeed at his new role.

— WHERE'S RON? — Gov. DeSantis will hold a press conference at Navarro Discount Pharmacy in Hialeah.

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

LINING UP — "Trump taunts don't shake McConnell's hold on Senate GOP," by POLITICO's Burgess Everett: And interviews with nearly a dozen Senate Republicans on Monday night make clear that it will take more than a war of words with [Donald] Trump to knock [Mitch] McConnell off his perch. Both Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and John Cornyn (R-Texas), the two most likely successors to McConnell at the moment, back him vocally. "Sen. McConnell's been the best Republican leader since I've been here. He understands this place better than anybody," Cornyn said. "I believe he enjoys the overwhelming support of the conference."

SPRINGTIME IN PALM BEACH — " Trump to attend RNC spring donor summit," by POLITICO's Alex Isenstadt: Donald Trump has confirmed his attendance at the Republican National Committee's upcoming spring donor retreat, as the former president reemerges following his departure from the White House. The private retreat is slated to take place April 9-11 in Palm Beach Fla. Trump's expected attendance at the event, which is expected to draw an array of major GOP givers, was confirmed by two people familiar with his plans. Republican officials declined to specify where the event is being held, but they said it would not be at Trump's nearby Mar-a-Lago estate, where the former president has been staying.

'THE BIG LIE' — "Dominion lawsuit against My Pillow guy describes Newsmax priorities as 'groveling fealty to big sponsors over regard for the truth,'" by Sun Sentinel's Anthony Man : "The priorities and practices of Newsmax were shredded Monday in a major lawsuit — and the media outlet wasn't even the target of the case. Newsmax, the Boca Raton-based cable channel and website, has sought to become the media home for fans of former President Donald Trump. It enjoyed a ratings bump after the November election, when Trump and his allies perpetuated the false claim that he actually won re-election and voting was riddled with fraud."

'CANNOT CONCEIVE OF SOMEONE DOING THIS' — " Local man charged in Capitol insurrection ordered to remain in jail without bail," by Tampa Bay Times' Anastasia Dawson: "Graydon Young, an Army and Navy reserve veteran from Sarasota County, stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 with thousands of others because he was working toward a 'righteous cause,' his attorney said in federal court Monday. Young, a brother, husband and a small business owner, only later realized 'he had been duped by an organization he didn't fully understand,' defense attorney Robert Foley argued in a federal probable cause hearing in Tampa."

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TRAIL MIX

IN COMMAND — "DeSantis crushes Rubio, Scott in Florida GOP poll," by POLITICO's Marc Caputo: In Florida's shadow Republican primary for president, Gov. Ron DeSantis is starting to dominate his once-better-known home state colleagues, Sens. Marco Rubio and Rick Scott. DeSantis's popularity among Republicans has been steadily rising in the state and nationwide amid his handling of Covid, and now a new survey from top GOP pollster Tony Fabrizio gives a clearer picture of just how much the Florida GOP likes what he's doing.

Way out in front — In a hypothetical three-way primary for president, DeSantis gets 64 percent support compared to 12 percent for Rubio and 10 percent for Scott, according to Fabrizio's survey, which was conducted last week for a private client and shared with POLITICO. That 52-point lead over Rubio represents a massive increase since July — the last time Fabrizio polled a matchup between the three and found DeSantis ahead by just 11 points over Rubio.

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.

PIZZO OUT — State Sen. Jason Pizzo, just three years into his first term in the Legislature, made it clear on Monday that he has no plans to join the long line of Democrats now contemplating a run for governor in 2022. Pizzo took to Twitter Monday afternoon to announce he was running for re-election and that his focus is on his district, issues such as criminal justice, and helping to rebuild the Florida Democratic Party. "I really like my position in the Legislature. I like what I'm able to do, especially as it relates to criminal justice," Pizzo, who once worked as a former state attorney and is a committee chairman despite GOP control, told Playbook. He also added that "I don't see a path for me" and asserted that the Democratic Party needs to retool its message, which isn't resonating with voters in the state.

'DOUBLING DOWN ON THE LIE' — "Moderate House Democratic leader says GOP must be defeated in 2022 to save democracy," by NBC News' Sahil Kapur: "A top moderate House Democrat says Republicans must be kept out of power to protect national security and democracy after the Capitol siege, a sharp new tone from the leader of a coalition known for working across party lines. Rep. Stephanie Murphy of Florida co-chairs the Blue Dog Coalition, which has sought common ground rather than conflict with Republicans on issues like government funding, health care and immigration. But in a further sign that the channels of cooperation are being tested, Murphy offered a stinging indictment of her Republican colleagues in a wide-ranging interview. Murphy questioned the GOP's commitment to democracy and said the party is increasingly defined by "conspiracy theories" rather than conservative policies."

CORONAVIRUS UPDATES

'DISTRUST AND MISTRUST' — "Evidence grows Florida schools aren't spreading COVID-19, but teachers 'feel completely exposed,' want vaccines," by Orlando Sentinel's Leslie Postal: "But plenty of Florida teachers, and their unions, remain nervous about in-person education and skeptical of whether the state and school districts have been upfront about COVID-19 cases. They also wish DeSantis, after insisting schools open, now would make teachers a vaccine priority, especially as more students returned to campuses in January, making social distancing more difficult. The governor has made health-care workers and residents 65 and older the top priority for the shots so far. 'I feel completely exposed,' one Orange County teacher wrote in a recent survey done by the local teachers union."

THE TOLL — "Florida surpasses 30k coronavirus deaths as more get vaccine," by The Associated Press: "Health officials announced Monday that more than 30,000 Floridians have died of COVID-19, but hospitalizations and cases have continued to drop, mirroring the national trend. Florida's Department of Health reports that 30,065 state residents have died and more than 1.8 million have been infected. Officials say 530 people who live outside the state have died of the virus in Florida."

DAILY SHOW TREATMENT — The uproar over Gov. Ron DeSantis' vaccine sites got skewered on Monday by the Daily Show with Trevor Noah in a mock ad. "Hey, Florida. Looking for the red carpet treatment for your Covid vaccine. Then come on down to Ron DeSantis' Club Vax." Here's the video.

— "Sarasota County resident Stephen King criticizes Gov. Ron DeSantis over vaccine clinic ," by Sarasota Herald-Tribune's Alan Shaw

— "Publix will give employees $125 gift card if they get the COVID-19 vaccine," by Tampa Bay Times' Sara DiNatale

— "Florida's vaccine registration website draws millions of people to sign up ," by Sun Sentinel's Wells Dusenbury

— "'No time to lose': Puerto Rico's governor authorizes gradual school reopening in March," by El Nuevo Herald's Syra Ortiz-Blanes

— " Royal Caribbean confident that CDC will allow cruises to resume soon," by Sun Sentinel's Ron Hurtibise

JOIN US TODAY TO MEET THE FRESHMEN: The freshman class of the 117th Congress took office just three days before an armed mob stormed Capitol Hill and in the middle of a once per century pandemic, making its first month in office just a bit different from any previous class. Join POLITICO for "Red, Fresh and Blue," featuring live interviews with newly elected members of Congress from both sides of the aisle. Huddle newsletter author Olivia Beavers will moderate back-to-back live interviews with Rep. Michelle Steel (R-Calif.) and Rep. Carolyn Bourdeaux (D-Ga.). REGISTER HERE.

... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ...

WATER WARS — "Supreme Court justices skewer Florida's water case against Georgia," by POLITICO's Bruce Ritchie: U.S. Supreme Court justices on Monday hammered Florida's lawyer over the state's request that the court restrict water use by Georgia farmers to protect Apalachicola Bay's oyster industry. The justices seemed to embrace Georgia's argument that the collapse of the bay's oyster population in 2012 was caused by Florida wildlife officials allowing overharvesting, rather than upstream water use.

Puzzlin' evidence — Reciting Georgia's arguments made in briefs, Justice Stephen Breyer said, "And you did over-harvest the oysters after the [2010 Deepwater Horizon] oil spill particularly because you thought — get them now or never." "So you have conflicting evidence," Breyer said. Lawyer Gregory Garre, representing Florida, said there was not conflicting evidence that a significant reduction of flows from the Chattahoochee and Flint Rivers into Florida's Apalachicola River had caused a "major change" in Apalachicola Bay.

ON YOUR RADAR — "Long-delayed FTC discrimination suit gets March hearing," by POLITICO's Matt Dixon: A 2019 lawsuit alleging gender discrimination and wrongful termination by a former top Florida transportation official is set to get its first hearing next month after more than a year of administrative delays.

Background — The underlying lawsuit was filed in 2019 by Teddi Pitts, a former longtime legislative transportation official and later executive director of the Florida Transportation Commission. She alleges that some of the state's top transportation officials harassed her and forced her out as the commission's top staffer after she raised questions about the legality of more than $5 billion in unused spending authority she found in the Florida Department of Transportation's Tentative Work Program, which is a five year blueprint of state transportation programs.

FLAGGED — "In Rush Limbaugh's home state, a flap over lowering flags," by Associated Press' Bobby Caina Calvan: "Gov. Ron DeSantis called [Rush] Limbaugh a 'legend' and ordered flags to be flown at half-staff as a show of respect after the longtime broadcaster, 70, died Wednesday of cancer. But Democrats, who have long been on the receiving end of Limbaugh's harangues, objected. Nikki Fried, Florida's agriculture commissioner and the only statewide Democratic officeholder, said Monday that she would not abide by the Republican governor's orders. Fried is considering a bid for governor. 'Lowering to half-staff the flag of the United States of America is a sacred honor that pays respect to fallen heroes and patriots,' she said in a statement. She said she would notify all state officers she oversees to disregard the governor's order."

WHAT'S IN YOUR WALLET? — "Senate GOP committee spends $450K for new digs," by News Service of Florida's Dara Kam: "The Florida Senate Republicans' campaign committee paid $450,000 in cash to purchase a restored 120-year-old building in Tallahassee this month, Senate President Wilton Simpson confirmed on Monday. Simpson, a Trilby Republican, said he approved the purchase of the 2,766 square foot building so the Florida Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee, which plays a key role in raising funds and backing GOP Senate candidates, could save money."

TEST TIME — " Pandemic looms over education priorities for Florida Legislature," by Miami Herald's Ana Ceballos and Tampa Bay Times' Jeffrey S. Solochek: "Florida's schools remain in the grips of the coronavirus pandemic, nearly a year after state officials first called for campus closures and canceled spring testing. Many struggles continue. Local school officials and education groups have raised hopes that state lawmakers will prioritize schooling issues — whether financial, social or academic — during the legislative session that starts March 2. Those priorities affect much of the Legislature's work on the next budget because education constitutes roughly one-third of the state's total spending annually."

'OFFICERS ARE GETTING MADDER' — "'System in crisis': Florida struggles to retain prison guards," by News Service of Florida's Dara Kam: "Florida Department of Corrections Secretary Mark Inch has been making the rounds in Tallahassee to pitch lawmakers on a plan to spend more than $26 million to shorten prison guards' regular daily work shifts. Inch sells the switch from 12-hour shifts to 8.5-hour shifts, already in effect at roughly a third of Florida's state-run prisons, as a panacea for woes plaguing the state corrections system, which houses more than 70,000 inmates and employs more than 24,000 workers. 'It's a system in crisis,' the prisons chief told a Senate budget panel last week."

— "Florida's GOP leaders flip from courting Big Tech to slapping it around," by Orlando Sentinel's Gray Rohrer

PENINSULA AND BEYOND

NO TEGU FOR YOU — "Florida wants to stop these reptiles from becoming the next python. Breeders call it overreach," by Miami Herald's Adriana Brasileiro: "Wildlife managers took too long to act and now the snakes are here to stay, eating through the Everglades' dwindling supply of mammals and disrupting the balance of predator and prey. Florida wildlife managers want that to change, and fast. They are proposing the strictest set of rules yet prohibiting in-state breeding and sale of tegus and other exotic reptiles considered high-risk with the goal of preventing an infestation. Importation also would be banned."

TO COURT — "Suit blames Saudi Arabia for attack at Florida military base," by The Associated Press' Eric Tucker: "Victims of a 2019 shooting at a Florida military base and their families are suing Saudi Arabia, claiming the kingdom knew the gunman had been radicalized and that it could have prevented the killings. The suit, filed Monday, also claims that Saudi trainees knew in advance about plans for the shooting but did nothing to stop it. The suit centers on the Dec. 6, 2019, shooting at Naval Air Station Pensacola in which Mohammed Saeed Alshamrani shot and killed three U.S. sailors."

CHARGED — " 'I'm a beast': Another teenager has accused ex-Hialeah cop of sexual assault, feds says," by Miami Herald's Nicholas Nehamas and Jay Weaver: "[Jesus] Menocal's attorney, Michael Grieco, declined to comment for this story. Grieco, a Democratic state representative from South Florida, has not said anything publicly about his defense strategy in the Menocal case. But it appears from the court record that he plans to attack the credibility of the women by highlighting their work as 'prostitutes' in Hialeah. During a federal court hearing last year about questions for potential jurors, Grieco said that prosecutors were 'trying to use the jury selection process to minimize the fact that just about all of their witnesses and alleged victims are criminals and/or prostitutes.'"

WHAT'S IN A NAME? — "Broward may rename road after Congressman Alcee Hastings. Here's why that's drawing criticism," by Sun Sentinel's Lisa J. Huriash: "Broward County may rename a road after an ill congressman, Alcee Hastings. But the new proposal is being slammed as a big sign of disrespect because the county only renames roads after the dead."

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

— "Kim Kardashian's post-divorce plans? The reality star is moving to Miami, report says," by Miami Herald's Madeleine Marr: "Yes, we hear that post-divorce, Kim Kardashian will be putting down stakes in Miami. According to Life & Style's latest issue, the soon-to-be single mother of four will reportedly move down for a 'few months.' 'She had the time of her life filming 'Kourtney & Kim Take Miami' there years ago and has always loved South Florida,' an insider told the media outlet. 'She's checking out Miami real estate — and Miami men.'"

BIRTHDAYS: Tallahassee Democrat's Tori Lynn Schneider … Integrity Florida's Ben Wilcox

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