| | | | | |  | | By Gary Fineout | Presented by CVS Health | Hello and welcome to Friday. The daily rundown — Between Wednesday and Thursday, the number of Florida coronavirus cases increased by 5,093 (nearly 0.3 percent), to 1,994,117; active hospitalizations went down by 57 (nearly 1.9 percent), to 2,950; deaths rose by 94 (nearly 0.3 percent), to 32,598; 4,570,538 Floridians have received at least one dose of a vaccine. Reflections (sort of) — Six months into the pandemic, Gov. Ron DeSantis was certain that he was right — and that his was critics (the media, Democrats, health officials) were wrong. Now a year after Covid-19 upended life in America — and killed more than 32,000 people in Florida — DeSantis is pounding the message day-in and day-out that he succeeded where other governors and other officials failed. Dry run? — But as POLITICO's Michael Kruse points out, DeSantis is less on a victory lap right now than he, as he also touts his red-meat legislative agenda, appears to be engaged in an almost soft launch of a 2024 run for president as the heir apparent to Donald Trump. A lot of people are taking notice — "If Trump doesn't run, he is the clear frontrunner," David Jolly, the former Florida Republican congressman who's considering a third-party run for governor, told Kruse. "He's managed the pandemic better than any other governor in the country," said John Morgan, the prominent Orlando attorney and unaffiliated Democratic (and sometimes also Republican) megadonor added. "On the pandemic — as of this writing — DeSantis won." "The future of the party," said Brian Ballard, the powerful Trump-tied lobbyist. Of course — There are downsides to DeSantis. His prickly demeanor, his standoffish nature, and his aversion to talking to donors. He has a very tight inner circle — with his number one adviser and ally being the first lady. "Casey DeSantis is one of the most empathetic, charming, delightful human beings I've ever been around. She has a 'Jackie O' quality," Rep. Matt Gaetz told Kruse. But the governor is about to embark on his next two years with a new chief of staff amid problems that aren't going away. (Can you say Department of Children and Families?) The next act — The most important factor for DeSantis and his future may be that the pandemic has allowed him to echo Trump without getting on the former president's bad side (unlike other Republicans; see Kemp, Brian). "DeSantis has been a reliable Trump ally," Republican strategist Mike DuHaime said, "but as governor has emerged as his own man, not reliant on Trump for affirmation." Time will tell. — WHERE'S RON? — Gov. DeSantis is holding a press conference 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 CVS Health: Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, CVS Health has been there. We're nearly 300,000 employees ensuring millions of Americans can access health care services. We've opened thousands of COVID-19 test sites and administered millions of tests. Now, we're providing the vaccine in designated states and long-term care facilities. We've been on the frontlines, making health care easier to access and afford. That's health care, from the heart. Learn more. | | |
|  | CORONAVIRUS UPDATES | | REASSESSMENT — "Ron DeSantis is very pleased with himself," by POLITICO's Michael Kruse: Ron DeSantis, in other words, has a case to make, and in his characteristically odd, methodical, practically mechanical way, he is making it. From his remarks at CPAC last month to his "State of the State" address earlier this month to an ongoing uptick in appearances on Fox News to his more and more regular stops like this one here, he is basking in a moment of reassessment of what and how he has done — and also of what it might mean, not just for his and his state's political future but that of the nation. Pushback — Mayors say DeSantis didn't make the hard decisions — they did. He shunted the onus as well as the political peril, they contend, by making them enforce rules he wouldn't and hasn't. "I like how now he's taking credit for how well the state did while it was really local governments and mayors," St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman said, "that put orders in place that kept our residents safe." He added that he's never met or spoken to DeSantis — and that that's not unusual for his fellow mayors around the state—and that it's not out of a lack of trying. "What I never understood was why Governor DeSantis almost gratuitously wouldn't allow us to impose mask mandates—and, more importantly, didn't lend his voice to those of us who were urging safe practices," said Dan Gelber, the mayor of Miami Beach. — "Florida governor gathers experts to validate COVID response," by The Associated Press' Bobby Caina Calvan 'I DON'T FEEL LIKE I HAVE TO GET PERMISSION' — "People 40 or older can be vaccinated at Orange Convention Center, Mayor Jerry Demings announces," by Orlando Sentinel's Ryan Gillespie and Stephen Hudak: "People 40 years and older can be vaccinated at the Orange County Convention Center starting Monday, Mayor Jerry Demings said, his latest move in extending the shot to people ahead of state regulations. Demings said the decision came amid a 'depressed demand to be vaccinated' at the site, which doesn't regularly hit its capacity of 3,000 shots in a day. It also marks at least the third time Demings has gone further than state officials in opening up the vaccine to more people." — " DeSantis: COVID vaccine could be available to all Florida residents in April," by Panama City News Herald's Nathan Cobb KEEP IT DARK — "Orlando Sentinel sues Florida Department of Health to force release of COVID variant data," by Orlando Sentinel's Kate Santich: "The Orlando Sentinel filed a lawsuit Thursday against the Florida Department of Health for allegedly violating the state's public records law by refusing to release detailed information on the location of mutated strains of COVID-19, even as such cases rapidly multiplied. The lawsuit, filed 57 days after the Sentinel first contacted the department for the information, claims there is a 'strong, immediate need ... to understand how the virus continues to spread and affect Floridians.'" — " Critics: Doctor's note for vaccine unfairly penalizing poor," by The Associated Press' Kelli Kennedy — "Publix: Don't come at end of night looking to get COVID-19 vaccine," by Orlando Sentinel's Austin Fuller — " After the pandemic shut down spring break 2020, vacationers return to Tampa Bay," by Tampa Bay Times' Natalie Weber | | | | JOIN THE CONVERSATION, SUBSCRIBE TO "THE RECAST": Power dynamics are shifting in Washington, and more people are demanding a seat at the table, insisting that all politics is personal and not all policy is equitable. "The Recast" is a new twice-weekly newsletter that breaks down how race and identity are recasting politics, policy and power in America. Get fresh insights, scoops and dispatches on this crucial intersection from across the country, and hear from new voices that challenge business as usual. Don't miss out on this new newsletter, SUBSCRIBE NOW. Thank you to our sponsor, Intel. | | | | |
| | CAMPAIGN MODE | | FOLLOW THE MONEY — "Fake Range Rovers, $50K in cash and the downfall of Frank Artiles," by POLITICO's Matt Dixon: One of Florida's most explosive political scandals in recent memory started with a Facebook message. Former Republican Sen. Frank Artiles sent a May 2020 message to Alex Rodriguez, an old acquaintance who he knew was in desperate need of money, to call him later that day. There was a proposal, Artiles explained according to an arrest warrant, that could help them both. Later, in Artiles home office, he told Rodriguez he would pay him $50,000 to run as a no-party affiliated candidate in a South Florida Senate seat as part of a coordinated effort to siphon votes from incumbent Democrat José Javier Rodríguez, who ended up losing by just 32 votes to now-Sen. Ileana Garcia, a Miami Republican. So what about this then? — The three races targeted, two in Miami and one in Seminole County, were the focus of intense campaigns funded by leadership from both parties. In each case, Republicans won and the mail pieces featured messaging generally used to target Democratic voters. Senate President Wilton Simpson, who ran GOP Senate campaigns in 2020, has consistently said he had nothing to do with the effort. "I think we don't have all the facts," Simpson told reporters Thursday after the charges against Artiles were made public. "I think a week from now, we will have a lot more information." He also noted that Rundle explicitly there was no evidence tying Garcia to the scheme. Political backlash, though, was almost immediate. Democrats, angered at the appearance they lost a Florida Senate seat due to voter fraud and campaign finance violations, questioned whether Garcia should stay in office. More coming from Democrats today — The Florida Democratic Party and Democratic state legislators are holding a virtual press conference on Friday morning to "make a major announcement" and highlight the fraud alleged in the Artilles case. | | Bidenology | | UP, UP AND AWAY — "Biden to tap Bill Nelson to lead NASA," by POLITICO's Jacqueline Feldscher: President Joe Biden is expected to nominate former Sen. Bill Nelson of Florida to lead NASA, settling on a longtime booster of the space program to lead the agency's return to the moon, according to three people familiar with the decision. If confirmed by the Senate, Nelson would lead the space agency as it partners with the new crop of private space companies to establish a long-term presence on the lunar surface in preparation for sending astronauts to Mars. | 
Vice President Joe Biden, left, accompanied by Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., center foreground, and Rep. Alcee Hastings, D-Fla., right, takes off his sunglasses at the request of a reporter at the Safari Hammock area in the Everglades National Park, Fla., Monday, April 23, 2012. (AP Photo/Alan Diaz) | Alan Diaz/AP Photo | Rubio a yes — Nelson, who spent six days in space in 1986, is a long-time politician who was defeated in 2018 by Republican Rick Scott. There is speculation that Nelson's confirmation might get some pushback due to his resume. But Sen. Marco Rubio, who had a good relationship with Nelson when he was in office, gave an enthusiastic thumbs-up to the nomination. Lots of praise — "I cannot think of anyone better to lead NASA than Bill Nelson," Rubio said in a statement to Playbook. "There has been no greater champion, not just for Florida's space industry, but for the space program as a whole than Bill. His nomination gives me confidence that the Biden Administration finally understands the importance of the Artemis program, and the necessity of winning the 21st century space race. I look forward to supporting Bill's swift confirmation, and working with him in the years to come." So what about Scott? — Scott, who has voted against the bulk of Biden nominees so far, was non-committal. McKinley Lewis, a spokesman for the senator, told Playbook: "As with every nominee, Senator Scott looks forward to reviewing the qualifications of the NASA Administrator nominee and hearing about their views and experience with the space program." | | | |   | | |
| | ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... | | WHO NEEDS TO KNOW ANYWAY? — "Florida House passes bill that would strip newspapers of legal ad revenue," by Tampa Bay Times Kirby Wilson: "The Florida House on Thursday passed a bill that would strip the state's newspapers of much-needed legal advertising revenue. House Bill 35 would repeal a part of current Florida law that requires certain public notices — tax increases, special elections, etc. — to be published in print newspapers. Those notices provide Florida's more than 100 newspapers with millions of dollars in revenue every year. The bill's sponsor, Rep. Randy Fine, R-Palm Bay, and other proponents say the current public notices system is out of date. The fact that people and local governments must pay print publications to publish legal notices amounts to a government subsidy of the "dying" newspaper business, they argue." SURE SOUNDS LIKE BIG GOVERNMENT — "Florida House backs college and university 'diversity' survey — again," by POLITICO's Andrew Atterbury: The GOP-dominated Florida House on Thursday passed legislation aiming to fight back against "cancel culture" by requiring colleges and universities to survey thousands of students and faculty on their political beliefs, setting the proposal up for a critical decision from the Senate. House lawmakers backed FL HB233 (21R) by a 77-42 party-line vote, with Democrats opposing the bill as they have this session and in the past. The House has moved on similar proposals year after year, but the true challenge for the measure remains in the Senate, which has previously and consistently shut down the idea. ROLLING THE DICE — "DeSantis: Fate of gaming overhaul will come next week," by POLITICO's Arek Sarkissian: Gov. Ron DeSantis said after meeting with top gambling officials on Thursday that the fate of a gaming overhaul in this year's legislative session will be determined next week. What happened: DeSantis met with various owners of Florida gambling facilities in the state Capitol in what's become the latest effort to change gambling laws and a gambling compact with the Seminole Tribe of Florida. The Legislature has failed to approve a gaming overhaul for 11 years. ANOTHER TRY — "Florida House releases long-shot ethics package," by POLITICO's Matt Dixon: The House on Thursday rolled out a series of proposed ethics reforms which, while popular in the lower chamber, have failed in the Senate. The House Public Integrity and Ethics Committee released its committee bill outlining a series of reforms related to how elected officials and state employees interact with entities they regulate and registered lobbyists. State Rep. Traci Koster, a Tampa Republican who presented the bill, acknowledged the ethics package has run into a brick wall in the Senate, but said the House reform proposal is worth pushing again. HEADING TO PASSAGE — "Deal reached on COVID-19 liability protections," by News Service of Florida's Christine Sexton: "Legislative leaders announced Thursday they have an agreement on COVID-19 liability protections for businesses, nursing homes and other health-care providers and that a bill should be headed to Gov. Ron DeSantis' desk late next week. Senate President Wilton Simpson, R-Trilby, and House Speaker Chris Sprowls, R-Palm Harbor, said the House would accept a proposal (SB 72) that the Senate amended and passed Thursday in a 24-15 vote along almost straight party lines. Sen. Linda Stewart, D-Orlando, was the only Democrat who voted for the measure." — "Moment of silence bill passes House for second year in a row," by Florida Politics' Haley Brown — "Florida doctors push back on pot potency arguments," by News Service of Florida's Dara Kam — "Florida House honors late Broward legislator, Kristin Jacobs, with measure to rename reef conservation area," by Sun Sentinel's Skyler Swisher | | DATELINE D.C. | | SOUTH FLA REPUBLICANS VOTE WITH DEMS — "House passes immigration bills with pathways for citizenship for 'Dreamers' and farmworkers," by Miami Herald's Monique O. Madan, Alex Daugherty and David Lightman: "The House of Representatives passed two bills Thursday that would collectively provide a path to citizenship for 3.5 million undocumented immigrants, proposals that offer a piecemeal approach to fixing the nation's immigration system at a time when arrivals to the border are surging. The American Dream and Promise Act would give 2.5 million undocumented immigrants the chance to apply for citizenship, most of them 'Dreamers,' immigrants who came to the U.S. at a young age with their parents. The legislation passed in a 228 to 197 vote in the Democrat-controlled House. Nine Republicans crossed party lines and voted in favor of the legislation, including Miami's three Republicans in Congress — Reps. Maria Elvira Salazar, Mario Diaz-Balart and Carlos Gimenez." — "Rick Scott keeps goading Ron DeSantis to return extra stimulus cash," by Florida Politics A.G. Gancarski | | | | Did you know that POLITICO Pro has coverage and tools at the state level? All the state legislative and regulatory tracking, budget documents, state agency contact information, and everything else you need to stay ahead of state policy movement integrate into our smart and customizable platform. Learn more and become a Pro today. | | | | |
| | PENINSULA AND BEYOND | | THIS. STORY. READ IT NOW — "Foster kids starved, beaten and molested, reports show. Few caregivers are punished," by USA Today's Suzanne Hirt, Michael Braga and Pat Beall: "[Department of Children and Families] says the accusations do not meet its definition of serious harm. Instead, they are classified as foster care 'referrals,' potential license violations that may prompt an administrative review and that Florida officials have fought to keep secret for years. The records obtained by USA TODAY include calls that accused foster parents and group home workers of hitting children with hands, belts and household objects; denying them medical care and sending them to school dirty, hungry and dressed in ill-fitting clothes. They complained of empty pantries and padlocked refrigerators, of children who lived in rodent-ridden homes and ate cereal crawling with ants. One caller described a girl's face and body covered in sores, dripping fluid down her arms that stuck to her clothes. Another caller alleged that a group home staff member gave a gay foster child literature that called for the execution of homosexuals." No answer from DeSantis administration — "Given two weeks to answer detailed written questions about the allegations, including how many were confirmed and whether DCF had taken action not reflected in documents made available to USA TODAY, the agency did not respond. Documents obtained by USA TODAY do not indicate how DCF followed up on the thousands of complaints concerning children, except that they were considered serious enough for additional scrutiny." RICHARD CORCORAN CALL YOUR OFFICE — " Troubled Orange school gets millions in vouchers. State investigates after a teacher's arrest and does nothing. Again," by Orlando Sentinel's Leslie Postal and Annie Martin: "Since 2018, the school, dependent on state scholarships for most of its income, has hired at least three other teachers with red flags in their employment backgrounds and at least 10 other instructors who lacked college degrees, an Orlando Sentinel investigation found." Nothing to see? — "One Winners teacher — whose only academic credential was his high school diploma — was arrested in November, accused of soliciting sexually explicit videos from a boy in his class. Others have criminal backgrounds or histories of being fired for incompetence in other jobs, the records show. Despite that, the Florida Department of Education recently opened and closed an investigation into the school without taking any action." WATCH THIS SPACE — " Miami judge rejects Maduro ally's request to dismiss charges," by The Associated Press' Joshua Goodman: "A federal judge in Miami on Thursday rejected a request by a prominent ally of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro to dismiss money laundering charges, ruling that he must first surrender to U.S. authorities before he can argue his claim of diplomatic immunity. The ruling means that U.S. extradition proceedings against businessman Alex Saab will continue. Cape Verde arrested the Colombian-born businessman in June on a U.S. warrant when his jet made a refueling stop on a flight to Iran. The country's Supreme Court on Wednesday ruled in favor of the U.S. extradition request although Saab's attorneys said they plan to appeal." — "FSU on the lookout for new president; Ed Commissioner, other big FL names are being floated," by Florida Phoenix's Danielle J. Brown — "New York's Jet Blue considers move to Florida, where it has key bases in Orlando, Fort Lauderdale ," by Orlando Sentinel's Kevin Spear — "West Palm's H.G. Roosters LGBTQ bar tapped for historic designation," by Palm Beach Post's Tony Doris | | A message from CVS Health: Throughout the pandemic, in Florida and all across the country, CVS Health has been delivering essential care. Thanks to the efforts of our employees, we've opened 4,800 COVID-19 test sites and administered over 15 million tests at our stores and through partners in underserved communities. With millions staying home, we are increasing access to prescription delivery, virtual visits and mental health services. Now, we're providing vaccines in designated states and long-term care facilities. Every day, CVS Health works to bring quality, affordable health care closer to home—so it's never out of reach for anyone. That's health care, from the heart. Learn more. | | |
| | ODDS, ENDS, AND FLORIDA MEN | | — "UWF board narrowly votes to change Wentworth museum in light of KKK ties," by Pensacola News Journal's Emma Kennedy: "In a narrow vote, the University of West Florida Board of Trustees voted to move forward with changing the name of the T.T. Wentworth Jr. Florida State Museum after its namesake's Ku Klux Klan ties were brought to light last year. The measure moved forward on a 5-4 vote after surviving a last-minute attempt by one trustee to delay the vote to study whether Wentworth's role as a local KKK leader was "one big old 'oh shoot'" that could be outweighed by enough positive 'attaboys.'" BIRTHDAYS: Allison North Jones, founder and CEO of North
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