| | | | | |  | | By Gary Fineout | Presented by the Coalition for Affordable Prescription Drugs | Hello and welcome to Wednesday. The daily rundown — Between Monday and Tuesday, the number of Florida coronavirus cases increased by 4,426 (0.2 percent), to 1,952,733; active hospitalizations decreased by 22 (nearly 0.7 percent), to 3,310; deaths rose by 125 (nearly 0.4 percent), to 31,889; 3,658,030 Floridians have had at least one dose of a vaccine. Ten years after — It was a decade ago that then-Gov. Rick Scott and former Attorney General Pam Bondi clamped down on when felons could win back their rights, including their voting rights. They put in tight restrictions that said felons could not even ask state government to have their rights restored until they had been out of prison at least five years, and in some cases at least seven years. And now — This morning that may finally come to an end. Changes — Gov. Ron DeSantis did not support Amendment 4, which ended Florida's lifetime voting ban for many felons. But back in 2019 he suggested that someone should get their other rights restored once they got their voting rights back. These rights include serving on a jury or even running for public office. (He did not include gun ownership.) The Board of Executive Clemency — which is led by DeSantis — is poised to put in sweeping new clemency rules that would make that a reality. New start — Those new rules would sweep aside the waiting periods Scott and Bondi put into place. It would also move the state back closer to what it had in place when Charlie Crist was governor when he instituted rules that allowed for many felons to have their rights automatically restored. (Hmm…) Still some bureaucratic hoops — The new rules would still place some burdens on felons since they would still be required to apply. But if someone has paid all outstanding fines, fees and restitution (a central part of a legal battle over voting rights the last two years) they would qualify for automatic restoration. At the very least the rules could help clear up a backlog of applications from thousands of people and the changes reflect some of the suggestion made by the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition, the group that pushed Amendment 4. — WHERE'S RON? — Gov. DeSantis is scheduled to be in Tallahassee for a meeting of the Board of Executive Clemency. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for Playbook? Get in touch: gfineout@politico.com SIGN UP: POLITICO this week is hosting "The Fifty: America's Governors," a series of back-to-back, live conversations with six governors from across the U.S. The conversations will cover how these governors are confronting the multiple crises that have hit the country within the past year — from the global pandemic and ensuing economic recession, sudden shift to remote schooling, racial injustice and police brutality protests and the fallout from the tense presidential election. Thursday starting at 10 a.m. ET / 7 a.m. PT. You can register to watch live here. | | | | 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. | | |
|  | ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... | | THAT ESCALATED QUICKLY — "Florida may ban drop boxes used for mail-in ballots," by POLITICO's Gary Fineout: Florida could ban voting drop boxes just months after an election where they proved immensely popular with voters amid the pandemic. Sen. Dennis Baxley (R-Ocala), the chair of the Senate Ethics and Elections Committee, on Tuesday released a revamped elections proposal that would completely ban drop boxes for ballots. It will be considered by a Senate committee on Wednesday. Baxley contended that he was pushing for the change due to concerns "due to a real security concern" and that boxes were being left unsupervised. BACKLASH — "Florida Legislature: A Christian? An attorney? Republican Jeff Brandes' comment raises questions," by News Service of Florida's Christine Sexton: "State Sen. Jeff Brandes said he was just joking when he said he was a "Christian, not an attorney," but at least three senators have described Brandes' remarks as offensive. Brandes made the comment on two separate occasions, each time to a Jewish senator who asked questions about his bill (SB 74) to limit coronavirus-related lawsuits against nursing homes, hospitals and other health-care providers. The remarks injected another element into an already-thorny debate about limiting lawsuits against long-term care facilities, where at least 10,792 residents and staff members have died of COVID-19." 'FEELS LIKE THE RIGHT THING' — "Florida Legislature considers proposals to expand criminal record expungement for minors," by POLITICO's Giulia Heyward: Lawmakers are moving forward with bills that will expand and speed up how many eligible minors could have their criminal records expunged. In Florida, anyone under the age of 18 who commits a misdemeanor or some felonies can apply to have their record removed by completing a court diversion program. But it can take up to five years, or until the person reaches 21 years old, to have their record wiped clean even after finishing the diversion program. This means that thousands across Florida who committed crimes as juveniles will carry records into adulthood, a dynamic that can limit them professionally and stigmatize them personally. — "Controversial Florida medical marijuana bill one step closer to becoming law," by Tampa Bay Times' Kirby Wilson — "School advocates urge state to scrap A-to-F school grades, high-stakes testing consequences," by Orlando Sentinel's Leslie Postal | | | | SUBSCRIBE TO "THE RECAST" TO JOIN AN IMPORTANT CONVERSATION: 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. | | | | |
| | CORONAVIRUS UPDATES | | FINGER-POINTING — "DeSantis's office fires back at Fried suggestion that governor had Covid," by POLITICO's Arek Sarkissian: Democrat Florida Agriculture Commissioner of Agriculture Nikki Fried suggested on a Daily Beast podcast that Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis likely had Covid-19 — a claim a governor's spokesperson called patently false and disturbing. What happened — A New Abnormal podcast episode published Tuesday includes an interview with Fried and self-proclaimed "left-wing pundit" Molly Jong-Fast. She asked Fried about the Covid-19 vaccine and DeSantis. "He went MIA for three weeks in November claiming he was working on some statewide plan," Fried said in response. "My take was that he probably had Covid and didn't want to tell people." DeSantis spokesperson Meredith Beatrice called Fried's claim "patently false." "I also find it disturbing the commissioner would make claims about someone's health that are not true," Beatrice said. | 
Commissioner of Agriculture Nikki Fried speaks during a meeting of the Florida cabinet Tuesday June 4, 2019, in Tallahassee, Fla. (AP Photo/Steve Cannon) | AP Photo/Steve Cannon | THE PLOT THICKENS — "Florida COVID vaccine organizers discussed how upscale clinic could benefit Gov. Ron DeSantis," by Sarasota Herald-Tribune's Zac Anderson: "Text messages between Manatee County Commission Chair Vanessa Baugh and Lakewood Ranch developer Rex Jensen show them discussing the political benefits for Gov. Ron DeSantis of holding a COVID-19 vaccine clinic that the pair organized in the upscale community. In the text exchange, Jensen appears to be recounting a call with DeSantis. He tells Baugh that DeSantis 'said he might show up' at the vaccine clinic, where the governor ended up holding a press conference. Jensen adds: 'Should try to see if that would help him get exposure here.' 'Excellent point,' Baugh responds. 'After all, 22 is right around the corner.'" FRUSTRATION — "Official blasts lack of vaccine for Blacks, virus variants gaining," by Palm Beach Post's Jane Musgrave: "While Gov. Ron DeSantis fended off continuing criticism that he is doling out coronavirus vaccines as political favors, Palm Beach County commissioners on Tuesday fumed that more efforts aren't being made to assure underprivileged groups get shots. In a rare display of anger, Commissioner Mack Bernard blasted county officials for not establishing permanent vaccination sites in Black communities along the coast. 'Quit giving me this nonsense that there's no vaccines,' Bernard said as county commissioners reviewed the latest vaccination plans. 'There's availability, but it needs to be spread throughout the county.'" | | TRUMPLANDIA AND THE SWAMP | | MEANWHILE IN MAR-A-LAGO — "Trump makes cash grab in bid to dominate GOP," by POLITICO's Alex Isenstadt: Broadly speaking, Trump supporters argue, it's not unreasonable for the ex-president to blanch at the idea that organizations are using him to bolster those who backed his impeachment, even if the incumbents' moderate records make them strong candidates in battleground states and districts. It's him "not wanting folks helping his hard-core opposition using his name. He wants control back. I don't blame him," said Brian Ballard, a Florida-based lobbyist and longtime Trump ally. STONE ZONE — "Another Oath Keeper with links to Roger Stone charged in Capitol riot," by POLITICO's Kyle Cheney and Josh Gerstein: A second member of the Oath Keepers militia who provided security to longtime Donald Trump adviser Roger Stone has been charged with storming and breaching the Capitol. Joshua James, who has been seen in photos flanking Stone ahead of the Jan. 6 riot, was later seen on camera inside the building amid a crush of rioters who overran police. Zeroing in — The arrest — made public a day after prosecutors revealed they had charged fellow Oath Keeper and Stone security guard Roberto Minuta for entering the Capitol — is the latest evidence that prosecutors are homing in on the extremist group with key ties to organizers of pro-Trump "Stop the Steal" events. — "Polk County woman is latest accused in U.S. Capitol riot ," by Tampa Bay Times Dan Sullivan | | | |   | | |
| | DATELINE D.C. | | OPPOSITION TIME — "Florida sues to stop Biden's immigration directives," by Associated Press' Adriana Gomez Licon: "The state of Florida is suing President Joe Biden's administration over new directives that have halted detentions of some immigrants who have served time in prison. Florida's Attorney General Ashley Moody said on Tuesday that the new guidance has resulted in immigration officials declining to take custody of people who have served sentences for burglary, drug trafficking and other crimes. 'Convicted criminals that would have been deported under past administrations, including President Trump, even President Obama, are now walking free in Florida,' Moody said in a video posted on YouTube." | 
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 16: Supporters of Britney Spears attend the #FreeBritney Protest Outside Los Angeles Courthouse at Stanley Mosk Courthouse on September 16, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) | Frazer Harrison/Getty Images | OOPS, I DID IT AGAIN — "'Maybe her fame can be part of creating a better remedy': Matt Gaetz is pushing Congress to #FreeBritney," by Vanity Fair's Abigail Tracy: "Now, after watching the New York Times documentary Framing Britney Spears — which chronicles the 39-year-old's controversial conservatorship controlled by her father, Jamie Spears — [Matt] Gaetz, who spent much of the past few years acting as one of Donald Trump's biggest defenders in Congress, has emerged as a somewhat unlikely ally of the #FreeBritney movement. "If the conservatorship process can rip the agency from a woman who was in the prime of her life and one of the most powerful pop stars in the world, imagine what it can do to people who are less powerful and have less of a voice," Gaetz told me. 'I've heard the story of those people in Florida' — where Gaetz served in the state legislature before being elected to Congress—"and I am concerned about access to due process for wards." | | | | 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. | | | | |
| | CAMPAIGN MODE | | POLL: RUBIO IN 'DECENT SHAPE' — New Florida poll numbers show that Sen. Marco Rubio is heading into 2022 in "decent shape, but not with an overwhelming advantage." Mason-Dixon Polling and Strategy found that 46 percent of those polled said they vote to re-elect Rubio, while 40 percent said they would replace him with a Democrat and the remaining 14 percent were undecided. That same poll found that 47 percent approved of the job he's doing, versus 42 percent who do not. The poll, done in late February, has a margin of error of +/- 4 percent. Split for Biden — Mason-Dixon also found that support for President Joe Biden nearly evenly split: 47 percent approve of his job performance so far compared to 49 percent who gave it a thumbs down. Biden's strongest support came in Democrat-heavy southeast Florida (62 percent) while he's having trouble in southwest Florida (37 percent). The same poll also shows Biden's support is strongest among Black voters (86 percent) versus Hispanic (53 percent) and white voters (38 percent.) STAFFING UP — Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried continues to beef up her political organization ahead of a likely campaign for governor. Fried is bringing on Abigayil Yisrael as engagement and outreach director for her political committee, Florida Consumers First. Yisrael recently worked in Georgia where she was deputy GOTV director for the Georgia coordinated campaign a regional organizing director for Sen. Jon Ossoff's campaign. She has also previously worked on campaigns in Florida. Yisrael's job for Fried will be to oversee outreach and engagement efforts with community, political, and Democratic groups. PIECRUST PROMISE? — " Fla. Dem. chairman says GOP shouldn't get too comfortable despite their gains," by WINK's Morgan Raynor and Jack Lowenstein: "Manny Diaz, the chair of the Florida Democratic Party, is unconvinced Republicans have a stronger foothold in the state. Former President Donald Trump defeated President Joe Biden in Florida by more than three percentage points. '2020 was an anomaly,' Diaz said. 'We're going to get our work done, so it doesn't happen again.' In Florida, the governor's seat has been red for a quarter century. 'Gubernatorial races, they were all in that percent of 1%, sometimes less than 1%,' Diaz said." | | PENINSULA AND BEYOND | | 'I CAN BREATHE A LITTLE EASIER' — "Venezuelans overjoyed by US temporary residency opportunity," by The Associated Press' Regina Garcia Cano and Gisela Salomon: "Ruth Valle became stranded in Miami just over a year ago. She had taken a trip on a tourist visa, and she wanted to buy clothes, cosmetics and food to resell them later in Venezuela and make some extra money to subsist. But flights were canceled due to the pandemic in March 2020, two days before hers was scheduled to depart, and she's remained in South Florida since then. Due to the situation that her home country is going through, she decided to request asylum, and although her process has not yet finished, she will now request temporary protected status and hopes to see again her 15-year-old daughter, who stayed in Venezuela with her grandmother." WHAT'S GOING ON? — "Social media account accuses Miami school superintendent of infidelity," by Miami Herald's Colleen Wright: The account follows Miami-Dade County Public Schools' official Instagram account, media outlets, journalists and public figures. Before the account was made private late Monday night, it had 10 followers. A 15th post was added Tuesday after the account went private and the description changed to read, 'I will be back with more pictures and accept all the requests!' Screenshots of the Instagram account were circulating in Tallahassee political circles and among Miami-Dade teachers and administrators. At least one School Board member has privately expressed concerns on the matter. — "Top Florida law official describes 'extremely lax' security at hacked water plant," by Fresh Take Florida's Stephany Matat | | | | 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 | | — "Miami janitor quietly feeds thousands, and love's the reason," by Associated Press Kelli Kennedy: "Doramise Moreau toils long past midnight in her tiny kitchen every Friday — boiling lemon peels, crushing fragrant garlic and onion into a spice blend she rubs onto chicken and turkey, cooking the dried beans that accompany the yellow rice she'll deliver to a Miami church. She's singlehandedly cooked 1,000 meals a week since the pandemic's start — a an act of love she's content to perform with little compensation." BIRTHDAYS: Sportscaster Pam Oliver … State Sen. Doug Broxson … POLITICO's Arek Sarkissian … Florida Senate's Booter Imhof
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