| | | | | |  | | By Gary Fineout | Presented by CVS Health | Hello and Happy St. Patrick's Day. The daily rundown — Between Monday and Tuesday, the number of Florida coronavirus cases increased by 4,791 (0.2 percent), to 1,984,425; active hospitalizations went up by 25 (0.8 percent), to 3,052; deaths rose by 101 (0.3 percent), to 32,449; 4,338,099 Floridians have had at least one dose of a vaccine. Gridlock — Not a single Florida Republican voted for the $1.9 trillion Covid-19 relief bill passed this month by Congress. And Sen. Rick Scott decried the legislation as "wasteful" and said that true fiscal conservatives at the state and local level would do the right thing and return excess money to the federal government. I'm a man you don't meet every day — GOP Gov. Ron DeSantis has other ideas — about $4 billion worth so far. The Sunnyside of the Street — DeSantis on Tuesday rolled out an ambitious plan that in some ways may make the relief bill — which included direct payments to many Americans — even more popular among Florida voters. He called on state legislators to take part of the money and hand out $1,000 bonuses to first responders, including law enforcement officers and firefighters. Blue Heaven — But he didn't stop there: DeSantis suggested more money for his climate change projects (despite some reticence so far in the Legislature), additional spending on tourism marketing and road projects as well as the costly fix of Florida's battered unemployment online system. If that wasn't enough, the governor also said he wanted to stash aside some of the leftover money for the state's budget reserves. Down all the days — Oh, and about that "giving it back" idea from Scott? DeSantis slapped it down right away saying "it doesn't make any sense" because ultimately the money would wind up flowing into the coffers of other states. This is a far cry from 2011, when then Gov. Scott — fresh off his win during the tea party wave — canceled a high speed rail project for Florida and returned $2.4 billion in federal money. Navigator — Here's where it gets a bit tricky: The extra cash should make it a lot easier for Florida lawmakers to handle this year's budget, although the major caveat is that money from the American Rescue Plan Act is one-time money and there will still be pressure to cut recurring expenses. But that kind of inside Capital Circle budget dance may not translate well in the rest of the state. How could you cut money for public schools — or say money for Bright Futures — while handing out bonuses elsewhere? One last item — The governor still has not weighed in on the plan by legislative leaders to bolster the state's unemployment trust fund by enacting a new online sales tax collection bill that would bring in an estimated $1 billion a year. That's something to watch between now and the end of the session. — WHERE'S RON? — Nothing official announced for Gov. DeSantis. 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. | | |
|  | ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... | | THE BIG CHILL — "'Doesn't make any sense': DeSantis rejects Rick Scott's call to return stimulus money," by POLITICO's Gary Fineout: Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday flatly rejected Florida GOP Sen. Rick Scott's call for governors and mayors to return money from the $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package, creating another fault line with his potential 2024 rival. "It doesn't make any sense," said DeSantis, when asked about Scott's suggestion. "If Florida were to send the money back, [Treasury Secretary Janet] Yellen is going to send it to Illinois, California, New York or New Jersey. I don't think that would make sense for Floridians — for us to be giving even more money to the blue states that already getting such a big windfall in this bill." WHAT'S IN YOUR WALLET? — "DeSantis rolls out $4 billion spending plan," by POLITICO's Arek Sarkissian: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday unveiled a plan to spend the roughly $10 billion expected from the latest federal stimulus package, kicking off a debate over the plan that will dominate much of the legislative session. The $4.1 billion plan DeSantis pitched to reporters in the state Capitol would be footed by the $1.9 trillion federal spending package that President Joe Biden signed into law last week. DeSantis said his plan would give $205 million in one-time $1,000 pay bonuses for first responders across the state, and $215 million for seaports that were hit hard by the continued federal shutdown on the cruise industry. | 
Lynne Sladky/AP Photo | ROUND ONE — "Bright Futures revamp narrowly survives first hearing," by POLITICO's Andrew Atterbury: A key Senate education panel on Tuesday backed legislation that would rewrite the rules for Florida's popular Bright Futures college scholarship program. With the chair absent due to Covid-19, FL SB86 (21R) passed its first committee by a tight 5-4 vote after more than two dozen speakers — including high school and college students, and parents — attempted to rally against the proposal. Democrats united in opposing the measure, which bill sponsor Sen. Dennis Baxley (R-Ocala) said is necessary because Bright Futures is "wandering into just an entitlement that everybody gets that wants to go to school." Doubling down — "I think it's typical of our time that there's just a higher expectation that everything is supposed to be there and provided," Baxley told POLITICO after the Senate Committee on Education hearing. "I know it's been upsetting for them to go through this realization that it may not be, but even more disappointing if we spend the effort and we wind up with a student that's unemployable who has done all this work," he said. CALL YOUR OFFICE, GOV. DESANTIS — "Florida GOP lawmaker casts doubt on whether anti-riot bill has Senate support," by POLITICO's Giulia Heyward: Republican State Sen. Jeff Brandes, one of the chamber's most powerful voices on criminal justice, says he is skeptical that anti-riot legislation prioritized by Gov. Ron DeSantis has the votes to pass the Senate. "I don't think it has the votes to get out of committee," Brandes bluntly said during Monday night's Tampa Bay Climate Alliance's virtual town hall. How soon is now? — "Soon," was Republican Senate President Wilton Simpson's one-word reply when asked by reporters last Thursday when his chamber would start considering the bill. Simpson's communications director Katie Betta on Tuesday refuted any claim the bill (SB 484), which is sponsored by state Sen. Danny Burgess (R-Thonotosassa), does not have the votes to pass the Senate. "From his perspective, [Simpson] certainly believes that there is support in the Senate," Betta said. "He's had conversations with members of the Senate that also support what he says." IT'S ALL ABOUT THE BASE — "Florida Democrats begin work to undercut GOP's 'communist' messaging," by POLITICO's Matt Dixon: During the debate, [Sen. Tina] Polsky directly addressed what she sees as the bill's underlying motivation: Republicans messaging efforts. "I find it very uncomfortable we are using the power of this Legislature for a...partisan bill focused on the next election," she said during the meeting. "Politically speaking, voting against this bill makes me look like a leftist commie, and that's the position you put us in." Underscoring the tense atmosphere during the meeting, [Sen. Bobby] Powell said he saw [Sen. Ana Maria] Rodriguez "put her head up and smirk" when Polsky said she could be viewed as a "leftist commie." Rodriguez responded that she did no such thing. Rodriguez told the committee it's not about politics, but rather setting up a day in Florida to commemorate those impacted by oppressive communist dictatorships. HOW THINGS WORK IN TALLAHASSEE — "Who's behind a thorny Florida property rights bill? A real estate empire," by Tampa Bay Times' Zachary T. Sampson: "A bill in the Florida Legislature that would bolster a state property rights law — one critics say already scares local governments away from protecting the environment — was written by representatives of a major development business that has donated to its Senate sponsor. Sen. Ray Rodrigues, R-Estero, said he worked with a lobbyist for the Barron Collier Companies and Collier Enterprises Management to draft the proposal. An email shows a lobbyist passed along draft language from an executive at Barron Collier Companies, one branch of a real estate and investment empire that traces back to Collier County's namesake." AH, CONSISTENCY — "Legislators want to let local government regulate smoking in parks but not mask wearing," by Miami Herald's Mary Ellen Klas: "Local government can ban a person sitting outside a Little League baseball dugout from smoking, but if that person is asymptomatic for COVID-19, local government cannot make them wear a mask. That is the effect of two bills moving through the Florida House and Senate this week, one preempting local government from imposing restrictions of more than a week, such as curfews and mask mandates, in the face of a public health crisis, and the other loosening the existing preemption law to give local governments the power to limit smoking in public beaches and parks." LET'S MAKE A DEAL — "Florida lawmakers consider PPE stockpile plan," by News Service of Florida's Christine Sexton: "Florida could set up a stockpile of life-saving personal protective equipment and sell it to health-care practitioners at cost, under proposals now moving in the Legislature. Despite some concern from one lawmaker who cautioned the measure could turn a "government agency into an Amazon," the House Pandemics & Public Emergencies Committee on Tuesday unanimously approved its version of the proposal (HB 1353), sponsored by Rep. Clay Yarborough, R-Jacksonville." — " Fight over pandemic powers leads Florida GOP effort to roll back local authority," by Orlando Sentinel's Gray Rohrer — "Labor unions, state of Florida at impasse over contract for state workers," by Tallahassee Democrat's James Call — " A freshman Black Republican joins FL's Legislative Black Caucus; members unsure about his priorities," by Florida Phoenix's Isaac Morgan — "Florida could get share of Purdue Pharma money," by News Service of Florida — " House gives boost to pharmacist vaccination power," by News Service of Florida's Christine Sexton | | | | 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. | | | | |
| | CORONAVIRUS UPDATES | | HMMM — "Major donors to South Florida hospital foundation got early access to vaccine," by POLITICO's Arek Sarkissian and Matt Dixon: The fundraising foundation for the Baptist Health of South Florida hospital system told donors who could afford at least six-figure financial contributions on New Year's Day that they were eligible for the Covid-19 vaccine, at a time when vaccine doses were in short supply in the rest of the state. The short list — The email, sent by hospital foundation CEO Alexandra Villoch to the collection of more than 3,000 wealthy donors, offers another glimpse into the exclusive access some of the state's well-to-do enclaves received at a time when Florida was left with 266,000 fresh doses per week. Pop-up vaccination sites in affluent, mostly white, pockets of the state have become a political thorn in the side of Gov. Ron DeSantis, who has defended the practice because most come in areas with heavy elderly populations, which has been his administration's focus. DeSantis had no role in the foundation's vaccine announcement. 'ANYTHING GOES' — "Unmasked spring breakers are descending on Florida. Officials are begging them to behave," by Washington Post's Hannah Sampson: "Public health experts point out that spring break visitors are likely to be young and unvaccinated — and participants in high-risk behavior such as hanging out in bars and packed clubs. 'It's a perfect formula for spreading the disease,' said Eric Toner, a senior scholar with the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security. 'Even though we're doing much better now than we were several months ago with the incidence of covid-19, we're still at a level nationally that last summer we would have thought was alarmingly high.'" — " Vaccinated South Florida mom gives birth to first-known baby born with COVID antibodies," by WPEC's Lexi Nahl — "College president Zooms with students isolated due to virus," by Associated Press' Terry Spencer — " Norwegian Cruise Line cancels sailings through June amid coronavirus pandemic," by Orlando Sentinel's Tiffini Theisen | | | |   | | |
| | CAMPAIGN MODE | | STAYING QUIET — "Trump doesn't commit to stay out of Senate primaries despite prodding by top GOP senator," by CNN's Manu Raju: "Florida Sen. Rick Scott, the chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, urged former President Donald Trump to back the candidates who win Senate primaries next year rather than engage in intra-party fights that could harm the party's chances at taking back the majority in the midterm elections. Asked Tuesday if Trump agreed with his suggestion, Scott said: 'He didn't respond.'" One-way conversation? — "Scott, who met with Trump last week at his Florida golf resort, said the former President's intentions in primary season remain unclear. 'He didn't say,' Scott told CNN when asked if Trump would engage in Senate primaries. 'He didn't say he was going to. What I pitched to him is, that I'm going to work hard doing what I'm going to do. I'm sure he wants to be helpful, so the best thing for him to do would be to participate in whoever wins the primaries and come back then.' 'NEVER MISS AN OPPORTUNITY' — "' Suppression' or 'security'? Uproar over Florida GOP's rollback of voting rights," by News Service of Florida's Dara Kam: "Four months ago, Gov. Ron DeSantis bragged that other states should emulate voting procedures in Florida, where former President Donald Trump's solid Election Day victory over President Joe Biden was done and dusted long before midnight. But the Republican governor, who will be on the ballot next year, and GOP legislative leaders are pushing changes to the state's election process that Democrats are branding as 'voter suppression,' county election officials 'vehemently' oppose and experts say will 'disproportionately' harm Black and Hispanic voters." | | | | 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 | | GONE — "Massive fire engulfs home of former U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson," by Orlando Sentinel's Grace Toohey: "A massive fire has destroyed much of the Orange County home of former U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson, but he and his family were all safe after evacuating early Tuesday. Grayson confirmed Tuesday morning that he and his family were home and sleeping at the time the fire started, but everyone was OK. He declined to speak further about the fire or its possible cause, mentioning he was very tired after the long night. 'Our family home burned down last night,' Dr. Dena Grayson, Alan Grayson's wife who ran for Congress in 2016, posted on Twitter. 'Thankfully, everyone escaped unharmed.'" STILL MORE FROM FLORIDA — "Yet another Capitol riot suspect arrested in Central Florida, feds say," by Orlando Sentinel's Cristobal Reyes: "Federal investigators made yet another Central Florida arrest in connection to the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol building, prosecutors announced Tuesday. Dillon Paul Homol, 22, was arrested for obstructing official proceedings, entering a restricted area, entering restricted grounds, violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds, prosecutors said in an afternoon hearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Embry Kidd." | | 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 | | — "Tampa Twitter hacker agrees to three years in prison," by Tampa Bay Times' Dan Sullivan: "The Tampa teen who took control of well-known Twitter accounts last summer and used them to solicit more than $100,000 in Bitcoin pleaded guilty to state charges Tuesday in exchange for a three-year prison sentence. In a deal with prosecutors, Graham Ivan Clark agreed to serve three years in prison, followed by three years probation. Clark was 17 when he was accused of masterminding a brazen social media hack that targeted some of the world's most famous names, among them: President Joe Biden, former President Barack Obama, Elon Musk, Kanye West, Bill Gates, Jeff Bezos, Mike Bloomberg, Warren Buffet, Floyd Mayweather, Kim Kardashian, Apple, Uber and other companies." BIRTHDAYS: State Rep. David Smith … Sean Shaw, former legislator and founder of People Over Profits
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