| | | | | |  | | By Gary Fineout | Presented by Ocean Conservancy | Hello and welcome to Friday. The daily rundown — Between Wednesday and Thursday, the number of Florida coronavirus cases increased by 5,773 (nearly 0.3 percent), to 2,027,429; active hospitalizations went down by 78 (2.7percent) to 2,804; deaths of Florida residents rose by 107 (0.3 percent), to 32,957; 5,346,471 Floridians have received at least one dose of a vaccine. Walk this way — Florida lawmakers are about to hit the halfway point of their annual 60-day session — and basically it's kind of a mess at the state Capitol. Last child — The session is already a strange affair devoid of most of the public and lobbyists. But there are signs of a growing rift in the Senate that could prove pivotal as pressure mounts on Senate President Wilton Simpson to take up some of the high-profile bills Gov. Ron DeSantis and House Speaker Chris Sprowls are pushing, including the highly contentious measure aimed at cracking down on protesters. Sweet emotion — It got bad enough this week that it spilled out into the open during committee meetings — an apparent cardinal sin, according to senators such as Sen. Kelli Stargel, who chided her colleagues for expressing their frustrations in public. Dream on — Simpson is also trying to keep a gambling deal alive (it's not dead yet!) but he has witnessed other parts of his agenda come under withering criticism (see: his push to overhaul Bright Futures) or get a somewhat cool reception from the House (see: his large overhaul of the state's voucher programs). The Senate on Thursday did pass a bill that would force online vendors to collect sales taxes (it's not a tax hike, just trust us!) but the money paid by rank-and-file Floridians would be used to cut unemployment taxes for many of the state's large businesses (imagine the campaign mailer on that one). Draw the line — Simpson has promised the Senate will address the state's meager unemployment benefits in another bill, but there's no sign Sprowls has agreed to do that. And speaking of Sprowls, his chamber keeps advancing bills that so far have barely budged in the Senate. Jaded — Yes, it always falls apart before it comes together and there's been agreement on important pieces of legislation such as the Covid-19 liability measure poised to go to DeSantis on Friday. But it's also evident that much of the Legislature has little say in what's going on right now. Same old song and dance — The House was always known as a top-heavy institution where most members are unwilling to rock the boat or go against leadership. The Senate used to be a bit more deliberative and prone to power-sharing, but that appears to be long gone now. Back in the saddle — Sen. Perry Thurston, the Broward County Democrat in line to become minority leader in 2022, said everything is going on behind closed doors without little regard for public debate in the sunshine. "If there was this kind of horse trading taking place in municipalities, there would be indictments," said Thurston, a nod to the state's strict open meetings law for local government. — WHERE'S RON? — Gov. DeSantis will be in Port Canaveral, where he will hold a roundtable with Attorney General Ashley Moody and Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Kevin Thibault. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for Playbook? Get in touch: gfineout@politico.com | | | | A message from Ocean Conservancy: Ocean Conservancy is working with you to protect the ocean from today's greatest global challenges. We're working in the places you care about to address the impacts of these threats – from sea level rise, to water quality, and more. Together, we can create solutions for a healthy ocean and the wildlife and communities that depend on it. Learn more. | | |
|  | ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... | | GETTING TESTY — "Florida Senate feuds signal potential growing chamber rift," by POLITICO's Matt Dixon: Procedural discord broke out in the Florida Senate for a second day in a row, sparking wonky disagreements that could set the groundwork for battles over some of the 2021 session's most controversial pieces of legislation. While fights among lawmakers are routine during any legislative session, the public disagreements indicate that tensions are rising in the Florida Senate, which has a history of stifling leadership priorities by feuding internally. The quiet part out loud — Throughout the exchange, Senate Rules Chair Kathleen Passidomo, a Naples Republican who is a close ally of Senate President Wilton Simpson, tried to stop the discussion about procedure, which she said would be better discussed behind closed doors. After the meeting, she said [Sen. Jeff] Brandes and [Sen. Gary] Farmer's actions were driven by politics. "I think the issues raised are more about politics than policy concerns," Passidomo told POLITICO. | 
Kathleen Passidomo | AP Photo | POISED TO PASS HOUSE — "Florida House Republicans and Democrats continue to clash over 'anti-riot' bill," by POLITICO's Giulia Heyward: "I'm trying to also understand why you think this is good public policy," Democratic Rep. Fentrice Driskell of Tampa said Thursday. "How is it that your bill would make protesters safer?" Democrats are vastly outnumbered in the House, and Republicans, who argue the bill is needed to stave off violent protests, steamrolled their opposition. "This bill is targeted towards rioters and that's what this bill does," [Juan] Fernandez-Barquin said during questioning by Democrats. "This bill specifically targets the wrongdoers, the agitators. It doesn't matter where on the political spectrum these individuals are." SPOTTED — Rep. Matt Gaetz, along with his fiancée Ginger Luckey, were inside the Florida Capitol on Thursday. Gaetz, a former state legislator from northwest Florida, said he was there to meet with House Speaker Chris Sprowls. One of the topics was pending legislation that would cap the amount of THC in medical marijuana that is sold in Florida. Gaetz, a consistent advocate for loosening regulations on marijuana, is opposed to the bill and has already written an op-ed calling it "misguided." But Gaetz also wanted to praise the House's pending proposal aimed at curbing the influence of China in institutions of higher education. WHAT'S IN YOUR WALLET? — "Online shoppers to pay for business tax break under Florida Senate bill," by Sarasota Herald-Tribune's John Kennedy: "Florida would collect another $1 billion next year in online sales taxes — which Republican lawmakers want turned into a business tax break — under a measure approved Thursday by the state Senate. The legislation (CS/SB 50) was advanced 30-10 in a vote which broke mostly along party lines. If endorsed by the House, the measure would demand that all e-commerce companies collect and submit sales tax money to the state treasury. But while consumers pay, businesses would benefit." OVERRULED — "Do your state legislators want to do your city's job? Yes, often," by Miami Herald's Mary Ellen Klas: "If Tallahassee gets its way, there would be no need for any candidate for local office to campaign to influence the following: police budgets, public health crises, vacation rentals, design and construction of new buildings, regulating home-based businesses, restricting crowds of cruise-ship tourists and local consumption of fossil fuels. All those decisions would be made by the GOP-led Florida Legislature if a growing list of bills aimed at preempting local control is passed this session." 'WE DON'T NEED IT' — " Florida Senate seeks to end Constitution Revision Commission," by The Associated Press Brendan Farrington: "Florida voters would be asked to abolish a commission that recommends changes to the state constitution every 20 years under a bill passed by the state Senate on Thursday. The chamber voted 27-12 to place a measure on the 2022 ballot seeking to repeal the Constitution Revision Commission. Lawmakers have criticized the last meeting of the commission, which placed seven items on the 2018 ballot. Voters approved all of them." TRANSITIONS — "Top Florida marijuana regulator promoted to DeSantis' office," by POLITICO's Arek Sarkissian: Florida Department of Health Chief of Staff and Marijuana Coordinator Courtney Coppola was promoted Thursday to serve as deputy chief of staff for Gov. Ron DeSantis, a top official said. Coppola will work for DeSantis Chief of Staff Adrian Lukis, who was also recently promoted after the departure of Shane Strum. Lukis said in an interview that Coppola has worked long hours through the Covid-19 pandemic. CLOSED DOORS — "' Shut out': As lawmakers work, Florida Capitol COVID restrictions leave some feeling excluded," by Tallahassee Democrat's James Call: "'Gov. Ron DeSantis says the state is open for business and we come here and get this,' said one of the women, Lisa Rawson, gesturing towards the Civic Center. 'The rest of Florida is as open as all can be,' she added. 'Spring breakers are everywhere — from Panama City to Pensacola — with no one wearing masks, and we come to the state Capitol and we're shut out.'" — "Florida Senate votes to nix expensive toll roads through rural areas," by Tallahassee Democrat's Jeffrey Schweers — "Florida's mental health needs appear large, but Legislature's actions seem small," by Tampa Bay Times' Kirby Wilson — "Florida Senate signs off on more money for Moffitt Cancer Center," by News Service of Florida | | | | SUBSCRIBE TO "THE RECAST" TO JOIN AN IMPORTANT CONVERSATION : Power dynamics are shifting in Washington and across the country, 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. 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| | CORONAVIRUS UPDATES | | OPENING IT UP — "DeSantis dropping Covid vaccine eligibility to 18," by POLITICO's Arek Sarkissian: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday announced plans to open Covid-19 vaccine eligibility to people who are at least 18 years old, one week after criticizing a Democratic mayor for lowering the age requirement. In a news release and video, DeSantis stated that there will be enough shots for younger residents since 70 percent of seniors in Florida have been immunized against the coronavirus. Beginning March 29, DeSantis will lower the age of vaccine eligibility to 40, and then one week later will drop it to adults 18 and older. — " Demings pleased DeSantis lowered vaccine eligibility age: 'I'm glad to hear it,'" by Orlando Sentinel's Stephen Hudak and Ryan Gillespie NOT MY PROBLEM — "Young adults about COVID vaccines: We don't want shots, we don't need shots. Yet they make up the majority of virus cases ," by Sun Sentinel's Cindy Krischer Goodman: "It's midday in Fort Lauderdale and Luke Neal, 24, heads to a beachside coffee shop with two friends from South Carolina. He wears no mask — nor even carries one with him. 'I think I'm immune to COVID,' Neal says. 'I have been everywhere and I haven't gotten it.' Neal says there is no way he will get a COVID vaccine. 'Why would I?' While older Floridians clamor for the vaccines that could prevent them from becoming severely ill and dying from COVID-19, young adults are indifferent, unconvinced the vaccines are necessary." PAPER OR PLASTIC? — "Publix seeks to muzzle parties in coronavirus wrongful death suit," by Tampa Bay Times' Natalie Weber : "Publix is asking a judge to silence a South Florida woman and her lawyer who claim the grocery chain is responsible for the death of a former deli worker at the start of the pandemic. The lawsuit brought by Ariane Gutierrez claims the company prohibited her 70-year-old father, Gerardo Gutierrez, from wearing a mask at a Miami Beach store. It claims the father, Gerardo Gutierrez, contracted COVID-19 from a coworker and died. In its motion, Publix said the claim is 'littered with inflammatory and wholly unsupported rhetoric.' It accused the daughter and her lawyer, Michael Levine, of leveraging the press to influence potential jurors and sway public opinion." PUSHBACK — "Florida health experts blast DeSantis' backers of 'immunity through infection,'" by Sun Sentinel Steven Lemongello: "Yet, health experts in Florida have pushed back against the ideas proposed by [Gov. Ron] DeSantis' panelists, including their hostility to masks, social distancing, and most anti-COVID measures. And they warned that Floridians — and hordes of spring break visitors — are letting up on those practices as vaccines become more available. 'The virus is very good at finding vulnerable populations,' said Jason Salemi, a researcher at the University of South Florida who created his own COVID-19 dashboard. 'This virus is going to do whatever we allow it to do.'" UNDERCUT — "Collier County ends months-long legal action against high-profile Naples grocer Alfie Oakes," by Naples Daily News' Laura Layden: "Collier County has ended its months-long fight with a high-profile business owner over violations of its mask order at his popular grocery and retail stores. At a county commission meeting Tuesday, the board voted unanimously to halt its enforcement actions against Oakes Farms and Seed to Table, owned by Alfie Oakes, a local entrepreneur, grower and community activist. The vote came after the county's lead attorney, Jeffrey Klatzkow, said pursuing any fines seemed futile, as they have 'now been forgiven by the governor.'" — " Patients on ventilators. Hotel instead of home. COVID comes to Jackson South. Episode 1 of Inside the Covid Unit," by Miami Herald's Amy Driscoll and McClatchy's Reshma Kirpalani | | | | A message from Ocean Conservancy:   | | |
| | DATELINE D.C. | | THE X FILES — "Military and spy agencies accused of stiff-arming investigators on UFO sightings,' by POLITICO's Bryan Bender: The truth may be out there. But don't expect the feds to share what they know anytime soon on the recent spate of UFO sightings. Some military and spy agencies are blocking or simply ignoring the effort to catalog what they have on "unidentified aerial phenomenon," according to multiple current and former government officials. And as a result, the Biden administration will likely delay a much-anticipated public report to Congress. | 
Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., speaks during a confirmation hearing for United States Ambassador to the United Nations nominee Linda Thomas-Greenfield before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Capitol Hill, Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2021, in Washington. (Michael Reynolds/Pool via AP) | Michael Reynolds/Pool via AP | Rubio responds — Sen. Marco Rubio, who was responsible for requesting the report, told Fox News this week that he does not believe military and intelligence agencies have come to any solid conclusions about the origin of the UFOs. But he insisted that the reports demand a more comprehensive intelligence-gathering effort. "We have to try to know what it is," the Florida Republican said. "Maybe there's a logical explanation. Maybe it's foreign adversaries who made a technological leap?" — " Congressman Jim Jordan speaking at Sarasota GOP event in May," by Sarasota Herald-Tribune's Zac Anderson | | | | 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 | | A CLOSER LOOK — "Poisoned Part 1: The Factory," by Tampa Bay Times Corey G. Johnson, Rebecca Woolington and Eli Murray: "Hundreds of workers at a Tampa lead smelter have been exposed to dangerous levels of the neurotoxin. The consequences have been profound... Tampa Bay Times reporters spent 18 months examining thousands of pages of regulatory reports and company documents, including data tracking the amount of lead in the air and in workers' blood. They interviewed more than 80 current and former workers, 20 of whom shared their medical records." Some of the findings : "Gopher exposed workers for years to levels of lead in the air that were hundreds of times higher than the federal limit. At times, the concentration was considered life-threatening. Workers described regular tasks that left them caked with dust, as though they'd been dunked in powdered sugar. Eight out of 10 workers from 2014 to 2018 had enough lead in their blood to put them at risk of increased blood pressure, kidney dysfunction or cardiovascular disease. In the past five years, at least 14 current and former workers have had heart attacks or strokes, some after working in the most contaminated areas of the plant. One employee spent more than three decades around the poison before dying of heart and kidney disease at 56." — Listen: Poisoned: Tampa's Lead Problem CRACKDOWN — "'We're trying to have fun.' Party rages on as police begin enforcing curfew on Ocean Drive ," by Miami Herald's C. Isaiah Smalls II and Bianca Padro Ocasio: "Police began enforcing the 8 p.m. curfew on tourists who were packing parts of South Beach on the first Thursday night since Miami Beach enacted the new city rules to curb the kind of mayhem that developed last week. Crowds of people still wandered Ocean Drive when 8 p.m. hit. Some knew about the curfew while others didn't. 'We're trying to have fun,' Brad Kopp, 21. Kopp and his three friends had just arrived in Miami from Pittsburgh. The group had booked their trip well in advance but had found out about the curfew only a few days prior. 'We had no choice. The money was already spent,' said Owen Blank, 24." DISMISSED — "West Palm Beach employee learns the hard way: You can still get fired for smoking pot even if you have a medical marijuana card," by Palm Beach Post's Tony Doris: "At a time when marijuana restrictions are loosening across the country, when even President Biden has said he wants to end criminal penalties and expand medical research regarding marijuana – and when a handful of marijuana or CBD dispensaries have opened within a block of West Palm Beach City Hall – [Jason] McCarty found out you can still get fired for smoking a joint, even if you have a Florida medical marijuana registration card, as he does, and your doctor recommends it." — " Hackers hit University of Miami, posted patients' private info. School won't discuss details," by Miami Herald's Jimena Tavel — "FSU anti-racism task force may be extended to tackle Doak Campbell Stadium, other issues," by Tallahassee Democrat's Byron Dobson — "JEA investigation: Witnesses appear Thursday before grand jury," by Florida Times-Union's Nate Monroe — "'Sham' wounded veterans charity settlement involves Palm Harbor doctor, wife," by Tampa Bay Times' Sue Carlton | | | | A message from Ocean Conservancy: Florida has an iconic natural environment. It is surrounded by and dependent on clean water. From the Panhandle to the Treasure Coast to the Florida Keys, you're never more than 60 miles from the ocean. Florida's coasts serve as treasured sanctuaries and economic engines – places to enjoy as well as earn a living and build a life. With offices in St. Petersburg and Miami, Ocean Conservancy is actively working in these treasured Floridian places to address the impacts of today's greatest global challenges – from sea level rise, to water quality, and more. Together, we can create solutions for a healthy ocean and the wildlife and communities that depend on it. Learn more. | | |
| | ODDS, ENDS, AND FLORIDA MEN | | — "Florida family to get $2 million after student choked to death on chicken nugget," by Sun Sentinel's Scott Travis: "Kedar Williams couldn't save himself from choking to death at school, but his memory may help save the lives of many other disabled students. A year and a half after Williams, a 19-year-old student with autism, died at his high school while not being watched, the Palm Beach County School Board has agreed to pay his family $2 million. The settlement, approved Wednesday, also sets up a mandatory training program named in Williams' honor for principals, teachers and others employees who work with special needs students." — " Woman says she wandered through tunnel for 3 weeks before being pulled from storm drain," by Sun Sentinel's Eileen Kelley and Brooke Baitinger: "Days later, the city still was looking into the mystery of how the woman got there. Was she really trapped in the drainage system for so long? And if she was, how'd she even survive? Calling it an "only-in-Florida" story, Delray Beach Mayor Shelly Petrolia planned to push for answers." BIRTHDAYS : Florida Secretary of State Laurel Lee … Scott Dudley with the Florida League of Cities ... Sam Miller, former executive vice president with the Florida Insurance Council
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