| | | | | |  | | By Gary Fineout | Presented by the Coalition for Affordable Prescription Drugs | Hello and welcome to Monday. The daily rundown — Between Saturday and Thursday, the number of Florida coronavirus cases increased by 4,098 (0.2 percent), to 1,944,995; deaths went up by 63 (0.2 percent), to 31,683; Between Friday and Sunday, active hospitalizations fell by 121 (3.5 percent), to 3,298; 3,550,139 Floridians have had at least one dose of a vaccine. Edging toward the exit — Gov. Ron DeSantis's top aide — chief of staff Shane Strum — isn't leaving Tallahassee just yet. A little longer — Strum, who has been with the governor since the start of his administration in January 2019, was initially scheduled to take his new job as Broward Health CEO on Monday. But Strum's departure has been delayed and he may not leave until the end of March, although word is that his exit could occur before then. To-do list — DeSantis still hasn't named a replacement to Strum, who has been a key ally for a governor who reportedly keeps a tight circle when it comes to planning and making decisions. POLITICO previously reported about some of the potential successors including deputy chief of staff Adrian Lukis, policy and budget director Chris Spencer and legislative affairs director Stephanie Kopelousos. But those aren't the only vacant positions in the governor's office: There's still no communications director or permanent general counsel in place. Closing time — It's natural to see turnover at the midway point of an administration and Playbook previously pointed out that Strum has been looking for the right opportunity to return to his home in Broward County. Right now, DeSantis' job approval ratings are in positive territory and he is getting a lot of buzz about being a 2024 presidential contender. But the vaccine rollout has continued to spark confusion, partisan sniping and negative headlines (more of that lower down). And the governor's legislative agenda isn't guaranteed. As DeSantis segues into full-blown re-election mode (and he's almost there already) it will be up to the next chief-of-staff to keep all the parts moving. — WHERE'S RON? — Gov. DeSantis is scheduled to be 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 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 ... | | PUSHING BACK — "Student opposition mounts against scaling back Bright Futures scholarship," by POLITICO's Andrew Atterbury: Opposition campaigns have sprouted on social media as students claim the legislation — which aims to tailor the coveted financial aid to degrees that lead directly to jobs — would result in more college debt and limit their career choices. In one week, an online petition fighting the measure eclipsed 53,000 signatures with the bill teed up for its first hearing on Tuesday. "It's a debate between having money or following your passion," said Thomas Truong, a high school junior in Orlando who is part of one opposition effort. PRESSURE — "Environmentalists to Fried: Join us in opposing 'Right to Farm' law revision," by POLITICO's Bruce Ritchie: Some environmentalists who are opposing a bill that would make it more difficult to sue farmers for agricultural activities say Democratic Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried should join them in opposing the legislation. The bill in question, FL SB88 (21R), cleared its last committee stop on Thursday and is headed to the Senate floor. It raises the legal standard for proving nuisance claims against farms and does not allow them for complaints arising from more than half a mile away. And the bill expands the definition of a farming operation to include "agritourism," such as wineries. THE MONEY GO-ROUND — "Florida GOP may use stimulus to help businesses avoid unemployment taxes, but will workers benefit?" by Sarasota Herald-Tribune's John Kennedy: "Senate President Wilton Simpson, R-Trilby, said he's open to using a big piece of the Biden-pushed stimulus to help Florida employers avoid a tax hike. 'If we were to take a portion of that money — $1 to $2 billion — and put it into the unemployment compensation fund, then you'd be looking at a very large tax cut for businesses that are trying to reopen in this state,' Simpson said. Simpson said that meets his definition of economic stimulus." ON A LEAF'S EDGE — " Medical marijuana is booming in Florida, but the industry is nervous. Here's why," by Tampa Bay Times Kirby Wilson: "That type of success would usually earn support in Florida's business friendly Legislature. But the 2021 lawmaking session is anything but a victory lap for Florida's pot sector. Entrepreneurs and medical marijuana patients are worried about a slate of sweeping reforms in the form of legislation or a Florida Supreme Court opinion." — " Florida Democrats propose $543M in rent relief for small businesses left out of eviction bans," by Orlando Sentinel's Caroline Glenn — "Florida was a 2020 election star. So why are lawmakers messing with success?" by Palm Beach Post's Antonio Fins — "Bills could cancel planned highway from Polk to Collier," by The Ledger's Gary White | | | | 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 | | A CLUSTER — "Vaccine site overrun after false rumors said all could come," by The Associated Press: "A Florida vaccination site had so few eligible takers Saturday that is started inoculating any adult who wanted a shot rather than let the vaccine on hand go to waste. Word spread and on Sunday the Florida City site was overwhelmed, particularly after local state Sen. Annette Taddeo incorrectly tweeted that the federally run site would again take all comers. The Democrat, who was the party's lieutenant governor candidate in 2014, later deleted that tweet and corrected herself. Police had to calm the crowd Sunday when the site again enforced the state's eligibility rules: 65 and older; frontline medical workers and police officers, teachers and firefighters over 50; and younger people with a physician's note saying they would be endangered if they caught the virus." | 
In this Oct. 15, 2014 photo, Democrat Annette Taddeo, who is running for lieutenant governor in Florida, talks during an interview in Pinecrest, Florida. The importance of the Hispanic vote in Florida is such that for the first time, both major parties have a Hispanic candidate for lieutenant governor. (AP Photo/Alan Diaz) | AP Photo | 'IT'S CRAZY' — 'Real-life monopoly.' Eligible residents turned away at Miami-Dade vaccine sites amid chaos," by Miami Herald's Bianca Padro Ocasio: "[Yanira] Vázquez, who is a caregiver for a patient with Down Syndrome, said she was turned away because the note she had from her patient's pediatrician confirming her eligibility for a vaccine was on her phone and it was not printed. According to a Miami Herald reporter who witnessed it, Vázquez was screamed at by at least one volunteer at the site. The only reason Vázquez was able to get her vaccine on Sunday at the site, a day after staff vaccinated hundreds of ineligible Florida residents 18 years or older — including some Miami Herald reporters who heard about it on social media — was that she stuck around long enough to speak to a different nurse who was compassionate and accepted her proof of employment." WHAT'S GOING ON HERE? — "Hospital system contradicts DeSantis on COVID vaccine delivery to luxury Keys enclave," by Sun Sentinel's David Fleshler and Skyler Swisher: "But a statement Friday from Baptist Health South Florida spokeswoman Dori Alvarez appeared to contradict the governor, saying the state was involved in the decision and that the hospital system assisted only in the logistics of delivering doses already earmarked by the state for Ocean Reef. 'It is our understanding that the Medical Center at Ocean Reef asked the State of Florida for vaccine doses, and the State of Florida asked Baptist Health to take delivery of the doses to our ultra-cold freezer storage for delivery to the Medical Center at Ocean Reef,' she wrote in an email to the South Florida Sun Sentinel." Then there's this — "But in addition to having many [Gov. Ron] DeSantis donors, the community also has close ties to Baptist Health. At least eight members of Baptist Health South Florida's board or the board of its affiliated foundation live in Ocean Reef or have business or philanthropic ties to the wealthy enclave." SEEKING ANSWERS — " A family's search for answers: Did their brother die of Covid?" by The New York Times' Patricia Mazzei: "The Hidalgo siblings buried their younger brother, Patrick, six days after he had texted them in the middle of the night last March to say that something was wrong: He was gasping for air. Two days after that, paramedics found his body in his Miami Beach apartment. One of his hands still held a rosary. To his Mass of Resurrection came relatives from California and Maryland, ex-classmates from Boston, former colleagues from Washington. A woman he loved flew in all the way from Dubai. In the following days of March 2020, the coronavirus brought life in the United States to an abrupt halt. Only then, as their shock subsided and grief deepened, did the Hidalgo family start to wonder if Patrick, their 41-year-old brother who had radiated light and glued them together, had died of Covid-19." 'WE'RE THE ONLY PLACE OPEN' — "COVID adds more 'chaos' to South Beach spring break as tourists flee lockdowns, cold," by Miami Herald's Martin Vassolo: " One year after the novel coronavirus cut spring break short, the party is back on in Miami Beach, and this time COVID isn't keeping the young tourists away. If anything, it's making Miami more of a destination for people looking to relax or let loose after being bottled up for months." — "Spring Break crowd storms Fort Lauderdale Beach — COVID or not," by Sun Sentinel's Susannah Bryan | | | |   | | |
| | CAMPAIGN MODE | | DOWN AND OUT — "Sunshine State dims for Dems amid election losses, cash woes," by The Associated Press' Bobby Caina Calvan: "The lack of return in Florida could point the national party and donors to invest their efforts and largesse elsewhere. 'I don't know anybody who's happy with investing $100 million and not winning,' said Manny Diaz, the new chair of the Florida Democratic Party. 'I've heard people ask: Do we give up on Florida? They say we won the White House with Georgia and Arizona, and we didn't need Florida,' Diaz said. 'I admit that shouldn't be where we are today.'" DATELINE LAKE CITY — "Florida Republicans pitch state as model for elections, expanding GOP appeal," by Wall Street Journal's Joshua Jamerson: "Linda Jones, a retired registered nurse, said one of the biggest reasons she identified with the Republican Party message was because she agreed with Mr. DeSantis's decision to enforce minimal restrictions on social gatherings and let mask wearing be a choice. "Freedom is a big part of it," Ms. Jones, 78 years old, said, though she struggled to think of what else freedom meant besides not having to wear a mask." — " Ron DeSantis is getting presidential buzz as GOP activists delight in anti-lockdown measure," by Sarasota Herald-Tribune's Zac Anderson — "Thousands of young people, minorities, may vote for the first time in PBC city elections," by Palm Beach Post's Chris Persaud — "Roger Stone: If Trump doesn't run for president in 2024, I'm backing Rep. Matt Gaetz," by Real Clear Politics' Ian Schwartz | | DATELINE D.C. | | RUBIO, SCOTT VOTE NO — "Senate approves Biden's $1.9 trillion pandemic relief plan," by POLITICO's Marianne LeVine: The Senate passed President Joe Biden's nearly $2 trillion coronavirus relief package Saturday morning after a grueling overnight session, delivering on the White House's first major legislative priority. The 50-49 vote, entirely along party lines, came after the Senate remained in session for more than 24 hours of marathon votes. Senate Republicans sought to amend the legislation but Senate Democrats largely stuck together to defeat any major changes to the bill — one of the largest federal aid packages in history. The aftermath — Sen. Rick Scott defended his no vote by calling the package wasteful, railed against Democrats, and said the measure will "fund their liberal priorities and pay back their Blue State Governor pals." (FWIW, Florida also stands to receive billions of dollars in the package.) Florida Democrats responded by blasting the state's two Republican senators and said they will have to "explain to struggling Florida families, who have bills to pay and children to feed, why they voted against direct relief." 'IT'S A FLIP-FLOP' — "Democrats fracture over Puerto Rico statehood," by POLITICO's Gary Fineout: Democratic Rep. Darren Soto, Florida's first congressman of Puerto Rican descent, is accusing Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of reversing his stance on statehood for the island out of fear of political fallout in New York. This comes as liberal firebrand Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) is pressing her own measure that urges "self-determination" for Puerto Rico. Schumer is "trying to appease politics at home," said Soto, who last week reintroduced a House proposal, H.R. 1522 (117), for Puerto Rico statehood. "I'm just ready to fight. I'm not frustrated." — "Puerto Rico statehood a 'serious issue' dividing island residents and the Florida diaspora," by El Sentinel's Ingrid Cotto and Jennifer A. Marcial Ocasio | | | | 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. | | | | |
| | TRUMPLANDIA AND THE SWAMP | | DIGGING DEEPER — "F.B.I. finds contact between Proud Boys member and Trump associate before riot," by The New York Times' Katie Benner, Alan Feuer, and Adam Goldman: "Separately, Enrique Tarrio, a leader of the far-right nationalist Proud Boys, told The New York Times on Friday that he called Roger J. Stone Jr., a close associate of former President Donald J. Trump's, while at a protest in front of the home of Senator Marco Rubio, Republican of Florida. During the protest, which occurred in the days before the Capitol assault, he put Mr. Stone on speaker phone to address the gathering. A law enforcement official said that it was not Mr. Tarrio's communication with Mr. Stone that was being scrutinized, and that the call made in front of Mr. Rubio's home was a different matter." SEARCHING — "Revealed: The Star-Spangled Trumper filmed attacking cops at the Capitol," by HuffPost's Ryan J. Reilly and Jesselyn Cook: "With bright red and white stripes across his body and stars down his sleeves, the man in the American flag jacket and "FLORIDA FOR TRUMP" hat wielded a fire extinguisher while charging the U.S. Capitol on the afternoon of Jan. 6. He shoved his way through the crowd of rioters to the police line, then sprayed officers at close range before chucking the emptied canister at them. By nightfall he himself had been lightly harmed, apparently by a police crowd control munition. He held up his shirt to show off his bruised gut during an interview with a female journalist filming him live as cops pushed the mob back from Capitol grounds. Then he looked straight into her livestreaming device and identified himself as Robert Palmer from Clearwater, Florida." — "Middleburg couple indicted on felony obstruction charge for part in U.S. Capitol riot," by Florida Times-Union's Steve Patterson | | PENINSULA AND BEYOND | | GETTING OUT — "FWC's Rodney Barreto sells Lake Worth Lagoon land after pressure from environmentalists," by Miami Herald's Adriana Brasileiro: "Rodney Barreto, a prominent Miami businessman who chairs the state's wildlife commission, is selling a property along the Lake Worth Lagoon after environmentalists mounted a campaign against his company's plans to fill more than 10 acres of submerged land to build more than 300 condos and a marina. 'I've instructed my lawyers to sell the property,' Barreto told the Miami Herald on Thursday. 'It's under contract. I'm getting out of it and the property will no longer be a part of my portfolio.'" WELCOME TO PARADISE — " Florida's 'time bomb': Invasive species may explode with climate change, FWC warns," by Treasure Coast Newspapers Ed Killer: "Climate change is only making it worse. A 'time bomb' is how the FWC describes what effect climate change will have on Florida's invasive species problem. Aggressive invasives, many of which are cold-blooded, will thrive, spreading more rapidly and widely — even beyond Florida's borders — as average temperatures increase. Threatened species will be at an even greater risk if this proliferation of lizards, snakes, amphibians and invertebrates continues to outcompete them." — " Family of man shot, killed by Jacksonville police, files suit against officer, JSO and city," by Florida Times-Union's Dan Scanlan — "Public corruption charges still hang over ex-Boca mayor Susan Haynie," by Sun Sentinel's Marc Freeman | | | | 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 | | — "Cops: Woman freaked out over 'Le Freak,'" by The Smoking Gun: "Angered that her roommate was playing the Chic classic 'Le Freak' 'over and over again very loudly,' a Florida woman allegedly battered the disco devotee during a 12:15 AM confrontation yesterday in the duo's apartment, cops report. According to an arrest affidavit, Mary Ann Lannon, 53, 'became upset' after the 64-year-old victim--who is Lannon's cousin--put the 1978 song on repeat." — "'Naked Cowboy' arrested in Daytona Beach during Bike Week ," by Orlando Sentinel's Lisa Maria Garza: "A street performer in New York City's Times Square known as the 'Naked Cowboy' was arrested Saturday in Volusia County for aggressive panhandling while attending Daytona Beach's annual Bike Week. Robert Burck, who wears only white briefs, boots and a cowboy hat during appearances, is also charged with resisting an officer without violence, according to court records." BIRTHDAYS: (Was Sunday) State Rep. Joe Geller … (Was Saturday) State Rep. Juan Alfonso Fernandez-Barquin
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