| | | | | |  | | By Gary Fineout | Presented by Floridians for Affordable Rx | Hello and welcome to Thursday. The daily rundown — Between Tuesday and Wednesday, the number of Florida coronavirus cases increased by 5,885 (nearly 0.3 percent), to 2,096,747; active hospitalizations increased 26 (nearly 0.9 percent), to 3,045; deaths of Florida residents rose by 42 (0.1 percent), to 33,822; 6,630,107 Floridians have received at least one dose of a vaccine. Slash and leave — In the end, Gov. Ron DeSantis took zero questions. The takedown — The Florida Republican, still steaming at a "60 Minutes" report that delved into accusations of favoritism and even "pay to play" over the state's vaccine rollout, delivered an epic 20-minute rant Wednesday on why the Sunday night story from the CBS newsmagazine was "malicious" and a "smear." "The whole thing was a big lie," DeSantis said in his opening wind-up to a lengthy explanation that included a PowerPoint presentation and a timeline. Part of a trend — DeSantis' hostility to the media has only grown during the coronavirus pandemic. He has used that battle to burnish his credentials with conservative voters (and right-leaning media outlets) ahead of his re-election next year and potential run for president in 2024. But the Wednesday event — laser-focused on the "60 Minutes" report and nothing else — was the most vociferous he's ever been, at least in public. Context — His presentation did point out the shortcomings of the broadcast, which was primarily a rehash of news stories done by local press in Florida: There was never a state contract with Publix, and the grocery chain was chosen to help with vaccine distribution by the state's emergency management director Jared Moskowitz after Walmart turned down the deal. Moskowitz, a Democrat, was on hand at DeSantis' presentation to outline conversations that top state officials had before the decision with Publix was made. Yet transparency concerns remain — Let's not forget, however, news outlets in Florida have had all sorts of trouble getting details like that as they have tried to cover the governor's response to the pandemic. The DeSantis administration has gotten sued over the withholding of records. (Worth noting: Fox News was given copies of fairly recent email exchanges between the administration and "60 Minutes" while most news outlets have to wait in line for months to get their record requests filled.) What happens next? — After delivering his sermon, DeSantis turned on his heels and walked away from his press conference without answering a single question, including how he plans to plans to make good on his threat earlier this week of "consequences" for "60 Minutes." Now the word is that the Wednesday press conference will likely be the governor's final foray into the matter for a while. CBS News for its part has stood by its story even as some media critics have questioned how it was put together. With roughly 17-months to go before Election Day, this probably won't be the last time DeSantis tangles with the "corporate media." — 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 Floridians for Affordable Rx: For too many Floridians, prescription drugs are unaffordable, and that's unacceptable. That's why it's time to take politics out of prescriptions and find real solutions to lower Rx costs for all Floridians. The key to lowering drug costs is through increased competition, not big government mandates on private-sector tools used to reduce costs. The independent pharmacy lobby's special interest agenda undermines access to affordable prescription drugs. Learn more: Floridians for Affordable Rx | | |
|  | CORONAVIRUS UPDATES | | OH, LOOK PUBLIC RECORDS CAN GET RELEASED — "Florida Dem claims he told CBS DeSantis-Publix story was 'bull—'; producer says info used on 'background," by Fox News Joseph A. Wulfsohn: "E-mails obtained by Fox News shed light on some of the correspondence that took place between CBS News and DeSantis' office ahead of Sunday's broadcast. On March 31, the Wednesday before airing, '60 Minutes' associate producer Emily Gordon sent a list of questions to DeSantis communications staffer Meredith Beatrice with a response deadline set for the following day at 5 p.m." | 
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis awards former Florida State University head football coach Bobby Bowden the governor's "medal of freedom." | Gary Fineout, POLITICO | BEHIND CLOSED DOORS — "More governors publicly vaccinated, but Florida's kept mum," by The Associated Press' Bobby Caina Calvan: "Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has received a single-dose coronavirus vaccine, his office confirmed Wednesday. He did so out of the public eye even as governors elsewhere across the political spectrum have been vaccinated publicly to reassure Americans that the shots are safe. A spokesperson for the Republican governor initially declined to provide details, including when exactly the Republican governor received the dose. But it was later disclosed that the governor received the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine last week." Fried takes notice — Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, who will likely run against DeSantis next year, made sure to point out on Twitter that she got her shot in public: "Ron DeSantis said if he vaxxed publicly it would be a 'gun show.' He chose not to, continuing his clown show." Fried posted a picture of her vaccination as well as a picture of her in workout gear, saying "this is what real strength looks like." — "Ron DeSantis is what the post-Trump GOP should look like," opinion by Rich Lowry for POLITICO Magazine — "Jeanette Nunez says corporate media uses Ron DeSantis as 'punching bag,'" by Florida Politics' A.G. Gancarski — "Restaurant workers caught in limbo as industry makes slow recovery from the pandemic," by Sun Sentinel's Amber Randall — "Lots of people aren't following the COVID rules, but Broward still will try to do something about it," by Sun Sentinel's Lisa J. Huriash | | | | JOIN AN IMPORTANT CONVERSATION, SUBSCRIBE TO "THE RECAST" NEWSLETTER: 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 our 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 important new voices that challenge business as usual. Don't miss out, SUBSCRIBE . Thank you to our sponsor, Intel. | | | | |
| | DATELINE D.C. | | DRIP, DRIP, DRIP — "Matt Gaetz trip to Bahamas is part of federal probe into sex trafficking, sources say," by CBS News' Major Garrett, Michael Kaplan, Clare Hymes and Jessica Kegu: "Federal investigators are looking into a Bahamas trip Matt Gaetz allegedly took in late 2018 or early 2019 as part of an inquiry into whether the Florida representative violated sex trafficking laws, multiple sources told CBS News. Gaetz was on that trip with a marijuana entrepreneur and hand surgeon named Jason Pirozzolo, who allegedly paid for the travel expenses, accommodations, and female escorts, the sources said. Investigators are trying to determine if the escorts were illegally trafficked across state or international lines for the purpose of sex with the congressman." TRUMP WEIGHS IN (SORT OF) — "Trump claims Gaetz 'never asked for a pardon,'" by POLITICO's Ben Leonard: Former President Donald Trump said Wednesday that embattled Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) "has never asked me for a pardon," disputing a New York Times report that Gaetz asked the former president for a blanket pardon as Trump's term in office was coming to a close. Carefully worded — In a two-sentence statement Wednesday, Trump also stressed that Gaetz "has totally denied the accusations against him." Trump's brief statement broke silence from Trump and his allies on the allegations against Gaetz, one of the former president's strongest supporters in Congress. Also, the Times story said Gaetz "privately asked the White House." THE OTHER PART OF THE STORY — "Stephen Alford says he was questioned by FBI regarding Matt Gaetz extortion charge," by Northwest Florida Daily News' Tom McLaughlin : "[Stephen] Alford said he arrived at the probation office to find an FBI agent waiting to give him an opportunity to tell his side of the extortion story that embattled Congressman Matt Gaetz — with an assist from father Don — has floated in response to allegations he traveled with and had sex with a 17-year-old girl and that he paid for sex with other women. The alleged extortion attempt came eight months after the Department of Justice opened its investigation into the sex trafficking allegations." His viewpoint — "'The FBI's questions related to the allegation Congressman Gaetz had thrown out that we were trying to extort him. They were only interested in the allegations Congressman Gaetz had made, and I gave them all the information I have,' Alford said. "I answered to the best of my ability. I have nothing to hide.' DIFFERENT REACTIONS — " Top Florida Republicans offer warm words on Alcee Hastings death. Ron DeSantis wasn't as nice," by Sun Sentinel's Anthony Man: "The Republican governor's statement was as perfunctory and impersonal as possible. [Gov. Ron] DeSantis said he and his wife were "saddened" to learn of the death and Hastings' "service to our state will be remembered." By contrast, Republican U.S. Sens. Marco Rubio and Rick Scott issued more compassionate statements in which they exhibited some warmth toward Hastings, who died at 84 after serving in Congress for more than 28 years." | | | | A message from Floridians for Affordable Rx:   | | |
| | ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... | | WHAT'S IN YOUR WALLET? — "Lobbying fight over $10B in Covid cash looms large," by POLITICO's Matt Dixon: That means the final three weeks of the legislative session is likely to feature a mad lobbying scramble from special interest groups and lawmakers eager to get their cut of the federal cash infusion, and Democrats who will make persistent pleas that the money be used to stave off cuts to their preferred programs. There is a sense that some of the deep cuts senators and House members proposed will be filled by the federal money, but the process will no doubt lead to winners and losers. "I think there will certainly be some good debates about the $10 billion," said Senate President Wilton Simpson after the Senate floor session. PLEASE TELL THE GOVERNMENT WHAT YOU'RE THINKING — "Florida Legislature backs bill targeting 'cancel culture' on college campuses," by POLITICO's Andrew Atterbury: Florida's GOP-controlled Senate on Wednesday passed legislation targeting "cancel culture" on college campuses, sending the bill to Gov. Ron DeSantis after lawmakers spent years trying to get similar proposals over the hump. Sen. Jennifer Bradley the only GOP no vote — By a 23-15 vote mostly along party lines, the upper chamber put the Legislature's final stamp on a proposal that would gauge the "intellectual freedom" at 40 colleges and universities in Florida, leading to what is likely the largest-scale campus climate survey of its kind in the nation. Hailed by GOP lawmakers as a defense of free speech in traditionally liberal higher education institutions, the proposal was contested throughout session by Democrats and faculty unions who view it as "dangerous" and unnecessary overreach. QUALITY CONTROL — " DeSantis wants $4 million for medical marijuana quality control testing," by POLITICO's Arek Sarkissian : Florida's medical marijuana industry could soon get a big payday. Gov. Ron DeSantis has asked the Legislature to beef up the Florida Office of Medical Marijuana Use with more than $4 million in next year's state budget, which includes funding to finally start lab testing medical marijuana for the first time in years. The bulk of DeSantis' $4 million request would go toward new rules by the Florida Department of Health for quality control testing for all types of marijuana products, including raw flower, concentrates and edibles. CLOSING BET? — "End of an era? Senate proposes end to most live racing in Florida," by Miami Herald's Mary Ellen Klas: "With the clock running out on the 60-day legislative session, the Florida Senate on Wednesday released an ambitious proposal to end live racing and jai-alai at most of the state's gambling venues and put the state's antiquated regulatory structure under a newly-created gaming commission. Three bills, scheduled to be heard Monday by the Senate Regulatory Industries Committee, attempt to modernize an industry that has been shifting for generations by creating a new regulatory structure and allowing casinos to operate card games without running harness or quarter-horse races or jai-alai matches, a concept known as decoupling." ONE VS. FOUR — "Florida Senate scales back prison closure plan," by News Service of Florida's Dara Kam: "The Florida Senate is easing back on a plan to shutter and demolish four state prisons, agreeing Wednesday to a proposal that would close a single, 1,500-bed correctional institution by Dec. 31. The prison consolidation and closure plan is included in the Senate's $95 billion state budget proposal for the fiscal year that begins July 1. Leaders in small counties where many prisons are located have pushed back against possible closures, saying that the institutions are economic drivers in financially strapped regions." TARGETED? — "Would getting rid of FL School Board member salaries be sexist, targeting female elected officials?" by Florida Phoenix's Danielle J. Brown: "In Orange County Public Schools, the eight-member school board is all female. Likewise, the nine-member school board in Broward County has all women. And in Miami-Dade schools, the school board has nine members. Eight are women. One is a man. Those samples, gleaned from school district websites, illustrate the gender makeup of Florida school boards. And now, a state lawmaker is pushing legislation that proposes a Constitutional amendment to prohibit compensation for school board members, even though legislators, county commissioners and other elected officials wouldn't be targeted." JOINING IN — "Florida Senate President takes aim at COVID-19's passports," by News Service of Florida's Christine Sexton: "Senate President Wilton Simpson made clear Wednesday he supports banning COVID-19 "passports" that would prove people have been vaccinated, despite calls from the cruise industry to allow their use after ships have been docked for more than a year because of the pandemic. 'It would be completely ridiculous,' Simpson, R-Trilby, told reporters when asked about the passports, which have become a hot-button political issue for Republicans. 'What's next? If we have a vaccine passport, what all vaccines are we going to require on that passport? And so we have certain freedoms in this country that shouldn't be breached, and I think that's one of them.'" — "Florida Senate passes bill allowing to-go alcoholic drink orders," by Tampa Bay Times' Kirby Wilson — "Florida Senate passes property insurance revamp," by News Service of Florida's Jim Saunders | | | | 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 | | TANGLED WEB — "A made-in-Miami money-laundering saga develops even deeper Ukraine roots," by McClatchy D.C.'s Shirsho Dasgupta and Olena Loginova: "Take a couple of Ukrainian oligarchs sanctioned for alleged money laundering. Add a mix of Florida-based businessmen who employed the husband of a prominent Democratic politician. Throw in some political connections tracing back to Rudy Giuliani, former Ukrainian presidents and even the Kremlin. What you get is a tangled story about money and power, one that demonstrates the magnetic pull of Miami when money laundering is alleged." STILL MORE COMING — " Piney Point releases to Tampa Bay rise above 170 million gallons," by Tampa Bay Times' Zachary T. Sampson: "An estimated 173 million gallons of wastewater from the old Piney Point phosphate plant property have been discharged to Tampa Bay as of Wednesday afternoon, according to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. The releases through Port Manatee have continued for more than a week after the site's owner, HRK Holdings, reported a leak in a reservoir holding about 480 million gallons of polluted water." — "Florida Senate approves $3 million for Piney Point cleanup," by Tampa Bay Times' Lawrence Mower — "Neo-nazi pleads guilty in journalist threat case," by The Associated Press — "Miami Beach ends curfew after weeks of spring break partying, but some restrictions remain," by Miami Herald's Devoun Cetoute | | | | A message from Floridians for Affordable Rx: It's time to stand up to special interest lobbies trying to increase prescription drug costs for Florida families. Florida's independent pharmacies claim that they're struggling, but during the COVID-19 pandemic, small businesses around the country were forced to close, while there were 20 more independent pharmacies in the state. In fact, there are 13 percent more independent pharmacies in Florida today than there were 10 years ago. In fact, there are 13 percent more independent pharmacies in Florida today than there were 10 years ago. Florida needs a competitive marketplace to reduce Rx costs, not special-interest-backed legislative mandates that restrict the tools used by pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) to reduce Floridians' prescription drug costs. It's time for the independent pharmacies lobby to come to the table with real solutions to lower Rx costs in Florida.
Presented by Floridians for Affordable Rx. Learn More. | | |
| | ODDS, ENDS, AND FLORIDA MEN | | — "FTL cops, mistaking Star Trek memorabilia for weaponry, used excessive force, suit says," by Miami Herald's Christina Saint Louis: "Fort Lauderdale police officers violated civil rights law when they entered the home garage of two city residents and detained them with excessive force, brothers Raymond and Randall Purcell allege in a lawsuit filed Monday against the officers and the city. In depositions, the officers said they felt threatened because of weaponry displayed on the walls — items that the plaintiffs say were harmless Star Trek memorabilia." BIRTHDAYS: Former Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater …. Elizabeth Hirst, CoS for Florida State University President John Thrasher and former press secretary for Gov. Jeb Bush
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