| | | | | |  | | By Gary Fineout | Presented by the Coalition for Affordable Prescription Drugs | Hello and welcome to Thursday. It's Day 59 — Two more days to go in this year's 60-day regular session. The past 24-hours were dizzying even for the Florida Legislature. Split-screen — The day began with Senate Democrats openly at odds with their leader, accusing Sen. Gary Farmer of not protecting them. By late Wednesday night, Democrats were despondent and demoralized, with one legislator going as far as to privately call Republicans "monsters" after they used procedural moves to resurrect and push through a bill banning transgender athletes from playing girls' and women's sports. OK, who's got the caucus rules? — The feuding over Farmer — which apparently led to not one, but two separate meetings to dump him only to have him "resign" — consumed Democrats for hours. (It would seem that once the first 'no confidence' vote was held that should have been enough, but whatever.) The reasoning for pushing out Farmer remains disjointed (gambling bill? Presidential search bill? His personality? Revenge?) and of course comes just as the final frantic moments of the session are here. And speaking of that — Democrats in both chambers, who should realize the Legislature can do almost anything, including resurrect a bill from the dead, were blindsided by Senate Republicans who (once again) bowed to the will of House Republicans and pushed through the transgender bill in a matter of a few hours late Thursday. (What did Senate President Wilton Simpson get in return? Was it a promise that one of his top priorities get signed by the governor?) Raw power — We will wait to see the potential recriminations over the transgender bill and whether the NCAA pulls events from the state, or businesses express their displeasure. But the tension on the Senate floor before the vote was remarkable. Scenes from the debate — One GOP senator — Gayle Harrell — had to be escorted off the floor at one point. (She was the lone Republican to vote no.) At another point, a top staffer gave tissues to a senator in the back. Sen. Victor Torres, an Orlando Democrat, spoke at length about having a transgender grandchild. Bill sponsor Sen. Kelli Stargel stumbled over "LGBTQ" and said it was a "choice." Stargel later apologized and said she had been called a "witch" and "monster" but she pressed on with the vote anyway saying that there was a difference between men and women and the legislation was needed. Forty-eight more hours to go. The daily rundown — Between Tuesday and Wednesday, the number of Florida coronavirus cases increased by 5,178 (0.2 percent), to 2,222,546; active hospitalizations decreased by 50 (nearly 1.5 percent), to 3,299; deaths of Florida residents rose by 72 (0.2 percent), to 35,030; 8,684,024 Floridians have received at least one dose of a vaccine. — WHERE'S RON? — Gov. DeSantis is scheduled to be in Orlando Thursday night with four other governors for a town hall moderated by Fox News' Laura Ingraham. 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 ... | | SHUT OUT — "In surprise move, Florida lawmakers pass contentious bill banning trans student athletes," by POLITICO's Andrew Atterbury: "The Florida Legislature late Wednesday unexpectedly rekindled — and passed — a controversial bill banning transgender athletes from playing girls' and women's sports that had been dormant at the statehouse since the Senate abandoned the proposal last week. House members tacked the contentious measure on to a charter school package that lawmakers passed back and forth Wednesday, bringing the policy back from the dead and sending it to Gov. Ron DeSantis. The GOP-controlled House tweaked the language referring to the ban on transgender student athletes, claiming it was a comprise — but Democrats contended that wasn't the case. UPHEAVAL — "Democratic turmoil: Long-simmering tension boils over as Florida senators oust their leader," by Sun Sentinel's Skyler Swisher and Orlando Sentinel's Gray Rohrer: "Simmering tensions plunged Florida Senate Democrats into turmoil on Wednesday with a vote of no confidence in their leader and infighting that pitted two Broward lawmakers against each other. When the dust settled, Sen. Gary Farmer was jettisoned as Democratic leader in exchange for Sen. Lauren Book, another Broward County lawmaker." | 
AP Photo | FOLLOW THE BOUNCING BALL — As expected the Florida House on Wednesday passed the contentious election bill by a 77-40 vote following an extensive debate where Republicans heralded the measure as a way to preserve "election integrity" while Democrats decried as a way to suppress the vote. But Senate President Wilton Simpson talking to reporters late Wednesday said that it's not a done deal. Simpson said that GOP senators in his chamber have "concerns" about parts of the House bill, which includes a requirement to present ID in order to use a ballot drop box. Simpson said the Senate would amend the bill and send it back to the House. Tick, tick, tick. WHO CARES WHAT THE VOTERS SAY — "Legislators revive, then pass, preemption on Key West cruise referendum," by Miami Herald's Mary Ellen Klas: "A day after citizens of Key West thought the legislation aimed at overturning their vote to limit cruise ship traffic appeared dead, Republican legislative leaders quickly reversed course Wednesday and powered it past Democrats to send it to the governor. Sen. Jim Boyd, the Bradenton Republican who sponsored the original bill that stalled earlier this week in the House, attached an amendment to an unrelated Senate transportation bill declaring that 'any local ballot initiative or referendum may not restrict maritime commerce' at any one of Florida's 15 deep-water ports. The provision is retroactive, applying the ban to three referendums approved by 60% of Key West voters in November." WATERLOGGED — "Florida Legislature agrees on $50M for Lake Okeechobee water storage wells," by POLITICO's Bruce Ritchie: The House and Senate agreed Wednesday to spend $50 million annually for water storage north of Lake Okeechobee in a move opposed by environmentalists. The details: The House accepted a Senate offer on FL SB2516 (21R), an implementing bill and priority of Senate President Wilton Simpson. Storage north of the lake supports lake levels that maintain supplies for water utilities and farms. THE PROMISES, PROMISES BILL — " Florida lawmakers eye change to property insurance in wake of soaring rates," by Tampa Bay Times' Lawrence Mower: "In a scramble to stop Florida's soaring homeowners insurance rates, state lawmakers are close to passing a bill that would reduce the amount of time to file a claim and allow Citizens Property Insurance to raise its rates above 10 percent. The Florida House voted 74-43 on Wednesday on a bill that would reduce the time to file a property insurance claim from three years to two years and stop contractors and public adjusters from soliciting homeowners to file a claim. While homeowners' insurance rates have been rising, state lawmakers, including Republicans in the House and Senate, are split on how best to address it." UP IN THE AIR — "DeSantis-backed social media censorship bill faces uncertain future," by POLITICO's Matt Dixon: A social media bill that's a top priority for Gov. Ron DeSantis faces an uncertain future as the Legislature winds down after the House on Wednesday amended the measure and sent it back to the Senate. The legislation has become a key part of the final days of session with both the House and Senate generally in favor of cracking down on what they say is social media "censorship," but both sides have not yet agreed on the specifics. That back and forth comes with less than three days left in the legislative session and a reelection-focused DeSantis pushing hard for the measure. — "Wilton Simpson suggests increased unemployment benefits dead for this session," by Florida Politics' Renzo Downey — "For families trying to make ends meet, FL moms and babies will get extension for Medicaid health care," by Florida Phoenix's Isaac Morgan — "Vaccine 'passport' ban clears House," by Florida Politics' Haley Brown — "Legal age for vaping to increase to 21 in bill headed to DeSantis," by News Service of Florida — "Florida legislators have deal on tap for 'alcohol to go' from restaurants to become permanent," by News Service of Florida's Jim Turner | | | | JOIN TUESDAY FOR A CONVERSATION ON SMALL BUSINESSES POST-COVID-19: About one in six small businesses closed their doors since the pandemic began. The small businesses that remained open are getting by with fewer employees after laying off workers or a hiring freeze. What is ahead for small businesses in 2021 as they try to weather the ongoing economic uncertainty? And how does President Biden's $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package intend to support small-business owners? Join POLITICO for a virtual conversation on what small businesses need to survive and thrive beyond the Covid economic crisis. REGISTER HERE. | | | | |
| | CAMPAIGN MODE | | DISAPPEARING ACT — "When this Florida woman was an NPA candidate for state Senate, she was moving to Sweden," by Miami Herald's Samantha J. Gross and McClatchy's Kevin G. Hall and Dagens Nyheter's Mattias Carlsson: "A Central Florida woman who ran as an independent for the state Senate kept a low profile and hardly campaigned. But before she even filed to run, she applied for residency in Sweden, and the day before the November 2020 election, she pressed immigration officials to accelerate her request. The short-lived political career of Jestine Iannotti and her journey from the Sunshine State to Scandinavia is stranger than fiction, and involves advertisements entangled with dark money political groups and the resettling of a young family halfway across the world." Nothing suspicious about this — "Working together, the Miami Herald, McClatchy and the Swedish daily newspaper Dagens Nyheter tracked down the one-time no-party state Senate candidate in Florida to a suburb of the Swedish capital of Stockholm, where she is living with her boyfriend and their 16-month-old twin sons. When a reporter approached her there to ask questions, Iannotti fled into her ground-floor apartment, and later again refused to talk when spotted on her porch." FIRST IN PLAYBOOK — Coinciding with the 100th day of the administration of President Joe Biden, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee has launched a "five-figure" digital ad buy on YouTube going after Sen. Marco Rubio. The 30-second ad highlights Biden's American Rescue Plan — which Rubio opposed — and then ends by stating, "No thanks to Marco Rubio and Senate Republicans." DSCC executive director Christie Roberts said in a statement that "in 100 days, Senate Democrats have delivered Americans more COVID vaccines, $1,400 checks and helped re-open our businesses and schools — while Rubio has done nothing but stand in the way of Florida's recovery. Making sure Americans get back on track after the pandemic will be a defining issue of the 2022 campaign, and Floridians will hold Rubio accountable for voting against the checks, shots and jobs they need." OPTIONS — "Bracy could run for Demings' seat in Congress if she runs for governor," by Orlando Sentinel's Gray Rohrer: "If U.S. Rep. Val Demings opts to run for governor in 2022, Democratic state Sen. Randolph Bracy of Ocoee will likely run to replace her, forgoing a race for governor himself that he has been considering, a source close to Bracy said. Politico reported last week that Demings is seriously considering challenging Gov. Ron DeSantis or U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio next year. Bracy has released a video and has been eyeing a run for governor himself, but if Demings were to jump in the race he'd give up hopes of a statewide run." GROWING FIELD — "Florida progressive Democrat jumps into crowded race for Hastings seat," by POLITICO's Gary Fineout: The likelihood of so many candidates jostling for the seat could easily open a path for [State Rep. Omari] Hardy, who in a campaign video announcing his decision said he would advocate for the Green New Deal and legislation guaranteeing basic income payments. "We have a once-in-a-generational opportunity to end establishment politics and be the bold progressive voice that working class people in this country need," said Hardy. He also name dropped progressive firebrand Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York in the video by saying his support for progressive legislative proposals "isn't imitating AOC, but responding to what I see." — "Democrats fume over silence from DeSantis on Florida election," by The Hill's Max Greenwood | | Bidenology | | | 
President Joe Biden gives his first address to a joint session of Congress on April 28, 2021. And he noted another first: "Madam Speaker, Madam Vice President—no president has ever said those words, and it's about time." he said. | Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images | EXPECTED REACTION — "Biden speech: Frankel, Mast and Deutch react on how South Florida will gain, or not," by Palm Beach Post's Antonio Fins: "President Biden's speech to a joint session of Congress on Wednesday evening got a partisan reaction in Palm Beach County. Biden's speech included a reference to a Florida educator who the president said wept from 'joy' and 'relief' upon getting the coronavirus vaccine. 'A dose of hope for the educator in Florida who has a child who suffers from an auto-immune disease,' Biden said near the start of his speech. 'She wrote to me that she was worried about bringing the virus home. When she got vaccinated, she sat in her car and just cried. Cried out of joy, cried out of relief.'" — "Liberal group pushes Biden to take 'urgent' action on Puerto Rico in new report," by McClatchy's Alex Roarty and El Nuevo Herald's Syra Ortiz-Blanes | | | |   | | | | | DATELINE D.C. | | TRY, TRY AGAIN — "Bill to permanently ban offshore oil drilling in Gulf of Mexico reintroduced in U.S. House," by Sarasota Herald-Tribune's Jesse Mendoza: "Legislation to permanently ban offshore oil drilling in the Gulf of Mexico near the Florida west coast was reintroduced in the U.S. House on Monday. U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, D-Tampa, and a bipartisan group of 19 other Florida representatives including Vern Buchanan, R-Longboat Key, and Matt Gaetz, R-Fort Walton Beach, introduced H.R. 2836 on Monday. Known as the Florida Coastal Protection Act, the bill would extend an existing moratorium in the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006, which bans leasing in eastern portions of the Gulf of Mexico for oil and gas production purposes through June 2022." | | CORONAVIRUS UPDATES | | LEFT OUT — "How Florida's COVID-19 vaccine rollout is leaving essential farmworkers behind," by PBS NewsHour's Daniel Bush: "'I know other [undocumented immigrants] who aren't getting [the vaccine] because they think they'll get arrested' if they show up without an ID, [Maria] Martinez said in Spanish on a recent evening, as she waited at the vaccination clinic for her first shot. But the risk was worth it, she added. 'If you don't get the vaccine, you can get sick and die.' Florida opened up access to the COVID-19 vaccine to all adult residents on April 5. But the stringent proof of residency requirement has created a significant obstacle for undocumented workers, many of whom hold seasonal agriculture or food industry jobs and have helped keep Florida's economy afloat during the past year." — "COVID-19: Florida lags behind other big states in vaccinating public," by Palm Beach Post's Chris Persaud — " Disney World pays staff to get COVID-19 vaccine, as other Orlando companies successfully promote shots," by Orlando Sentinel's Austin Fuller — "Republican State Sen. Manny Diaz calls Centner Academy's stance on COVID vaccine 'pretty ridiculous' & 'dangerous,'" by CBS Miami's Jim DeFede | | | | 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 | | 'HE WILL BE VINDICATED'— "Robert Runcie pleads not guilty to perjury. Case continues despite his offer to resign," by Sun Sentinel's Rafael Olmeda and Marc Freeman: "Superintendent Robert Runcie will still face a perjury charge despite his offer to resign after nearly 10 years leading the Broward Schools, according to attorneys for both sides. Runcie formally pleaded not guilty Wednesday, again asking a judge to dismiss the perjury charge, which accuses him of lying to a statewide grand jury. The plea came a day after he offered his resignation to the Broward School Board. The details of Runcie's separation still must be tackled." TURNED DOWN — "Court upholds conviction of officer in slaying of Black man," by Associated Press' Terry Spencer: "A Florida police officer who gunned down a Black motorist whose car had broken down six years ago could legally be convicted of both manslaughter and attempted first-degree murder, a state appeals court ruled Wednesday. The court said that unusual combination did not constitute double jeopardy. The Fourth District Court of Appeal rejected the contention by Nouman Raja's attorneys that his 2019 convictions and 25-year prison sentence for the shooting of Corey Jones should be overturned." | | | | 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 | | — "Popular Publix 'Pub Sub' Twitter account shows life again after going dark for month," by Tampa Bay Times' Josh Fiallo: "The popular Twitter account that notifies people when Publix chicken tender subs go on sale is back. After being abandoned for over a month because of legal pressure from lawyers at Publix, the account @PubSubs_on_sale tweeted again Tuesday afternoon. The account posted a "thank you" to its followers, followed by a familiar announcement that has made the account a must-follow to Pub Sub consumers since 2017: Yes, Publix chicken tender subs are on sale this week for $6.99." BIRTHDAYS: State Sen. Gary Farmer … veteran Florida photographer Mark Wallheiser … former State Rep. Renier Diaz de la Portilla
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