| | | | | |  | | By Gary Fineout | Presented by CVS Health | Hello and welcome to Thursday. The daily rundown — Between Tuesday and Wednesday, the number of Florida coronavirus cases increased by 5,294 (nearly 0.3 percent), to 2,057,735; active hospitalizations rose 7 (0.2 percent) to 2,938; deaths of Florida residents rose by 87 (nearly 0.3 percent) to 33,425; 5,871,740 Floridians have received at least one dose of a vaccine. The Gaetz Chronicles: Day 2 — Well, this story continued to take some jagged twists and turns. Here are some of the highlights: The missing agent — In pushing back to reports about the investigation now underway, GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz has cited an extortion plot that apparently involved a proposal to have his father — former state Senate President Don Gaetz — pay for an effort to look for Robert Levinson, a former FBI agent and hostage in Iran whose family has been told is dead. The pitch was that this would help mitigate Matt Gaetz's legal problems. Wearing a wire — In an interview with POLITICO, Don Gaetz acknowledged that he wore a wire as part of the probe into the extortion plot. Matt Gaetz shared with POLITICO emails that show his father's cooperation with federal authorities was discussed. So, then there's 2 investigations? — But now it appears that the extortion plot occurred after the federal authorities had already launched an investigation into whether Gaetz had improper involvement with a 17-year-old girl. And William Barr knew — POLITICO also reports that starting in the summer of 2020, then-Attorney General William Barr was briefed multiple times on the Gaetz investigation. And in one instance the Department of Justice canceled a Barr appearance at an event with Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee because Gaetz was going to be there. Standing firm (for now) — House Republican leader Kevin McCarty, meanwhile, is resisting calls by Democrats that Gaetz step aside from the House committee that oversees the Department of Justice. "We don't have all the information," he told Fox News. Florida backup — So far several allies of Gaetz in Florida are throwing their support by the congressman, but there's one important voice who has not weighed in yet: Gov. Ron DeSantis. DeSantis and Gaetz have been strong allies, and Gaetz played a key role when the governor first took office. — 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 |  | DATELINE D.C. | |
IMPORTANT DETAILS — "Matt Gaetz's dad says he wore a wire for FBI probe into DOJ extortion claims," by POLITICO's Matt Dixon and Betsy Woodruff Swan: [Attorney General William] Barr and the Office of the Attorney General received multiple briefings on the Gaetz probe, beginning in the summer of 2020, a second person familiar with the probe said. They encouraged Florida prosecutors to move as quickly as they needed to and take whatever steps were appropriate. The briefings were consistent with Barr's memo requiring notification to department leadership on probes of candidates.
Stay away — The briefing was important because — among other reasons — Barr didn't want to accidentally appear anywhere with Gaetz, the person said. At one point, Barr was scheduled for a meet-and-greet with Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee. But DOJ canceled his appearance at the event when they saw that Gaetz, a member of that committee, had RSVP'd for it. THE PITCH — " Gaetz investigation complicated by overture to his father about ex-FBI agent who went missing," by Washington Post's Matt Zapotosky and Devlin Barrett: "The men had learned of the investigation, they wrote to Don Gaetz, and wanted to offer an opportunity to help his son, the people said. He could give a huge sum of money to fund their effort to locate Robert A. Levinson — the longest-held American hostage in Iran, whose family has said they were told he is dead. If the operation were a success, he would win public favor and help alleviate Matt Gaetz's legal woes." Sounds suspicious — "But Don Gaetz, a prominent Florida Republican who once led the state Senate, viewed the communication suspiciously, the people said, speaking on the condition of anonymity to describe a continuing and politically sensitive probe. The investigation into Matt Gaetz's alleged crime — he is suspected of having sex with a 17-year-old girl, as well as funding her travel — was not public knowledge. Fearing his family was being extorted, Don Gaetz contacted the FBI." | 
WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 29: Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-FL, speaks during the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust, Commercial and Administrative Law hearing on Online Platforms and Market Power in the Rayburn House office Building, July 29, 2020 on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. (Photo by Mandel Ngan-Pool/Getty Images) | Mandel Ngan-Pool/Getty Images | THE STRATEGY — "Gaetz runs the Trump playbook for scandal: Keep talking, and talking," by POLITICO's Kyle Cheney and Matt Dixon: Trying to deflect from the threat of a federal criminal investigation for potential trafficking of a minor, Gaetz raced to Twitter, Fox News and other outlets seeking maximum exposure — a flood-the-zone approach reminiscent of Donald Trump's strategy for talking his way through scandal. And so the GOP congressman from Florida, to the bewilderment of legal experts, made himself unavoidable for comment as the threat to his political career began to metastasize. "My hope is that the truth will set me free, so I'm trying to get as much truth out as possible," Gaetz, who represents a Florida panhandle district, said in an interview Wednesday. THE LOCAL ANGLE — "Rep. Matt Gaetz alleges Pensacola attorney behind 'extortion' over DOJ investigation," by Pensacola News Journal's Jim Little: "The News Journal has been unable to reach [David] McGee directly for comment but Beggs & Lane issued a statement Wednesday afternoon refuting Gaetz's claim. 'The allegation by the Congressman is both false and defamatory,' the law firm's statement said. 'Mr. McGee was the Chief Assistant United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida 25 years ago. During his tenure with the Department of Justice, his reputation for integrity and ethical conduct was impeccable. It has remained impeccable throughout his 25-year tenure with our firm. While he was with the DOJ, he would never have entertained a scheme such as what Congressman Gaetz suggests nor would he today. Unsubstantiated allegations do not change that fact.'" THE CENTRAL FLA ANGLE — "New indictment: Joel Greenberg used tax collector funds to buy himself cryptocurrency, Michael Jordan merch," by Orlando Sentinel's Jeff Weiner and Martin E. Comas: "Those and other new allegations were detailed in an indictment filed Tuesday against [Joel] Greenberg — the former Seminole County tax collector's fourth — including charges of wire fraud, conspiracy to bribe a public official and theft of government property. The new indictment charges that Greenberg carried out a scheme to defraud the Tax Collector's Office and Seminole County 'of money and property' — using his elected position to 'embezzle and divert' more than $400,000, including through purchases of digital currency. Connected? — "The latest charges against Greenberg were filed the day the New York Times reported that the investigation of him had led to a probe into potential sex trafficking offenses by his friend U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz, allegedly concerning a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old girl." — "Who is Matt Gaetz? Florida congressman under sex trafficking probe is a 'professional troll ,'" by Orlando Sentinel's Steven Lemongello — "Roger Stone says congressman Matt Gaetz is the victim of a smear," by Sun Sentinel's Anthony Man
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| | TRUMPLANDIA AND THE SWAMP | |
HERE COMES SUSIE — From this morning's D.C. Playbook: Susie Wiles has been tasked with overseeing Trump's fundraising operation and creating a system for issuing endorsements. Notably, she will layer over Trump's former campaign manager BILL STEPIEN and deputy JUSTIN CLARK , as well as the committee of people who currently help decide endorsements. While Trump has expressed frustration with Stepien and Clark — as he has with many of his previous chiefs of staff and campaign managers — he is not firing them.
Wiles — who previously managed the campaigns of Florida Sen. RICK SCOTT and Gov. RON DeSANTIS and led Trump's Florida operation during much of his two campaigns there — has been quietly working behind the scenes for weeks. But Trump has been more vocal about centralizing her power until he's satisfied with the new direction of his political operation. "The president tells everyone around Mar-a-Lago that Susie is now in charge," an adviser said. News of Wiles' appointment was first reported Wednesday night by Insider. MORE FROM MAR-A-LAGO — " Inside the 'Lord of the Flies' factionalism now plaguing Trumpland," by POLITICO's Meridith McGraw and Gabby Orr: Within [Donald] Trump's orbit, former aides and advisers have been squabbling for direct access to the ex-president as they filter in and out of Mar-a-Lago. Privately, they have accused others of overstating that access in order to score House and Senate clients. There have been whisper campaigns that some ex-staffers are misleading potential campaigns by telling them that, if hired, their candidate would have a better chance of securing Trump's endorsement. Sales job — Other ex-Trump aides who have promised to organize posh fundraisers for incumbent Republicans and GOP candidates at Mar-a-Lago have become targets of mockery among their peers, who insist there is no single gatekeeper to Trump's gilded club, where donors regularly gather to hear from the party's rising stars. Recalling a recent fundraiser at Mar-a-Lago for one incumbent Republican, a Trump aide was incredulous that another had claimed to those in attendance that he was instrumental for arranging such gatherings — and, naturally, should be hired as a fundraising consultant for them.
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| | ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... | |
BY THE NUMBERS DAY 30 — State lawmakers on Wednesday hit the midway point of the 60-day session. This year, nearly 1,900 bills and proposed constitutional amendments were filed. (This total doesn't include memorials, resolutions or appropriation project bills.) Just one bill has passed so far and been sent to the governor. So now that legislators are starting to edge closer to the final countdown, let's go ahead and say it: Bills are dying.
DISHING IT OUT — " DeSantis pitches $1,000 bonuses for Florida teachers, principals," by Tampa Bay Times' Marlene Sokol: "Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday proposed $1,000 bonuses for Florida classroom teachers and principals, describing them as a reward for educators who have kept the state's schools open during the pandemic. He announced the $216 million plan during an event at Palm Harbor University High School that also served as a victory lap for his administration's decision to offer in-person classes five days a week while other states kept schools closed." BITTERSWEET — "After sugar's $11 million flex, Florida lawmakers push to protect industry," by Miami Herald's Mary Ellen Klas: "If you live near the Everglades Agricultural Area and years of inhaling black ash and smoke from sugarcane burning have caused long-term health problems and you want to sue, Florida legislators are giving bi-partisan support to a bill that considers those lawsuits a nuisance, too. Florida's powerful sugar industry spent more than $11 million on Florida campaigns in the 2020 cycle, according to records provided by the Florida Division of Elections and analyzed by the Times/Herald Tallahassee Bureau." TURF WARS — "Courthouse site sparks rare public GOP conflict in Florida Legislature," by Tampa Bay Times' Lawrence Mower: "A 2016 study commissioned by the Legislature said the judges needed a new courthouse built in Pinellas or Hillsborough counties. Instead, the Florida Senate is proposing spending $50 million this year on a new courthouse in Lakeland, about 35 miles to the east." Draw the lines — "The abrupt decision to build a new courthouse in Lakeland — and away from population centers in Tampa Bay — drew rare objections from lawmakers on Wednesday and pit two neighboring regions and their representatives against each other. The $50 million was included in this year's Senate's budget, which is controlled by Sen. Kelli Stargel, a Republican who lives in Lakeland. Her husband, John Stargel, lives there, too. He's a judge on the 2nd District Court of Appeal." REVERBERATIONS? — "Will Florida's transgender sports bill hurt business?" by Tampa Bay Times' Kirby Wilson: "A spokeswoman for the NCAA, Gail Dent, did not say whether the organization would pull events from Florida if the state enacts a ban on transgender participation in school-sponsored women and girls' sports. However, in a statement, Dent said the organization 'continues to closely monitor state bills that impact transgender student-athlete participation." Warnings — "During a Senate Health Policy Committee meeting Wednesday — the international Transgender Day of Visibility — Democrats said Florida could face consequences from national organizations if the state passes discriminatory legislation. The lawmakers cited the NCAA's actions to pull events from North Carolina after that state passed a divisive 'bathroom bill' in 2016." 'If we go down this route, I'll put it out there: I hope the NCAA pulls out of Florida,' said Democratic Sen. Shevrin Jones, D-Miami Gardens." QUIET CHANGE — "State backs off policy that removed more than 1,700 ex-foster kids from Medicaid," by News Service of Florida's Christine Sexton: "Gov. Ron DeSantis' administration has quietly backed away from a policy that removed 1,730 former foster children from the state's Medicaid rolls over the past six years in apparent violation of federal law. Since January, the Department of Children and Families has waived a state policy that required all former foster children to reapply for Medicaid when they turned age 22, even though they continued to qualify for the program until they were 26 under federal law." THE BUDGET COMETH — "Despite federal COVID relief aid, Florida Republican leaders outline budget cuts," by Sarasota Herald-Tribune's John Kennedy: " Hospitals and universities still face deep cuts in budget plans advanced Wednesday by House and Senate committees that can use billions of dollars in aid from the Democratic-controlled Congress to keep state programs afloat for the coming year. About $8 billion of the more than $10 billion coming to Florida under the Biden administration's American Rescue Plan is scattered across the House spending plan, with another $2 billion put into reserves. The Senate, though, holds off on spending any of this cash for now." — " Four Florida prisons could close as lawmakers consider $140 million in cuts," by Miami Herald's Ana Ceballos — "Amid revenue uncertainty, Florida lawmakers wade into budget," by Associated Press' Bobby Caina Calvan
| | | |   | | |
| | CORONAVIRUS UPDATES | |
TOO SHY SHY? — "Florida governor to get COVID-19 vaccine this week," by Associated Press: "DeSantis, 42, will join about 6 million people in Florida who have already received at least the first dose of a vaccine. The state has a population of 21.5 million people. He didn't give details about when or where he'll get his shot. 'I'm not sure we're going to do it on camera, we'll see. If you guys want a gun show, maybe we can do it, but probably better off not,' DeSantis said at a news conference. 'We will let you know when I get the jab.'"
— " In Central Florida virtual town hall, Fauci reveals 'major' investment in 'long hauler' COVID research," by Orlando Sentinel's Kate Santich | | CAMPAIGN MODE | |
ON THE ROAD — "Rick Scott heads to Iowa in new, powerful position defined by a familiar theme: money," by Miami Herald's Alex Daugherty: "On Thursday, Scott will make his first in-person appearance in an early 2024 state: a reception in Cedar Rapids, Iowa with Sen. Joni Ernst, Iowa GOP chairman Jeff Kaufman and Rep. Ashley Hinson. Scott, like most presidential hopefuls, isn't publicly stating his intentions to run three years out. And former President Donald Trump will likely have the field mostly to himself should he choose to mount a third campaign. But Scott has used his NRSC position and relationship with Trump to position himself as a MAGA-friendly candidate who is also palatable to the GOP establishment. 'I'm talking to people all over the country on a daily basis,' Scott said in a recent interview."
— "Nikki Fried 'very close' to 2022 challenge to 'egotistical' Ron DeSantis," by Florida Politics' A.G. Gancarski
| | | | JOIN PLAYBOOK TODAY FOR A CONVERSATION WITH RON KLAIN : The Biden administration is full speed ahead with an ambitious vaccination timeline, the deployment of $1.9 trillion in pandemic relief, and a multitrillion dollar infrastructure plan. But the White House is also dealing with a mounting crisis at the border, the aftermath of back-to-back mass shootings, and a looming showdown over the Senate filibuster. Join Playbook co-author Ryan Lizza for a conversation with White House chief of staff Ron Klain to discuss Biden's agenda in the coming months and how the administration plans to address the challenges facing the nation. REGISTER HERE. | | | | |
| | PENINSULA AND BEYOND | |
THIS DOESN'T SOUND GOOD — "Polluted wastewater from Piney Point continues to be released into Tampa Bay," by Sarasota Herald-Tribune's Jesse Mendoza: "Polluted wastewater with high levels of nitrogen and phosphorus continued to flow into Tampa Bay from the former Piney Point fertilizer processing plant Wednesday under an emergency order from state environmental regulators. The water is being released through the Port of Manatee at a rate of about 11,000 gallons per minute, or more than an estimated 14 million gallons per day, to relieve pressure on the walls of a giant containment reservoir at Piney Point, according to Florida Department of Environmental Protection documents."
WATER WARS — "Suwannee water district challenges judge's ruling over Nestle plant," by POLITICO's Bruce Ritchie: The legal and bureaucratic battle over a proposed Nestlé Waters bottling plant in North Florida is not going away. A water management board that issued a pumping permit for the plant along the Santa Fe River now says it is appealing an administrative law judge's ruling that recommended approval of the pumping operation. — "Hackers demand up to $40 million in ransom from Broward schools," by Sun Sentinel's Scott Travis — "Two former Hillsborough commissioners join lobbying firm," by Tampa Bay Times' C.T. Bowen
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| | ODDS, ENDS, AND FLORIDA MEN | |
— "No prison time for transgender ex-neo-Nazi in threat case," by Associated Press's Gene Johnson: "A federal judge declined to impose prison time Wednesday on a former member of a neo-Nazi ring that threatened journalists, finding that the 21-year-old — who concealed his transgender identity from his co-conspirators — had already suffered enough in his young life. Taylor Parker-Dipeppe, of Spring Hill, Florida, was charged in early 2020 along with three other members of the Atomwaffen Division, a white supremacist group."
BIRTHDAYS: Former Rep. Peter Deutsch
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