| | | | | |  | | By Gary Fineout | Presented by the Coalition for Affordable Prescription Drugs | Hello and welcome to Monday. Ticking away the moments — So here we are yet again — 55 days of the annual Florida Legislature session gone — and just five days of wall-to-wall action left. Different from the rest — It's been an extremely odd session by all accounts as the Capitol has remain largely closed and a fair amount of deal-making was probably done in nearby restaurants and bars rather than the nearly-silent halls. A review — Even though the past year and the Covid-19 pandemic should have loomed large in the minds of lawmakers, it didn't. Instead, legislators chewed up hours delving into culture war issues and pushing bills designed to pump up the Republican base, such as the "anti-riot" measure first touted by Gov. Ron DeSantis while he campaigning next to Donald Trump. Legislators also appear poised to push through legislation sought after by corporate interests and business groups. What's it in store? — Regular Floridians may get some tax holidays, but unemployment benefits appear likely to remain the lowest in the nation, all online purchases will now get taxed, and we'll see about those insurance revamps. (Let's just say promises of rate savings and rate stability have constantly been of the piecrust variety: Easily made, easily broken.) The checklist — Along the way to this moment some contentious legislation has been jettisoned. DeSantis has had another successful session, but it's not over yet and a couple of big priorities (such as much sought-after crackdown on tech companies) are still in up in the air. Florida's GOP legislative leaders have gotten some, but not all of what was on their wish list (although there's time left to fix that). And of course, now there's a special session on gambling right around the corner. — WHERE'S RON? — Nothing official announced for Gov. Ron DeSantis. The daily rundown — Between Saturday and Sunday, the number of Florida coronavirus cases increased by 4,671 (0.2 percent), to 2,208,584; active hospitalizations decreased by 818 (nearly 25 percent), to 2,455; deaths of Florida residents rose by 36 (0.1 percent), to 34,848; 8,512,825 Floridians have received at least one dose of a vaccine 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 ... | | THE FINAL COUNTDOWN — "Florida House and Senate set to clash over unresolved issues in last week of session," by POLITICO's Matt Dixon: The Legislature is on the cusp of passing a long-sought gaming deal once considered unachievable. Lawmakers won't make cuts to Medicaid spending next year. The education budget, the largest funding pot in the entire spending plan, is in the books. And thanks to a post-pandemic bounce back and billions from the Biden administration, the state has more money than it knows how to spend. No fireworks so far — The House and Senate have major priorities hammered out headed into the final week of the legislative session, which overall featured few major public policy clashes or cross-chamber feuds. But it's not finished yet. The Senate and House haven't resolved data privacy measures, how to dole out billions in federal stimulus funds, and both chambers have unfinished business in education and insurance, among other areas. With just five days left, the outstanding issues could test what has been a relatively stress-free relationship between Senate President Wilton Simpson and House Speaker Chris Sprowls. | 
Florida Rep. Chris Sprowls speaks in Tallahassee, Fla. | Lynne Sladky/AP Photo | LIGHTNING ROUND AHEAD — With five days left to go in this year's session, Florida legislators have passed 75 bills so far. Last year, the Florida Legislature sent more than 200 bills to Gov. Ron DeSantis. SESSION A-B-C — "Florida has major education proposals still on the table in 2021," by POLITICO's Andrew Atterbury: The Senate on Monday is slated to consider legislation that would grant colleges, universities and the state Board of Education legal protections from Covid-19 lawsuits. If senators take the House version of this proposal, which has morphed into a full-on higher-education package, it will call into question the fate of contentious policy changes surrounding Bright Futures scholarships. The House bill, FL HB1261 (21R), includes two policies that the Senate sought in its legislation to reconfigure Bright Futures: a dashboard on career and debt data and new parameters for schools tied to financial aid. However, the bill notably lacks the most controversial piece of the Senate measure that specifies future award amounts for top Bright Futures scholarships that would be set in the state budget starting in 2021-22. FINISHING UP — "Budget deal avoids health cuts, gives boost to Florida teachers," by News Service of Florida's Christine Sexton: "After a week of largely out-of-sight budget negotiations, Florida lawmakers have ironed out many major spending differences and are on track to wrap up the 2021 regular legislative session on time. House and Senate budget chiefs on Friday night publicly accepted compromises on spending on health care, education and prisons. Some of the key decisions included backing off hundreds of millions of dollars in proposed Medicaid cuts for hospitals and nursing homes that have spent the past year dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic." WHAT'S IN YOUR WALLET? — "Florida gambling deal could bring in $2.5 billion," by News Service of Florida's Dara Kam: "Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Seminole Tribe finalized a 30-year gambling agreement on Friday, inking a deal that would deliver at least $2.5 billion to Florida over the next five years in exchange for giving the tribe control over statewide sports betting. Tribal leaders, including Chairman Marcellus Osceola Jr., joined DeSantis in his Tallahassee office for a ceremonial signing of the deal, known as a 'compact.' 'We truly believe that this is the best deal for everybody. It's not in favor of the tribe or the state. It's in favor of both parties, because this is a long-lasting team,' Osceola said." BUT A LEGAL BATTLE APPEARS INEVITABLE — "Florida reaches new gambling agreement with Seminole Tribe," by Associated Press' Terry Spencer and Bobby Caina Calvan: "Miami billionaire Norman Braman, a leader of the group of business owners and others opposed to gambling's expansion as a detriment to South Florida, said Friday they will try to block the agreement in the Legislature. If that fails, he said they will challenge it in court as a violation of a 2018 initiative overwhelmingly approved by voters that says casino-style gambling can't be expanded off tribal lands unless it garners at least 60% support on a statewide ballot measure." 'THERE IS NOTHING IN THIS LEGISLATION THAT HELPS THEM' — "Property insurance bill clears final Florida House committee despite homeowner complaints," by Sarasota Herald-Tribune's Zac Anderson: "A series of homeowners and attorneys testified before the House Commerce Committee that the legislation would make it easier for insurance companies to lowball homeowners with legitimate claims. Homeowners who struggled to get their claims paid after Hurricane Michael slammed the Panhandle told the committee their insurers did not offer enough money to cover the full cost of the damages, with some saying they still are battling with their carriers after more than two years. They criticized multiple provisions in the bill. Insurance lawyer Amy Boggs said the bill 'feels very punitive' and will 'hurt homeowners.'" — "A family affair: Lawmakers move families to Tallahassee for 60-day legislative session," by Tallahassee Democrat's Tori Lynn Schneider — "Police reform bill gains momentum in legislature, days after Chauvin verdict," by Miami Herald's Ana Ceballos — "Florida House OKs bill to ban abortions based on disability," by The Associated Press' Brendan Farrington — "Florida's online sales tax is now law. So what does this mean when you click 'Buy?'" by Miami Herald's Howard Cohen | | | | JOIN TODAY FOR A PLAYBOOK INTERVIEW WITH ENERGY SECRETARY GRANHOLM : President Biden's $2 trillion infrastructure and climate plan includes boosting investment in clean energy and significantly cutting fossil fuel emissions. Can the administration meet its climate targets? Join Playbook co-author Tara Palmeri for a virtual interview with Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm on the administration's plans to embrace renewable energy, electric vehicles and new solar technologies as part of Biden's call for an energy transition. REGISTER HERE. | | | | |
| | CAMPAIGN MODE | | WHAT HAPPENS IN ORLANDO — "House GOP takes its wild post-Trump ride to Florida," by POLITICO's Melanie Zanona: House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, who has adopted a big tent approach to keep his troops united, is eager to paper over those problems in his quest to win back the House — and with it, the speaker's gavel. So for the next three days in the Sunshine State, GOP leaders are determined to keep the spotlight on their policy plans and away from the party's most extreme names, in effect previewing the strategy that they think can clinch them the majority next fall. "There's going to be a very substantive policy focus," House GOP Conference Chair Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) told reporters back in Washington before the gathering's Sunday kickoff. BUT THEN THERE'S THIS — "'It's not over,' Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, other conservatives tell America First Rally in Indian River County," by Treasure Coast Newspapers Joshua Solomon: "The local Republican Party rolled out a litany of speakers Saturday pushing conspiracy theories and election denial, headlined by U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, before at least 300 people at an America First Rally. The controversial event at the Indian River County Fairgrounds & Expo Center was condemned by the Indian River County Democratic Party. It drew an excited crowd of conservatives wearing Trump paraphernalia. They often stood to applaud charges that the 2020 election was stolen from Donald Trump." VAL'S MOVES — Last week, Rep. Val Demings told us she was seriously considering a statewide bid in Florida against Sen. Marco Rubio or Gov. Ron DeSantis. Now we're getting word she's building a team for that by hiring a new adviser, Zack Carroll, who managed current DNC Chair Jaime Harrison's 2020 U.S. Senate campaign. (h/t Marc Caputo) ON THE ROAD — Gov. Ron DeSantis keeps brushing aside talk of 2024 aspirations. But he's starting to add out-of-state visits to his calendar. Pennsylvania news outlets reported late last week that the Republican governor is slated to speak to the Allegheny County Republican Party on May 20. Meanwhile, former Nevada Attorney General Adam Laxalt's PAC — Morning in Nevada — announced that DeSantis will be a featured speaker at the 6th Annual Basque Fry on August 14 in Nevada. Laxalt, who mounted an unsuccessful bid for governor in 2018, has been good friends with DeSantis for years. — "State Sen. Bobby Powell 'strongly considering' running for Congress to succeed Alcee Hastings, sees 'pathway to victory,'" by Sun Sentinel's Anthony Man — " Money flows to Scott Franklin, Greg Steube despite Jan. 6 votes to toss out presidential results," by The Ledger's Gary White | | | |   | | |
| | CORONAVIRUS UPDATES | | SPLITTING FROM DESANTIS — "Rick Scott wants action to get cruise ships back and would support vaccine requirements," by Palm Beach Post's Wendy Rhodes: "U.S. Senate Democrats sank Rick Scott's legislation aimed at restarting the drydocked cruise industry, but the Republican Senator from Florida still insists federal health officials must move quickly to provide detailed guidelines to get the industry sailing again. To that end, Scott said, if cruise lines, as private businesses, decide requiring proof of vaccinations is in the best interest of their crews and passengers, he would support that. 'Absolutely,' he said of the idea of so-called vaccine passports. 'I don't want government to do it, but if a business wants to set standards on how they are going to do their business, I completely understand that.'" — "Where are the millions who aren't getting vaccinated? Florida won't say," by Tampa Bay Times' Megan Reeves and Allison Ross — "Florida resumes Johnson & Johnson vaccination shots," by Associated Press | | DATELINE D.C. | | SCOTT WEIGHS IN — "Congress needs to come together on policing: GOP Sen. Rick Scott," by ABC News' Meg Cunningham: "The National Republican Senatorial Committee chairman suggested to [George] Stephanopoulos that when it came to police reform, Democrats did not want to negotiate with the Republican proposal, led by Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., on policing. 'I'm disappointed with the Democrats. Tim Scott worked hard last year on police reform bill, and the Democrats blocked it in the filibuster, so all of us would like to make sure we keep our communities safe,' he said. [Rick] Scott said he was hoping to find common ground on 'best practices,' pointing to parts of [Tim] Scott's proposal that would increase transparency and incentivize doing away with chokeholds." | | TRUMPLANDIA AND THE SWAMP | | STILL AT IT — "Michael Flynn and Roger Stone urge Trump fans to stay politically active at Bradenton rally," by Sarasota Herald-Tribune's Zac Anderson: "A mall parking lot in Bradenton offered a glimpse Saturday into the future of the MAGA movement, as Michael Flynn and Roger Stone — a pair of prominent figures on the right — rallied a large crowd still seething about the presidential election. With many wondering how big of a force former President Donald Trump, his combative style of politics and his base will be on the political scene now that he is out of office, and how much he will drive the GOP's agenda, the rally showcased the abiding enthusiasm among Trump's most ardent supporters and their continued focus on his biggest issues, including Big Tech censorship and unfounded election fraud complaints." — "Florida man arrested in Capitol riot said he was breaking into White House, feds say," by Orlando Sentinel's David Harris — "Donald Trump, preferring New Jersey, reportedly plans to escape Florida's summer heat," by Sun Sentinel's Anthony Man | | | | 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. | | | | |
| | Gaetz-gate | | THE GREEN CONNECTION — "Pot, planes and politics: How medical marijuana links players in Matt Gaetz sex trafficking probe," by USA Today Network – Florida's Jeffrey Schweers: "Matt Gaetz, Halsey Beshears and Dr. Jason Pirozzolo have more in common than a plane trip to the Bahamas that led to the Department of Justice launching an investigation of Gaetz and sex trafficking allegations. Gaetz sponsored the first legislation to legalize medical marijuana in Florida, Beshears' family would profit off the law through their nursery and Pirozzolo and a partner would create a consulting firm that would lead to a stake in a major medical marijuana company." — " Matt Gaetz opponent wants media to focus on his victims rather than his 'political theater,'" by Raw Story's Ray Hartmann | | PENINSULA AND BEYOND | | WARNING — "Sheriff's Office backs away from 'anti-riot' law, worried that people's civil rights could be violated," by Sun Sentinel's Eileen Kelley: "Broward sheriff's deputies are being told not to enforce Florida's new anti-rioting law unless absolutely necessary. In those cases, they must run it up the chain of command before taking action, according to an internal memo obtained by the South Florida Sun Sentinel. Col. David R. Holmes, the agency's executive director of law enforcement, emailed roughly 30 district captains Wednesday to say the anti-rioting law threatened to diminish the Sheriff's Office's attempts to connect with the community." UM, WHAT? — "Minutes before Trump left office, millions of the Pentagon's dormant IP addresses sprang to life," by The Washington Post's Craig Timberg and Paul Sonne: "While the world was distracted with President Donald Trump leaving office on Jan. 20, an obscure Florida company discreetly announced to the world's computer networks a startling development: It now was managing a huge unused swath of the Internet that, for several decades, had been owned by the U.S. military. What happened next was stranger still. The company, Global Resource Systems LLC, kept adding to its zone of control. Soon it had claimed 56 million IP addresses owned by the Pentagon. Three months later, the total was nearly 175 million." — "Crump calls for probe into Florida sheriff's office," by Associated Press — "Protesters march for Ma'Khia Bryant in Miami. New police chief makes an appearance," by Miami Herald's Devoun Cetoute | | | | 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 | | — "Michael Lohan, father of Lindsay Lohan, arrested on patient brokering charges," by Palm Beach Post's Julius Whigham II: "The father of actress Lindsay Lohan was arrested in Palm Beach County Friday on patient brokering charges, authorities said. Michael Lohan, 60, was booked in the Palm Beach County Jail shortly before 11 a.m. Friday on five counts of patient brokering and one count of conspiracy to commit patient brokering. Authorities say more than $27,000 in kickbacks were paid directly either to Lohan, or to business entity he was associated with, Lola Recovery Ventures of Palm Beach Gardens, from a Delray Beach-area substance abuse treatment center." BIRTHDAYS: Former first lady Melania Trump, former state. Rep. Larry Ahern … (Was Sunday) Miami Beach City Commissioner and former state Rep. David Richardson … Former Rep. Larry Smith is 80
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