| | | | | |  | | By Gary Fineout | Presented by CVS Health | Hello and welcome to Friday. The daily rundown — Between Wednesday and Thursday, the number of Florida coronavirus cases increased by 6,790 (0.3 percent), to 2,064,525; active hospitalizations decreased 90 (nearly 3.1 percent) to 2,848; deaths of Florida residents rose by 69 (0.2 percent) to 33,494; 5,979,461 Floridians have received at least one dose of a vaccine. Does this sound normal? — Tallahassee has always had an inside-the-bubble logic that there's nothing wrong with the way things work in the state Capitol. But how do you explain this? Keep it dark — A shadowy group called Propel Florida is spending money on campaign contributions and lobbyists to push a data privacy bill — and yet no one, including the bill sponsors, has any idea who is behind the group. State Sen. Jennifer Bradley told POLITICO's Matt Dixon she is "aware of a group identified as Propel Florida and have met their lobbyists," but added, "I don't have any knowledge about the specifics of the group." And Bradley says she's not worried about it because "I support the policy." State Rep. Fiona McFarland — the state House sponsor and, like Bradley, a Republican — said that she has met with Propel Florida lobbyists, but also knows little about the organization. Asked and answered? — Derek Whitis, a Tallahassee-based contract lobbyist hired by the group, said that Propel Florida is a "social advocacy group looking to support the data privacy protection legislation." Dixon reports that Whitis did not respond to follow up questions about who is behind the group. The group is not violating any state laws, which allow organizations and nonprofits to lobby the Legislature without identifying donors. Pushing it through — So far the bills are moving despite some of the state's main business groups raising alarms about a provision that would allow consumers to sue over data-privacy law violations. "It will be a litigation magnet," said William Large, president of the Florida Justice Reform Institute. So no one knows who the group is, no one seems to care — and while dozens of bills languish, these are continuing to zip along. Ok, it's just that Tallahassee magic. — 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 CVS Health: Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, CVS Health has been there. We're nearly 300,000 employees ensuring millions of Americans can access health care services. We opened thousands of COVID-19 test sites and administered millions of tests. Now, we're providing the vaccine in designated states. We've been on the frontlines, making health care easier to access and afford. That's health care, from the heart. Learn more. | | |
|  | ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... | |
IT'S A MYSTERY — "Who is lobbying to change Florida's privacy laws? That's private," by POLITICO's Matt Dixon: A mysterious group is the driving lobbying force behind sweeping legislation that would beef up Florida's data privacy laws. It has hired a Tallahassee-based lobbying team and spent $300,000 in political contributions, but almost no one — including the sponsors of the bills — has any idea who is behind the group. The organization, Propel Florida, is a nonprofit that is not required to disclose its donors, lists a UPS box in Lithia as its only address and was incorporated last April. But over the first half of the 2021 legislative session, the group has flexed its political muscle.
WATER WARS — "Supreme Court gives Georgia win in water war with Florida," by Associated Press' Mark Sherman: The Supreme Court unanimously dismissed Florida's water lawsuit against Georgia on Thursday, ending the long-running legal fight between the two states. The court rejected Florida's claim that Georgia uses too much of the water that flows from the Atlanta suburbs to the Gulf of Mexico. Florida said its neighbor's overconsumption is to blame for the decimation of Florida's oyster industry. Justice Amy Coney Barrett wrote for the court that Florida failed to prove its case, which had been before the court twice in the past three years. A stinging defeat for Rick Scott — This latest round of litigation was pushed by then-Gov. Rick Scott and the legal strategy was directed initially with large input by then-state Attorney General Pam Bondi. Florida spent had least $57 million on legal costs and fees since 2014 on this case. Scott announced the legal action nearly eight years ago with great fanfare in Apalachicola. McKinley Lewis, a spokesman for Scott, said in a statement that "Senator Scott is disappointed by the Supreme Court's decision, which rewards Georgia's reckless water consumption at the expense of the livelihoods of Apalachicola Bay's families." MUSCLING IT THROUGH — "Simpson sends 'anti-riot' bill to budget committee, bypasses Pizzo," by POLITICO's Giulia Heyward: State Senate President Wilton Simpson said on Thursday that he is assigning controversial "anti-riot" legislation to his chamber's budget committee, a move that bypasses a criminal justice panel that was blocking the legislation. The proposal is a top priority for Gov. Ron DeSantis and GOP leaders, but after being fast-tracked in the House, it had stalled in the Senate Criminal Justice Committee chaired by Sen. Jason Pizzo, a Miami Democrat who opposed the bill. HOMEOWNERS ALERT — "Senate prepares full vote on bill to curtail rising property insurance costs," by POLITICO's Arek Sarkissian: "The measure would also allow insurance companies to weigh the costs associated with roof claims by the age of the roof. Sen. Annette Taddeo (D-Miami) said that type of sliding-scale roof coverage would leave homeowners paying thousands more over time. Her amendment calling on insurers to use larger print in explaining the coverage to homeowners also failed. "There's going to be an abuela who doesn't know about this until they need a roof," Taddeo said. The measure would also reduce the amount of time homeowners have to file a claim from three years to two years. The provision partly stems from a surge of claims seen by insurers just before the third anniversary of Hurricane Irma, which struck Florida in September 2017. END OF THE ROAD? — "Florida wins court ruling to dissolve MDX toll board, dealing a blow to 836 extension," by Miami Herald's Douglas Hanks: "Gene Stearns, MDX's lawyer, said he plans to file an appeal with the Florida Supreme Court over the appeals ruling that MDX didn't have authority to challenge the state law by suing Florida's Department of Transportation. But he's also pressing Miami-Dade County to file a new lawsuit to keep MDX alive and try to overturn the 2019 law, which he calls a violation of Miami-Dade's original 1996 agreement with MDX to take over county toll roads." — " Florida Senate passes bill addressing sex, porn with animals," by Associated Press' Brendan Farrington — "'Nothing to do with sound fiscal policy': Florida workers slam proposal to change retirement system," by Florida Politics' Kelly Hayes — "Florida House passes bills on civics, school records," by Associated Press' Brendan Farrington | | | | JOIN THE CONVERSATION, SUBSCRIBE TO "THE RECAST" Power dynamics are shifting in Washington, 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 a new 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 new voices that challenge business as usual. Don't miss out on our latest newsletter, SUBSCRIBE NOW. Thank you to our sponsor, Intel. | | | | |
| | DATELINE D.C. | |
MORE DETAILS — "Justice Dept. inquiry into Matt Gaetz said to be focused on cash paid to women," by New York Times' Katie Benner and Michael S. Schmidt: "A Justice Department investigation into Representative Matt Gaetz and an indicted Florida politician is focusing on their involvement with multiple women who were recruited online for sex and received cash payments, according to people close to the investigation and text messages and payment receipts reviewed by The New York Times."
Connections? — "Investigators believe Joel Greenberg, the former tax collector in Seminole County, Fla., who was indicted last year on a federal sex trafficking charge and other crimes, initially met the women through websites that connect people who go on dates in exchange for gifts, fine dining, travel and allowances, according to three people with knowledge of the encounters. Mr. Greenberg introduced the women to Mr. Gaetz, who also had sex with them, the people said. One of the women who had sex with both men also agreed to have sex with an unidentified associate of theirs in Florida Republican politics, according to a person familiar with the arrangement." Rebuttal — "Mr. Gaetz's office issued a statement on Thursday night in a response to a request for comment. 'Matt Gaetz has never paid for sex,' the statement said. 'Matt Gaetz refutes all the disgusting allegations completely. Matt Gaetz has never ever been on any such websites whatsoever. Matt Gaetz cherishes the relationships in his past and looks forward to marrying the love of his life.'" — " Feds' investigation of Matt Gaetz includes whether campaign funds were used to pay for travel and expenses," by CNN's Evan Perez, David Shortell, Paula Reid and Pamela Brown — "Joel Greenberg, Matt Gaetz visited closed Seminole tax office together on weekend, source says," by Orlando Sentinel's Martin E. Comas, Jason Garcia and Jeff Weiner — "Pelosi: Remove Rep. Gaetz from committee if claims are true," by Associated Press' Alan Fram — " Gaetz showed nude photos of women he said he'd slept with to lawmakers, sources tell CNN," by CNN's Jeremy Herb, Lauren Fox and Ryan Nobles
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| | CORONAVIRUS UPDATES | |
THE NEEDLE — "Fried gets her jab before cameras, urges Cabinet to also get publicly vaccinated," by POLITICO's Bruce Ritchie: "This is how we show leadership and example," [Agriculture Commissioner Nikki] Fried told reporters. "If it's OK for us, it's OK for everybody else." "The governor and the rest of the Cabinet members who haven't received their vaccines — I don't know if they have or not — I certainly would encourage them to do it publicly to show trust in science and trust in what we need to do to get past this pandemic," she said. Neither DeSantis nor the other Cabinet members — Attorney General Ashley Moody, 46, and Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis, 48 — have received their vaccines publicly. Moody spokesperson Lauren Cassedy said on Thursday the attorney general received a shot this week, but provided no other details.
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Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried receives a vaccine shot | Bruce Ritchie POLITICO | 'AN UPHILL BATTLE' — "Groups rush to get Florida farmworkers vaccinated," by Associated Press' Adriana Gomez Licon: "It's a race against time for nonprofits, organizations and officials who are trying to vaccinate thousands of farmworkers who were denied priority access in Florida but now have to travel north to harvest crops in other regions. Farmworker advocates are asking officials to quickly mobilize to areas such as Homestead, south of Miami, and Immokalee, east of Naples, and to be more lenient when requiring proof of residency now that the state has lowered the vaccine eligibility age." NOT A PRIORITY — " Inside Florida's largest jails, few or no people vaccinated, and still no statewide plan," by Orlando Sentinel's Grace Toohey and Katie Rice: "As jails in Florida have repeatedly battled COVID-19 outbreaks over the past year — some as recently as this past week — there's still no statewide plan to widely offer vaccines to people incarcerated at the high-risk facilities, even as eligibility is soon to include all adults throughout the state. Some local jails have inoculated a handful of people who are incarcerated, including in Seminole County, but other major lockups — like those in Osceola, Polk, and Pinellas counties — have not offered any shots." | | Bidenology | |
TAKING AIM — "DeSantis denounces Biden policy on immigrants convicted of crimes," by Sun Sentinel's David Fleshler: " Gov. Ron DeSantis announced steps to fight the Biden administration's refusal to immediately deport convicted criminals who had been in the United States illegally. The Biden administration rescinded the Trump policy of immediately deporting immigrants in the country illegally who had completed prison sentences for various crimes. Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody sued the federal government last month over the change. "We're going to work hard to keep Florida communities safe," DeSantis said at a news conference in Titusville, where he was joined by family members of people killed by released criminals who had been in the United States illegally."
| | | | THE LATEST FROM INSIDE THE WEST WING : A lot happened in the first two months of the Biden presidency. From a growing crisis at the border to increased mass shootings across the country while navigating the pandemic and ongoing economic challenges. Add Transition Playbook to your daily reads to find out what actions are on the table and the internal state of play inside the West Wing and across the administration. Track the people, policies and emerging power centers of the Biden administration. Don't miss out. Subscribe today. | | | | |
| | TRUMPLANDIA AND THE SWAMP | |
HERE COME THE MOVING TRUCKS — "Donald Trump Jr., Kimberly Guilfoyle pay $9.7 million for Admirals Cove home in Jupiter," by Palm Beach Post's Alexandra Clough: "After months of house hunting, Donald Trump Jr. and his girlfriend Kimberly Guilfoyle are Palm Beach County homeowners. On Wednesday, the high-profile couple paid $9.7 million for a waterfront home in Admirals Cove, an exclusive gated community in Jupiter. The pair first eyed the north Palm Beach County neighborhood in January, then showed interest in a different home in Palm Beach Gardens before recently circling back to Admirals Cove, real estate sources said."
NOTHING TO SEE HERE — "Miami Proud Boy, facing Capitol trespass charge, called it a 'glorified tour,'" by Miami Herald's David Ovalle: "[Gabriel] Garcia sees it this way: He wasn't technically trespassing because no cops stopped him from entering. Speaking to the Miami Herald in his first public comments since his arrest, he depicted his entry into the building as nothing more than a "glorified tour" of the "People's House." 'It's the most expensive tour of my life I can tell you that, but yes, a glorified tour,' Garcia said." | | PENINSULA AND BEYOND | |
'CRITICAL CONDITION' — "Collapse a 'real possibility' at old phosphate plant on Tampa Bay, engineer says," by Tampa Bay Times' Zachary T. Sampson: "A leak continues to threaten disaster at an old phosphate plant in Palmetto, with an engineer telling Manatee County commissioners on Thursday that it's vital for operators to keep discharging thousands of gallons of wastewater to Tampa Bay every minute. 'It is a very critical condition,' said Mike Kelley, an outside engineer who works with the site's operator, HRK Holdings. 'Uncontrolled release is a real possibility at this stage. Getting the water off the stack is imperative.'"
PUSHBACK — " A Miami Catholic school confronted racism after George Floyd died. Parents complained," by Miami Herald's Samantha J. Gross and Colleen Wright: "But the steps the school took led to a backlash: More than 150 parents and alumni — including former Florida House Speaker José Oliva and Coral Gables Vice Mayor Vince Lago — signed an 11-page letter addressed to Carrollton administrators and board members stating that the school's efforts to address racism were incompatible with its Catholic foundation. 'What we are seeing time and again is that what is being shared in Carrollton classrooms is, at the very least, controversial political rhetoric and often extends to anti-Catholic indoctrination,' states the Oct. 23 letter, which began to circulate in recent weeks and was shared with the Miami Herald.
| | A message from CVS Health: Throughout the pandemic, in Florida and across the country, CVS Health has been delivering essential care. Thanks to the efforts of our employees, we opened 4,800 COVID-19 test sites and administered over 15 million tests at our stores and through partners in underserved communities. With millions staying home, we increased access to prescription delivery, virtual visits and mental health services. Now, we're providing vaccines in designated states. Every day, CVS Health works to bring quality, affordable health care closer to home—so it's never out of reach for anyone. That's health care, from the heart. Learn more. | | |
| | ODDS, ENDS, AND FLORIDA MEN | |
BIRTHDAYS: Gary Yordon, president of The Zachary Group and host of "The Usual Suspects"
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