| | | | | |  | | By Gary Fineout | Presented by Floridians for Affordable Rx | Hello and welcome to Monday. The daily rundown — Between Saturday and Sunday, the number of Florida coronavirus cases increased by 4,794 (0.2 percent), to 2,081,826; active hospitalizations decreased by 29 (1 percent), to 2,865; deaths of Florida residents rose by 22 (0.2 percent), to 33,674; 6,299,638 Floridians have received at least one dose of a vaccine. What's on TV? — When a national news program that regularly has millions of viewers (many of them older — a key demographic in a state like Florida) decides to delve into Gov. Ron DeSantis and the state's anything-but-smooth vaccine rollout, well there's bound to be a heated reaction. And there was — 60 Minutes kicked off its Sunday broadcast with a story that looked at allegations of vaccine favoritism that have been aimed at the Republican governor by comparing it to the "Hunger Games." Much of what was included in the story has been previously reported by local media outlets: The $100,000 donation from the Publix grocery chain to DeSantis' political committee, pop-up vaccine clinics in wealthy enclaves, and problems with reaching minority and low-income neighborhoods. The segment included interviews with local officials and legislators such as state Rep. Omari Hardy. There's an ad for that — But the prospect of a damaging story shown on a widely-watched television show was enough for the Republican Governors Association to pay for an ad that touted the Covid-19 response by DeSantis and other GOP governors. Backlash — The story itself drew a furious pushback from Republican officials who bristled over an exchange (taken from a recent press conference) where 60 Minutes correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi asked DeSantis if steering vaccines to Publix was "pay to play." That sharply-worded exchanged included the governor snapping at Alfonsi that she was wrong and pushing a "fake narrative." Choosing adjectives — Jared Moskowitz, the former Democratic legislator and outgoing state emergency chief, weighed in on social media saying Publix was recommended by state officials because other pharmacies weren't ready: "Period! Full Stop! No one from the Governors office suggested Publix. It's just absolute malarkey." Publix for its part issued a statement calling any link between its donation and its participation in the vaccine distribution "irresponsible." Calling out DeSantis — Democrats, including potential challengers to DeSantis in 2022, blasted the governor after the story aired. "In Gov. DeSantis's Florida, money and power rule and everyone else is at the back of the line," Rep. Charlie Crist said. Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried said it exposed DeSantis' "failings and corruption during the pandemic." Fried's political committee on Sunday night used the RGA ad defending DeSantis in its own request for donations. It probably doesn't matter — But there could be a way of course to end the finger-pointing. The DeSantis administration — without waiting for another lawsuit — could release all the records surrounding contacts, contracts and phone calls made by DeSantis that spell out how communities and vendors were selected. That won't happen because, well, there's a campaign to be won and a narrative to enforce. — 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 | | NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT — "How the wealthy cut the line during Florida's frenzied vaccine rollout," by 60 Minutes' Sharyn Alfonsi: "In West Palm Beach, Mayor [Keith] James says he was still trying to secure vaccines for his town's firefighters when he learned that at a nursing home in town, some board members and their wealthy pals got vaccinated. Even though those doses were only supposed to be given to elderly residents and staff. Then, the private jets started arriving. Hollywood moguls, New York socialites and tourists from overseas were getting vaccinated in Florida, posting on social media and sparking outrage. Early on, there were no residency requirements to get vaccinated in the state." | 
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis attends an event with President Donald Trump on the environment at the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse and Museum, Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2020, in Jupiter, Fla. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) | COLLISION COURSE — "NSU will require staff and students to get vaccinated, despite governor's order against it," by Sun Sentinel's Scott Travis, Brooke Baitinger and Cindy Krischer Goodman: "Nova Southeastern University will require all staff and students to be vaccinated against COVID-19 when they return to in-person classes in the fall. The move makes NSU, a private nonprofit university, the first school in the country to require both staff and students to be vaccinated, spokesman Joe Donzelli said. But it appears to conflict with an order from Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday that prohibits businesses from requiring that customers prove they have been vaccinated." FOR YOUR RADAR — " Coronavirus mutations in Florida mostly infect minorities; cases continue rising," by Palm Beach Post's Chris Persaud: "As coronavirus infections once again rise across Florida, the pathogen's more infectious deadly mutations have been found mostly in people of color. Just 37% of the 2,954 people who caught the variants found in Florida as of Thursday were white, data obtained by The Palm Beach Post shows. White people are an estimated 53% of Florida's population. Latinos comprise 32% of those infected by mutations but 26% of the population. Black people account for 17% of those infected by variants, and an estimated 17% of Florida residents. An additional 389 people of 'other' races have caught the mutations, or 13%; the rest are listed as unknown." | | | | 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 TALLAHASSEE ... | | WHEN NUMBERS GET SERIOUS — "Data in Florida's unemployment agency is a mess, auditors find," by Tampa Bay Times' Lawrence Mower: "Florida's data on unemployment claims is such a mess that state auditors can't rely on it to verify how much the state has paid out in jobless benefits during the pandemic, according to a report released Thursday. In a sign of the depth of the problems at the Department of Economic Opportunity, the state's embattled jobless aid agency, officials there couldn't give auditors conducting a routine exam last year 'complete and accurate data' on nearly $9 billion in state and federal unemployment claims. Because the agency couldn't produce the data, auditors couldn't even try to verify that claims went out to eligible Floridians or in the right amounts." COUNTING ON THE COURT? — "Before controversial policy push, Gov. Ron DeSantis first reshaped Florida's highest court," by Sarasota Herald-Tribune's John Kennedy: "The biggest items on Gov. Ron DeSantis' wish list are being roundly attacked as unconstitutional – although his tough penalties for protesters, new demands on social media platforms and voting overhaul look certain to clear the Republican-led Legislature. A long legal siege will likely follow, with opponents already outlining lawsuit strategies. But DeSantis has reshaped the state's highest court, where his hand-picked jurists from the conservative Federalist Society are expected to side with him. Or will they?" PUSHING BACK — Secure Democracy, a non-profit organization that "works to improve election integrity," has paid for a six-figure ad buy to appear on cable television in The Villages (a Republican stronghold) and West Palm Beach (Can you say Mar-a-Lago?) that touts Florida's existing vote-by-mail laws that allow the use of drop boxes. One of the ads also calls on viewers to oppose Senate Bill 90, the legislation that would ban the use of drop boxes outright. Sarah Walker, executive director of Secure Democracy, said that Floridians should be proud of their state's strong voting laws — and outraged that their state legislators are working to roll them back." The ads are scheduled to run throughout April. — "Critics: Farm bill would allow agriculture operations to pollute Florida communities ," by Fort Myers News-Press's Chad Gillis — "Florida lawmakers await revenue data as they consider budget," by the Associated Press — "Florida lawmakers advance $2.45 million claims case in Hillsborough woman's death ," by News Service of Florida | | | | A message from Floridians for Affordable Rx:   | | |
| | DATELINE D.C. | | THE SILENT TREATMENT — "No defense: Gaetz finds few Republican allies amid investigation," by POLITICO's Gary Fineout: But despite those deep ties to Tallahassee and growing political clout, many of the state's Republicans do not know what to make of the damning allegations facing Gaetz and are steering clear of providing early political cover. Most notable is Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican who has seen a burst of popularity among conservatives and is seen as a rising contender for president in 2024 should Trump forgo another run. DeSantis and Gaetz became friends while DeSantis served in Congress and he tapped Gaetz to help him with his transition team after he was elected governor in 2018. "This is an ongoing Department of Justice investigation. We have no comment," DeSantis spokesperson Meredith Beatrice said. — "Gaetz's communications director departs as scandal around Florida congressman intensifies," by POLITICO's Ben Leonard A BAD IDEA? — " Rep. Matt Gaetz's media blitz publicized a federal investigation. Legal experts say that poses risk," by USA Today's Bart Jansen and Kevin Johnson: "'The reason good lawyers don't let clients talk to people who are investigating them usually is because it is so dangerous,' [Former federal prosecutor Patrick] Cotter said. 'Even if you are completely innocent of the actual allegation, you may make statements which either open you up to an allegation that you're making false statements to obstruct justice or otherwise mislead the investigators.' The perils could range from honest mistakes to not fully understanding a situation crucial to the investigation. 'It's very dangerous because it paints him into a particular story, which later facts may show he's not telling the truth about or honestly mistaken,' Cotter said. 'It's a bad, bad, bad, bad, bad idea legally.'" CHANGING DIRECTIONS — "Gaetz sex probe suddenly threatens a speedy Washington rise," by The Associated Press' Alan Fram: "The coming days will test the crisis management skills of one of the most visible members of Congress' younger generation, who critics say care more about promoting their own brand than serious legislating. 'They're here for notoriety and to perform to their base, and anything else that may come is secondary,' said Doug Heye, a Trump critic and former top GOP congressional aide. 'And if you boo him that's great too, as long as you're watching.' David Bossie, president of Citizens United, which backs conservative causes and candidates, countered that Gaetz 'has been a conservative warrior, working every day to make America great again and fight for President Trump's agenda.' | | | | 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 | | CATASTROPHE AVOIDED? — "Piney Point collapse still possible, but Manatee 'more comfortable' after DeSantis aid," by Bradenton Herald's Ryan Callihan and Ryan Ballogg: "Manatee County remained under a state of emergency Sunday as federal, state and local officials worked to control a leak at a former phosphate processing plant that threatens to contaminate the area with millions of gallons of polluted water. A worst-case scenario could send 20 feet of contaminated water flooding from the site, Acting Manatee County Administrator Scott Hopes said Sunday during a news briefing with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. A total breach that spurts out uncontrolled water could also destabilize gypsum stacks containing radioactive material. But by Sunday afternoon, officials appeared more confident that the risk of a major disaster could be dramatically lower by Tuesday with the help of additional resources from the state to drain the leaking pond." BUT YET — "Hundreds of Manatee jail inmates evacuating from toxic flood threat at Piney Point," by Bradenton Herald's Ryan Ballogg and Ryan Callihan: "But late Sunday, those plans changed. [Manatee Sheriff Rick] Wells has ordered 345 inmates to be bused to an undisclosed location. Inmates were selected for transfer based on "lowest risk," according to the sheriff's office spokesman Randy Warren. The remaining 721 inmates sheltered at the facility have been moved to the second floor — along with about 100 staff members and medical equipment. Additionally, sandbags have been placed at every entrance." MOVING IN — " As families migrate from the northeast to South Florida, private schools report spiking endorsements," by Sun Sentinel's Amber Randall: "A migration of families from the northeast and other states to South Florida — a shift that's sending real estate prices to historic highs — is beginning to reflect in a surge in enrollment in the area's private schools. Although enrollment numbers are mostly not yet available, private schools are confirming an increase in new students that they attribute to new arrivals, especially from New York and other states in the northeast." REINSTATEMENT REQUEST — "Miami police captain accused of race bias in state probe demands old job and perks back," by Miami Herald's Charles Rabin and Jay Weaver: "Javier Ortiz is demanding his job back — and the perks, title and money that go with it. Ortiz, a Miami police captain and former union president long notorious for racist social media posts, was the subject of a scathing two-year-long state and federal investigation that wrapped up last month. While it did not result in criminal charges, it detailed a series of dubious arrests, misconduct allegations and 'a pattern of abuse and bias against minorities, particularly African-Americans.'" — " Naval mine washes ashore in Lauderdale-by-the Sea," by WPLG's Parker Branton | | MEDIA MATTERS | | 2 PAPERS IN FLORIDA — "Rival group makes fully financed, roughly $680 million bid for Tribune," by Wall Street Journal's Cara Lombardo and Lukas I. Alpert: "A Maryland hotel magnate and a Swiss billionaire have made a bid for Tribune Publishing Co. that the newspaper chain is expected to favor over a takeover deal it already struck with hedge fund Alden Global Capital LLC. A special committee of Tribune's board has determined that a roughly $680 million, $18.50-a-share bid submitted late last week by Choice Hotels International Inc. Chairman Stewart Bainum and Hansjörg Wyss is reasonably likely to lead to a proposal that is superior to Alden's $635 million deal, people familiar with the matter said. That is legal deal-speak indicating Alden may need to raise its bid or risk losing the deal." | | | | 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 | | — "'I paid $15,000': Disney World guest says he spent too much to be arrested for refusing temp check," by Orlando Sentinel's Gabrielle Russon: "A Louisiana tourist complained he paid $15,000 for a Disney World vacation that was disrupted when he was arrested after he refused to get his temperature checked at Disney Springs, according to video footage released this week by the Orange County Sheriff's Office." BIRTHDAYS: Former Secretary of State Katherine Harris … Melissa Shuffield ... ( Was Sunday) Former Florida first lady Adele Graham … David DeCamp, director of corporate communications at Crowley
| Want to make an impact? POLITICO Florida has a variety of solutions available for partners looking to reach and activate the most influential people in the Sunshine State. Have a petition you want signed? A cause you're promoting? Seeking to increase brand awareness amongst this key audience? Share your message with our influential readers to foster engagement and drive action. Contact Jesse Shapiro to find out how: jshapiro@politico.com | | | | Follow us on Twitter | | | | Subscribe to the POLITICO Playbook family Playbook | Playbook PM | California Playbook | Florida Playbook | Illinois Playbook | Massachusetts Playbook | New Jersey Playbook | New York Playbook | Brussels Playbook | London Playbook View all our political and policy newsletters | | Follow us | | | | |
No comments:
Post a Comment