| | | | | |  | | By Gary Fineout | Presented by Secure Democracy | Hello and welcome to Thursday. Have plane, will travel — Gov. Ron DeSantis zipped across the state on Wednesday. Three stops. Three media markets. And at each visit, the governor held up a $1,000 check that will soon by sent out to the state's first responders, police and firefighters. Joe who? — These checks DeSantis touted at each stop were due to President Joe Biden and a Democratic-controlled Congress sending billions of dollars to Florida and other states as part of a coronavirus relief package. Shhh — The governor didn't mention that part once. The pitch — Instead, he talked about the recovery of Florida's economy and how his stance against lockdowns had helped the state avoid "disaster." DeSantis also repeated his line about how the state didn't have to dip into its "rainy day fund" during the Covid-19 pandemic and now the state's reserves had doubled. Sidestep — This too is misleading. Florida didn't dip into the statutorily-created budget stabilization fund but the state was forced to spend down huge amounts of unallocated money due to last year's economic collapse. The governor and legislators also avoided having the budget spiral into deficit largely due to the cash infusion from the federal CARES Act that was passed in the spring of 2020. Same as it ever was — Look a governor doing a victory tour right after the legislative session ends is nothing new. And when DeSantis first pitched the idea of bonuses for first responders and teachers he did it during a press conference in Tallahassee where he outlined his plans on how to spend the federal money. But what about… — Of course, at that same press conference in March DeSantis complained that Florida was getting the "short stick" and wasn't getting its fair share. He also brushed aside Sen. Rick Scott's suggestion that states reject some of the money and send it back. Democrats helping Republicans — The budget for the coming year that DeSantis will soon sign is the state's largest, at $101.5 billion. That amount does NOT include the billions in federal aid stuffed in the back of the budget bill that will pay for the bonuses, extra money for reserves and other initiatives that DeSantis will no doubt tout in future press conferences. So Florida's GOP governor will get to roll into his re-election campaign by handing out billions of dollars given to him by Democrats. The gift that keeps on giving. — WHERE'S RON? — Gov. DeSantis is expected to be in West Palm Beach to sign the elections bill into law according to news reports Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for Playbook? Get in touch: gfineout@politico.com | | | | A message from Secure Democracy: Year after year, Florida's trusted, experienced, and independent election administrators step up to manage our elections with professionalism, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to ensuring every vote is counted. Across our state, these public servants advocate for Floridians' freedom to vote. We owe them our gratitude. Please take a moment to add your name to the virtual thank-you card for Florida's dedicated elections administrators. Secure Democracy will proudly deliver the card on your behalf. | | |
|  | ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... | | AS EXPECTED — "Gov. Ron DeSantis to sign controversial voter bill Thursday in West Palm Beach," by Palm Beach Post's Wendy Rhodes and Antonio Fins: "Even before DeSantis inks the bill into law, one voter advocacy group has vowed to lodge a legal challenge. 'We have multiple grounds to challenge this, especially attacks on vote-by-mail,' said Jorge Vasquez, an attorney for the Advancement Project's Power and Democracy Program. 'We'll act swiftly.' Not your normal way of signing bills — "The signing ceremony at an area hotel is scheduled to be hosted by the pro-Trump fan organization Club 45. The group said in a flyer that their event would 'include a signing ceremony for Florida's new voter integrity legislation and will be immediately followed by a rally for the best governor in the USA.'" THE PATH NOT TAKEN — "Florida Legislature's mixed record on criminal justice reform, " by POLITICO's Giulia Heyward: The Florida Legislature ended last week with the vast majority of criminal justice reform bills dead, leaving some lawmakers lamenting the failures of the two-month session that left, in the words of one state senator, "a prison system in crisis." The Florida Legislative Black Caucus introduced more than 24 police reform bills this session — and the vast majority of those measures were never heard in either the state House or Senate. Left on the table were items that would have prohibited non-knock search warrants for misdemeanor offenses and prohibitions on law enforcement from acquiring surplus military equipment, among others. Blunt assessment — "There's not a comprehensive vision for what [legislators want] criminal justice and public safety to look like in the state of Florida," said Sen. Jeff Brandes (R-St. Petersburg), who sponsored the bill barring the death penalty for the mentally ill. "Bipartisan criminal justice reform has largely become the standard in other states. Our prison system is in crisis. Our Department of Corrections should be renamed the Department of Warehousing — because we don't correct, we just warehouse people." THE C WORD — "Ron DeSantis pushes coastal 'resilience' while doing little to tackle climate change," by NPR's Amy Green and James Bruggers: "Since his election in November 2018, DeSantis is making good on some of his environmental promises, including what he likes to call 'resilience,' a new buzzword for climate adaptation. But as the governor prepares for a reelection bid in 2022, and is seen as a potential Republican frontrunner for the presidency in 2024, DeSantis faces criticism for failing to do all he could on Florida's biggest environmental threat: climate change." Handing out grades — "Some of his critics acknowledge that the $1 billion Resilient Florida plan he announced in January could be a first step toward helping some communities pay for adaptation. But critics also point out that DeSantis has done almost nothing to put Florida on a path to scaling back the state's heavy reliance on fossil fuels. 'I would give him probably a C-minus,' said former Republican Gov. Charlie Crist, who served from 2007 to 2011, and now represents St. Petersburg in the U.S. House of Representatives as a Democrat." 'LONG OVERDUE' — " Florida program to help brain-damaged kids embraces reforms it once opposed. Promises more," by Miami Herald's Carol Marbin Miller and Daniel Chang: "The day after the Florida Legislature passed a bill to reform a state program for brain-damaged children, its executive director rolled out a host of additional changes that went beyond those mandated by lawmakers. In doing so, Kenney Shipley, executive director of NICA, the Birth-Related Neurological Injury Compensation Association, embraced some of the same changes she had opposed in past years. The program she has managed for nearly two decades is supposed to provide comprehensive services for Florida families whose children suffered catastrophic brain damage at the time of birth." — "DeSantis faces pressure to veto bills; last year he kiboshed just 5," by News Service of Florida's Jim Turner — "'It's to protect the industry; it's not to protect public health': Health groups urge DeSantis to block vaping bill," by Florida Phoenix's Isaac Morgan — "Florida lawmakers unveil plan for special session on $2.5B gambling deal with Seminole Tribe," by News Service of Florida's Jim Saunders | | | | SUBSCRIBE TO "THE RECAST" TODAY: Power is shifting in Washington and in communities across the country. More people are demanding a seat at the table, insisting that politics is personal and not all policy is equitable. The Recast is a twice-weekly newsletter that explores the changing power dynamics in Washington and breaks down how race and identity are recasting politics and policy in America. Get fresh insights, scoops and dispatches on this crucial intersection from across the country and hear critical new voices that challenge business as usual. Don't miss out, SUBSCRIBE . Thank you to our sponsor, Intel. | | | | |
| | CAMPAIGN MODE | | 'NO EVIDENCE' — "Florida GOP complaints about Bloomberg and voter fraud come up empty in latest investigation," by POLITICO's Gary Fineout: Florida Republicans are now 0-2 in substantiating widespread election fraud claims that the state's top law enforcement agency investigated. On Wednesday, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement told POLITICO that it had found nothing illegal in an effort pushed by New York City billionaire Mike Bloomberg and others to help pay off the fines and fees of convicted felons seeking to become eligible to vote. This latest determination by Florida's main law enforcement agency comes almost one year after investigators determined in an unrelated, earlier probe that there were no widespread voter fraud in the 2018 midterms when now-Gov. Ron DeSantis and now-Sen. Rick Scott narrowly won election. Shut it down — But after more than seven months, FDLE found zero proof that anyone was promising votes in exchange for getting their court fines and fees paid off. Florida's statewide prosecutor — who works for Moody — had no objections to closing the probe. The investigative report released to POLITICO also noted that Bloomberg never gave any money directly to the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition, which ultimately raised $28 million and restored voting rights to 44,000 people ahead of the election, according to Desmond Meade, president and executive director. "We're definitely appreciative of the efforts of FDLE that they see the truth and we're moving on," said Meade. | 
Mike Bloomberg speaks during the DNC. | Democratic National Convention via AP | THE MESSAGE — "Florida's Agriculture Commissioner outlines attack strategy against DeSantis ahead of likely challenge," by POLITICO's Matt Dixon: Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried has a message ahead of her likely challenge to Gov. Ron DeSantis: It's all about "Ron's regime." Fried in recent days has been previewing her forthcoming attack strategy to voters, a pitch that will paint DeSantis as a dictator in the governor's mansion. Pushing back — For fuel, Fried will focus largely on DeSantis' push for legislation that cracks down on rioters as well as his signing an election overhaul bill that Republicans call safeguarding state elections — but Democrats have decried as voter suppression. She'll also criticize DeSantis for overruling local governments on pandemic restrictions. "The people of the state of Florida are done with this authoritarian regime taking away power from the people of our state and trying to lock more and more people up," Fried said. ESKAMANI STAYING PUT — State Rep. Anna Eskamani, the 30-year-old central Florida legislator lauded by progressive Democrats, is planning on running for a third term in 2022. Eskamani's name had been bandied about as a possible contender for governor, but she told Playbook that "Florida needs strong Democrats in the state Legislature to fight for the needs of everyday people and I'm damn proud to be one of them." She said she is "grateful" for those Floridians who asked her to run statewide, but she says she plans to build "grassroots power in every corner of our state" through her political committee People Power for Florida. ON THE ROAD AGAIN — "Democrat Charlie Crist speaks in Pensacola one day after announcing 2022 run for governor," by Pensacola News-Journal's Jake Newby: "'If you're trying to be the governor of Florida, you can't forget about Pensacola, Escambia and all of Northwest Florida," [Charlie] Crist said during a press conference from the outdoor patio at Five Sisters Blues Cafe. Prior to his press conference, Crist had lunch at Five Sisters with Escambia County labor leaders. Crist was critical of Gov. Ron DeSantis while touching on a multitude of issues, including his desire to accept Medicaid expansion and raise the minimum wage, the COVID-19 pandemic, LGBTQ rights and even the status of the Pensacola Bay Bridge, which has been out of commission since September after being struck by loose Skanska USA barges during Hurricane Sally." MEDICAID EXPANSION — "Gubernatorial candidate Charlie Crist on Gov. Ron DeSantis in CBS4 exclusive: 'Judge him by his words, judge him by his actions," by CBS4's Jim DeFede: "Describing Gov. Ron DeSantis as an uncaring person, Charlie Crist pledged to "unilaterally" take federal Medicaid expansion funds to cover more than 800,000 people in Florida currently without health insurance. 'I think you'd try to take it unilaterally first by executive order,' Crist said during an interview with CBS Miami. 'I think that's fully appropriate.'" | | | | A message from Secure Democracy:   | | |
| | CORONAVIRUS UPDATES | | STILL REQUIRED AT PUBLIX — "Despite the governor's order, you'll still need a mask in many places," by Orlando Sentinel's Stephen Hudak: "Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis wiped out all local COVID-related government restrictions Monday, including mandates in Orange and Seminole counties requiring facial coverings in public, but masks are still required in supermarkets, schools, hospitals, theme parks, airports and many other places. Privately run restaurants, bars and other businesses can still require them — just as they can require shirts and shoes. State officials also said the governor's order does not apply to Florida's public schools or colleges nor does its reach extend to federally controlled airports." IT'S COMING BACK — "People getting unemployment benefits will soon have to prove they're looking for work," by News Service of Florida's Jim Turner: "Gov. Ron DeSantis expects late this month to reinstate a requirement that people in the unemployment system submit weekly 'work search' updates. Referring to some businesses saying they are unable to find new employees as they regroup from the COVID-19 pandemic, DeSantis said Wednesday unemployment claimants will likely have to start showing how they looked for work once an executive order waiving a work-search requirement ends May 29. 'We suspended that last year at this time because, quite frankly, there weren't jobs,' DeSantis said during an appearance at the Satellite Beach Police Department." — "Orlando's tourist count tumbled by half during 2020 pandemic, report finds," by Orlando Sentinel's Gabrielle Russon — "Miami Beach suspends COVID orders, announces return of in-person commission meetings," by Miami Herald's Martin Vassolo — "NSU backs off requiring vaccinations, now that Florida outlawed it," by Sun Sentinel's Brooke Baitinger | | | | DON'T MISS OUT ON OUR NEW PLAYBOOK DEEP DIVE PODCAST: Washington is full of whispers, colorful characters and little-known back stories that even D.C. insiders might not know. Playbook Deep Dive is a new, weekly podcast that pulls back the curtain on the stories behind the power. From Congress and the White House to bar stools and backrooms, POLITICO's top reporters and Playbook authors bring you the most compelling and confounding stories that explain what's really going on in Washington. SUBSCRIBE NOW. | | | | |
| | PENINSULA AND BEYOND | | UM, WHAT? — "Think twice before you whip out your phone and record a cop. You could be arrested," by Sun Sentinel's Marc Freeman: "Taking smartphone videos of cops in public could shine a light on police misconduct — but it also could land you behind bars. A divided Florida appeals court ruling on Wednesday upheld the arrest of a woman who filmed officers outside a movie theater. The decision in a Boynton Beach case comes amid the nation's racial justice awakening, after deadly police encounters with Black citizens were caught on camera. And it leaves open the question of whether a person recording George Floyd's murder could have been arrested in Florida. Officers had the authority to arrest a young mother named Tasha Ford who recorded them detaining her teenage son in 2009, based on a 2-1 opinion by judges at the 4th District Court of Appeal." TESTIFIED IN HIS OWN DEFENSE — "Daniel Baker tells jury he was 'joking' in Capitol threats trial; jurors deliberate his fate," by Tallahassee Democrat's Karl Etters: "Daniel Baker told jurors he was 'exaggerating,' 'joking' and holding a mirror to right-wing viewpoints when he posted what federal prosecutors say were social media threats to violently attack armed protesters he thought would converge on the Florida Capitol earlier this year. The alleged threats followed years of badgering from locally-based, far-right groups like the Republic of Florida, Baker said, and FBI intelligence bulletins in January that armed protesters could descend on state capitals leading up to the inauguration of President Joseph Biden. 'After being harassed continuously for the past five years, if I create this presence of the far-left boogey man that the far-right believes is an Antifa super soldier,' Baker told jurors, 'they'd be less likely to do a drive-by and shoot at me.'" REDUCED SENTENCE — "Ex-Venezuelan official who helped feds in huge corruption case gets two year in prison," by Miami Herald's Jay Weaver: "A former top financial officer in Venezuela's state-owned oil company was sentenced to two years and four months in prison Wednesday after admitting that he played a supporting role in allowing wealthy Venezuelan "kleptocrats" to make loans to the government entity that yielded fortunes for them." — "Superintendent Runcie could get $400,000 windfall when he leaves," by Sun Sentinel's Scott Travis — "Miami-Dade County employees getting a new paid holiday in 2021: Juneteenth," by Miami Herald's Douglas Hanks | | | | A message from Secure Democracy: It's time for Floridians to acknowledge the impressive role that our trusted, certified, and independent election administrators have in the preservation of our democracy.
Each season, these dedicated public servants manage our elections with professionalism, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to ensuring every vote is counted.
In 2020, despite the pandemic and other hurdles, voters showed up in record numbers to do their job. And our election administrators did theirs – verifying and counting every eligible ballot, just as they have in every previous election.
This legislative session, many of these same election administrators stepped forward to safeguard Floridians' freedom to vote and preserve Florida's reliable voting laws. We owe them our gratitude.
Please take a moment to add your name to the virtual thank-you card for Florida's dedicated elections administrators. Secure Democracy will proudly deliver the card on your behalf. | | |
| | ODDS, ENDS, AND FLORIDA MEN | | — "16-year-old chooses FAMU over Yale, Harvard as he amasses $1.6 million in scholarships," by Tallahassee Democrat's Byron Dobson: "At 16, Curtis Lawrence III is confident he made the right decision Sunday when he formally announced his decision to enroll this fall at Florida A&M University. He certainly had options, having been accepted to 14 colleges or universities, including Morehouse College, Yale and Harvard, while amassing over $1.65 million in merit scholarships. He is entering Florida A&M University as a junior, having enrolled in fall 2019 at George Washington University in Washington, D.C., at age 14." BIRTHDAYS: State Rep. Tracie Davis … State Rep. Toby Overdorf … McKinley Lewis, communications director for Sen. Rick Scott … Brandon Larrabee
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