| | | | | |  | | By Gary Fineout | Presented by Facebook | Hello and welcome to Monday. Where we stand — It's no secret that Florida's unemployment benefits are among the lowest in the nation. And state lawmakers — due to opposition from House Speaker Chris Sprowls and Gov. Ron DeSantis — refused to consider raising them. Staying put — But DeSantis has so far left intact the extra federal benefits that are responsible for pouring in more than $22 billion into the state's economy since the start of the pandemic. Governors in 22 other states — including the neighboring states in Alabama and Georgia — have moved to opt out of these extra benefits before they expire on Sept. 6. The latest battle — Of course, unemployment benefits have become another flashpoint between Republicans and Democrats as they argue whether the extra $300-a-week payment from the federal government is behind a labor shortage, versus an argument that it is being caused by low wages and working conditions. Trying to end them — Sen. Rick Scott, who opposed extra unemployment benefits even during the height of the pandemic, and Sen. Marco Rubio have co-sponsored (long-shot) legislation to cut the current $300 a week federal benefit to $150 on May 31 and repeal it altogether on June 30th. What's next — The DeSantis administration is reinstating job search requirements for those receiving unemployment, but so far the governor has sidestepped questions about whether the state should also cut off the federal aid early. DeSantis has spent much of the last few months wading into partisan battles over Silicon Valley, elections, and racial justice. He is also battling the federal government over its restrictions on the important cruise industry. Florida's handling of unemployment went badly at the height of the pandemic (yes, we know, in large part because of the flawed system put in place by then-Gov. Scott). Maybe this time he figured it was better to see how it played out elsewhere. — 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 Facebook: The internet has changed a lot since 1996 - internet regulations should too
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|  | ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... | | EVALUATING — "Florida says it is researching whether to continue federal jobless benefits," by Miami Herald's Rob Wile: "State officials are weighing whether to end Florida's participation in federal pandemic unemployment benefits amid reports that employers are finding it difficult to hire workers. Currently, a Florida worker filing for unemployment can earn up to $575 a week — or about $14.38 an hour — from $300 in supplemental assistance from Washington on top of the state's $275 maximum credit. Prior to the pandemic, the state's minimum wage was $8.65 an hour." — " Florida businesses blame federal benefits for labor shortage, but experts say it's complicated," by Sarasota Herald-Tribune's Zac Anderson — "Extra jobless benefits played 'small, but noticeable' role in dampening labor market, Fed researchers say," POLITICO's Rebecca Rainey MAKING IT RAIN — "How Biden's cash paid for Florida GOP's pet education policies," by POLITICO's Andrew Atterbury: "Florida Republicans reject President Joe Biden's policies but sure like to spend his money. The GOP-led state Legislature was facing an education budget crisis at the start of the 2021 legislative session in March, with lawmakers seriously considering slashing K-12 budgets and increasing tuition at Florida's public universities. In all, Florida had a nearly $3 billion budget shortfall. But the Biden administration's $1.9 trillion federal stimulus package changed Florida's dire budget situation and helped the state's biggest-name Republicans achieve their personal policy goals. Take the money and run — The Biden stimulus funds ended up paying for education pet projects of Gov. Ron DeSantis and top state lawmakers like GOP House Speaker Chris Sprowls — including a $200 million book deliver program. But some Republicans are still grumbling about accepting the money. "I wish they'd never done it," state Rep. Randy Fine (R-Palm Bay), the House's education budget writer, said of Congress passing Biden's American Rescue Plan. "But you can't penalize Florida for the stupid decision of Joe Biden." BUDGET WATCH — "New Senate Democratic leader Lauren Book has conflict of interest as Republicans quietly shower taxpayer money on her charity," by Florida Bulldog's Dan Christensen: "Lauren Book, the newly anointed leader of Florida's Senate Democrats, has a financial conflict of interest that's raising questions about her loyalties as her beleaguered party prepares for the challenge of redistricting in January. For the past two years, House and Senate Republicans decisively showered the Senate Minority Leader's charity — Lauren's Kids — with $4 million in taxpayer dollars. The appropriations, including $2 million awarded in the regular session that ended April 30, were camouflaged to make it difficult for the public to spot them." — "Florida Senate staff receiving $1,000 bonuses for pandemic service," by News Service of Florida's Haley Brown — "The first of Florida's three tax-free holidays starts this week," by Tampa Bay Times' Howard Cohen | | | | JOIN TUESDAY FOR A CONVERSATION ON AMERICA'S MATERNAL HEALTH CRISIS: The maternal and infant mortality rates in the U.S. have been rising, especially for women and babies of color. One year into the pandemic, how have social determinants of health contributed to maternal and child health outcomes for Black women and other women of color? Join POLITICO for a deep-dive conversation for which we'll use Illinois as a case study to understand how social determinants of health and Covid-19 complicate efforts to eliminate maternal and infant mortality. We will also explore the various public health and policy solutions to reduce racial disparities during pregnancy and postpartum. REGISTER HERE. | | | | |
| | CAMPAIGN MODE | | STICKING TO SCRIPT — Rep. Byron Donalds gave an in-depth interview to The New York Times where he defended President Donald Trump while also defending the new election law passed recently by the Florida Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis. Donalds denied that Trump's debunked claims about voter fraud were the impetus. WHAT'S GOING ON HERE? — "'Ghost' candidate in key state Senate race had help from controversial political consultant," by Orlando Sentinel's Annie Martin and Jason Garcia: "[Eric] Foglesong, who would soon begin falling behind on his home rent payments, also likely wrote the $1,187 check that paid the qualifying fee for one of those candidates, according to three handwriting experts who compared a photocopy of that check to writing on documents Foglesong filed in court. The candidacies of the two independents — Jestine Iannotti, who ran for Senate District 9, and Juan Rodriguez, who ran for House District 29 — were later promoted by Republican-linked groups with ads apparently meant to siphon support away from Democratic candidates. Both races were eventually won by the Republican candidates: Sen. Jason Brodeur (R-Sanford), who Foglesong has personally supported in the past, and Scott Plakon (R-Longwood)." OUT ON HIS OWN — Florida Republican political veteran Stephen Lawson is launching a new communications and public relations firm advising clients in the political, corporate and non-profit sectors. Battleground Strategies is a nod to Lawson's experience in both Florida and Georgia, which includes communications roles for then-Gov. Rick Scott's successful re-election campaign and administration, Gov. Ron DeSantis successful campaign for governor and s deputy campaign manager for Kelly Loeffler's campaign for U.S. Senate. — "Experts or 'grifters'? Little-known firm runs Arizona audit," by The Associated Press — "Hillsborough Republicans take aim at county's Democratic commission majority," by Tampa Bay Times' William March | | TRUMPLANDIA AND THE SWAMP | | RIOT, WHAT RIOT? — "Rick Scott and Marco Rubio oppose Jan. 6 commission," by Tampa Bay Times' Steve Contorno: "More and more Senate Republicans are coming out against a bipartisan congressional commission to investigate the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol. Florida's two senators are among them. Sen. Rick Scott told Spectrum News on Thursday he 'completely' opposes the creation of the commission because he said it would become politicized. 'The FBI is doing their job,' Scott said. 'They have already arrested people for breaking into the Capitol. What people did that day — I was here — is despicable. They need to be held accountable, the FBI is doing their job. We don't need a commission where people will act in a partisan manner.'" | 
FILE Nov. 21, 2016, photo, shows the Mar-a-Lago resort owned by President Donald Trump in Palm Beach, Fla. Protesters are demanding that charities move their upcoming galas from Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort. Petitions are circulating that the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Cleveland Clinic move or cancel gala's scheduled for the Florida club's ballroom later this month. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) | Lynne Sladky/AP Photo | COSTLY — "Since leaving office, Trump has charged the Secret Service more than $40,000 to use space at Mar-a-Lago," by Washington Post's David A. Fahrenthold and Josh Dawsey: "Former president Donald Trump charged the Secret Service more than $40,000 this spring for rooms that Trump's own protective detail used while guarding him at his Mar-a-Lago Club, according to federal spending records. The records show that Trump's club charged the Secret Service $396.15 every night starting Jan. 20, the day he left the White House and moved full-time into his Palm Beach, Fla., club." | | | |   | | |
| | Bidenology | | REPRIEVE — "Biden protects thousands of Haitians from deportation with new TPS measure," by Miami Herald's Jacqueline Charles: "Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas announced the decision Saturday amid Haiti's deepening political and constitutional crisis and a spike in COVID-19 cases. The temporary humanitarian protections, he said, will be extended to eligible Haitians living in the United States as of Friday. This includes upwards of 60,000 Haitians who were already benefiting from the protected status, but had been living under fear of deportation amid an attempt by the Trump administration to terminate the program, and thousands of recently arrived Haitian immigrants who lacked the protected status." — "Palm Beach State Attorney Aronberg steps aside as candidate for top federal prosecutor," by Miami Herald's Jay Weaver | | DATELINE D.C. | | KEEPING TRACK — "Rick Scott among senators least likely to work with Democrats; Marco Rubio much more willing to cross party lines," by Sun Sentinel's Anthony Man: "During his first two years in Washington, U.S. Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., has built a record that shows he's one of most partisan members of the Senate, part of a group that's far less willing than most to work with Democrats to get things done. By contrast, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., is one of the most bipartisan senators. Now in his 11th year and preparing for a re-election campaign, Rubio is more willing than most senators to work across the political aisle with members of the other party." | | Gaetz-gate | | WIDENING THE CIRCLE — "Matt Gaetz's ex-girlfriend to cooperate with federal authorities in sex trafficking investigation," by CNN's Paula Reid, David Shortell and Gloria Borger: "Federal authorities investigating alleged sex trafficking by GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz have secured the cooperation of the congressman's ex-girlfriend, according to people familiar with the matter. The woman, a former Capitol Hill staffer, is seen as a critical witness, as she has been linked to Gaetz as far back as the summer of 2017, a period of time that has emerged as a key window of scrutiny for investigators. She can also help investigators understand the relevance of hundreds of transactions they have obtained records of, including those involving alleged payments for sex, the sources said." THE LONG WINDUP — "Joel Greenberg kept committing crimes well after he learned feds were investigating him," by Orlando Sentinel's Martin E. Comas: "On an April morning in 2019, federal agents walked into the Tax Collector's Office in Lake Mary and handed an employee a grand jury subpoena that revealed for the first time that the U.S. Department of Justice was investigating whether Joel Greenberg had used public money to benefit himself. That initial request for records related to Greenberg's spending and investments was revealed in a plea agreement Greenberg struck with prosecutors which resulted in him pleading guilty to six federal crimes this week and agreeing to cooperate against other potential targets. The deal showed that federal investigators had been interested in Greenberg far earlier than had previously been confirmed. But perhaps more stunning is that it also showed Greenberg continued breaking the law for months after he first knew there was a federal investigation targeting him." | | | | 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. | | | | |
| | CORONAVIRUS UPDATES | | The daily rundown — Between Saturday and Sunday, the number of Florida coronavirus cases increased by 2,069 to 2,310,335; death of Florida residents rose by 11 to 36,474; as of Sunday there were 2,098 active hospitalizations; 10,005,987 Floridians have received at least one dose of a vaccine. WHERE THINGS STAND — "Florida vaccination total tops 10 million people," by News Service of Florida's Jim Saunders: "About five months after shots began, more than 10 million people in Florida have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, according to a report released Sunday by the state Department of Health. The report showed that 7,965,477 people who had received shots --- or nearly 80 percent of the 10,005,987 total --- were considered fully vaccinated, as they had received two doses of vaccines produced by the drug companies Pfizer or Moderna or the one-dose vaccine produced by Johnson & Johnson. But while vaccinations have helped restore more of a sense of normalcy, the Department of Health numbers and other data also reflect that many of Florida's nearly 22 million residents have not received shots." WATCHING AND WAITING — "Florida nursing homes: A real-time test for COVID vaccine immunity," by Sun Sentinel's Cindy Krischer Goodman: "When COVID vaccines arrived in Florida in December, seniors in elder-care facilities were among the first to get the life-saving treatment. The strategy has paid off: COVID cases in residents of Florida nursing homes and assisted living facilities fell 90% since January. Now senior advocate organizations are closely watching the new case numbers and hospitalizations. No one — even vaccine manufacturers — knows for certain how long immunity will last, particularly in the elderly. Both Pfizer and Moderna CEOs have said it's likely there will be a need for a third dose, somewhere between six and 12 months." BUMPY ROAD BACK — "Bullish tourism optimism tempered by worker shortage, global COVID surge," by Palm Beach Post's Antonio Fins: "With forecasts calling for a strong Memorial Day kickoff to summer tourism and an Olympic baseball qualifying tournament scheduled in June, you'd expect Palm Beach County tourism officials to feel bullish. And they are. But as the industry recovers from the pandemic, there are clearly visible impediments to growth, such as a labor shortage. And seeing the recent resurgence of COVID-19 cases in Germany, and across the Old World, plus the virus' hellish spread in India, the top travel marketer in the county said he gets unnerved. 'That's what keeps me up at night,' said Jorge Pesquera, president and CEO of Discover the Palm Beaches. "The pandemic is not really going to be over until it's over around the world." | | PENINSULA AND BEYOND | | 'CHILLING EFFECT' — "ACLU alarmed, seeks to overturn ruling on Boynton mom filming police," by Palm Beach Post's Jane Musgrave: "Journalism organizations and civil rights groups are joining forces to overturn a West Palm Beach appeals court decision that they claim could block the press and the public from videotaping police. Raising the specter of cellphone footage that captured George Floyd's murder by Minneapolis police, ACLU attorneys on Friday urged the 4th District Court of Appeal to reconsider its decision to uphold the arrest of a Boynton Beach woman who turned her video camera on cops. 'It's a profoundly disturbing decision and contrary to a long line of federal court rulings,' said American Civil Liberties Union attorney Jim Green. He is representing various groups, including the National Press Photographers Association, the Society of Professional Journalists and the Florida Justice Institute." — "Drivers saw chaos on I-95 in one chase. In another, a fiery wreck killed a man. Are police pursuits too risky?" by Sun Sentinel's Eileen Kelley and Rafael Olmeda — " Hundreds march around downtown Orlando to 'free Palestine' amid ceasefire," by Orlando Sentinel's Cristobal Reyes: | | MEDIA MATTERS | | A NEW WAY? — Attorney Barbara Petersen for many years helped lead the charge for transparency in government as the president of the First Amendment Foundation. Petersen retired from that job at the end of 2019, but now she's got a new endeavor: She's taken on the post of the executive director of the Florida Center for Government Accountability. A different approach — This non-profit start-up, which was created with the help of concerned citizens, investigative reporters and open government experts, has a somewhat unique mission: Aggressively obtain public records and then find reporters to take that information and turn it into a story. "We are simply making public records requests and finding people to write about what we uncover," Petersen told Playbook. The organization's first effort delved into possible conflicts of interest involving a southwest Florida county commissioner. Stepping into a void — This move comes at a time Petersen says that more and more government officials are becoming more secretive from the governor's office down to local city councils. She said her organization's main focus will primarily be at the local level where there is a dearth of scrutiny. "The whole point is to bring this information to the attention of the public so the public can decide what to do," Petersen said. Helping out — The array of people involved include some well-known names. Sally Bradshaw, former Rep. Doug Wiles, former Florida Wildlife Federation CEO Manley Fuller and Pulitzer Prize winning reporter Lucy Morgan are members of the organization's advisory board. The FCGA Board of Trustees includes President Linda Penniman, a former Naples City council member, Vice President Don Lindley, the former executive editor of The Daytona Beach News-Journal, and Secretary Diane Roberts, author, columnist and Florida State University professor. BIG CHANGES AHEAD? — "Shareholders of Sun Sentinel parent company Tribune Publishing agree to sell to hedge fund Alden Global," by Chicago Tribune's Robert Channick: "Shareholders of Tribune Publishing, the parent company of the South Florida Sun Sentinel and other major metropolitan newsrooms, voted Friday to approve hedge fund Alden Global Capital's $633 million purchase of the Chicago-based newspaper chain. The deal, which is expected to close by Tuesday, will take Tribune Publishing private and add the Chicago Tribune, Sun Sentinel, Orlando Sentinel, Baltimore Sun, Hartford Courant, New York Daily News, Virginian-Pilot and others to the Alden portfolio, making the New York-based hedge fund the second-largest newspaper owner in the U.S. behind Gannett." | | A message from Facebook: Why Facebook supports updated internet regulations
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| | ODDS, ENDS, AND FLORIDA MEN | | — "Parents criticize altering yearbook photos deemed immodest," by The Associated Press: "Parents and students are criticizing teachers at a Florida high school for digitally altering photos in a yearbook in order to cover up students whose clothes the school officials deemed too immodest. The St. Augustine Record reported that 80 students at Bartram Trail High School in northeast Florida had their yearbook photos altered without their consent in order to cover up exposed shoulders and low necklines. Adrian Bartlett said her daughter's yearbook picture was edited to add more shirt coverage. 'I think it sends the message that our girls should be ashamed of their growing bodies, and I think that's a horrible message to send out to these young girls that are going through these changes,' Bartlett said." BIRTHDAYS: Rob Johnson with the Mayernick Group … (Was Sunday) State Sen. Ana Maria Rodriguez … Alvin Malnick, American businessman and attorney … (Was Saturday) State Rep. Patt Maney … Department of Economic Opportunity Secretary Dane Eagle … Sam Ard, senior partner at Ard Shirley & Rudolph…. Jillian Lane Wyant of Rep. Matt Gaetz's office.
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