| | | | | |  | | By Gary Fineout | Presented by No Casinos, Inc. | Hello and welcome to Thursday. Waiting to exhale — It may be weeks — probably months — before the true effect of the last three months in Tallahassee are really known. As the Republican-controlled Florida Legislature — at the urging of Gov. Ron DeSantis — passed measure after measure ranging from a confrontation with Silicon Valley to a revamp of election laws, and now a sweeping gambling deal, the efforts have been quickly been hit with lawsuits. Making the grade — Still, there is an argument to be made that the recently concluded 2021 session, along with this week's special session to approve a 30-year agreement with the Seminole Tribe of Florida, may be among some of the most substantive bursts of activity for legislators in the past decade. (This is not an endorsement of the policies enacted, but merely a nod to the scale of the potential impact.) Flashback — Let's compare it to 2011, Rick Scott's first year as governor. That was a session that produced a sharply criticized unemployment overhaul that caused much of the turmoil we saw over the past year. There was a massive expansion of vouchers. A complete revamp of Florida's Medicaid program. An effort to crack down on pill mills. The dismantling of growth management. An attempt to bolster Florida's property insurance market. A requirement that rank-and-file state workers contribute 3 percent of their salaries to pay for their retirement benefits. Not to mention a state budget that included deep cuts to education (that haunted Scott for years afterwards and nearly cost him his re-election). And there were multiple constitutional amendments on the 2012 ballot. This year — The list is equally lengthy for this year whether it's another attempt to revamp Florida's child welfare system, a large initiative to bolster Florida in the battle against climate change, a revamp of workforce development, the expansion of Medicaid benefits for mothers, two major insurance bills, and oh by the way, taxes on internet transactions to pay for a cut in unemployment taxes. (Yes, it's not a "tax increase" but still...). And there was lots of red meat for the GOP base that supports DeSantis: the transgender student sports ban, the "anti-rioting" bill, and another major expansion of private school vouchers. This year's budget, which is nearly $110 billion, is also stuffed full with all sorts of new initiatives including one paying for the delivery of free books. How did it happen? — It may be hard to completely dissect how all this happened, but key factors or a "perfect storm" as one observer put it, including everything from staffing (the top aides in both chambers are veterans who have worked for previous presiding officers). There was also decision by both House Speaker Chris Sprowls and Senate President Wilton Simpson to eschew the "one big thing" approach, and have a less confrontational approach between the House and Senate. And oh yeah…money. Lots of money. (Courtesy of President Joe Biden and the Democrats in Congress. There's irony there.) — WHERE'S RON? — Gov. DeSantis is scheduled to be in Pittsburgh, where he will be the special guest speaker at the Republican Committee of Allegheny County Lincoln Day Dinner. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for Playbook? Get in touch: gfineout@politico.com | | A message from No Casinos, Inc. The proposed compact is predicated on accepting something that is fictional, as fact. Because according to the Compact, someone placing a bet on their mobile device, anywhere in Florida, is actually gambling "on Tribal lands" if the computer server happens to be located at a tribal facility. Learn more. | | |
|  | ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... | | CASH IT IN — "Florida lawmakers hand DeSantis another win with approval of gambling deal," by POLITICO's Gary Fineout: Florida's Republican-controlled Legislature on Wednesday approved a sweeping gambling deal that will bring sports betting to the nation's third largest state for the first time. The passage, which will undoubtedly face legal challenges, is a big win for Gov. Ron DeSantis, who personally lobbied state lawmakers to approve the deal. It also caps a series of legislative victories for DeSantis on issues ranging from clamping down on Big Tech, elections and racial justice protesters. The overwhelming approval of the gambling deal, however, didn't come without some concessions and last-minute lobbying by the governor. A small number of opponents — A handful of Democrats publicly objected to the compact, contending the 30-year agreement was too long and that it would also open the door to future casinos potentially in Miami Beach or at the Doral resort owned by former President Donald Trump. Opponents also said the compact was legally suspect because it would allow anyone in the state to use their phones to place bets. Voters in 2018 approved a citizen initiative that requires voter approval before expanding casino gambling. "We are expanding gambling whether you want to try to dance around what that looks like," said state Rep. Nicholas Duran, a Miami Democrat. | 
Gov. Ron DeSantis with state legislators after the end of the 2021 session of the Florida Legislature. | Gary Fineout, POLITICO | 'NO LEVERAGE' — "Last ditch effort fails to save harness racing at Pompano Park," by Sun Sentinel's Skyler Swisher: "A last-ditch effort to save harness horse racing at Pompano Park came up short on Wednesday, meaning the likely end of a decades-old tradition at Florida's last remaining track. State Rep. Dan Daley led the charge to block a provision that allows Isle Casino Pompano Park to drop live racing and continue to offer other slots and poker. With a massive redevelopment project planned, the Isle Casino Pompano Park, which is owned by Caesars Entertainment, would have little incentive to preserve harness racing if not required by law, Daley said." SIDELINES — "Chancellor: Florida BOG won't intervene in FSU presidential search," by POLITICO's Andrew Atterbury: The Board of Governors is staying out of Florida State University's hunt for a new president after one member attempted to shut down the search this week, citing interference from a college accreditation board. Chancellor Marshall Criser said Wednesday that the BOG will not intervene as FSU draws close to naming a new leader, which could happen as soon as Monday. The statement came in a response to BOG member Alan Levine, who is taking a hard-line stance against the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges for implying FSU could lose its accreditation for considering current Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran for its top job. RE-OPEN SESAME — POLITICO's Bruce Ritchie reports that the Public Service Commission, which has been meeting online during the pandemic, has quietly resumed open meetings. Agency spokesperson Cindy Muir said Wednesday that commission meetings reopened when the Department of Management Services removed closed signs from the building but she didn't know when that happened. Muir told POLITICO on May 3 that meetings remain closed with no reopening date set. DMS spokesperson Rose Hebert would not say when signs were removed but pointed to an April 29 order by state Surgeon General Scott Rivkees declaring that government offices should be conducting operations in person. — "House Democrats elect Ramon Alexander and Fentrice Driskell as future leaders," by Florida Politics' Haley Brown | | | | SUBSCRIBE TO WEST WING PLAYBOOK: Add West Wing Playbook to keep up with the power players, latest policy developments and intriguing whispers percolating inside the West Wing and across the highest levels of the Cabinet. For buzzy nuggets and details you won't find anywhere else, subscribe today. | | | | |
| | Gaetz-gate | | NEW NAME — "Grand jury subpoena lists previously unknown person in Gaetz probe," by POLITICO's Marc Caputo: A new name has surfaced tied to the scandal engulfing Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz: Joe Ellicott, a close friend and former employee of the elected tax collector who pleaded guilty to a host of crimes Monday. Nicknamed "Big Joe," Ellicott was listed in a federal grand jury subpoena sent to a different individual and obtained by POLITICO. The subpoena also lists Gaetz and two friends of his, including former Seminole County Tax Collector Joel Greenberg, who has agreed to cooperate with federal prosecutors as they examine whether the congressman had sex with a 17-year-old and paid her for it in 2017. Added details — The grand jury subpoena provides new information on who federal investigators are looking into, as well as additional details on the kinds of information authorities are seeking — documents, video recordings and communications — as they looked into the Republican lawmaker earlier this year. The subpoena, as well as Greenberg's cooperation with prosecutors, appears to increase the legal peril the congressman is facing. Ellicott didn't return two messages left on his cellphone. A spokesperson for Gaetz couldn't be reached for comment. But in previous interviews with POLITICO about Ellicott, Gaetz said he barely knew him and didn't associate with him when he was in the Orlando area. | | CAMPAIGN MODE | | RIPPLE EFFECT — "Florida progressive Aramis Ayala eyes run for House seat instead of Senate," by POLITICO's Matt Dixon: Florida Democrats are already navigating the fallout from Rep. Val Demings' likely run for Senate, with former Orlando-area state attorney Aramis Ayala signaling she may run for a House seat instead of Senate in 2022. "I've had some very productive discussions with leaders in our community, around the state, and nationally about the best way to serve," she said in a Wednesday statement. "There will be a strong need for a progressive champion who can build on the work Congresswoman Demings has done in Congress and advocate for Florida's 10th District." UM, OK — "Democrats may have *too* much of a good thing in Florida in 2022," by CNN's Chris Cilliza: "The potential problem for Florida Democrats is that the state's primary is extremely late — August 23, 2022. Which gives the eventual Democratic nominees for senator and governor just 77 days between winning the primary and trying to knock off Rubio and DeSantis, respectively. And it's not just that that's a small window time-wise. It's that whoever wins the Democratic nomination will have raised and spent millions (and millions) to do it. And likely have almost $0 in the bank, meaning that they will have to raise massive sums very quickly to be competitive against the two GOP incumbents, who will be very well financed." — "Should Broward have an elected county mayor? Voters may get a say next year," by Sun Sentinel's Lisa J. Huriash | | | | A message from No Casinos, Inc.   | | |
| | | PAGING ROBERT WEXLER — "Biden's missing man in Jerusalem," by POLITICO's Nahal Toosi: Following reports that [President Joe] Biden plans to nominate Tom Nides, a banker and former State Department official, some lawmakers and activists are pushing back. They are urging Biden to instead choose Robert Wexler, an ex-lawmaker who's spent years to trying to end the decades-old conflict. The pro-Wexler campaign has been waged in private letters to the White House, articles in the Jewish and Israeli press, direct lawmaker conversations with senior Biden aides and the occasional tweet, people familiar with the situation said. Nides has his boosters, too, but at the moment the pro-Wexler crowd is much more vocal. Booster — Rep. Ted Deutch, chair of a House subcommittee on the Middle East, is among those backing Wexler, who once held his Florida House seat. "Especially in light of the ongoing terrorist attacks on Israel, we need someone in Jerusalem who has shown his commitment to the relationship, understands the intricacies of these issues, and has earned the respect of leaders across the spectrum. Robert would be a natural fit," Deutch, a staunch supporter of the U.S.-Israel relationship, said in a statement. | | TRUMPLANDIA AND THE SWAMP | | TWO NEWCOMERS — "Two Miami Republicans break rank, vote with Democrats to investigate Jan. 6 riot," by Miami Herald's Samantha J. Gross: "Miami U.S. Reps. Carlos Gimenez and Maria Elvira Salazar broke ranks with the rest of Florida's Republican delegation Wednesday, voting to create a commission to investigate the violent Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. Gimenez and Salazar, both freshmen lawmakers, were among 35 Republicans who joined 217 Democrats in support of a bill that creates a mechanism to investigate the day a violent mass of Donald Trump supporters overran the Capitol as Congress prepared to vote to confirm Joe Biden's victory in the presidential election." Going it alone — "Though dozens of Republicans supported the proposal — which passed the House 252-175 — Gimenez and Salazar were the only Republicans from Florida to vote in favor of the bill. They split with the dean of Miami House Republicans, U.S. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart. (U.S. Rep. Daniel Webster did not vote on the bill.) By breaking rank, both members defied Trump and House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy, who worked to get them elected." Gimenez explains — Gimenez put out a statement explaining that while he understands concerns about Democrats "politicizing the process," the former Miami-Dade County mayor said he was satisfied with the compromise included in the final measure. "There is no doubt that January 6th left many questions to be asked of those in charge of the security protocols on Capitol Hill. This commission will provide a legitimized mechanism for those questions to be answered." — " Neptune Beach man charged with violence in U.S. Capitol riot," by Florida Times-Union's Steve Patterson — "Ashley Moody mum on Donald Trump's New York legal woes," by Florida Politics' A.G. Gancarski | | | | 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. | | | | |
| | CORONAVIRUS UPDATES | | The daily rundown — Between Tuesday and Wednesday, the number of Florida coronavirus cases increased by 2,811 (0.1 percent), to 2,299,596; active hospitalizations decreased by 69 (2.9 percent), to 2,274; death of Florida residents rose by 44 (0.1 percent), to 36,271; 9,749,726 Floridians have received at least one dose of a vaccine. TO COURT — "Florida Realtors file lawsuit seeking end to CDC eviction moratorium," by News Service of Florida's Jim Saunders: "A major Florida real-estate group is challenging a federal moratorium on evicting renters during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Orlando-based group called Florida Realtors filed a lawsuit Monday in federal court in Tampa that described the moratorium imposed by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as 'an unprecedented and unlawful federal administrative order.' The lawsuit contends that the CDC overstepped its legal authority in imposing the moratorium, which is scheduled to expire June 30." — " Ashley Moody not backing down from CDC cruise suit," by Florida Politics' A.G. Gancarski — "SEC provides $23M in supplemental revenue to Florida, 13 other league members because of COVID," by The Gainesville Sun's Zach Abolverdi — " Central Florida's COVID battle reaches turning point as deaths plummet and mass vaccine sites close," by Orlando Sentinel's Kate Santich, Stephen Hudak and Adelaide Chen — "Wealthy parts of Palm Beach County are also tops in vaccination rates," by Palm Beach Post's Jane Musgrave — "Marlins, Rays fans no longer need masks at home games," by The Associated Press | | PENINSULA AND BEYOND | | SEARCHING FOR ANSWERS — "1,200 graves are missing in Tampa. How did they disappear?" by Tampa Bay Times' Paul Guzzo: "Records reviewed by the Tampa Bay Times indicate more than 1,200 people — mostly pioneering Black residents of Tampa, some historic figures — might have been buried in the land now devoid of headstones. Nearly all, including [Bessie] Williams, are missing. This is not an isolated phenomenon. Five erased or lost cemeteries have so far been discovered throughout Tampa Bay over the last few years. Four were for Black people, one was mostly for Black burials. The searches were inspired by Times investigations into the whereabouts of the historic burial grounds, starting with Zion Cemetery in 2019." 'NOT OVER YET' — "Some Florida manatees still struggle with starvation after peak die-off," by Tampa Bay Times' Zachary T. Sampson: "Even as temperatures have warmed this spring and some Florida manatees have left the Indian River Lagoon, where many of them died this winter without enough food to eat, researchers are finding survivors up and down the coast struggling with prolonged effects of starvation. 'This event is not over yet. We are still picking up occasional cases with the effects of starvation,' said Martine de Wit, a veterinarian in the state's marine mammal pathology lab. Cases have been documented as far as Georgia, she said." | | A message from No Casinos, Inc. Florida voters overwhelmingly approved the Voter Control of Gambling Amendment in 2018. Now, gambling lobbyists are trying to convince your legislators to break the law, pass the largest gambling expansion in the state, and ignore your right to vote. In 2018, 72% of Florida Voters Approved Amendment 3, which says "…Florida voters shall have the exclusive right to decide whether to authorize casino gambling in the State of Florida." That means new gambling in Florida can only be authorized by a statewide vote of the people. But gambling interests want our elected officials to approve this proposed compact without voter approval. That's not just wrong, it's unconstitutional. Learn more. | | |
| | ODDS, ENDS, AND FLORIDA MEN | | — "Mystery of Dania Beach monkey colony solved," by Sun Sentinel's David Fleshler: "The suspected history of the Dania Beach monkeys has now been confirmed by scientists at Florida Atlantic University, who have just published an article in a scientific journal on the colony's origins. "Through interviews, historical archives, and popular media, we traced the monkeys to an escape from the Dania Chimpanzee Farm in 1948," states the article published in the journal Primates. 'The facility imported primates from Africa for medical research purposes.' Long a shadowy part of South Florida life, the monkeys live on 1,500 acres of mangrove forest wedged between oil storage tanks, the port and Federal Highway." — "Miami judge who skipped work, used staff for personal errands resigns from the bench," by Miami Herald's David Ovalle: "The Miami-Dade judge who faced discipline for skipping work and making his staff run personal errands has stepped down from the bench. Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Martin Zilber on Friday submitted his letter of resignation, a little more than a month after he publicly accepted responsibility for his misconduct. The Florida Judicial Qualifications Commission, at the time, recommended that Zilber be suspended for 60 days and fined $30,000. Weeks later, however, the Florida Supreme Court rejected the proposed discipline, sending his case back to the commission for a full hearing and paving the way for a possible formal removal." BIRTHDAYS: State Rep. Anna Eskamani … State Sen. Jason Pizzo … Ida Eskamani with Florida Rising … Steve Uhlfelder, attorney and former lobbyist and former member of the Board of Governors
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