| | | | | |  | | By Gary Fineout | Hello and welcome to Friday. Florida didn't have any "sanctuary cities." But they were banned anyway. Florida's election went incredibly smooth. But the state's voting laws were altered. Racial justice protests happened last year after George Floyd's murder, but Florida didn't have the same kind of violent riots that broke out in other parts of the country. Florida made sure to pass an "anti-riot bill." And now there's no evidence that scores of teachers are using "critical race theory" in Florida schools. But it just got banned on Thursday. In essence, Gov. Ron DeSantis has become the master of solving problems that for the most part don't exist in the Sunshine State. And if ain't broke, fix it so you can campaign on it. With that, DeSantis has become a national sensation among Republicans who is on a path to be the 2024 GOP nominee (provided former President Donald Trump stays out). The governor was on a fundraising trip out west this week, and still he made sure to beam into the State Board of Education meeting ahead of a Thursday vote to reinforce his position on critical race theory. He ascribed the practice as some product of the "woke class" rather than to what supporters contend is an attempt to look at how a nation that once enslaved people and condoned Jim Crow might still have racism baked into some of its policies and statutes. Look, there are problems — the Covid-19 pandemic — that DeSantis did respond to. (And yes there are plenty of critics, especially Democrats who don't like how handled the crisis. But recent polls show that a majority of Florida voters are giving him good grades for his performance.) And the economy is recovering. But there are other issues affecting the state that don't make for good fodder on national conservative media outlets. Talk privately to some Republicans and they will express frustration that some of these items get ignored. (For one, Florida has a growing affordability crisis re housing, property insurance etc.) Other routine elements of governing — let's say appointments, as one example — don't get much attention either. Does it really matter? Right now, it does not. DeSantis has millions of dollars in his campaign account and he's a rising political star. And it's not clear if Democrats can fashion a successful message that would block his path to re-election in 2022. He's got Democrats fighting him on his turf and so far he's winning. — 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 | | | | 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. | | | | |
|  | ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... | | THE DESANTIS RULE — "Florida bans critical race theory from classrooms," by Sun Sentinel's Scott Travis: "Florida's educators were banned Thursday from teaching history in a way that portrays the U.S. as overly racist, an action that brought howls of protest from people who believe the state is trying to scrub the past. At the request of Gov. Ron DeSantis, the state Board of Education prohibited the teaching of 'critical race theory,' an idea that racism is rooted in the major institutions of the country. Although Florida school districts say they don't teach the theory, DeSantis and Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran say it's embedded into some academic lessons as well as efforts to promote diversity and anti-racism." A highlight from POLITICO's Andrew Atterbury report: Teachers in Florida "may not define American history as something other than the creation of a new nation based largely on universal principles stated in the Declaration of Independence," under the rule. Further, the proposal spells out that teachers are facilitators to student discussions who must "not share their personal views or attempt to indoctrinate or persuade students." READY TO ROLL — "Federal judge rejects Florida's bid to delay enforcement of social media crackdown," by POLITICO's Gary Fineout: Florida on Thursday offered to delay enforcement of a contentious new law that cracks down on social media companies, but a federal judge rebuffed the offer. U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle, following a nearly hour-long hearing, instead ordered the state and a coalition of tech industry groups challenging the newly-signed law to prepare to square off in court later this month. The state's arguments — Blaine Winship, an attorney who represents Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody, who was named in the suit, said the state needed more time to mount a defense on what he called "an important piece of legislation." Winship told the court that Florida was prepared to push back enforcement of the social media crackdown until Aug. 1 while the case was proceeding. "We believe it makes imminent sense to not do this at 90 miles per hour," Winship told Hinkle, and he added later that "we need to have a fair opportunity to show we are on the side of free speech and they are not." Pushing back — Lawyers for the tech group objected, saying they were fearful that without a formal ruling by a judge, the state could decide to fine media companies for actions taken in July. One of the attorneys, Christopher Oprison, said it could put tech companies in the "dangerous waters" of getting sanctioned with accumulated penalties for failing to act. "Any delay will harm our clients and only help the state," Oprison said. VOTE WAS 6-1 — "Florida Supreme Court shoots down diversity rule, calling it a quota," by Sun Sentinel's Rafael Olmeda: "Florida's highest court has issued an order that blocks lawyers from their attempts to increase diversity in the legal profession, a move that no other state has taken. The Supreme Court ruled that requiring instructors in legal seminars to include people of color was equivalent to a quota, which the court called discriminatory. Critics responded that the order takes aim at diversity itself. The court's decision sends a discouraging message to both lawyers and the community at large about the value the justice system places on diversity, legal experts said." SHUT DOWN — "Florida's unemployment office axes call centers, despite thousands of laid-off workers who still need help," by Orlando Sentinel's Caroline Glenn: "Florida's unemployment office has gotten rid of all of the call centers it brought on in 2020 — a decision that critics said is premature, as thousands of claims continue to pour in and applicants still struggle to get through the state's antiquated CONNECT website. The Department of Economic Opportunity recently cut ties with Titan Technologies, a company based in the Panhandle it had contracted with to provide up to 2,000 call reps to help the agency field calls from laid-off workers and process the backlog of claims caused by the pandemic." — "Bipartisan police reform bill awaiting Gov. Ron DeSantis' signature," by WFTS' Jasmine Styles — "Florida PSC stiff arms growing calls to investigate up to $300 million in Duke Energy Florida executive pay," by The Capitolist's Brian Burgess | | DATELINE D.C. | | ANOTHER RIFT — "South Florida Dems feud with Ilhan Omar for equating U.S., Israel with Hamas, Taliban," by Miami Herald's Alex Daugherty: "Three South Florida Democrats signed a statement with nine of their U.S. House colleagues criticizing recent statements by Minnesota Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar that lumped together alleged human rights abuses committed by the United States and Israel with Hamas and the Taliban. U.S. Reps. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Ted Deutch and Lois Frankel, who are Jewish, urged Omar, who is Muslim, 'to clarify her words placing the U.S. and Israel in the same category as Hamas and the Taliban.' 'Equating the U.S. and Israel to Hamas and the Taliban is as offensive as it is misguided,' the lawmakers wrote. 'Ignoring the differences between democracies governed by the rule of law and organizations that engage in terrorism discredits one's intended argument and reflects deep-seated prejudice.'" Action urged — "Miami Republican Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart said Omar should be removed from her committee assignments. 'The double standard must end NOW,' Diaz-Balart tweeted. 'Ilhan Omar must be removed from all committees immediately.'" WAITING — " GOP Rep. Byron Donalds calls CBC silence on membership delay 'off-putting,'" by POLITICO's Nick Niedzwiadek: Republican Rep. Byron Donalds expressed frustration Thursday at being prevented from entering the Congressional Black Caucus without a clear indication why. In an interview on CNN, Donalds (R-Fla.) said his office has "not really heard much from the CBC" in the months since he expressed interest in joining the group and that no one has communicated why he is being kept out. "I have a perspective being a 42-year-old Black man who's come up in America after a lot of the battles through the civil rights movement that I think would actually be helpful and a helpful perspective to the CBC," Donalds said. "Whether they want to take advantage of that is really up to them." MISSION AHEAD — "POLITICO Pro Q&A: NASA Administrator Bill Nelson," by POLITICO's Bryan Bender: NASA Administrator Bill Nelson is leveraging his nearly four decades in Congress to lobby hard this summer for additional funding to plug a major hole in the plan to return astronauts to the moon. At the same time, he's trying to upgrade 20 facilities that are so outdated he complains there are holes in the roof. Nelson is "very optimistic" that the space agency can secure extra appropriations beyond its $24.8 billion request for fiscal 2022 to beef up the Artemis program, which is still eyeing the 2024 goal to land humans on the lunar surface. And he is targeting the potential infrastructure bill as the source. | 
ORLANDO, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 31: Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL) campaigns with former NASA Chief Charlie Bolden at the Orlando Science Center on October 31, 2018 in Orlando, Florida. Nelson faces Republican challenger and current governor of Florida Rick Scott in the upcoming midterm election. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) | Getty Images | And about UFOs — "A couple of years ago, as a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, I was briefed on what those Navy pilots saw, and I have talked to the Navy pilots. They are quite convinced. And these are realistic folks. This isn't some UFO tin-foil hat kind. These are pilots who locked their radar on it. They tracked and then they saw it move so fast that they couldn't believe it. And then they went and tracked it again, locked their radar on it in a new position. So there's some phenomenon that we need to explain." | | | | DON'T MISS THE MILKEN INSTITUTE FUTURE OF HEALTH SUMMIT: POLITICO will feature a special edition of our Future Pulse newsletter at the 2021 Milken Institute Future of Health Summit. The newsletter takes readers inside one of the most influential gatherings of global health industry leaders and innovators who are turning lessons learned from the past year into a healthier, more resilient and more equitable future. Covid-19 threatened our health and well-being, while simultaneously leading to extraordinary coordination to improve pandemic preparedness, disease prevention, diversity in clinical trials, mental health resources, food access and more. SUBSCRIBE TODAY to receive exclusive coverage from June 22-23. | | | | |
| | CORONAVIRUS UPDATES | | ROUGH WATERS — "Judge grills CDC on Florida cruise restrictions in hearing over DeSantis lawsuit," by Tampa Bay Times Emily L. Mahoney and Miami Herald's Taylor Dolven: "Does the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have the authority to require cruise companies in Florida to take specific measures to prevent the spread of disease? And are its current mandates an unfair burden on the industry? Those questions were at the heart of a three-and-a-half hour hearing in federal court Thursday in Tampa over the state of Florida's request that the court invalidate the federal government's rules for cruises while a lawsuit against the agency proceeds. It was the second hearing on the request. As with the initial hearing, held on May 12, U.S. Middle District of Florida Judge Steven D. Merryday issued no immediate ruling but said he would have a decision 'soon.'" Scolding — The hearing ended with the two parties returning to court-ordered mediation — though DeSantis had previously said in a news release that talks had reached an 'impasse.' Earlier in the hearing, Judge Merryday scolded the state for those statements, saying they were both a breach of confidentiality and inaccurate, since the mediator is the only one with the legal authority to declare an impasse. 'I'm not faulting the governor,' he said, adding that the release probably didn't reach his desk. '(But) you need to inform everyone in your chain of communication that if there's a repeat of this, I'll investigate.'" LOCAL COVERAGE — "Second Gentleman makes stop in Tallahassee for vaccine tour," by WCTV's Mike Vasilinda: "Florida's Capital City was the first stop on a nationwide tour by the Vice President's husband. The goal is to increase the national vaccination rate to 70 percent by the fourth of July. The Second Gentleman's motorcade arrived at a state health department office in a predominately African American neighborhood. Statewide just 20 of the Black population has gotten a shot. 'Going to the sporting events and the weddings and all the things people want to do this summer and get back to school in the fall and going back to movie theaters. They are not going to be able to do that unless we hit those numbers, 70 percent plus,' said Douglas Emhoff, Second Gentleman of the United States." — "Traveler sues Orlando airport, TSA for 'stranding' him in The Villages over mask mandate," by WKMG's Gabriella Nunez | | TRUMPLANDIA AND THE SWAMP | | QUITE THE READ — "Election Denial and $16 spritzers: Welcome to Florida's Trump Coast," by Bloomberg's Joshua Green: "'Donald Trump needs the adulation of the crowd the way you or I need oxygen to breathe,' says Michael Cohen, his estranged former lawyer. By all accounts, Trump's life after the White House doesn't resemble that of a typical ex-president so much as a foreign monarch cast into exile — like Napoleon at Elba, but with golf and a bigger buffet." | 
FILE - In this Nov. 24, 2017 file photo shows President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Fla. President Trump's Mar-a-Lago club will partially reopen to members this weekend as South Florida slowly reopens from the coronavirus lock down. An email sent Thursday, May 14, 2020 to members says the Palm Beach resort's Beach Club restaurant, its pool and its whirlpool will reopen Saturday after being closed two months, but its main building that includes hotel rooms, the main dining area and the president's private residence will remain closed. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File) | Testimonial — "For Republicans, going to Florida carries added delight because it lets them do something almost as thrilling as being close to Trump: own the libs. Every person interviewed for this story mentioned, without prompting, how well the 'Free State of Florida' has fared in flouting Covid-19 restrictions under its Trump-endorsed Republican governor, Ron DeSantis. 'You've got no masks, no lockdowns, good restaurants, and great beaches,' says Andy Surabian, a former Trump official. 'Trump being there is a cherry on top.'" | | CAMPAIGN MODE | | THE DESANTIS WAY…IN IDAHO? — "'He's not DeSantis enough': GOP governor whacked over COVID policy," by POLITICO's Ximena Bustillo and Marc Caputo: China Gum, who advised former GOP Rep. Raul Labrador's 2018 gubernatorial campaign against Brad Little, said the governor opened himself to a primary challenge because of what many conservatives saw as a heavy-handed approach to the pandemic. Janice McGeachin, she said, is more of an heir to the brand of conservative politics practiced by the tea party, Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, whose laissez-faire approach toward keeping Florida open contrasted with Little's policies in Idaho. "A lot of people were saying he's not DeSantis enough … DeSantis is a lot more symbolic of what Idaho Republicans want," Gum said. "I don't understand why Brad Little has been more California in his approach, more shut-down on this issue." We want Ron — DeSantis was the first governor in the nation to essentially ban local governments from implementing mask mandates, which McGeachin highlighted when she issued her short-lived mandate once Little stepped out of state. Local conservatives loved it. "Half the party or more is on the DeSantis train. We would like a DeSantis," said Boise County GOP Chair Eric McGilp. QUICK ENDORSEMENT — " EMILY's List backs Demings in Florida Senate race," by POLITICO's James Arkin: EMILY's List endorsed Rep. Val Demings' Senate campaign Thursday, giving the Florida Democrat a major boost the day after she officially launched her bid to take on incumbent GOP Sen. Marco Rubio. Demings, a former police chief and three-term Orlando-area member of Congress, has already received widespread support for the Senate run against Rubio, although she'll still have to win a Democratic primary to face him. — "Ron DeSantis far outpacing Charlie Crist when it comes to campaign cash," by News Service of Florida's Jim Saunders — "Charlie Crist, running for governor again, brings trademark expressions of concern and empathy to South Florida," by Sun Sentinel's Anthony Man — "Florida gubernatorial candidate Charlie Crist in West Palm Beach calls Gov. DeSantis' voter law 'diabolical,'" by Palm Beach Post's Wendy Rhodes | | THE GUNSHINE STATE | | AWFUL — "Toddler and his grandmother shot to death inside Publix; gunman also dead," by Sun Sentinel's Eileen Kelley, Adam Lichtenstein, Rafael Olmeda, Austen Erblat, Alex Deluca and Wells Dusenbury : "A man shot a toddler and his grandmother to death before turning his handgun on himself inside a Publix in Royal Palm Beach late Thursday morning, sending customers and cashiers fleeing from the store in fear. Officials have not identified the three people whose bodies were found near the produce section of the supermarket — an adult woman, a toddler who would have turned 2 this month, and the gunman." | | PENINSULA AND BEYOND | | LIGHTS OUT — "The Sunshine Skyway wasn't lit for Pride. Could that change?" by Tampa Bay Times' Kirby Wilson and Malena Carollo: "Florida Department of Transportation spokesperson Kris Carson, who works in the Tampa Bay office, said the $15.6 million Skyway lighting system is currently unable to display a rainbow. The 1,800 colored LED fixtures can only display three colors at a time, she said. The system was installed in 2019. An April 28 email Carson wrote to Jim Nixon, the city's LGBTQ liaison, said the Pride display requested by the city wasn't one of the department's eight approved color schemes." — " FSU President Thrasher agrees with recommendation not to rename Doak Campbell Stadium," by Tallahassee Democrat's Byron Dobson | | ODDS, ENDS, AND FLORIDA MEN | | — "People booted from Marlins game for 'Trump Won' and 'Proud Boy' signs," by NBC 6: "Multiple people were ejected from the Miami Marlins game Tuesday night after they hung signs supporting the Proud Boys and Donald Trump. Multiple photos showed the massive signs reading 'Trump Won - Take Back America' and 'Proud Boys Did Nothing Wrong - Free All Political Prisoners 1/6/21' unfurled at the game as the Marlins played the Colorado Rockies at loanDepot Park. A spokesperson for the team confirmed at least five people were ejected from the stadium after the signs violated the ballpark's rules on banner size and messaging." BIRTHDAYS: Pasco County Tax Collector and former state senator Mike Fasano … Cesar Gonzalez of Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart's (R-Fla.) office
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