News : POLITICO Florida Playbook: Devastation in South Florida — The complicated dance between DeSantis and Trump — Democrats' aging problem

Friday, June 25, 2021

POLITICO Florida Playbook: Devastation in South Florida — The complicated dance between DeSantis and Trump — Democrats' aging problem — R.I.P. FAMU's Frederick Humphries

Jun 25, 2021

It's Friday.

Harrowing — It's been a little more than 24 hours since the devastating collapse of a condominium in Surfside — a truly stunning event captured on video and shown repeatedly over the last day. But as Gov. Ron DeSantis noted the scale of the catastrophe can't truly be understood by just watching it on television.

Still working — The search for dozens of missing people — including the grim task of recovering bodies — goes on amid the rubble. President Joe Biden shortly after midnight declared a state of emergency exists and ordered the federal government to offer assistance to local and state officials.

Trust the process — This declaration followed a bit of awkward political back-and-forth between Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, Biden and the DeSantis administration over whether emergency declarations would be issued to trigger help from the feds.

Waiting game — "I'm waiting for the governor to ask or to declare an emergency," Biden told reporters at one point during the day. "Especially as we learn more about what might happen with the rest of the building. We are ready to move with federal resources immediately, if in fact we are asked, but we can't go in now."

What's going on? — Initially, as POLITICO's Matt Dixon reports, the DeSantis administration noted it had provided help from five state agencies and did not initially see the need for an emergency declaration. DeSantis finally did issue an order early Thursday evening, but only after several Democrats questioned why he had not done so earlier. It's worth noting, however, that Cava appeared to ask for a state declaration before issuing a local one. It's really not clear what all of this posturing achieved — but it seems like something that would not have occurred under previous governors such as Rick Scott and Jeb Bush, who usually acted quite quickly.

Put on hold — One other point: DeSantis' emergency declaration regarding Covid-19 — first issued in March 2020 is set to expire on Saturday. At one point there had been speculation that the governor would tout this moment, but it appears this will pass quietly given the tragedy unfolding in South Florida.

— WHERE'S RON? — Gov. Ron DeSantis is expected to be back in South Florida due to the search-and-rescue effort in Surfside.

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DRIVING THE DAY

An aerial photo shows part of the 12-story oceanfront Champlain Towers South Condo that collapsed early Thursday, June 24, 2021 in Surfside, Fla.

This aerial photo shows part of the 12-story oceanfront Champlain Towers South Condo that collapsed early Thursday, June 24, 2021 in Surfside, Fla. (Amy Beth Bennett /South Florida Sun-Sentinel via AP) | Amy Beth Bennett /South Florida Sun-Sentinel via AP

TRYING TO MAKE SENSE OF IT ALL — "After the collapse of Surfside's Champlain tower: A day of dread, helplessness, heroism," by Miami Herald's Sarah Blaskey and Aaron Albright: "A sound — almost like thunder that lasted just a bit too long — roused people out of bed in Surfside early Thursday morning. Those who looked out their windows saw a wall of smoke-like debris billowing out from the corner of 88th Street and Collins Avenue, obscuring their view of the 12-story Champlain Towers South Condo that had occupied that stretch of beachfront for 40 years. When the dust cleared, half the tower was gone. Fifty-five apartments where people had been sleeping just moments before were nothing but a pile of rubble resting at the base of the building's sheared-off remains. What was left looked as if it had been sliced by a giant knife, brutally exposing the remains of people's lives like a twisted, life-sized doll house. About half way up, a white bunk bed teetered on the edge."

— 'The apartments were gone.' Survivors recount harrowing escape from collapsed condo," by Miami Herald's Allie Pitchon, Rob Wile, Samantha J. Gross and Joey Flechas

— " 'Hoping for a miracle' — former Beach elementary PE teacher, wife among Surfside missing," by Miami Herald's Asta Hemenway

— "Relatives of Paraguay's first lady missing in Miami collapse," by The Associated Press

— " Collapsed Miami condo had been sinking into Earth as early as the 1990s, researchers say," by USA Today's Gina Barton, Kyle Bagenstose, Pat Beall, Aleszu Bajak and Elizabeth Weise

CAMPAIGN MODE

WHAT COULD GO WRONG? — "DeSantis' big goal: Don't enrage Trump," by POLITICO's Matt Dixon: Some supporters of Ron DeSantis are warning the popular Florida Republican governor and likely 2024 hopeful that he could be on a collision course with the most powerful figure in the GOP: Donald Trump. They say DeSantis is in an increasingly awkward position. As his national profile increases and he courts donors across the country, he risks angering the former president, who — even without access to Twitter — has the potential to kneecap any Republican he sees as a threat. "It makes it difficult to openly start campaigning as [Trump] at least contemplates running again," said Saul Anuzis, former chair of the Republican Party of Michigan. "It keep activists on the sidelines. But in reality, it is relatively early in the process. There are plenty of things the 2024 wannabes can do that [won't] anger Trump."

IN THE MEANWHILE DEPARTMENT — From this morning's D.C. Playbook: — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis was spotted in D.C. on Wednesday at the Oceanaire in Penn Quarter meeting with potential donors. One left the room with the impression that "he's definitely running" for president. DeSantis' office said "the Governor has said repeatedly he's focused on serving Floridians in the here and now." We've heard that one before. Also, spotted at the donor confab was Rep. MARIA SALAZAR (R-Fla). We've noticed some Trump-friendly blue checks pitting the two against each other in non-scientific Twitter polls.

TROUBLE AHEAD? — " Trump-appointed federal judge skeptical of donation cap pushed by DeSantis," by POLITICO's Gary Fineout: A federal judge appointed by former President Donald Trump sounded deeply skeptical Thursday about a new cap on campaign contributions put in law by Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Republican-controlled Florida Legislature. U.S. District Judge Allen Winsor, who also worked as solicitor general for then-Attorney General Pam Bondi, is being asked by the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida and others to block the new $3,000 cap on donations to groups pushing citizen initiatives. The cap is scheduled to take effect on July 1.

Argument — "This law is an unconstitutional burden on Floridians' rights to band together and pool resources and advocate for the issues they believe in," said Nicholas Warren, a lawyer for the ACLU who is also representing groups seeking to put three voting rights amendments on the 2022 ballot.

Reaction — While Winsor did not criticize the law directly, he noted during the more than hour-long hearing in federal court that he was bound by past rulings regarding campaign contributions. He also questioned what legitimate interest the state had in putting the cap in place, noting that caps on contributions to individual politicians have been justified because of concerns about a "quid pro quo."

AGAINST THE ODDS? — " Sports betting giants bankroll efforts to scrap DeSantis' gambling deal, open up process," by POLITICO's Gary Fineout: Florida voters may get a chance to scrap Gov. Ron DeSantis' gambling deal with the Seminole Tribe of Florida and open up who gets to offer sports betting in the nation's third largest state. FanDuel and DraftKings — two large online betting and fantasy sports companies left out of the governor's deal — are backing efforts launched Thursday to secure a 2022 ballot initiative aimed at scrapping the tribe's monopoly and dedicate tax revenue from sports betting to education. Christina Johnson, a spokeswoman for Florida Education Champions, the committee backing the amendment confirmed that both FanDuel and DraftKings will help bankroll the effort.

Response — Gary Bitner, a spokesman for Seminole Gaming, said the proposal was a longshot. "This is a political Hail Mary from out-of-state corporations trying to interfere with the business of the people of Florida," Bitner said in an email. "They couldn't stop Florida's new Gaming Compact, which passed by an overwhelming 88 percent 'yes' vote from Florida's elected legislators and enjoys 3-1 support from Floridians and guarantees $2.5 billion in revenue sharing."

OVERFLOWING — "Out-of-state campaign cash flows to DeSantis as his GOP stock rises," by USA Today Network-Florida's John Kennedy and Yoonserk Pyun: "Since anointed a favorite for the White House at February's Conservative Political Action Conference, Gov. Ron DeSantis has become a new Florida attraction — a right-leaning politician on the minds of many Republicans nationwide. And with that attention has come money, millions of dollars in campaign cash certain to prove troubling for Florida Democrats looking to deny DeSantis a second term next year. Since that CPAC event, DeSantis has been raking in campaign contributions — raising a remarkable $28.7 million, with almost half of the cash coming from donors outside Florida, a USA Today Network-Florida analysis shows."

REMEMBER THIS? — "Florida man to take plea deal after changing governor's address in voting database," by Naples Daily News' Kaitlin Greenockle: "A Golden Gate man accused of hacking into the state's voter database and changing Gov. Ron DeSantis' address plans to accept a plea deal on Tuesday in Collier County Circuit Court, the man's lawyer reports. Anthony Steven Guevara, 20, was charged in October with unauthorized access of a computer and altering a voter registration without consent, both of which are felonies. Guevara logged onto the Florida Department of State website, entered the governor's date of birth (obtained through a Wikipedia search) and changed his address to a home in West Palm Beach, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement."

Terms of deal — "Guevara plans to plea no contest to his charges and as part of the plea deal, the state has agreed to withhold adjudication, which will allow Guevara to eventually seal his record and not be considered a convicted felon, according to Guevara'a defense attorney Mike Carr."

CRIST ADDS STAFF — Rep. Charlie Crist has added three people to his Democratic campaign for governor: Samantha Ramirez as press secretary, Gayle Andrews as senior adviser for constituency media, and Pamela Burch Fort as senior adviser. Ramirez recently worked as Crist's press secretary in his congressional office. Andrews is a former journalist who has worked for multiple campaigns and worked for former Sens Bob Graham and Bill Nelson. Fort is a well-known former legislative employee and longtime political consultant and lobbyist.

— "Democrat Eunic Ortiz files to run for Pinellas state Senate seat," by Tampa Bay Times' Romy Ellenbogen

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... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ...

R.I.P. — "Former Florida A&M University President Frederick S. Humphries dies, family says," by Tallahassee Democrat's Byron Dobson: "Frederick S. Humphries, one of the most celebrated and revered presidents in Florida A&M University history, died Thursday in Orlando. He was 85. Humphries had been in declining health in recent years, but continued to bounce back. He served as Florida A&M University's eighth president 1985-2001. 'It is with great difficulty and emotion that I share with you that my father, Dr. Frederick S. Humphries, former President of FAMU & TSU (Tennessee State University) passed away,' one of his sons, Laurence Humphries, posted on Facebook. 'Please know that he transitioned peacefully surrounded by family.'"

MAGIC EIGHT BALL SAYS DON'T COUNT ON IT — "Will DeSantis end Florida's 'no-fault' auto insurance laws?" by Tampa Bay Times' Lawrence Mower: "Gov. Ron DeSantis has toured the state over the past month touting a wave of conservative legislation recently passed by state lawmakers. But he's been mum on an outstanding bill that would affect more Floridians than any of those policies. DeSantis has yet to take action on a measure that would require every motorist in the state to get a new automobile insurance policy next year."

HELP WANTED — "DeSantis signs controversial bill to boost staffing at nursing homes," by Tampa Bay Times' Hannah Critchfield: "Originally intended as a tourniquet to help mitigate staffing shortages at nursing homes during the pandemic, a new law will make permanent a program that allows facilities to hire less experienced employees to supplement the work of nursing assistants, who are able to provide more complex care for seniors. 'In a nursing home, you've got people that you're caring for — so you have to have staff,' said Kristen Knapp, communications director at the Florida Health Care Association, which represents over 80 percent of Florida's nursing home industry. 'We're not like a restaurant that can shut down its dining room or close early if they don't have enough people. This is a way we can help meet those needs.'"

ANOTHER COURT BATTLE COMING? — "Advocates in FL are considering legal action against DeSantis for ceasing federal unemployment supplement," by Florida Phoenix's Isaac Morgan: "Following Gov. Ron DeSantis' decision to cut off distribution of the $300 weekly federal unemployment supplement, a labor union is exploring legal action if the governor doesn't reverse course. The federal unemployment program expires in Florida on Saturday but the Florida AFL-CIO hopes DeSantis will accede to its petition, supported by additional advocacy groups, urging the governor 'to reverse his decision to end federal unemployment benefits for out-of-work Floridians.'"

— " DeSantis signs three bills aimed at strengthening vocational education," by Tampa Bay Times' Divya Kumar

CORONAVIRUS UPDATES

IN THE DARK — "As the aggressive COVID Delta variant spreads, Floridians don't know where it is and how to avoid it," by Sun Sentinel's Cindy Krischer Goodwin: "As the dangerous Delta variant of the coronavirus makes its way through Florida, those who live in and visit the state will not know where it lurks. Should you vacation in Fort Lauderdale with unvaccinated children? Should you venture to amusement parks where masks are not required? Those decisions must be made without the full picture of where variants of concern are proliferating in the state. 'There are all kinds of databases, but no information available about which counties have cases,' said Marco Salemi, professor of Experimental Pathology at the University of Florida College of Medicine. 'That is the information people really need to know.'"

FINALLY ENDING? — "Will Gov. DeSantis extend Florida's COVID-19 state of emergency?" by Orlando Sentinel's Gray Rohrer: "Gov. Ron DeSantis' message on cable news and at events around the state for months has had a central theme: Unlike other states, Florida is open and without COVID-19 restrictions. So why is Florida still under a state of emergency? Under the state constitution, a governor can only declare a state of emergency for 60 days. DeSantis issued his first executive order putting the state on an emergency footing on March 9, 2020, and has been extending it ever since. The latest came on April 27, and expires Saturday. If DeSantis extends it again, the state will have been on alert status for nearly 18 months."

— "Jill Biden, Dr. Anthony Fauci attend Lightning vaccination event in Tampa," by Tampa Bay Times' Mari Faiello

TRUMPLANDIA AND THE SWAMP

MORE FROM FLORIDA — "Melbourne pastor, son and church member arrested for Capitol riot, feds say," by Orlando Sentinel's Lisa Maria Garza: "A pastor, his son and a congregant of a Melbourne church were arrested Thursday in connection to the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol, according to federal prosecutors. Pastor James 'Jim' Cusick Jr., Casey Cusick, a minister, and David Lesperance, a member of Global Outreach Church of Melbourne, are charged with entering restricted grounds, disorderly conduct and violent entry of the Capitol building. Surveillance footage shows the three men standing inside the building as thousands of people flooded the Rotunda during a 'Stop the Steal' rally that turned violent during a speech from then-President Donald Trump, who told his supporters the 2020 U.S. election results were fraudulent."

PENINSULA AND BEYOND

TO COURT — "Green groups sue Florida over Piney Point phosphate incident," by POLITICO's Bruce Ritchie: Environmental groups on Thursday filed a federal lawsuit against the state and the owners of the Piney Point phosphate waste site, where at least 215 million gallons of wastewater were discharged into Tampa Bay last April. The Center for Biological Diversity, Tampa Bay Waterkeeper, Suncoast Waterkeeper, Manasota-88 and Our Children's Earth Foundation followed through on their May 18 announcement that they were planning to sue over the incident. The groups filed the lawsuit in Tampa's U. S. District Court against Gov. Ron DeSantis, acting Florida Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Shawn Hamilton, the Manatee County Port Authority and HRK Holdings LLC, owner of the waste site. The lawsuit claims the defendants' "malfeasance" for the spill and discharges from the site, and it blames them for triggering a harmful algae bloom and fish kills that have jeopardized Florida waterways.

YUCK — "Algae task force hears from residents who say they were sickened by toxins in drinking water," by Palm Beach Post's Kimberly Miller: "Florida's Blue-Green Algae Task Force heard for the first time since its inception in 2019 from people Wednesday who said they were sickened by drinking cyanobacteria-poisoned tap water flowing into their homes. The group of scientists appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis and led by Florida Chief Science Officer Mark Rains has dealt previously with the widespread toxic microcystin blooms infecting the recreational waters of Lake Okeechobee, state estuaries and regional canals."

— " Audit flagged possible fraud tied to figures now embroiled in Joel Greenberg saga," by Orlando Sentinel's Martin E. Comas

ODDS, ENDS, AND FLORIDA MEN

— "Florida population growth devours natural lands, imperils over 133 protected species," by Treasure Coast Newspapers Ed Killer: "Florida's booming growth will imperil over 133 species in the state, including panthers (endangered), Eastern indigo snakes (threatened) and Panama City crayfish (special concern), according to study co-author Leon Kolankiewicz, a natural resources planner with over 30 years working to protect wildlife."

BIRTHDAYS: Florida Supreme Court Justice Carlos Muniz … state Rep. Brian Avila … former state Rep. Javier Fernandez

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