| | | | | |  | | By Gary Fineout | Hello and welcome to Thursday. Breaking overnight — It appears that Rep. Matt Gaetz has some additional legal trouble to worry about. New developments — POLITICO's Marc Caputo reports that federal prosecutors are looking into whether the Panhandle Republican obstructed justice in a discussion with a witness in the sex-crimes investigation of the Florida congressman, according to two sources familiar with the case. Joining the call are… — Caputo reports that the "obstruction inquiry stems from a phone call the witness had with Gaetz's ex-girlfriend. At some point during the conversation, the ex-girlfriend patched Gaetz into the call, sources said. While it's unknown exactly what was said, the discussion on that call is central to whether prosecutors can charge Gaetz with obstructing justice, which makes it illegal to suggest that a witness in a criminal case lie or give misleading testimony. The witness later spoke with prosecutors, the sources said." Response from Gaetz's camp — A spokesman for Gaetz provided a written statement that stated the congressman — who is an attorney — broke no laws and characterized the federal government's investigation as a politically motivated fishing expedition. "Congressman Gaetz pursues justice, he doesn't obstruct it," the statement said. "The anonymous allegations have thus far amounted to lies, wrapped in leaks, rooted in an extortion plot by a former DOJ official. After two months, there is still not a single on-record accusation of misconduct, and now the 'story' is changing yet again." — WHERE'S RON? — Gov. DeSantis and Lt. Gov. Jeanette Núñez will be in the Everglades just west of Miami to kick off the 2021 Python Challenge. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for Playbook? Get in touch: gfineout@politico.com | | | | 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. | | | | |
|  | ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... | | BUDGET DAY ARRIVES — Well, the day everyone in Tallahassee waits for arrived on Wednesday. Gov. Ron DeSantis used the somewhat odd backdrop of a Volusia County Italian restaurant — complete with an outdoor brick oven — to approve a new state budget (worth around $107 billion when you count spending spread across two fiscal years) that was stuffed with billions of federal aid. Veto time — DeSantis actually approved nearly $1.5 billion in budget vetoes, but that was largely due to the fact that federal guidance undercut the state's plan to stash $1.35 billion into reserves and emergency funds. (Oops.) DeSantis also vetoed tens of millions in trust funds sweeps, a move his administration said was unnecessary due to the amount of money available (including higher-than-expected tax collections coming in this spring and summer.) Democrats react sharply — The governor's decision to tout much of the spending in the final budget — while not really acknowledging that much of this was possible due to all the federal money — drew sharp retorts from Democrats. The DNC War Room even put together a video poking the governor for "taking credit" after criticizing the American Rescue Plan passed by Congress and signed by President Joe Biden. | 
Gov. Ron DeSantis with state legislators after the end of the 2021 session of the Florida Legislature. | Gary Fineout, POLITICO | MORE HERE — "Florida Gov. DeSantis signs $101.5 billion state budget, helped by federal cash," by USA Today Network-Florida's John Kennedy: "After vetoing $1.5 billion, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed into law Wednesday a $101.5 billion state budget that spends heavily on public works projects, the environment and $1,000 bonuses for many Floridians on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic. The spending plan for the year starting July 1 is by far the largest in state history — 10% bigger than the current budget. And it's propped up with billions of dollars in federal aid, much of it opposed by Republicans in Congress but a windfall for Florida's Republican governor." NOTABLE OMISSION — "DeSantis signs $100B Florida budget flush with federal pandemic cash," by POLITICO's Matt Dixon: Democratic Rep. Charlie Crist, who has announced a 2022 challenge to DeSantis, issued a statement blasting the governor for touting the newly-signed 2021-22 budget without giving credit to the Biden administration. "While Governor DeSantis will try to claim credit today, the truth is that he opposed the American Rescue Plan," said Crist, who is himself is a former Republican Florida governor. "He opposed the funding that is providing bonuses to teachers and first responders. He opposed the funding that is helping cities and schools recover from a challenging year. And he opposed the direct relief checks that were a lifeline as our economy recovers." WHAT'S THIS ABOUT? — "Gov. DeSantis criticized for vetoes of LGBTQ support programs," by News Service of Florida's Christine Sexton: "Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday slashed $900,000 in funding for programs that serve LGBTQ people in Central Florida, including a program that provides mental-health services to survivors and family members of victims of the Pulse nightclub mass shooting. DeSantis's vetoes — part of a long list of hometown projects the governor eliminated before approving a new $100 billion state budget — came a day after the Republican governor signed into law a controversial measure that bans transgender females from participating on girls' and women's high-school and college sports teams. The vetoes also came shortly before the fifth anniversary of the June 12, 2016, mass shooting at Pulse, a gay nightclub in Orlando, that left 49 people dead. 'Timing matters. What message are LGBT people meant to receive from Gov. DeSantis other than that this is an insult to them?' said state Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith, an Orlando Democrat who is gay." — " Moody asks Orlando judge to toss Orlando lawsuit challenging 'anti-riot' bill," by POLITICO's Matt Dixon — "Florida's education budget hailed as 'victory' for avoiding major cuts," by POLITICO's Andrew Atterbury — " Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoes $1B emergency fund because of 'federal guidance,'" by Florida Politics' Haley Brown — "Gov. DeSantis signs bill to terminate Lawton Chiles Endowment Fund," by Florida Politics' Jason Delgado | | | | 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 | | INTERESTING TIMING — "Nikki Fried amended past financial disclosures before jumping into Florida governor's race," by POLITICO's Gary Fineout: Shortly before jumping into the race for Florida governor this week, Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried amended two separate financial disclosure forms, including one showing previously unreported earnings of $351,480. In both instances, Fried reported earning substantially more money from her lobbying business than she initially disclosed — money that in part came from work she did on behalf of a Gainesville-based nursery that was eventually acquired by a medical marijuana company. 'Filing error' — Fried's campaign said the changes made on May 28 were intended to correct a series of mistakes, including only reporting half a year's worth of salary as well as errors made on the correct amount that needed to be listed. "When we were made aware of the filing error, we amended the forms to provide full transparency," Max Flugrath, a spokesperson for Fried's campaign, said about one of the changes. But Republicans questioned the timing of the disclosures and that Fried has a "lot of explaining to do." THAT ESCALATED QUICKLY — "Florida Gov. DeSantis attacks Fried on COVID, achievements," by The Associated Press' Brendan Farrington: "Speaking at a New Smyrna Beach restaurant, [Gov. Ron} DeSantis said [Agriculture Commissioner Nikki] Fried would have mismanaged the coronavirus pandemic, calling her a 'lockdown lobbyist' with no accomplishments. 'Nikki Fried has done nothing in office. She does nothing. All she does is emote on social media (and) virtue signal to small dollar donors in California and New York,' DeSantis said. 'She's a lockdown lobbyist. She would have had our kids locked out of school the whole year. She would have had this business shuttered for the whole year. They would be out of business if Fried were governor.' Fried responded on Twitter, saying, 'I think we struck a nerve with @GovRonDeSantis. Temper tantrums are for toddlers, not Governors.'" OFF AND RUNNING — "Florida governor's race: Crist raises $1.3 million in first month," by POLITICO's Matt Dixon: Democrat Charlie Crist's gubernatorial campaign raised $1.3 million in its first month, a quick seven-figure haul that comes just as the Democratic gubernatorial primary heats up. Crist, who has served in Congress since 2017, is a former Republican governor of Florida and known as a formidable fundraiser. He will likely have an early advantage in name recognition and fundraising prowess over top primary foe, Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, who is Florida's only statewide elected Democrat but took her first elected office in 2018. | | CORONAVIRUS UPDATES | | The daily rundown — Between Tuesday and Wednesday, the number of Florida coronavirus cases increased by 1,234, to 2,327,989; active hospitalizations decreased by 52 (2.7 percent), to 1,832; deaths of Florida residents rose by 55 (0.1 percent), to 36,924; 10,365,752 Floridians have received at least one dose of a vaccine. FLORIDA MAN — "Right-wing pastor gets Covid after saying vaccines were part of 'mass death campaign," by NBC News' Elisha Fieldstadt: "A right-wing Florida pastor was hospitalized with Covid-19, weeks after saying vaccination efforts were part of a 'mass death campaign.' The pastor, Rick Wiles, wrote Tuesday on TruNews.com, where he propagates homophobic, racist and other hateful conspiracy theories, that he had Covid-19-related pneumonia and difficulty breathing. He said that he was being released from the hospital later that day but that his wife was 'still very fatigued.' He added that his daughter-in-law was in the hospital with extreme dehydration and vomiting and that at least four other family members, including his grandson, had developed Covid-19-related symptoms. At least three TruNews team members were also recovering from the virus, he wrote." DESTINATION MCO — "Transatlantic flights return to Florida's busiest airport," by The Associated Press: "For the first time since the start of the pandemic last year, Florida's busiest airport was welcoming a transatlantic flight. A Lufthansa flight from Frankfurt, Germany was expected Wednesday evening at the Orlando International Airport. Airport officials said the flight was an indicator that travel was returning to normal after a year of disruption caused by the pandemic. 'It is a milestone for us here at Orlando International Airport,' said Phil Brown, CEO of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority. Meanwhile, airport officials said the Memorial Day weekend travel volume approached what was considered normal in past non-pandemic years." A GOOD THING TO WRITE ABOUT — "Tampa Bay schools never saw big coronavirus outbreaks this year. Why?" by Tampa Bay Times' Marlene Sokol: "Teachers sued, parents marched, and on both sides of last year's school reopening debate, there were dire warnings. To some, Florida's decision to reopen school buildings meant a death sentence for adults and perhaps even children. To others, it would have been child neglect to keep the schools closed as parents went out and earned their living. In the end, despite altered routines and daily contact tracing, COVID-19 levels in Tampa Bay area schools were considerable but not catastrophic." THIEVERY — "Feds accuse Venezuelan ring of stealing $800,000 in U.S. stimulus checks during pandemic," by Miami Herald's Jay Weaver: "A ring of Venezuelans who live in South Florida and Mexico have stolen more than $800,000 in U.S. government stimulus checks from people who lost their jobs or struggled financially during the COVID-19 pandemic, federal authorities say. In the first case of its kind in Florida, federal prosecutors have charged one Venezuelan, Jesus Felipe Linares Andrade, with conspiring to steal government money along with identity theft. The Venezuelan man didn't act alone. As many as four other 'co-conspirators' originally from Venezuela could be added to an indictment, federal prosecutors in South Florida say." — "Daytona International Speedway to lift all COVID-19 restrictions for Coke Zero Sugar 400," by Orlando Sentinel's Edgar Thompson — "South Florida couple claiming to be 'farmers' for COVID-19 relief sent to prison," by Miami Herald's Jay Weaver | | PENINSULA AND BEYOND | | UP, UP AND AWAY — "Bill Nelson makes 1st State of NASA address after nearly $25 billion budget ask; announces 2 new Venus missions," by Orlando Sentinel's Richard Tribou: "Bill Nelson gave his first State of NASA address as its new administrator on Wednesday plotting out the agency's plans to continue the Artemis program to return humans to the moon as well as new Earth-centric missions as part of the largest science budget ask it has ever made. At the end of the 45-minute presentation, Nelson announced two new missions to Venus as part of NASA's Discovery program, which allows for smaller planetary missions that aren't part of NASA's flagship ventures. Named Veritas and DaVinci+, the two missions aim to analyze the second planet from the sun's atmosphere and geologic history." CHANGE COMING — "Duval School Board votes to rename 6 Confederate-tied schools, including Lee," by Florida Times-Union's Emily Bloch: "Nearly a year since the shift was first proposed, Duval County School Board members met back in the Cline auditorium to decide if they would rename nine Jacksonville schools — six with Confederate ties and three with connections to the marginalization of Indigenous people. Late Tuesday, School Board members voted to rename six schools and keep three school names. The decision aligned entirely with Superintendent Diana Greene's recommendations and community input. The names approved to change will go into effect on Aug. 3 according to a district spokesman." — "Florida inmate says he killed 6 in Pennsylvania in 1970s," by The Associated Press — "With $10 million to curb shootings, Miami-Dade commissioners fight over how to spend it," by Miami Herald's Douglas Hanks | | TRUMPLANDIA AND THE SWAMP | | FACTS CONTINUE TO CHANGE THEIR SHAPE — "'Up is down and down is up.' Report examines misinformation on Spanish talk radio," by Miami Herald's Lautaro Grinspan: "Thousands of dead people and noncitizens voted in the 2020 presidential election. There were more votes cast than registered voters. Black Lives Matter and Antifa infiltrated the deadly storming of the U.S. Capitol. Those are just some of the conspiracy theories compiled in a new media monitoring report published Wednesday, revealing the extent to which misinformation pervaded the airwaves of Miami Spanish-language talk radio in the immediate lead-up to, and aftermath of, the Jan. 6 insurrection. Scrutinizing a week's worth of early to mid-January pre-recorded programming, the report shows how a group of radio hosts across two popular local AM stations, Radio Mambi and Actualidad Radio, mischaracterized the events of Jan. 6 and continued amplifying baseless claims of voter fraud, sometimes with the tacit endorsement of high-ranking guests, including U.S. Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar of Miami-Dade." — "Wellington man accused of terrorism in Capitol riot could face 36 years in prison," by Palm Beach Post's Jane Musgrave — "Tampa Bay singer arrested in Capitol riot," by Tampa Bay Times' Dan Sullivan | | ODDS, ENDS, AND FLORIDA MEN | | BIRTHDAYS: Florida Power & Light's George Bennett
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