| | | | | |  | | By Gary Fineout | Hello and welcome to Friday. We're in the money — The checks have been flowing into Gov. Ron DeSantis' political committee for some time now — millions and millions of dollars over the last few months landing in the account that will aid his re-election effort. Need to know basis — But do Floridians know who's doing all the giving? POLITICO's Matt Dixon details how DeSantis' political committee recently got $110,000 from a mystery donor whose previous contributions were scrutinized by the Federal Election Commission in connection to a donation given to a super PAC that supported former Gov. Jeb Bush's ill-fated run for president. Past performance — As noted in the story: Red flags were raised for FEC attorneys because the six-figure contribution to the super PAC supporting Bush was given less than two months after Tread Standard was incorporated in Delaware, and because there was no sign the entity did anything that generated its own revenue. Not a new story — Of course, it's no secret that Florida's regulatory structure for election law has been and continues to be broken and let's not even get started on the state Elections Commission. The state's campaign finance laws have a series of loopholes and gaps that mean that nearly anyone can give unlimited amounts of money to do nearly anything. (Oh, except for bankrolling constitutional amendments thanks to a newly enacted law that is the subject of a federal lawsuit.) More coming? — But what began in earnest in the 2018 cycle — and appears likely to be repeated in 2022 — is that phantom groups and donors are able to hide who is actually giving money. We saw it play out in the last governor's race with groups that attacked both DeSantis and Democratic candidate Gwen Graham able to hide the source of their money with no consequences. Republicans who control the Legislature for the most part don't care — and figure Floridians don't either. — WHERE'S RON? — Gov. DeSantis is scheduled to be in Ponte Vedra Beach for a legislative breakfast. 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. | | | | |
|  | CAMPAIGN MODE | | WHAT'S IN YOUR WALLET? — "Mystery donor gives $100K-plus to DeSantis," by POLITICO's Matt Dixon: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in recent months has received more than $100,000 from a mystery donor that federal regulators previously said was possibly set up illegally to mask the likely source of donors. But it remains unclear who is behind the Delaware-based entity or its political largesse. The contribution to a DeSantis-controlled political committee comes as he has increased his fundraising efforts ahead of his 2022 re-election campaign. DeSantis, who is also widely believed to be eyeing a White House run, has raised nearly $30 million into his political committee, Friends of Ron DeSantis, since the start of the year. Of that haul, $110,000 has come from Tread Standard, LLC, which was the subject of a Federal Election Commission complaint during the 2016 election cycle. GOLF AND JAZZ WITH THE GOP — Florida House Republicans led by future House Speaker Paul Renner are hitting the road over the next few months for some notable fundraisers. House Majority 2022 has sent out a fundraising notice that invited donors to join House Republicans at the Newport Jazz Festival in late July, a "golf retreat" in late August in Wisconsin, as well as a retreat in mid-November at a Palm Coast beach resort and something billed as a "30A event" in late October. JUMPING IN — " Miami commissioner announces bid to challenge Rubio," by POLITICO's Matt Dixon: Miami City Commissioner Ken Russell, relatively unknown in statewide politics, surprised many Thursday morning when he jumped into the 2022 U.S. Senate race. Russell, a Democrat who took county-level office in 2015, will be the underdog in the Democratic primary against Rep. Val Demings, who has not yet formally announced her bid for Senate but has sent strong signals that she will take on Sen. Marco Rubio. Once she enters the race, much of the attention and cash will flow her way. In a three-minute video, Russell focused on his time as city commissioner but also took some early shots at Rubio, a two-term incumbent. | | ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... | | 'AN OPPORTUNITY' — "DeSantis vetoes contraception money backed by some Republicans," by News Service of Florida's Christine Sexton: "It's not often that a Florida governor vetoes spending projects championed by legislative leaders from the same party. But that's exactly what happened Wednesday when Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed from the budget $2 million that would have gone toward increasing access for low-income girls and women to long-acting reversible contraception. Senate President Wilton Simpson, R-Trilby, had tucked the money into the budget for the upcoming fiscal year." His rationale — "But [long-acting reversible contraception has] to be inserted by health care professionals and can be expensive, putting them out of reach for low-income women. Simpson said he wanted to use the money in the budget to make LARCs more affordable for young women. 'It just gives these young women an opportunity to live a life that otherwise is not available to them,' Simpson said, adding, 'I am a pro-life senator. This actually prevents a lot of abortions from happening.'" 'HIJACKED' — " Miami Beach mayor to feds: Gambling compact is corrupt, illegal and should be rejected," by Miami Herald's Mary Ellen Klas: "As Florida's historic sports gambling deal with the Seminole Tribe is being reviewed for approval by the federal government, Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber on Thursday sent a letter to the U.S. Department of the Interior urging it to reject what he calls a 'tortured artifice,' negotiated with the corrupt intent to expand gambling in Florida — in violation of both state and federal law." Says it's about Trump — "'Our Governor was not seeking to advance the goals of [the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act], rather he was most interested in advancing the interests of non-tribal political donors and his most important political patron,'' Gelber said, referring to former President Donald Trump, who Gelber and others fear is seeking to transfer a casino license to his Trump Doral resort and potentially sell the resort, which is struggling financially, to another casino corporation." Pushback — "Both DeSantis and the Seminole Tribe dismissed Gelber's criticism and said they were confident the compact will be approved. 'It's ridiculous,' DeSantis said Thursday at a bill-signing event for a new Biscayne Bay commission at Bill Baggs State Park on Key Biscayne. 'I think it's just an example of some of these partisan politicians always trying to elevate themselves with any type of cheap headline they can get, trying to inject Trump into this.''' | 
MIAMI, FLORIDA - JUNE 03: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (2nd R) helps hold a python as he kicks off the 2021 Python Challenge in the Everglades on June 03, 2021 in Miami, Florida. The governor stands with (L-R) McKayla Spencer, the Interagency Python Management Coordinator for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation, Ron Bergeron, and Rodney Barreto, the chairman of the Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida. The 10-day event will run from July 9 to 18, with prizes going to participants who catch the most and the biggest pythons. The event began as a way for hunters to help control the population of the invasive Burmese python in the Florida Everglades. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) | Joe Raedle/Getty Images | 'LIVE A WEEK IN MY SHOES' — "Jobless Floridians push governor to extend jobless benefits," by The Associated Press' Bobby Caina Calvan: "For more than a year, Jim Ricer, an out-of-work caterer, has gotten extensions on the mortgage payments for his home in Boca Raton, Florida. He's looked for work for months, partly subsisting on federal relief programs for the unemployed. With just weeks left before his $300-a-week federal unemployment checks run out, panic is setting in, Ricer said Thursday, as he joined scores of others in urging Gov. Ron DeSantis to reconsider a decision to end participation in the federal government's enhanced unemployment benefits program. 'Live a week in my shoes,' implored Ricer, who has borrowed money from family and sold prized possessions over the months." — "Attorney General asks judge to block DNA testing in another Orange County death penalty case," by Orlando Sentinel's Monivette Cordeiro — "A short sighted move? DeSantis vetoed $1.35 billion in federal funds that could have benefited Floridians, " by Florida Phoenix's Danielle J. Brown — "Will Gov. Ron DeSantis sign a bill to preserve African American cemeteries?" by Florida Politics Haley Brown | | | | 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 Wednesday and Thursday, the number of Florida coronavirus cases increased by 1,878, to 2,329,867; active hospitalizations decreased by 33 (1.8 percent), to 1,799; deaths of Florida residents rose by 49 (0.1 percent), to 36,973; 10,365,752 Floridians have received at least one dose of a vaccine. SKIRMISH ON THE SEAS — "Florida and federal authorities remain at odds over cruises," by POLITICO's Gary Fineout: A legal clash between Florida and the federal government over cruise lines is pressing forward after attempts to negotiate an end to an ongoing lawsuit failed. The impasse has set up a conundrum for Gov. Ron DeSantis, who has advocated loudly for cruise lines to set sail again, but at the same time his administration is threatening to fine any cruise lines operating in Florida if they require passengers show proof of vaccination prior to boarding. Florida passed a law banning so-called vaccine passports at the urging of the Republican governor. Bullish on success — DeSantis, when asked about the litigation on Thursday, said that during the mediation session, federal authorities "were very unreasonable with some of the things they were insisting on." He contended that Florida would eventually prevail in court because of the makeup of the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which has a majority of judges that were appointed by former President Donald Trump. "We're going to be sailing hopefully very soon," DeSantis said, adding that the CDC would have never even begun to relax its restrictions without Florida's initial lawsuit. SITUATION VACANT — "As coronavirus overtook Florida, a key health department job went unfilled," by Tampa Bay Times' Steve Contorno: "When the pandemic arrived in Florida last year, the state had a position ready made for a public health crisis like the one on its doorstep: The Deputy Secretary for County Health Systems. On paper, it's the third-highest ranking position in the state's health agency because of its key role in coordinating with health offices in all 67 counties. 'Preventing epidemics and spread of disease' is in the job description. But the job was vacant when Gov. Ron DeSantis took office in January of 2019. It was still empty last March when Florida recorded its first two COVID-19 cases. And it remained unfilled in the ensuing months as the virus spread to every corner of the state." — "Florida COVID hospitalizations at lowest point in a year," by Associated Press | | DATELINE D.C. | | WHAT'S GOING ON HERE? — "USA Today fights subpoena aimed at readers of Florida FBI shooting story," by POLITICO's Josh Gerstein: Newspaper publisher Gannett is fighting an effort by the FBI to try to determine who read a specific USA Today story about a deadly shooting in February near Fort Lauderdale, Fla., that left two FBI agents dead and three wounded. The subpoena, served on Gannett in April, seeks information about who accessed the news article online during a 35-minute window starting just after 8 p.m. on the day of the shootings. The demand — signed by a senior FBI agent in Maryland — does not appear to ask for the names of those who read the story, if the news outlet has such information. Instead, the subpoena seeks internet addresses and mobile phone information that could lead to the identities of the readers. The information being sought "relates to a federal criminal investigation being conducted by the FBI," the subpoena says. | | Gaetz-gate | | NEXT STEP — "Joel Greenberg's sentencing set after judge approves plea deal," by Orlando Sentinel's Jeff Weiner: "Joel Greenberg, the former Seminole County tax collector who recently pleaded guilty to six federal charges — including sex trafficking of a child — is now set to face sentencing Aug. 19, records show. In a pair of orders filed Thursday, U.S. District Judge Gregory A. Presnell also formally accepted Greenberg's guilty pleas, which he made after striking a plea agreement with prosecutors last month." — " Dodging probe questions, Matt Gaetz tells Newsmax that media targets his friends," by Florida Politics' A.G. Gancarski | | TRUMPLANDIA AND THE SWAMP | | 'THESE CRIMES ARE JUST OUTRAGEOUS' — "Judge: Man charged in Jan. 6 riot can leave jail; feds say not so fast," by Palm Beach Post's Jane Musgrave: "A 44-year-old Wellington man accused of being a member of a right-wing militia group that stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 is not a threat to society and can be released from jail while awaiting trial in Washington, a federal magistrate ruled Thursday. However, minutes after U.S. Magistrate William Matthewman agreed to free Jason Dolan and put him on house arrest, a federal prosecutor intervened. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Dispoto, who spent roughly four hours over two days describing Dolan as a dangerous extremist, said prosecutors in Washington may want to appeal Matthewman's ruling." | | THE GUNSHINE STATE | | AWFUL — "Death toll rises in mass shooting outside Miami banquet hall as third victim dies," by Miami Herald's David Ovalle and Charles Rabin: "A third person shot in the mass shooting outside El Mula Banquet Hall has died, the Miami Herald has learned. The woman died Thursday, four days after she was shot in the head outside the venue hosting a rap concert early Sunday morning. She was among 21 people wounded when three masked gunmen opened fire on the crowd outside the banquet hall. Miami-Dade police on Thursday night identified her as Shankquia Lechelle Peterson, 32. Two men already identified, Desmond Owens and Clayton Dillard III, both 26, died Sunday morning. Miami-Dade Police Director Alfredo 'Freddy' Ramirez said in a tweet, 'No family should have to suffer such loss. We are working around the clock relentlessly to bring these killers to justice.'" | | ...HURRICANE HOLE... | | THE MEAN SEASON — "Major hurricane landfall likely this year in the United States, according to new forecast," by Sun Sentinel's David Fleshler: "A prominent hurricane forecaster maintained a pessimistic prediction for this season, calling for eight hurricanes and a 69% chance that a major hurricane will strike the United States. Colorado State University researchers issued a new forecast Thursday that maintains an earlier prediction for an above-average season and increased risk of a landfall." | | PENINSULA AND BEYOND | | FALLOUT — "Feud over 'white advantage' still rages: Lawmaker wants to censure school board members," by Palm Beach Post's Andrew Marra: "A state legislator wants to censure the Democratic members of the Palm Beach County School Board who voted last week to remove the phrase 'white advantage' from a declaration about the county public schools' commitment to equity. State Rep. Omari Hardy, D-Lake Worth Beach, said he plans Thursday to ask leaders of the Palm Beach County Democratic Party to 'censure and condemn' three board members: Marcia Andrews, Frank Barbieri and Karen Brill." — " Boy ordered in custody after shooting at deputies with girl," by The Associated Press' Mike Schneider and Freida Frisaro — "Pinellas middle school students over Pride flag clash," by Tampa Bay Times' Jeffrey S. Solochek | | ODDS, ENDS, AND FLORIDA MEN | | — "Hunt is on for Burmese pythons, Florida natives' arch-enemy," by Associated Press: "Professional python hunters and amateurs alike have a chance to win prizes in Florida's annual hunt for the biggest snakes — the Burmese pythons that are ravaging the state's native species. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the state's annual contest on Thursday: It will run from July 9 to 18 and include prizes for both pros and novices. In both categories, there will be a $2,500 prize for catching the most pythons and $1,500 for the longest." BIRTHDAYS: Jason Attermann, communications director for Rep. Ted Deutch (D-Fla.) … Miami-Dade County Judge Ed Newman …. Julie Fess, government affairs consultant with Gunster....Holly Benson, former state legislator and Agency for Health Care Administration secretary.
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