| | | | | |  | | By Gary Fineout | Presented by Facebook | Good day and welcome to Monday. Hello, I must be going — Another rising newcomer in the Florida Legislature is heading to the exit. Join the crowd — This morning, Rep. Michele Rayner, who became the first Black openly LGBTQ woman elected to the Legislature, will announce she's running for the congressional seat now held by Rep. Charlie Crist. She's getting into a Democratic primary field that already includes state Rep. Ben Diamond and Eric Lynn, a former Obama administration official. D.C. > Tallahassee — Rayner, who was first elected last year, told POLITICO that she decided to jump into CD 13 race because she views Congress as the place where she can "best serve" her community. She's making the plunge even as there is an expectation that Republicans could reshape the Pinellas County district during redistricting. "I'm prepared to defend this seat," Rayner said. Not in control — But here's a telling comment she made: "What we know about Tallahassee is that it's broken and it's been broken for a very long time." And for Democrats, especially those elected to the Florida House, it can be a very frustrating place to be. Democrats remain essentially irrelevant and usually ignored by the GOP majority. So, it's understandable how going to a place that is — for now — under Democratic control can be appealing. A trend — The 2020 cycle saw two other up-and-coming legislators — Adam Hattersley and Margaret Good — mount unsuccessful campaigns for Congress after serving just one term in the Legislature. And three Democratic legislators — Sen. Perry Thurston and Reps. Bobby DuBose and Omari Hardy — are running for the seat held by the late Rep. Alcee Hastings. Tallahassee just isn't the place to be if you are a Democrat. — 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 | | A message from Facebook: The internet has changed a lot since 1996 - internet regulations should too
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|  | CAMPAIGN MODE | | JOIN THE PARTY — "Florida civil rights attorney and legislator Michele Rayner to run for Congress," by POLITICO's Gary Fineout: Michele Rayner (D-St. Petersburg) will formally announce her candidacy on Monday, throwing herself into a potentially crowded contest for a seat that may be targeted by changes by the Republican-controlled Florida Legislature. Her decision to run places an up-and-coming progressive candidate into what will be a highly competitive primary. IN THE WEEDS — " Nikki Fried's personal, financial connections to cannabis complicate her campaign for governor," by Orlando Sentinel's Jason Garcia: "In January 2019, just as Nikki Fried took office as Florida's new agriculture commissioner promising to expand access to marijuana and hemp, records show that her now-fiancé sold nearly $5 million worth of stock from a marijuana company he co-founded and used much of the money to invest in a number of new cannabis businesses. Within two years, records show that Fried's fiancé, Jake Bergmann, had amassed interests in about a dozen cannabis companies — including at least one that obtained a hemp permit from Fried's agency after Fried led the effort to legalize hemp in Florida." A promise — "Fried also said she knows 'very little' about and has no involvement with any of Bergmann's businesses. But she said she intends to sell off her own marijuana holdings if she's elected governor — a position that would give Fried an even bigger role in cannabis regulation. 'If the people of the state give me the honor of representing them, I will be liquidating,' Fried said." THE MAIN EVENT — "Rubio-Demings 2022 showdown could become most expensive Senate race ever," by Fox News' Paul Steinhauser: "A day after she launched a much-anticipated 2022 Democratic challenge against Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida, Rep. Val Demings spotlighted a surge in fundraising. Sources close to Deming's campaign said that Orlando's first female police chief-turned-congresswoman hauled in roughly $1 million in the day after she declared her Senate candidacy. 'The outpouring of support I've received in the past few days has been humbling. Thank you from the bottom of my heart,' Demings tweeted on Friday. Democrats touted that the fundraising figure was an early sign of Demings' momentum. Her campaign on Sunday told Fox News that 'the outpouring of support for Val Demings candidacy from across Florida shows that Floridians are ready for a Senator who can take on the tough fights. Marco Rubio doesn't have the courage to fight for Florida.'" GETTING WIDER — "Records: GOP-linked firm subpoenaed in Miami public corruption case against Artiles," by Miami Herald's Samantha J. Gross: "A Gainesville Republican research firm that was involved in a 2018 vote-siphoning scheme was served a subpoena in the state's case against a former senator who prosecutors allege recruited and paid a no-party candidate to run with the intention of securing a GOP win. Court records obtained by the Miami Herald show Data Targeting Inc., run by longtime operative Pat Bainter, was served a subpoena for emails, invoices and contracts related to former state Sen. Frank Artiles and his Miami firm, Atlas Consulting LLC." — " Ashley Moody committee collects huge haul in May," by Florida Politics' Jason Delgado — "Marjorie Taylor Greene to headline Hillsborough GOP dinner this summer," by Tampa Bay Times' Steve Contorno | | | | 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 22-24. | | | | |
| | THE GUNSHINE STATE | | 'PULSE NIGHTCLUB IS HALLOWED GROUND' — "Biden calls for gun reform 5 years after Pulse nightclub shooting," by POLITICO's Ben Leonard: Five years to the day after the Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando, Fla., President Joe Biden called for the Senate to pass gun legislation to address what he called a "public health epidemic of gun violence." "It is long past time we close the loopholes that allow gun buyers to bypass background checks in this country, and the Senate should start by passing the three House-passed bills which would do exactly that," Biden said in a statement. Such legislation faces long odds in the Senate amid staunch Republican opposition. Biden also called for so-called "red flag" laws or extreme risk protective orders, a ban on assault weapons and high capacity magazines, and an end to gun manufacturers' immunity from liability. | 
Patrick Semansky/AP Photo | IN MEMORIAM — "Orlando remembers 49 killed at Pulse nightclub in day of mourning and celebration," by Orlando Sentinel's Cristobal Reyes and Kalia Richardson: "As Orlando singer Jabari Clay sang Shoshana Bean's 'This Is Me' outside Pulse on Saturday, the crowd of hundreds suddenly turned and cheered the spontaneous formation of a rainbow streaking across the eastern sky. 'Looks like we got our rainbow!' said Earl Crittenden, chairman of the onePULSE Foundation board of trustees, once the song ended. The memorial ceremony held at the scene of where 49 people were killed and scores injured five years ago was the culmination of a day of mourning and a celebration of their lives that began with 49 church bells echoing throughout downtown Orlando." — "Sheriff: Florida supermarket shooter made Facebook threats," by The Associated Press' Terry Spencer — "Hero grandma mourned after Publix shooting: 'I'm not all surprised she fought back," by Sun Sentinel's Susannah Bryan and Joe Cavaretta | | | |   | | |
| | ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... | | COURT BOUND — "Amid praise from conservatives, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is also drawing lawsuits," by USA Today Network-Florida's John Kennedy: "While Gov. Ron DeSantis is drawing praise from conservatives and pulling in campaign cash from across the nation, he also is attracting a crush of lawsuits spurred by the polarizing legislation he signed into law. Opponents say the outcome of the courtroom challenges will be pivotal not just to stopping what they say are unconstitutional overreaches in Florida, but also blunting a wave of copycat measures spreading across other Republican-leaning states. 'Florida has passed more of these than any other state,' said Micah Kubic, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida, which is suing DeSantis over a new law criticized as anti-protest and another imposing strict financial limits on citizen-led ballot initiatives." PROMISES, PROMISES — "DeSantis signs home insurance bill sought by industry and opposed by some consumer advocates," by Sarasota Herald-Tribune's Zac Anderson: "Gov. Ron DeSantis signed property insurance legislation Friday that allows for larger rate hikes at state-run Citizens Property Insurance and makes other changes requested by private insurers and opposed by some consumer advocates. Touting the bill as an effort to "turn the corner" on the struggling property insurance market, DeSantis signed the measure during an event in downtown Sarasota that included a roundtable discussion on insurance issues." LIGHTS OUT — "DeSantis says no 'messaging' involved in denial of Sarasota's LGBTQ bridge lighting request," by Sarasota Herald-Tribune's Zac Anderson: "Gov. Ron DeSantis implied Friday that a decision by his administration to deny a request by Sarasota officials to light the Ringling Bridge in rainbow colors to celebrate Pride Month wasn't intended to be a swipe at the LGBTQ community. DeSantis said he doesn't believe there was any 'messaging' intended in the decision by the Florida Department of Transportation to deny the lighting request. 'I think they're just doing it based on code, I don't think they're getting involved in any messaging on that,' DeSantis said of FDOT." — " Sarasota LGBTQ community protests FDOT Ringling bridge lighting decision," by Sarasota Herald-Tribune's Patricia McKnight — "Controversy over lights comes to Tallahassee's old Capitol as gun control advocates cry foul," by USA Today Network-Florida's James Call
— "Miami Beach Rep. Michael Grieco ordered to pay $1,000 after probe of ethics lapses," by Miami Herald's Christina Saint Louis
| | CORONAVIRUS UPDATES | | ROUGH WATERS AHEAD — "Titanic clash pits DeSantis against potent cruise industry as it prepares to restart," by Miami Herald's Mary Ellen Klas and Taylor Dolven: "The return of operations for one of South Florida's most iconic industries has turned into a battle of the heavyweights. On the one side is Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. Emboldened by growing approval ratings, DeSantis refuses to budge from a state law he sought that bars the cruise industry from requiring passengers be vaccinated. On the other: The industry, a powerful pillar of Florida tourism, is quietly crafting a work-around for the governor's mandate as it seeks to restore public confidence and restart cruising after a 15-month shutdown that has put thousands of Florida jobs on hold and cost the industry billions — not including losses to its suppliers." MEANWHILE — "Carnival sets Mardi Gras, other Florida cruise ship return sail dates with vaccine requirement," by Orlando Sentinel's Richard Tribou: "Carnival is expanding its return to cruising plans for July and August including its new ship Mardi Gras out of Port Canaveral, and for now requiring vaccines, even though that runs afoul of a Florida law going into effect July 1 that prohibits so-called vaccine passports. The cruise line had already announced plans to sail from Galveston and Seattle with only vaccinated passengers, but had yet to make the call on the first ship it had planned to sail from Florida — Carnival Horizon from PortMiami. Part of that delay was due to an existing executive order and new law signed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis that would fine companies $5,000 per incident if they require proof of vaccination. Despite that, Carnival announced it was moving forward with Horizon's return on July 4, but did not give details on how the vaccine requirement will be enforced." — " Disney World drops indoor mask policy in 'most areas' for vaccinated visitors," by USA Today's Bailey Schulz — "City commissioner and family got questionable COVID-19 loans, record show," by Sun Sentinel's Lisa J. Huriash | | | | JOIN TUESDAY FOR A CONVERSATION ON REOPENING THE U.S.-CANADA BORDER : It's been more than one year since the border between the U.S. and Canada first closed to non-essential travel due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The unprecedented and ongoing closure imposed economic and social costs in border communities and across both countries. Join POLITICO for an urgent conversation on what's at stake in the border closure, what it will take to reopen safely, and how the pandemic will change the border in the long term. REGISTER HERE. | | | | |
| | PENINSULA AND BEYOND | | YUCK — "Could Tampa Bay's Red Tide be connected to Piney Point disaster," by Tampa Bay Times' Zachary T. Sampson: "Red Tide has come to Tampa Bay. A patchy bloom suspected to be the reason for fish kills on the Pinellas coast and around Port Manatee showed up two months after 215 million gallons of wastewater were pumped into the estuary from the site of an old fertilizer plant. People already have suspicions. But can anyone know for sure whether harmful algae are feasting upon pollution from Piney Point? 'Nutrient chemistry in seawater is a complex issue, and this is certainly true for Tampa Bay,' said University of South Florida chemical oceanography professor Kristen Buck, who took samples after the Piney Point release. 'Red Tides are also a complex phenomenon. At this point we simply do not have data to support a direct cause-and-effect relationship.'" 'FIND THEIR BODIES' — "NAACP to Tampa: For Juneteenth, find Robert Meacham, a slave who became senator," by Tampa Bay Times Paul Guzzo: "Robert Meacham was an enslaved man who became a Florida state senator pushing for educational opportunities for Black children. 'Robert Meacham is the type of man who deserves a street named for him,' said Fred Hearns, the curator of Black history at the Tampa Bay History Center. 'Maybe even a statue.' June 19 is Juneteenth, the day commemorating the anniversary of when in 1865 the enslaved in Texas were freed. It serves as the day to celebrate the end of slavery in the United States. But he doesn't even have a marked grave. Meacham is among the more than 1,200 buried in Tampa's erased College Hill Cemetery for Blacks and Cubans, believed to be located in what is now the Italian Club Cemetery's parking lot." — "The firing of UM's popular law dean baffled the legal community. There could be backlash," by Miami Herald's Linda Robertson and Jimena Tavel | | MEDIA MATTERS | | WINNING JOURNALISM — "Tampa Bay Times reporters win the newsroom's 13th Pulitzer Prize," by Tampa Bay Times' Zachary T. Sampson: "There were many allegations in the 427-page lawsuit against the Pasco County Sheriff's Office, but one in particular stood out to Tampa Bay Times investigative reporters Kathleen McGrory and Neil Bedi. A former deputy said he had been ordered to harass citizens, to the point that they might want to move out of the county. The reporters were soon combing police reports and knocking on doors. 'We really wanted to learn more,' McGrory said. As is often the case, that's how the work began. McGrory and Bedi have now been awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Local Reporting for the resulting series exposing a Sheriff's Office initiative that used computer modeling to identify people believed to be future crime suspects. About 1,000 people were monitored under the program, including children." R.I.P. — "'Relentless warrior.' Michele Gillen, iconic Miami investigative TV reporter, dies at 66," by Miami Herald's David Ovalle: "Michele Gillen, a legendary former South Florida television investigative reporter known for her dogged work exposing injustices, has died at age 66. She died of natural causes. Her passing was confirmed by longtime friend and producer Marcia Izaguirre, who posted a lengthy tribute to Gillen on Facebook. 'For all those who knew her, she was a relentless warrior who fought indefatigably for the vulnerable,' Izaguirre wrote." | | A message from Facebook: Why Facebook supports updated internet regulations
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| | ODDS, ENDS, AND FLORIDA MEN | | — "City of Brooksville accidentally sells its water tower," by Tampa Bay Times' Barbara Behrendt: "The scenic city of Brooksville may not have a Brooklyn Bridge to sell. But recently — and accidentally — the city sold its water tower. Lucky for city fathers, the accidental buyer, Bobby Read, agreed to deed the tower back to Brooksville after the mistake was made. But the error has caused a flurry of social media attention and a rift between residents and political figures." WEDDING BELLS: After delaying their wedding due to the Covid-19 pandemic POLITICO's Matt Dixon and The Miami Herald's Ana Ceballos finally tied the knot on Friday in their backyard with just their parents. A more traditional ceremony is coming later. Pic. SPOTTED: Seen at a Coral Gables house party on Saturday: Roger Stone, Fernand Amandi, Grant Stern, Pinecrest Councilmember Anna Hochkammer, Evelyn Perez Verdia. | 
Roger Stone photographed at a Coral Gables house party | POLITICO | WEEKEND WEDDING: Jeff and Meredith Ivey — whose 2020 wedding plans were also delayed due to the pandemic — were married this past weekend in Maine. Jeff Ivey is legislative affairs director at the Florida Lottery. Meredith Ivey is the chief of staff for the Department of Economic Opportunity. Pic. BIRTHDAYS: Donald J. Trump ... Laura Figueroa Hernandez, White House correspondent for Newsday … Foyt Ralston of Foyt Ralston & Associates … (Was Sunday) Former State Sen. David Simmons …(Was Saturday) Sally Bradshaw , Tallahassee bookstore owner and former chief of staff and campaign adviser to Jeb Bush ... Alex Castellanos of Purple Strategies
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