| | | | | |  | | By Gary Fineout | Hello and welcome to Thursday. Divided we fall — You couldn't have a had more stunning split-screen view of the polarization over Covid-19 in Florida than in the previous 24 hours. Surge — News that Florida's daily Covid-19 count soared to more than 16,000 new cases on Tuesday and hospital beds are beginning to fill up, has brought new fears that the coronavirus is raging uncontrolled across the state once again. Response — It was accompanied by a wave of reactions from local leaders. Broward County schools said they are keeping in place a mask mandate for schools despite Gov. Ron DeSantis' opposition. Some county governments announced vaccine mandates for their employees. Even Disney World responded late Wednesday that they would once again require visitors to wear masks. Way out west — While this was going on back home, DeSantis was more than 2,000 miles away in Utah, where he gave a speech at the American Legislative Exchange Council (not on his public schedule by the way, but hey, transparency) where he mocked the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and proclaimed his continued resistance to mandates and lockdowns. Sticking with the message — DeSantis opened up his speech by looking at the mostly unmasked crowd and said: "Did you not get the CDC's memo? I don't see you complying." In his 15-minute remarks, the Republican governor — and leading contender for 2024 — decried what he called the "hysteria" and "fear mongering" that has occurred during the pandemic. He contended again the surge underway is a "seasonal" phenomenon and he took more shots at Dr. Anthony Fauci, the chief medical adviser for the White House. The opposition — When the governor gets back, his administration will have to decide if they plan to fight the restlessness now brewing across the state from local leaders. Meanwhile, Democratic challengers such as Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried are also ratcheting up their steady criticism. Fried, who did say she too opposes lockdowns, on Wednesday faulted the governor for his "anti-science" messaging and that he is not doing enough to urge Floridians to get vaccinated. Coming to a TV screen — Late last night, Fried announced on Twitter that she was going to put a public service announcement on Fox News that would urge residents to get shots. "We have to reach everyone, especially those hearing the most disinformation," Fried wrote. Her campaign said they could have the PSA ready to go as soon as Friday. — 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 | | | | STEP INSIDE THE WEST WING: What's really happening in West Wing offices? Find out who's up, who's down, and who really has the president's ear in our West Wing Playbook newsletter, the insider's guide to the Biden White House and Cabinet. For buzzy nuggets and details that you won't find anywhere else, subscribe today. | | | | |
|  | CORONAVIRUS UPDATES | | FAR FROM HOME — "In Utah speech, Florida's Ron DeSantis mocks new CDC recommendation on masks," by Salt Lake Tribune's Matt Canham: "Florida's hard-charging governor dismissed new recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that even vaccinated people should wear face masks in public if they live in states where the coronavirus is spreading rapidly. Standing before 450 largely unmasked attendees at a conservative public policy conference in Salt Lake City, Gov. Ron DeSantis said, 'Did you not get the CDC's memo? I don't see you complying.' DeSantis, a Republican with presidential ambitions, touted his state's rejection of mask mandates and school closures during his 15-minute speech Wednesday to the American Legislative Exchange Council." COLLISION COURSE? — "Broward schools keep mask mandate in place, defying the governor," by Sun Sentinel's Scott Travis: "Broward could become the first school district in Florida to require masks this fall, setting up a potential battle with Gov. Ron DeSantis, a staunch opponent of mask mandates. School Board members unanimously agreed Wednesday to keep the existing mask policy through at least the start of the fall, citing rising COVID-19 rates and new federal guidance encouraging masks in schools, even for the vaccinated. They plan to reconsider the issue shortly after Labor Day. Several School Board members said they were prepared to make masks optional, but that changed Tuesday after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced that it was recommending masks for everyone in school." MEANWHILE IN MIAMI — "Miami-Dade mayor: COVID spike means time for vaccinated to wear masks indoors again," by Miami Herald's Douglas Hanks: "Faced with an alarming spike in COVID-19 cases, Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava on Wednesday mandated masks at all county facilities and urged businesses to require facial coverings indoors, too. 'The numbers are clear,' Levine Cava said at a press conference outside the county's Stephen P. Clark Center in downtown Miami. 'We hope that businesses will do the right thing.' While Levine Cava's predecessor, Carlos Gimenez, imposed detailed operational rules and restrictions for businesses during the 2020 COVID spikes, those executive powers were blocked last fall by Gov. Ron DeSantis and then by the Florida Legislature earlier this year." AND IN CENTRAL FLORIDA — "Orange County is back under a state of emergency as coronavirus infections skyrocket," by Orlando Sentinel's Stephen Hudak and Ryan Gillespie: "Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings has declared a state of emergency as new infections of COVID-19 skyrocketed to a single-day high, and wastewater surveillance hints at further increases coming soon. The new state of emergency comes nearly two months after he ended the previous order, which had been in place since March 2020. He also said county employees have until Aug. 31 to get their first shot of vaccine protection or face discipline that could include termination. He is requiring employees and visitors to wear masks in county facilities and pleaded with private businesses to require employees to get vaccinated and wear masks indoors." THE MOUSE WEIGHS IN — "Disney World to require all guests to wear masks indoors starting Friday," by Orlando Sentinel's David Harris: "If you're going to Disney World, you will have to mask up. Starting Friday, Disney guests will have to wear masks while indoors and in Disney buses, monorail and Disney Skyliner, regardless of vaccination status, the theme park announced Wednesday night. Face coverings are optional when outside." | 
AP Photo | INTO THE BREACH — "Florida's top-elected Democrat Nikki Fried says DeSantis leaves a 'void' on COVID information," by USA Today Network-Florida's John Kennedy: "Florida's lone elected statewide Democrat, Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, began Wednesday what she said will be frequent updates on COVID-19 – advisories state health officials have scaled-back under Gov. Ron DeSantis. Fried, who along with U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist of St. Petersburg are the leading Democrats challenging DeSantis for governor next year, ridiculed the Republican's handling of the state's rising case totals, saying there is an information 'void.' She contrasted it with how the state approaches hurricanes. 'Can you imagine if it's hurricane season and we have a report that says we have a hurricane coming, and that's all the information we get?' Fried said." — "'Never been as bad as it is now': COVID-19 hospitalizations surge in Jacksonville," by Florida Times-Union's Emily Bloch — "Leon County to require COVID vaccine for all employees, may be among first in the country to do so ," by Tallahassee Democrat's Karl Etters | | | | 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 | | END GAME — "Ballot crackdown sought by DeSantis and GOP appears doomed," by POLITICO's Gary Fineout: In what could be a substantial defeat for Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Republican-controlled Florida Legislature, the state appears ready to drop its push to make it harder for groups to put citizen initiatives on the ballot. A federal judge on July 1 temporarily blocked a new law that placed a hard $3,000 cap on donations given to groups sponsoring ballot measures. But with a 30-day deadline running out, the state has not taken any legal action to challenge that initial ruling or even asked a judge for a stay while it pursues an appeal. Stay in place — A decision to accept the initial ruling by U.S. District Judge Allen Winsor, an appointee of former President Donald Trump, means the law will remain blocked while the case continues to grind ahead in federal court. And that means that groups that have raised tens of millions ahead of the 2022 election can continue to do so. Nicholas Warren, a lawyer for the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida, which is challenging the law, said he hoped that Winsor will eventually scrap the law entirely. BUILDING UP — "Florida Republicans prepare 'massive force' ahead of 2022," by POLITICO's Matt Dixon: Florida Republicans will hire nearly 170 staffers and push to overtake Democrat's long-standing voter registration advantage in the state as they build a "massive force" ahead of the 2022 midterm elections. The cycle will be crucial after Republicans dominated the state in 2020, including former President Donald Trump winning Florida by more than three points — an outcome that further eroded Florida's reputation as a swing state and provided further evidence that it is increasingly center-right territory out of reach for Democrats. 'RIDING THIS ENERGY' — "'There's momentum': Florida GOP eyes local school board races," by POLITICO's Andrew Atterbury and Matt Dixon: Florida Republicans want to use the surging political popularity of Gov. Ron DeSantis to swing a new "top priority" in 2021: local school board races. With critical race theory and school mask policies pushing education to the forefront amid the coronavirus pandemic, state GOP leaders see an opportunity to recruit a corps of impassioned voters. The Republican governor's interest in what have normally been under the radar school board elections could send new money and attention flowing to races throughout the state, possibly giving the GOP an advantage along the way. Target — "His endorsement is going to be worth more than gold," Christian Ziegler, vice chair of the Republican Party of Florida, said in an interview with POLITICO. Florida Republicans are preparing to put "significant resources" into training for school board races in the coming weeks, Ziegler said. "There's momentum," Ziegler said. "We're riding this energy right now." | | DATELINE D.C. | | BIG VOTE — "Bipartisan infrastructure deal sails through first Senate vote," by POLITICO's Marianne LeVine and Burgess Everett: The Senate's bipartisan infrastructure deal finally moved forward on Wednesday night after weeks of grueling negotiations, handing a group of centrists and President Joe Biden a major win. Though the legislation is still unfinished and failed just a week ago, more than a dozen Republicans took the plunge and voted to break an initial filibuster on the bill. Among them was Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, who has previously said "100 percent" of his focus was on standing up to Biden's agenda. But even as the Senate agreed to begin considering the bipartisan framework, final passage remains uncertain. Florida senators vote no — While 67 senators backed the bill Sens. Marco Rubio and Rick Scott voted no. Scott issued a joint statement with several other senators, including Sen. Ted Cruz, where he said that it "continues the trend in Congress of insane deficit spending" and that the legislation would contribute to inflation. Rubio's no vote drew sharp criticism from liberal groups and Democrats. Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee spokesperson Amanda Sherman Baity said that "instead of focusing on growing millions of good-paying American jobs, Rubio would rather play petty, political games at Floridians' expense." | | TRUMPLANDIA AND THE SWAMP | | FIRST IN D.C. PLAYBOOK — As Trump continues to expand his post-White House operation, he's added TAYLOR BUDOWICH as director of comms for Save America, Trump's PAC. He'll be joining deputy director of comms MARGO MARTIN and LIZ HARRINGTON, who replaced JASON MILLER as Trump's new spokesperson. Budowich previously worked as a senior adviser to DONALD TRUMP JR. and KIMBERLY GUILFOYLE, and as a senior comms adviser to RON DESANTIS' 2018 Florida gubernatorial campaign. — "Jared Kushner Is Launching an Investment Firm in Miami," by the Wall Street Journal's Konrad Putzier | | ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... | | SOUNDS LIKE A BAILOUT — "DeSantis moves to cut tolls on controversial bridge," by News Service of Florida's Jim Turner: "Gov. Ron DeSantis wants court-ordered toll rates to be cut nearly 50 percent on Northwest Florida's controversial Garcon Point Bridge, which he would like the state to acquire. Appearing with lawmakers at the bridge's toll plaza on Wednesday, DeSantis directed the state Department of Transportation's Turnpike Enterprise to reach a settlement with bondholders who financed the span across a section of Pensacola Bay in the 1990s. Bondholders in recent years have been locked in a legal battle with the Department of Transportation about tolls not producing enough revenue to pay off the $95 million in bonds and interest. A Leon County circuit judge in late 2019 ordered toll increases, which took effect in early 2020." | | PENINSULA AND BEYOND | | COMING TOGETHER? — "'Surprising takeaway': The Cuba issue is now bipartisan, according to a national poll," by El Nuevo Herald's Nora Gámez: "A new national poll shows bipartisan support for U.S. actions in solidarity with pro-democracy demonstrators in Cuba — with the broadest backing for U.S. efforts to provide internet to the people on the island. Conducted by the Republican polling firm Echelon Insights, the poll surveyed 1,143 registered voters as part of a monthly online panel. The poll, provided first to the Miami Herald, showed relatively small differences between Democratic and Republican voters on some key questions." MORE REVELATIONS — "Joel Greenberg used private state database to look up hundreds of people's personal info, tax office says," by Orlando Sentinel's Martin E. Comas: "Joel Greenberg, the former Seminole County tax collector who pleaded guilty in May to identity theft, stalking and sex trafficking, used his access to a state database through his public position to look up the personal information of hundreds of people during his time in office, officials said Wednesday. Tax Collector's Office officials provided few other details and did not reveal the names of the roughly 300 people Greenberg searched for using the Driver and Vehicle Information Database, known as DAVID, or confirm whether those people will be notified." HELPING OUT — "Charities providing housing assistance to collapse survivors," by Associated Press' Terry Spencer: "Sharon Schechter escaped the South Florida condominium tower collapse with just the nightclothes she was wearing, so she cried shortly after when the Global Empowerment Mission gave her an electric toothbrush, a phone charger and a $500 gift card to buy essentials. Now GEM, other charities and businesses announced Wednesday that they will be paying the first and last months rent and security deposit at new apartments for Schechter and about 30 other individuals and families displaced by the June 24 tragedy in Surfside that killed 98." — " The fight over the condo collapse area: Surfside wants in. Miami-Dade still says no," by Miami Herald's Douglas Hanks and Martin Vassolo — "Red Tide still hanging around Pinellas coast after 'brief improvements,'" by Tampa Bay Times' Zachary T. Sampson | | ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN | | — "5 years' prison for Florida man in arson at racial protest," by The Associated Press: "A Florida man was sentenced Wednesday to five years in federal prison for torching a sporting goods store during racial protests in 2020. A Tampa federal judge imposed the sentence on 21-year-old Terrance Lee Hester Jr., who pleaded guilty to an arson charge in April, according to court records. Federal investigators say Hester was identified through video surveillance footage as he threw a flaming white cloth through a broken window at a Champs Sports store." BIRTHDAYS: Former Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn
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