| | | | | |  | | By Gary Fineout | Hello and welcome to Tuesday. Branding — For months and months, Gov. Ron DeSantis touted his brand of Florida exceptionalism when it comes to how the state responded to Covid-19. Now a surge in cases — primarily among those who remain unvaccinated — is creating an inconvenient interruption to that narrative. Spike — Cases in the state more than doubled in the past week and now hospitals around the state are seeing a jump in admissions, forcing some of them to impose restrictions on visitations. Summertime blues — When asked about it on Monday, DeSantis brushed it aside and said he had previously cautioned that this could happen. "It's a seasonal virus and this is the seasonal pattern it follows in the Sun Belt states," he told reporters during a Central Florida press conference. DeSantis also predicted that the Covid case numbers would likely fall in August. Yes, but — The governor could be entirely correct. There have been many times where his instincts about how to respond to Covid-19 worked out. But DeSantis also has a habit of not acknowledging problems directly. He changed his vaccination rollout strategy after a bumpy start. DeSantis also admitted that the 2020 summer surge was troubling… but after it had passed. Lather, rinse, repeat — Democrats have also responded with their tried and true formula by blasting the governor, citing his barrage of rhetoric against federal health officials and the ramping down of a campaign that urged people to get vaccinated. DeSantis did on Monday praise the vaccine, saying it helped prevent people from getting seriously ill or dying. But then he scolded federal health officials — "quote unquote experts" — for not understanding why some people may be skeptical of vaccines. (It's because they were wrong on so many other things. Get it?) Responsibility time — Regardless of the never-ending politicization of Covid-19, DeSantis has more at stake now with what happens over the next few weeks. No, it's not just about his national aspirations. The plain fact is that Florida legislators changed state law this past session. The responsibility for responding to a public health emergency is now more in the hands of Florida's governor than it was prior to the start of the pandemic. One big change is that he can veto actions by local governments if they try to impose their own Covid-19 restrictions. So it all flows from the top from here on out. — WHERE'S RON? — Gov. DeSantis is scheduled to be in Aspen, Colo., again today for a meeting of the Republican Governors Association. 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 | | RESPONDING — "Rapid rise in COVID patients leads hospitals to limit visitors, prepare for the worst," by Miami Herald's Daniel Chang: "A spike in patient admissions for COVID-19 has put Florida hospitals on high alert, with Miami-Dade's Jackson Health System announcing that it would suspend visitations at many of its facilities beginning Wednesday. Driven by a highly contagious variant of the virus and the significant share of Floridians who remain unvaccinated, the number of new infections reported weekly by Florida's health department has increased more than fourfold in a month, from 10,095 cases for the week ending June 17 to 45,449 on Friday. South Florida hospitals have experienced a similar though less dramatic rise in patients with severe symptoms — pushing them to reinforce preventive measures and to prepare, once again, for a potential surge in the pandemic." ASSIGNING BLAME — "'Death by DeSantis.' Wasserman Schultz blames governor for Florida's COVID surge," by Sun Sentinel's Anthony Man : "U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz says two factors help explain the dramatic increase in Florida's COVID-19 cases: Gov. Ron DeSantis' cavalier attitude and the spread of vaccine misinformation on Facebook. Mainly, Wasserman Schultz told a national CNN audience, 'the blame lies at [DeSantis'] feet.' Christina Pushaw, the governor's press secretary, said the 'claims by Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz are shockingly misinformed.'" | 
WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 28: Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) speaks about her experiences during a trip to Israel and Auschwitz-Birkenau as part of a bipartisan delegation from the House of Representatives on January 28, 2020 in Washington, DC. The liberation of the Nazi concentration camp at Auschwitz-Birkenau on January 27, 1945 is remembered all around the world this week on its 75th anniversary. (Photo by Samuel Corum/Getty Images) | Samuel Corum/Getty Images | POSITIVE TEST — "Florida Rep. Vern Buchanan tests positive for COVID despite being fully vaccinated," by POLITICO Florida staff: Rep. Vern Buchanan on Monday announced that he has tested positive for Covid-19 despite being fully vaccinated against the virus. The Florida Republican said he got tested after experiencing mild flu-like symptoms and has been quarantining at home. "I look forward to returning to work as soon as possible," he said in a statement. "In the meantime, this should serve as a reminder that although vaccines provide a very high degree of protection, we must remain vigilant in the fight against COVID-19." SAILING AHEAD — "DeSantis keeps up CDC cruise fight despite latest setback," by Sun Sentinel's Ron Hurtibise : "Gov. Ron DeSantis promised Monday to go as high as the U.S. Supreme Court to ensure that a federal health agency has no authority over a cruise industry that is trying to resume voyages after an extended COVID-19 shutdown. DeSantis said the state would seek to reverse an order issued late Saturday night by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit in Atlanta that prevented the lifting of restrictions on the cruise industry imposed in spring 2020 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention." AT THE BOTTOM — "Florida nursing home workers lag in COVID-19 vaccinations," by News Service of Florida's Christine Sexton: "As COVID-19 cases increase again in Florida, 42% of the state's nursing-home workers had been fully vaccinated as of last month, a new report by AARP shows. The 42% vaccination rate placed Florida second from last in the percentage of nursing-home workers vaccinated as of June 20 and well behind the national average of 56%, the report by the senior advocacy group said. Hawaii had the highest rate in the four-week period leading up to June 20, with nearly 84 percent of nursing-home staff fully vaccinated." — " DeSantis blames 'quote-unquote experts' for public distrust of COVID-19 vaccines," by Orlando Sentinel's Steven Lemongello — "Central Florida hospitals close to ICU capacity as COVID-19 cases increase," by WKMG's Jerry Askin | | DRIVING THE DAY | | A START? — "Biden orders review of Havana embassy staff, remittances after Cuba protests," by McClatchy DC's Michael Wilner and El Nuevo Herald's Nora Gámez Torres: "President Joe Biden took steps on Monday to respond to a historic wave of protests in Cuba, ordering the State Department to review an increase in staff at the U.S. Embassy in Havana and forming a working group that will consider remittances for Cuban families. The administration's new policy moves mark a step forward for a White House that has been reviewing its posture toward Cuba for over six months. But the administration felt a sudden sense of urgency to act when an islandwide anti-government uprising erupted last week, leaving many injured and at least one confirmed dead." — "Rubio blasts calls from AOC, Sanders to lift embargo on Cuba," by New York Post's Samuel Chamberlain — "A week after the protests began in Cuba, the rallies in Miami continue to manifest," by Miami Herald's Carlos Martinez IT'S IN THE WATER — "DeSantis has a dead fish problem," by POLITICO's Bruce Ritchie: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is facing a potentially new crisis as he readies his 2022 reelection: thousands of tons of dead fish. A new red tide algae bloom expanding in southwest Florida has left more than 650 tons of dead marine wildlife floating in waterways and polluting the tourist-heavy region of Tampa and St. Petersburg with decomposing sea life. About 200 St. Petersburg employees have been cleaning up beaches there, and Pinellas County has already spent more than $1 million to mitigate the environmental mess. — " Environmentalists urge DeSantis to declare Red Tide emergency," by Tampa Bay Times' Gabe Stern and Zachary T. Sampson | | | | 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. | | | | |
| | TRUMPLANDIA AND THE SWAMP | | FLORIDA MAN — "Capitol rioter who breached Senate gets 8 months for felony," by The Associated Press' Michael Tarm: "A crane operator from Florida who breached the U.S. Senate chamber carrying a Trump campaign flag was sentenced Monday to eight months behind bars, the first punishment handed down for a felony charge in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot and one that could help determine the severity of other sentences in hundreds of pending cases. In pronouncing the sentence on Paul Allard Hodgkins, U.S. District Judge Randolph Moss said the 38-year-old had played a role, if not as significant as others, in one of the worst episodes in American history." | | CAMPAIGN MODE | | ON YOUR RADAR — "County election offices using multi-state database for first time to check voter info," by USA Today Network-Florida's Jeffrey Schweers: "Final address verification notices are going over the next few days to 12,000 people on the Leon County voter rolls who may not be living in Florida anymore based on official records gleaned from a multi-state database. 'Ensuring the accuracy and integrity of our voter rolls is an important responsibility of my office,' Earley said Monday. This marks the first time that Earley and the state's other 67 county election supervisors are using the Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC) since joining two years ago to identify and purge ineligible voters from their rolls. Some counties have already completed the list maintenance update while others are in the process of doing so or will complete in the next month." — "Kriseman endorses Ken Welch for St. Petersburg mayor," by Tampa Bay Times' Romy Ellenbogen — "Volunteer head of Miami-Dade Democratic Party resigns, says full-time leader is needed ," by Miami Herald's Bianca Padro Ocasio | | ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... | | A BILL BECOMES LAW — 'Serious lapses' in state condo law come after years of influence by special interests," by USA Today Network-Florida's Jeffrey Schweers: "The bill was passed unanimously by both the House and Senate, and was signed into law by then-Gov. Charlie Crist. Two years later, lawyers and lobbyists for the condominium associations, property managers and developers pushed back. They said the law placed a financial burden on condominium unit owners, especially elderly ones on fixed incomes. They convinced lawmakers to repeal the five-year inspection provision [former State Rep. Julio] Robaina had worked so hard to get into law in the first place, according to Robaina and others involved in the process. But it was done in a way that Robaina didn't see coming: It was snuck into the back of a 102-page, comprehensive building safety bill (HB 663) that had nothing to do with condominium associations." | | DATELINE D.C. | | BROKEN PROMISES? — "Could Tyndall AFB F-35 plans be grounded? Sen. Rubio expresses concern in letter," by Northwest Florida Daily News' Jim Thompson: "U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Florida, is worried that a provision in the proposed federal defense spending and policy bill for the upcoming fiscal year could jeopardize plans to remake Tyndall Air Force Base into a "base of the future" centered around three F-35 squadrons. Rubio's concern is based on a current draft of the defense authorization bill that would prohibit the Air Force from divesting itself of 42 A-10 aircraft, which provide close air support to friendly ground troops and attack enemy tanks and armored vehicles. But keeping those aircraft, Rubio wrote in a letter to the leaders of the Senate Armed Services Committee, could "jeopardize the strategic basing of three F-35 squadrons at Tyndall." HE CHOSE CALIFORNIA INSTEAD — "Northwest Florida residents weigh-in as Gaetz misses Escambia County celebration," by WEAR-TV's Carolyn Cerda: "Northwest Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz continues to make headlines across the U.S. The spotlight is raising concerns for some of his constituents in Northwest Florida. Escambia County celebrated its bicentennial celebration this weekend — a big deal for the state Gaetz represents. While others such as Florida's Secretary of State, Representatives Alex Andrade, Michelle Salzman, and U.S. Senator Rick Scott attended -- one noticeable absence was that of Representative Matt Gaetz." | | Bidenology | | DEBUT COMING — "Disney: Biden joins Hall of Presidents in August," by Orlando Sentinel's Dewayne Bevil: "Magic Kingdom's Hall of Presidents will reopen — complete with audio-animatronic Joe Biden — next month, Walt Disney World announced Monday. The attraction has been closed for the renovation and addition since Biden took office in late January. On a table near the new figure will be Biden-centric touches, including a set of aviator sunglasses, which the president frequently sports, and a vase of peach blossoms, representing his home state of Delaware, according to a post on the official Disney Parks Blog." | | PENINSULA AND BEYOND | | PROBE — "Florida investigating man linked to Haitian president's killing," by POLITICO's Andrew Atterbury and David Kihara: "Florida's Agriculture Commissioner has opened an investigation into the owner of a Miami-based security firm linked to the July 7 assassination of Haiti's president, Jovenel Moïse. The commissioner's Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement is probing Antonio Emmanuel Intriago Valera, 57, the owner of the private security company CTU. The agency is also investigating the firm. Antonio Emmanuel Intriago Valera, also known as Tony Intriago, reportedly hired more than 20 ex-soldiers from Colombia who were later killed or detained by Haitian authorities in the aftermath of the assassination." NEW APPROACH — "Environmental groups happy with Lake Okeechobee plan but say tweaks are needed," by Palm Beach Post's Kimberly Miller: "A plan largely supported by South Florida's environmental groups won favor from the Army Corps of Engineers on Monday as it designs a blueprint for managing Lake Okeechobee for at least the next decade. Losers in the proposal on how and when water will be released from the wellspring of the Everglades are the lake itself, which could be held at higher levels longer, and the Caloosahatchee River, which would see harmful discharges increase under a strict interpretation of so-called plan 'CC.' But Col. Andrew Kelly, commander of the Corps' Jacksonville District, promised the plan still faces modifications that he expects will improve the situation for oysters in the Caloosahatchee and eelgrass in Lake Okeechobee." R.I.P. — "Florida mayor, former AP reporter Kevin Begos dies," by The Associated Press: "Kevin Begos, an award-winning science journalist and author who later became the mayor of Apalachicola, Florida, has died. He was 63. Begos died June 19 at Capital Regional Medical Center in Tallahassee. He had been battling a serious heart infection. Begos was elected mayor of Apalachicola, a small coastal town in the Florida Panhandle, in 2019." — "USF President Steve Currall to step down two years into his tenure," by Tampa Bay Times' Divya Kumar | | ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN | | — "Proud Boys leader pleads guilty to burning D.C. church's banner," by POLITICO's Myah Ward: The national leader of the Proud Boys, a far-right extremist group, pleaded guilty Monday to two charges, including one involving the burning of a Black Lives Matter banner stolen from a Washington, D.C., church. Henry "Enrique" Tarrio, 37, of Miami, Fla., pleaded guilty in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia to one count of destruction of property and a local weapons charge, according to a Department of Justice press release. BIRTHDAYS: State Sen. Darryl Rouson … 2nd Judicial Circuit Judge Angela C. Dempsey … William Large, president of Florida Justice Reform Institute
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