| | | | | |  | | By Gary Fineout | Hello and welcome to Tuesday. Stance — It's no secret that Gov. Ron DeSantis opposes mask mandates, especially the idea of requiring masks for school children even though many of them remain ineligible for vaccines. Private gathering — But DeSantis on Monday reinforced that idea during a nearly hourlong roundtable he held behind closed doors at the state Capitol. It featured a clinical psychiatrist, a Stanford professor who has been highlighted several times during the pandemic by the governor, a professor in pediatrics, a parent with children at a Tallahassee charter school, and a student who was forced to wear a mask this past year at an elite Tallahassee private school. So what happened? — DeSantis' office didn't let the (corporate, err, traditional, err, mainstream, err, not on the home team) media know about the roundtable until hours after it happened or even allow the state-run Florida Channel to record the event. His office did distribute a transcript late Monday evening when asked about it. And that transcript revealed that participants in the event decried the idea of requiring masks for school children with one participant calling it a form of "child abuse." Lamentations — Several of those who did take part in the event did stress that vaccines work. But DeSantis — whose campaign boasted recently that its "Don't Fauci my Florida" T-shirts have turned into big sellers — complained about what he called a strict orthodoxy at work when it came to masks. 'Sticking to their script' — "Our confidence in some of the pediatric leadership and some of the medical leadership has been shattered by how these people have reacted to this pandemic by not following data, ignoring countervailing evidence, sticking to their script, regardless of the outcomes, ignoring harms, particularly for young people and being willing and even delighting and imposing, really unspeakable burdens on the most defenseless and least dangerous segment of our society in terms of this, the kids," the governor said. Crucial time — The governor held this roundtable during a time when cases are surging in the state, hospitalizations are on the rise and school districts themselves — such as the one where the Capitol is located — are having a similar debate over mask policy. DeSantis is sticking to his viewpoint. Got it. But it seems he could discuss it and debate it out in the open, and be willing to take questions about it. — 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 | | BACKLASH — "'Sellout': Anti-vax conservatives come for DeSantis," by POLITICO's Matt Dixon: But as Gov. Ron DeSantis encourages vaccinations — he said "vaccines are saving lives" — he is facing a backlash from the anti-vaccination wing of his political base. It's the same group that praised him and helped thrust him onto the national stage for his hands-off approach to the virus. DeSantis, with 2024 presidential ambitions, has to walk the line between keeping his conservative base satisfied and keeping his state from becoming more of a disease hot spot. "Don't let political correctness get in the way of health choices," former Trump National Security Adviser Michael Flynn said recently of DeSantis' comments, speaking on "The Right Side with Doug Billings," a conservative radio host and podcaster. Pushing back — DeSantis' office brushed off the criticism from conservatives, calling a story reporting on Flynn and Peters' comments "clickbait." "Most conservatives in politics and media do not find the Governor's statements the least bit controversial and have not made such baseless accusations," said Christina Pushaw, DeSantis' press secretary. — "Mayo Clinic calls for mandatory COVID-19 vaccination for staff: 'Our patients expect to be safe,'" by Florida Times-Union's Beth Reese Cravey | 
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks during a roundtable discussion with Miami-Dade County mayors during the coronavirus pandemic, Tuesday, July 14, 2020, in Miami. | AP Photo/Lynne Sladky | ALARM BELLS — "Florida mayor: 'We are in crisis mode,' as virus cases surge," by The Associated Press' Mike Schneider: "The mayor of the county that hosts Florida's theme park mecca said Monday that 'we are now in crisis mode' when it comes to dealing with soaring numbers of COVID-19 infections. Florida accounted for a fifth of the nation's new infections last week, more than any other state, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Now the home to Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort is seeing about 1,000 new cases a day, said Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings. 'A thousand a day is extraordinary,' Demings said at a news conference. 'We are now in crisis mode ... We as a community need to work together to slow this rate.'" — "As COVID-19 cases surge, Palm Beach imposes new mask mandate and social distancing measures," by Palm Beach Post's Jodie Wagner — "Sarasota Memorial Hospital limiting visitors again amid surge of COVID-19 patients ," by Sarasota Herald-Tribune's Zac Anderson — "Orange County COVID-19 cases reach 1,000 a day; AdventHealth says ICU is full," by Orlando Sentinel's Caroline Catherman and Stephen Hudak — " COVID-19 hospitalizations surge on Treasure Coast: 'It's primarily unvaccinated people,'" by Treasure Coast Newspapers Lindsey Leake — "COVID-19 cases in Miami courts cause dread as delta variant spreads across Florida," by Miami Herald's David Ovalle | | DRIVING THE DAY | | 'IT'S GOING TO BE A FREE-FOR-ALL' — "'Avalanche': Miami renters brace for mass evictions as moratorium ends," by Miami Herald's Rene Rodriguez: "The moratorium, which went into effect on Sept. 4 and has been extended several times since but expires on Saturday, was intended to protect renters earning $99,000 or less per year from being evicted due to loss of income or other COVID-related hardships. But when the CDC program dies, barring a last-minute extension due to the new surge in COVID cases around the U.S., 188,000 'severely distressed' renters in Miami-Dade already paying more than half of their income on rent will be particularly vulnerable to eviction, according to Dr. Ned Murray, associate director of the Florida International University Metropolitan Center." REQUEST TIME — "GOP lawmakers request Cuba meeting with Biden," by The Hill's Mychael Schnell: "A group of 19 Republican lawmakers penned a letter to President Biden on Monday requesting a meeting to discuss the ongoing situation in Cuba, which has escalated in recent weeks following protests against the government. The coalition of GOP lawmakers, including House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (Calif.) and Sen. Marco Rubio (Fla.), specifically requested the meeting to discuss how Congress and the administration 'can work together to bring an end to the oppressive communist regime in Havana and liberate the Cuban people.'" — " Rudy Giuliani came to Miami to hammer Cuba's regime. Just a few people showed up," by Miami Herald's Jimena Tavel and Michelle Marchante | | | | 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. | | | | |
| | ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... | | WHAT'S IN YOUR WALLET? — "The feds earmarked $15 billion for FL schools to help kids in the pandemic, but it's largely an unused stockpile," by Florida Phoenix's Danielle Brown: "More than a year later, and now under President Joe Biden's administration, the amount has spiked to some $15 billion — a largely unused stockpile of federal relief funds designated to pull Florida schools out of the COVID pandemic and mitigate its effects for this school year as well as the next few school years, according to data from the U.S. Department of Education. Most of the dollars have yet to be disbursed to school districts for this past school year and this coming school year, and the 2021-22 academic year is just a few weeks away….'Every minute these funds sit in Tallahassee is time that the funds are not being used to help Florida's students,' wrote Andrew Spar, president of the Florida Education Association, a statewide teacher union, who sent a letter to Gov. Ron DeSantis on July 21." AH YES, THE FINE PRINT — "Florida is buying $300 million in land. It's for the environment – and developers," by Tampa Bay Times' Lawrence Mower: "The fine print in this year's budget includes a stipulation that some environmentalists fear could spur development in the state's wetlands. In a reversal of the state's current land-buying policy, lawmakers this year wrote in the budget that anyone whose development rights are purchased with the $300 million can also use their land for wetland 'mitigation banking' — an obscure environmental program that some environmentalists believe is bad for the state's wetlands. Mitigation banking is used by developers, the Florida Department of Transportation and other builders to offset damage their projects cause to the environment." TO COURT — "Broward residents sue DeSantis over state's withholding of unemployment aid," by News Service of Florida's Jim Saunders: "Broward County residents struggling financially because of the COVID-19 pandemic have filed a lawsuit challenging a decision by Gov. Ron DeSantis' administration to cut off federal unemployment money for Floridians. The lawsuit, filed Sunday in Broward County circuit court, contends that the DeSantis administration violated state law last month when it stopped providing $300 a week in federal assistance to jobless people. The money, approved by Congress as part of COVID-19 relief efforts, came on top of state unemployment benefits." FORMER DEMOCRATIC PARTY CHAIR TAKES STAND — "'I don't think I lied': Contradictions amid Maddox testimony in J.T. Burnette trial," by Tallahassee Democrat's Jeff Burlew: "Scott Maddox, the former mayor and city commissioner at the center of the FBI's public corruption probe in Tallahassee, took the stand against his friend and co-defendant, John 'J.T.' Burnette — but he couldn't recall some key details and contradicted testimony from earlier in the trial. Federal prosecutors called Maddox to the stand Monday morning on the ninth day of testimony in the racketeering and extortion trial of Burnette, an entrepreneur and owner of the DoubleTree Hotel. Burnette is accused of giving Maddox a $100,000 bribe for his no-vote on a downtown hotel project and arranging $40,000 in bribes to the commissioner." | | CAMPAIGN MODE | | GETTING THE WORD OUT — "Rick Scott calls out Biden administration over Cuba in new ads airing in Florida," by POLITICO's Gary Fineout: The partisan tug-of-war over Cuba is now heading to the airwaves in Florida, the latest signal that the dust-up over the protests in the island nation could be a major issue in the battleground state ahead of the 2022 elections. Florida Sen. Rick Scott, who is viewed as a potential presidential candidate in 2024, is launching ads in four Florida markets — including Miami — as well as Washington, D.C. Scott, speaking in both Spanish and English, calls for stronger actions against Cuba by the Biden administration, including even potential military action. TRUMP SNUBS ANOTHER BUSH — "Trump endorses scandal-plagued Ken Paxton for Texas attorney general," by POLITICO's Myah Ward: Former President Donald Trump on Monday night endorsed Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton for reelection, even as the incumbent faces a criminal indictment on fraud charges and a separate FBI corruption investigation. And the former president had another Republican to choose from. George P. Bush — grandson and nephew of two former presidents, and the last remaining member of the political dynasty in public office — made the trek to Florida to ask for Trump's endorsement for attorney general a couple of weeks ago, tweeting that he appreciated Trump's "friendship & kind words as we work together to Keep America Great." | | DATELINE D.C. | | 'A ROADMAP' — "$22 million added to federal spending bill for Surfside condo collapse investigation," by Sun Sentinel's Anthony Man: "U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz said Monday she's secured $22 million in federal funding for an investigation into the cause of the June 24 Surfside condominium collapse in which 98 people were killed. Wasserman Schultz, a Broward/Miami-Dade County Democrat whose district includes 15 miles of communities along the coast including Surfside, said the money would go to pay for the National Institute of Standards and Technology probe into the collapse of the Champlain Towers South." MATT'S WORLD — "Matt Gaetz claims purpose of 1/6 committee is to charge GOP lawmakers for 'process crimes,'" by Newsweek's Aila Slisco: "Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) said that House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the U.S. Capitol was created with the goal of charging Republican lawmakers with 'process crimes.' Gaetz made the remarks while discussing Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) appointing Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.) to the committee during a Monday interview on Newsmax. The Florida Republican insisted that the commission would ultimately use legal technicalities to target GOP leadership for criminal prosecution. 'I really do believe that the end goal of the January 6 Committee is to create a series of criminal referrals,' Gaetz said." | | PENINSULA AND BEYOND | | CODA — "Family: Last victim ID'd in Florida condo building collapse," by The Associated Press' Kelli Kennedy: "The final victim of the condo building collapse in Florida has been identified, a relative said Monday, more than a month after the middle-of-the-night catastrophe that ultimately claimed 98 lives and became the largest non-hurricane related emergency response in state history. Estelle Hedaya, an outgoing 54-year-old with a love of travel, was the last to be identified, ending what her relatives described as a torturous four-week wait. Her younger brother, Ikey Hedaya, confirmed the news to The Associated Press. A funeral was scheduled for Tuesday. It comes just days after rescuers officially concluded the painstaking and emotionally heavy task of removing layers of dangerous debris and pulling out dozens of bodies." 'HE'S GOING TO ROT IN HELL' — "Joseph Smith who was convicted of killing 11-year-old Carlie Brucia dies," by Sarasota Herald-Tribune's Chris Anderson: "Joseph Smith, who was convicted of killing 11-year-old Carlie Brucia in 2004, died in prison at age 55 on Monday, according to the state Attorney General's Office. The cause of death was unknown. He was 39 when he committed a crime Sarasota may never forget. Smith was a longstanding member of Florida's death row for the abduction, rape and murder of Brucia. The case made headlines worldwide after he was captured on a car wash camera leading Brucia away by the wrist as 144 million people were watching the Super Bowl on television." Reaction — Joe Brucia, Carlie's father, said he learned Smith had died about 9 a.m. Monday morning. He said he felt 'elation' when he heard the news. 'Now Joe's getting the punishment he deserves,' Brucia said. 'He's going to rot in hell.' Susan Schorpen, Carlie's mother, did not live to see the death of her daughter's killer. Schorpen died in Polk County of a heroin overdose in 2017. She was 47." | | ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN | | — "I'm a Parkland survivor. QAnon convinced my dad it was all a hoax," by Vice's David Gilbert: "Bill had worked hard to get over his survivor's guilt after the shooting, but for the past five months, his own father has been triggering it all over again. 'He'll say stuff like this straight to my face whenever he's drinking: 'You're a real piece of work to be able to sit here and act like nothing ever happened if it wasn't a hoax. Shame on you for being part of it and putting your family through it too,' Bill said in an anonymous post on Reddit last week." BIRTHDAYS: Adm. Craig Faller, head of U.S. Southern Command … Journalist Eric J. Lyman
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