News: POLITICO Florida Playbook: How Ron DeSantis spent part of his weekend — Appeals court rules against Florida in cruise line battle — Rick Scott's narrow escape

Monday, July 19, 2021

POLITICO Florida Playbook: How Ron DeSantis spent part of his weekend — Appeals court rules against Florida in cruise line battle — Rick Scott's narrow escape — Matt Gaetz's California adventure

Jul 19, 2021

Hello and welcome to Monday.

It's not just the heat — Florida's misery index has been rising this summer, and it doesn't seem like it will get better anytime soon.

Situational awareness — As the state's vaccination rate plateaus, Covid-19 cases are now surging again in Florida — and, in a somewhat remarkable statistic, now account for 1 in 5 new cases nationwide, according to White House officials. Meanwhile, there is the scourge of red tide on the Gulf Coast coming in the wake of millions of gallons of polluted water being released from a shuttered fertilizer plant in Manatee County.

Westbound and down — It is against this backdrop that Gov. Ron DeSantis, well ... went to Texas.

On the border — DeSantis, as well as Attorney General Ashley Moody and Senate President (and future agriculture commissioner candidate) Wilton Simpson, spent part of their weekend at the Texas-Mexico border to meet with Florida law enforcement that deployed there last month at the urging of the governor. And at a briefing with Texas Gov. Greg Abbott there was a lot of finger-pointing at the Biden administration as border apprehensions have reached a 20-year high.

Tried and true — Look, we get it. Then-Gov. Rick Scott routinely bashed the administration of President Barack Obama. But DeSantis insisted that the visit was not some mere political spectacle by saying that 70 percent of those apprehended by Florida law enforcement (some 2,800, according to press release) "said they ultimately want to go to Florida." Maybe it was just happenstance that on Saturday, DeSantis also sent out a fundraising pitch through his campaign where he asked donors to help him "continue my mission to secure our Southern border."

Take the long way home — But there are also other immediate problems crashing into Florida right now. While DeSantis' office said Sunday on Twitter that money has been set aside to help with red tide, Pinellas County officials are asking for more to be done, including declaring a state of emergency. And while DeSantis did a concentrated push for vaccinations earlier this year, that messaging has fallen by the wayside and has been replaced by the governor railing against health bureaucrats. We won't even delve too deeply into the state's property insurance meltdown. 2024 is still a long way away. And there's a lot to do on the homefront.

— WHERE'S RON? — Gov. DeSantis is scheduled to travel to Aspen, Colo., for a meeting of the Republican Governors Association.

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DRIVING THE DAY

FALLOUT — "Collapse raises new fears about Florida's shaky insurance market," by The New York Times' Christopher Flavelle, Patricia Mazzei and Giulia Heyward: "The Surfside collapse, which killed at least 97 people, is causing new turmoil in Florida's troubled insurance market, further jeopardizing a coastal housing economy that was already under pressure from climate change. And it adds to growing concern among economists about a new issue in the climate crisis: whether some parts of the United States are becoming too risky to insure, at least at a cost that most people can afford. That shift has already started. Days after the collapse, insurance companies sent letters threatening to cut off coverage to older buildings that did not pass mandatory safety inspections."

FINAL RECKONING — "No new Surfside collapse victims identified Sunday, as recovery and cleanup nears end," by Miami Herald's Bianca Padro Ocasio: "Two cranes dug deep into what was left of the rubble at Champlain Towers South on Sunday, as the difficult work to identify the remains of the last known victims of the partial collapse slowed to a crawl. Of the total 97 people believed by Miami-Dade County authorities to have been unaccounted for in the collapse, 95 have been identified. On Sunday afternoon, officials hadn't named any additional victims. Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava said the day prior that all 95 families of the residents identified have been notified. The number of people unaccounted for — at one point believed to be over 100 — has significantly decreased over time as officials say they worked to remove duplicates and confirm residents were actually in the building when it fell."

— "Former Surfside mayor: Did beach project undermine condo tower before collapse?" by Palm Beach Post's John Pacenti

— " In Florida, condo residents have little choice but to sue over building maintenance, other issues," by USA Today Network-Florida's Jeffrey Schweers

'WE NEED OUR VOICE TO BE HEARD' — "Hundreds from Miami protest at Cuban Embassy and White House, chanting 'libertad,'" by McClatchy DC's Nathan Hart: "Hundreds of protesters from Miami and elsewhere gathered outside the White House and the Cuban Embassy on Saturday in a show of support for Cubans who took to the streets in unprecedented anti-government protests last weekend. They arrived in the nation's capital in buses after a 16-hour overnight trip and first went to the Cuban Embassy where they were greeted by cheering protesters and honking car horns. The protesters later went to the White House where they chanted 'Joe Biden do your job' and 'Joe Biden, Cuba needs your help.'"

Demonstrators walk down Eighth Street in the Little Havana neighborhood of Miami, Sunday, July 18, 2021. The group read names of Cuban dissidents who are under arrest in Cuba.

Demonstrators walk down Eighth Street in the Little Havana neighborhood of Miami, Sunday, July 18, 2021. The group read names of Cuban dissidents who are under arrest in Cuba. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier) | Marta Lavandier/AP Photo

BLAME GAME — "Cuba government rallies thousands of backers following big protests," by The Associated Press' Andrea Rodriguez: "Cuban officials rallied tens of thousands of supporters in the streets on Saturday – nearly a week after they were stunned by the most widespread protests in decades. President Miguel Díaz-Canel – accompanied by 90-year-old former President Raul Castro – appeared on the seafront Malecon boulevard that had seen some of the largest protests against shortages and the political system the previous weekend. He made an impassioned speech blaming unrest on the U.S. and its economic embargo, 'the blockade, aggression and terror,' as a crowd waved Cuban flags and those of the July 26 Movement that Fidel Castro led during Cuba's revolution."

— "Hundreds of Cubans are still detained after anti-government protests, human-rights groups say," by El Nuevo Herald's Nora Gomez Torres

— "'Si Cuba está en la calle, Miami también. Thousands rally for end to Cuban dictatorship ," by Miami Herald's Marie-Rose Sheinerman

... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ...

DISPATCH FROM TEXAS — "DeSantis visits Texas border, where Florida resources are spent on enforcement," by Miami Herald's Ana Ceballos: "Within seconds of touching American ground, the three Cubans were apprehended by a group of Texas law enforcement officers who began the process of turning them over to U.S. Customs and Border Patrol. Whether they will be deported remains unknown. Just four hours earlier, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Attorney General Ashley Moody and Senate President Wilton Simpson, R-Trilby, had visited that very same spot as they were briefed on what some 50 Florida law enforcement officials had been doing during a 23-day stint to help Texas officers secure the U.S.-Mexico border."

— "Gov. DeSantis sounds off on Democrats 'double standard' on immigration," by Fox News' Kelsey Koberg

HOLDING BACK… FOR NOW — Just noting this for now: 21 attorneys general from across the United States earlier this month blasted the Biden administration's interpretation of Title IX, which now also prohibits discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation. A letter critical of the Education Department's interpretation was sent to President Joe Biden and signed by AGs from states such as Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, South Carolina and Texas among others. One AG absent was Florida's Ashley Moody, who has regularly joined in on GOP-led confrontations with the Biden administration. When asked why she did not join in, Lauren Cassedy, a spokeswoman for Moody replied that "as we may be involved in litigation on this issue, we felt it was appropriate to reserve comment at this time." A lawsuit was filed at the end of June in federal court challenging the state's recently enacted ban on transgender girls and women participating in women's sports.

CAMPAIGN MODE

ANOTHER NARROW ESCAPE FOR SCOTT — "Investigation into Rick Scott ends with regulators deadlocked on campaign violations," by Tampa Bay Times' Steve Contorno: "A three-year probe into Sen. Rick Scott has ended with a federal panel deadlocked on whether the Florida Republican and a political committee he once led violated campaign laws during his 2018 bid for U.S. Senate. A 3-3 split decision along party lines by the Federal Election Commission, made public Friday, comes despite the commission's general counsel concluding there was reason to believe Scott broke the law. The general counsel recommended further investigation into Scott and his former political committee, New Republican PAC. In a blistering critique of the stalemate dated Thursday, the commission's chairperson, Shana Broussard, and Commissioner Ellen Weintraub said it was 'clear' that Scott's activities warranted a deeper review."

PLAN D — "Reps. Gaetz, Greene stage brief 'free speech' rally in Riverside," by The Press-Enterprise's Jeff Horseman and Brooke Staggs: "After three Southern California venues canceled their planned America First rally amid growing protests, Reps. Matt Gaetz and Marjorie Taylor Greene held a 'Free Speech Peaceful Protest' of their own Saturday evening, July 17, outside Riverside City Hall. They spoke before a cheering crowd of more than 100 who waved Greene and Gaetz signs… Later, Gaetz took the stage to shouts of 'U.S.A.' 'Marjorie and I called out the (Make America Great Again) army a few hours ago and you are here because you love America,' he said. 'They may try to cancel us online. They may try to pursue us in real life. They may try to shut down our venues. But we will take take this fight to them in the courts, in the halls of Congress and if necessary, in the streets!'"

— "DeSantis fires up crowd of young conservatives in Tampa," by Tampa Bay Times' Michaela Mulligan

— " Money starts to pour into race to succeed Val Demings; Demings catching up to Rubio herself," by Orlando Sentinel's Gray Rohrer

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CORONAVIRUS UPDATES

SETBACK — "Appeals court allows CDC to enforce plan on resuming cruises," by POLITICO's Josh Gerstein: A late-night order from a federal appeals court Saturday dealt a major setback to Florida's effort to lift restrictions the federal government imposed on the cruise ship industry in order to prevent outbreaks of the coronavirus. A panel of the Atlanta-based 11th Circuit Court of Appeals voted, 2-1, to stay an order a federal judge in Tampa issued last month blocking the Centers for Disease Control's framework for allowing cruises to resume. The cruise business was abruptly shuttered by federal order in March 2020 following a series of mass infections aboard large ships.

Little detail right now — The appeals court's one-page order, issued just before midnight Saturday, offered no explanation for the decision beyond saying the federal government had made "the requisite showing" to obtain a stay allowing the CDC rules to remain in effect. The panel did indicate that one judge dissented.

RISING AGAIN — " 'A pandemic of the unvaccinated': Florida is accounting for 1-in-5 of nation's COVID-19 cases, White House says," by Orlando Sentinel's Skyler Swisher and Caroline Catherman: "Florida is helping to fuel a rise in new COVID-19 infections with nearly one-in-five of the nation's cases coming from the Sunshine State, said Jeff Zients, the White House coronavirus coordinator. Just four states accounted for more than 40% of the nation's cases this past week as officials fear vaccination gaps and the highly transmissible Delta variant will lead to more infections in the weeks ahead."

MEANWHILE — "It's crazy in the Florida Keys: Record crowds pack tourist spots post-COVID restrictions," by Sun Sentinel's Lois K. Solomon: "Tourists are packing the archipelago, forcing hotel rates to skyrocket and creating lengthy waits at restaurants and landmarks. 'Every tourist attraction has a long line,' reported Dara Krauss of Boca Raton, who visited Key West and Islamorada last week with her son, Jackson, 23, who just graduated from college. 'The resorts were full and hotel prices were high. There was almost nothing to be had.' Krauss said her family typically travels abroad each summer but is staying closer to home this year due to COVID-19 restrictions. 'We're taking a lot of smaller trips within the U.S.,' she said."

— "More than 30,000 have failed to get second dose of COVID-19 vaccine in Sarasota County," by Sarasota Herald-Tribune's Elizabeth Djinis

TRUMPLANDIA AND THE SWAMP

BACKLASH — "Facebook frenzy erupts after PCSO asks public for helping finding Jan. 6 Capitol riot suspect," by The Ledger's Gary White: "The response was different Friday when the PCSO posted about Jonathan Pollock, a North Lakeland resident facing multiple charges in the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. Federal authorities say he assaulted three police officers during the riot. The Sheriff's Office post said the FBI had requested that the agency spread information about Pollock, 21, who hadn't yet been found and arrested as of Friday. … The post went up in late morning and by the late afternoon had drawn nearly 2,500 comments. The overwhelming majority were negative, with many criticizing the FBI, dismissing the Jan. 6 insurrection as a peaceful protest or even suggesting that Pollock deserves praise and should be aided in eluding arrest. 'Pray they nerver (never) find him,' commented Lynn Olson of Auburndale."

PENINSULA AND BEYOND

WHAT HAPPENS IN FLORIDA… — "'Conservative pornstar' derails Turning Point USA's right-wing youth gathering," by Salon's Zachary Petrizzo: "Turning Point USA, the right-wing youth student organization led by Charlie Kirk, found itself in an unusual controversy Friday night after 'conservative pornstar' Brandi Love was allowed into a Florida conference and welcomed as an 'Adult VIP,' sparking backlash. The drama began early in the night when the adult entertainer's presence in Tampa was first discovered by a follower of white nationalist Nicholas Fuentes and former Kansas State student Jaden McNeil, who wrote on Telegram, 'Turning Point USA has a pornstar as a VIP at their Student Action Summit.' 'Imagine sending your kids to this conference think they're gonna learn about Christian Conservative values, and they come home with photos with pornstars,' he added, attaching a photo of Love snapping a picture with a TPUSA attendee."

TROUBLING TREND — "Florida leads the nation in new HIV cases," by Tampa Bay Times' Christopher O'Donnell: "Florida leads the U.S. in the number of new HIV cases and has the nation's third highest infection rate, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data. The state reported almost 4,400 new HIV infections in 2019, the most recent data available for the federal agency's HIV surveillance report. Florida's infection rate averages out to 23.7 cases per 100,000 people, trailing only the District of Columbia and Georgia. Florida is also well above the national average rate of 13."

— " Schools PR chief orchestrated secret attempt to save Robert Runcie," by Sun Sentinel's Scott Travis

— "Protesters seek help dealing with fish-killing red tide," by The Associated Press

ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN

BIRTHDAYS: Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry … (Was Sunday) State Rep. Jackie Toledo … State Rep. Allison Tant … (Was Saturday) Tallahassee Democrat's Ana Goñi-Lessan

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