| | | | | |  | | By Gary Fineout | Hello and welcome to Friday. The daily rundown — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention posted information that there were 15,402 new Covid-19 infections reported by the state for Wednesday. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reported on its dashboard that 17,295 beds were being used in the state for Covid-19 patients. The Florida Hospital Association reported Thursday that 54.2 percent of adult patients in intensive care units are infected with Covid-19. Sidestepping — Sen. Rick Scott sort of had his own "Governor who?" moment on Thursday. Please talk about someone else — Ahead of a planned visit to New Hampshire, the Florida Republican appeared on a conservative radio talk show. The radio host, Jack Heath, asked Scott about how the "national media just wanted to hit Florida every day" and "pound on Governor DeSantis." He then asked the former Florida governor, "So was any of this political because Governor [Ron] DeSantis has been a little bit of a thorn in the Biden administration, or was it just all objective national news coverage?" It's all about Joe — Scott responded, but did it without mentioning DeSantis at all. "Well, I don't, I don't think national news coverage is very objective, so I don't think you can," Scott told Heath. He then pivoted quickly to talking about his weekend visit to New Hampshire (hey, isn't that an early primary state…) and bashing the administration of President Joe Biden over spending and inflation. The Big Chill — As we have pointed out countless times before, Scott and DeSantis aren't the best of buddies. Scott has his own 2024 presidential aspirations, but has seen the spotlight among potential post-Donald Trump contenders fall brightest on DeSantis. It seemed as if this week Scott was trying his best to get back on the radar of GOP voters with his assertion that Biden should be removed from office via the 25th Amendment. And yet, it's all about Ron. Can't wait for the primary. — 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 | | | | INTRODUCING OTTAWA PLAYBOOK : Join the growing community of Politicos — from lawmakers and leaders to pollsters, staffers, strategists and lobbyists — working to shape Canada's future. Every day, our reporting team pulls back the curtain to shed light on what's really driving the agenda on Parliament Hill, the true players who are shaping politics and policy across Canada, and the impact it all has on the world. Don't miss out on your daily look inside Canadian politics and power. Subscribe to Ottawa Playbook today. | | | | |
|  | CORONAVIRUS UPDATES | | RESISTANCE — "1M students now live in districts defying DeSantis on mask mandates," by POLITICO's Matt Dixon and Andrew Atterbury: Crossing the 1 million-student threshold is perhaps the clearest rebuke of Gov. Ron DeSantis by local government officials who have seen the governor undermine their efforts to contain the virus. But on masks in schools, the DeSantis administration has struggled to find viable ways to punish districts who disobey him. It's created an evolving target that originally included cutting state funds to school districts, before it morphed into threats of cutting pay or removing school board members from office — steps DeSantis has yet to follow through on. The political fight over mask-wearing comes just as the highly contagious Delta variant spreads and a growing number of children are being hospitalized from Covid-19. ANOTHER ONE? — "Orange schools to consider face mask mandate, legal challenge to DeSantis order," by Orlando Sentinel's Leslie Postal and Steven Lemongello: "The Orange County School Board could join five other Florida school districts defying Gov. Ron DeSantis by requiring students to wear face masks as several Orange board members said Thursday they are convinced the governor's order banning mask mandates is illegal and irresponsible in the face of rising COVID-19 cases. 'I am fully in support of putting mandates back in place,' said Chair Teresa Jacobs as the board discussed COVID-19 safety protocols during a four-hour meeting." AND ACROSS THE STREET FROM CAPITOL — "Florida judge denies DeSantis' attempt to throw out school mask lawsuit," by POLITICO's Andrew Atterbury: A Florida judge on Thursday rejected a move by Gov. Ron DeSantis to sweep away a lawsuit challenging the authority of his administration to stop school districts from enforcing mask mandates. Judge John Cooper of the 2nd Judicial Circuit of Florida declined to dismiss the lawsuit filed by a group of parents, allowing the case to move forward with its first hearing slated for Monday. The parents, from different counties across Florida, claim the DeSantis administration is putting the safety of children at risk by blocking local mask policies. ON THE AIR — Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona is scheduled to be on "The Florida Roundup" at noon to talk about the Biden administration's efforts to thwart governors who ban mask mandates in schools. Available on many Florida Public Radio stations. THE TOLL — " Full ICUs, daily death watch: A look at COVID-19, unvaccinated patients in Southwest Florida hospitals," by Fort Myers News-Press: "Aaron Renfroe lies semi-reclined in his hospital bed as he struggles to speak between labored breaths and bouts of tears. The 44-year-old Fort Myers man has been at Gulf Coast Medical Center for four days because of COVID-19 complications and can't properly breathe without plastic tubing, known as a nasal cannula, sending extra oxygen into his lungs. His wife is also sick from the novel coronavirus — much worse than him, he worries — on another floor of the hospital. His son and daughter have it too but are well enough to recover at home." THE OPPOSITION — "Democrats challenging DeSantis in 2022 criticize his pandemic policies. What would they do now?" by Tampa Bay Times' Steve Contorno: "But unlike [Gov. Ron] DeSantis — who is vocal about where he stands on mask mandates, government shutdowns and vaccine requirements — [Nikki] Fried and [Charlie] Crist have offered less clarity on how they would have tackled a public health crisis that has challenged state leaders across the country. Their websites so far do not include literature on their pandemic policies." EVERY PICTURE TELLS A STORY — " Viral photo of people on floor at Jacksonville Regeneron clinic 'doesn't convey how much pain they were in,'" by Florida Times-Union's Katherine Lewin: "[Louie] Lopez took a photo and sent it to his wife. People lay on the floor while waiting for monoclonal therapy at Jacksonville's downtown library location on Wednesday, Aug. 19. Louie Lopez obscured the faces of the people before sharing the image. The photo quickly went viral on Reddit after his wife, Suzanne, posted it on the social media platform with a message: 'Everyone please be careful — whether you are vaccinated or not. My husband (vaccinated, but positive) has been waiting 2+ hours for monoclonal therapy and he says he has never seen people so sick. Moaning, crying, unable to move.'" SERIOUSLY? — "Feud over Tampa fairground COVID treatment site erupts between top Florida officials," by USA Today Network-Florida's Jeffrey Schweers: "A territorial feud erupted Thursday between Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried and Governor Ron DeSantis — potential opponents in the 2022 governor's race — over who claims credit for opening a monoclonal antibody treatment site in Hillsborough County. Fried, the only statewide elected Democrat in Florida and a candidate for governor, announced that she 'granted permission' to use the Florida State Fair Grounds in Tampa as a treatment site." SURF, SAND, SICKNESS — "Gulf Coast's beloved 'Redneck Rivera' now a virus hotspot," by The Associated Press' Jay Reeves: "Some have decided against both getting vaccinated and wearing face masks, choosing instead to party without precautions at places like the Flora-Bama, a massive beachfront bar on the Alabama-Florida line. There, bands play to big crowds fueled by alcoholic drinks including the sugary Bushwacker, a coastal favorite. Lulu's, a popular Gulf Shores restaurant owned by Lucy Buffett, the sister of singer Jimmy Buffett, is among those that recently had to shut down for a week because the virus was racing through workers. At The Dock, a beachfront restaurant that serves cold beer and seafood beside the public beach in Pensacola Beach, Florida, manager Justin Smith said the tourist season has been busy and his staff has managed to stay healthy, at least so far." — "DeSantis announces Pasco, Hillsborough monoclonal antibody treatment centers," by Tampa Bay Times' Kirby Wilson — " While DeSantis touts free Regeneron COVID treatment, feds pick up the bill." by Orlando Sentinel's Skyler Swisher — "Gov. DeSantis decries Joe Biden's nursing home vaccination order as 'massive hammer,'" by Florida Politics' Scott Powers — "Orlando offers vaccinated employees cash, time off and other perks," by Orlando Sentinel's Ryan Gillespie | | Bidenology | | WHERE IS THIS HEADED? — "White House sticks to hardline approach to Cuba," by POLITICO's Sabrina Rodriguez and Marc Caputo: [Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro] Mayorkas, speaking to the press following a two-hour listening session with Cuban Americans, repeatedly underscored the Biden administration's commitment to supporting the Cuban people and nodded to critics that have argued President Joe Biden is moving too slowly and not speaking up enough on the situation in Cuba. "Please do not interpret a moment of silence to be a moment of relent to our conviction and our commitment to the Cuban people," Mayorkas said at La Ermita de la Caridad, a Miami shrine honoring Cuba's patron saint. | 
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas speaks during a press briefing at the White House, Monday, March 1, 2021, in Washington. | Andrew Harnik/AP Photo | Need to know basis — Mayorkas was tight-lipped with reporters about the future of U.S.-Cuba policy. Asked why Biden's policies so far looked less like those of President Obama, Biden's former boss when he was vice president, and more like the Trump policies that Biden had once pledged to scale back, Mayorkas wouldn't say. "The Biden-Harris administration will develop its policy toward Cuba in support of the Cuban people with the Cuban American community," he replied. | | | | 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 ... | | COMING IN 2024 — "Albritton wins behind-the-scenes contest for Senate president," by POLITICO's Gary Fineout: State Sen. Ben Albritton has locked down enough votes in the behind-the-scenes battle among Republicans to become Senate president in 2024. Albritton, a citrus grower from Florida's heartland region and an ally of the state's agriculture industry, won the battle after Sen. Manny Diaz Jr. (R-Hialeah) conceded the contest this week in a meeting between the two GOP senators. It means Albritton will succeed Sen. Kathleen Passidomo (R-Naples) provided that Republicans continue their solid grip on the state Senate through the next two election cycles. R.I.P. — 'Wise and visionary': Retired Tallahassee Democrat publisher Carrol Dadisman dies at 87," by Tallahassee Democrat's Bill Cotterell: "Carrol Dadisman was a journalist to the very end. The former publisher of the Tallahassee Democrat, whose community involvement extended well beyond his years at the helm of Florida's capital newspaper, died from cancer Thursday at his home. But first, the Florida Newspaper Hall of Fame member drafted his own detailed obituary, complete with editor's notes on possible details and changes. 'Carrol to me was just an amazing person, so generous and thoughtful. He was wise and visionary,' said Joy Watkins, former president of the Community Foundation of North Florida. She said Dadisman, 87, 'was the driving force behind the foundation.'" — "Tallahassee federal courthouse could be named after first Black state Supreme Court justice," by USA Today Network-Florida's James Call | | CAMPAIGN MODE | | FLIPPED — "No-party candidate in Miami election fraud case to enter plea, testify against Artiles," by Miami Herald's Samantha J. Gross: "Alexis Rodriguez, the no-party candidate involved in an alleged vote-siphoning scheme, will enter into a plea with prosecutors and serve as a witness in the state's case against former Miami state senator Frank Artiles, a dramatic move that distances himself from his former friend and delays the process by another 60 days. Alexis Rodriguez, the no-party candidate involved in an alleged vote-siphoning scheme, will enter into a plea with prosecutors and serve as a witness in the state's case against former Miami state senator Frank Artiles, a dramatic move that distances himself from his former friend and delays the process by another 60 days." THERE'S MORE — "'It's cost us hell': Artiles had his hands in second Miami Senate race, records show," by Miami Herald's Samantha J. Gross: "The former Miami Republican senator who recruited an acquaintance to run in Miami-Dade's Senate District 37 race was simultaneously guiding another spoiler no-party candidate in Senate District 39. Frank Artiles, 47, walked 81-year-old NPA candidate Celso Alfonso and his wife, Maricela Cardenas through the entire election process by giving them campaign filing paperwork to fill out, uploading campaign finance reports using Cardenas' PIN and login information and even flying to Tallahassee to hand deliver Alfonso's qualifying check to the Department of State on June 12, according to Cardenas' testimony in court records released Thursday." LET'S TALK ABOUT JEFFREY — On Thursday, Playbook pointed out how Tampa Bay Lightning owner Jeffrey Vinik (In a significant brain freeze, we wrote Rays not Lighting. Sorry about that.) had given $16,000 to Democrat Nikki Fried's political committee. Well, about that… Hours later, Rep. Charlie Crist reported on his website that Vinik's private investment office — American Investment Holdings LLC — gave $41,000 to Crist's political committee, which is significantly more. Guess he's trying to help everyone. (h/t Florida Politics) — " Woman paid to front group behind 'ghost' candidates says consultant used signature without permission," by Orlando Sentinel's Jeff Weiner, Annie Martin and Jason Garcia: | | THE GUNSHINE STATE | | TO COURT — "Judge lets charges stand against Parkland deputy Scot Peterson," by Sun Sentinel's Rafael Olmeda: "Scot Peterson, the former deputy accused of taking cover while dozens were shot at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, will have to convince a jury that he's not guilty of criminal negligence, a Broward judge ruled Thursday. Peterson, 58, asked Broward Circuit Judge Martin Fein on Wednesday to dismiss the criminal charges he's facing because he does not meet the legal definition of a caregiver as defined in Florida law." | | PENINSULA AND BEYOND | | WAITING FOR HELP — "'We don't exist.' In Haiti's isolated villages, there's fear help may never come," by Miami Herald's Jacqueline Charles: "From Chardonnieres and Port-à-Pimentt on the southern coast to Marceline on the western outskirts of Les Cayes, Haiti's remote outposts have been hard hit by the 7.2 magnitude tremor over the weekend — and many are feeling as if they've been forgotten. 'People are suffering,' said Edy Jean, 49. 'Even if you see people here, it's just their skin that's there. There is no more life,' he added. 'There are still people trapped in the woods and underneath the rubble and they can't get them. They cannot say the amount of lives that have been lost.'" — "U.S. transport ship and field hospitals heading to Haiti for quake relief," by POLITICO's Jonathan Custodio TURNABOUT — "Former Sheriff Morgan repays county for statue of himself after community backlash ," by Pensacola News Journal's Colin Warren-Hicks: "After facing community-wide backlash for purchasing a life-size statue of himself with public money while still in office last year, former Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan gave a check to the Sheriff's Office on Thursday to repay the statue's cost. Current Sheriff Chip Simmons — who on Wednesday publicly denounced the statue of Morgan, calling it a 'brash narcissistic waste' — confirmed to the News Journal that Morgan delivered a cashier's check made out to the ECSO for $37,500 on Thursday afternoon to the agency's Chief Financial Officer Henrique Diaz. 'As a taxpayer, I think it is appropriate for him to return the money,' Simmons said." — "Tampa Electric Co. customers break record energy use amid scorching temps," by Tampa Bay Times' Emily L. Mahoney — "African dust to create haze over Florida and suppress hurricanes," by Sun Sentinel's David Fleshler | | ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN | | — "Florida educator fired over racist tirade at woman, sons," by Orlando Sentinel's Tiffini Theisen: "A Florida educator has lost her job after video surfaced of her screaming racist rants at a woman and her sons, according to news reports Thursday. In addition to firing Patricia Schmidt, the Collier County School District sent the video of her profanity-laced tirade to The Florida Department of Education Office of Professional Practices Services, Wink News reported. The victims were walking near a paved "residents only" path in an east Naples neighborhood Saturday when Schmidt is accused of driving by, blaring her horn, lowering her window and screaming profanities and slurs at them." BIRTHDAYS: Rep. Kathy Castor … Former Florida Attorney General Bob Butterworth … former Rep. Don Fuqua
| Want to make an impact? POLITICO Florida has a variety of solutions available for partners looking to reach and activate the most influential people in the Sunshine State. Have a petition you want signed? A cause you're promoting? Seeking to increase brand awareness amongst this key audience? Share your message with our influential readers to foster engagement and drive action. Contact Jesse Shapiro to find out how: jshapiro@politico.com. | | | | Follow us on Twitter | | | | Subscribe to the POLITICO Playbook family Playbook | Playbook PM | California Playbook | Florida Playbook | Illinois Playbook | Massachusetts Playbook | New Jersey Playbook | New York Playbook | Brussels Playbook | London Playbook View all our political and policy newsletters | | Follow us | | | | |
No comments:
Post a Comment