| | | | | |  | | By Gary Fineout | Hello and welcome to Tuesday. Roll back the tape — As Florida's Delta surge exploded this summer Gov. Ron DeSantis and his team would snap when the time he was spending touting monoclonal antibody treatment for those infected with Covid-19 was used to question his support for vaccination. Pro-vaccine — The state's Republican governor would quickly retort that he held more than 50 vaccination events last winter and that he was criticized for setting up pop-up vaccination clinics in certain neighborhoods. And let's not forget, DeSantis was well-versed with Operation Warp Speed and was in constant communication with the Trump administration as plans were drawn up for vaccine distribution. The governor himself got vaccinated, although he did it in private. And now… — DeSantis held a campaign-styled event on Monday for himself (along with other Republicans such as Attorney General Ashley Moody and Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis) where he reiterated his strong opposition to vaccine mandates coming from Washington, D.C., and threatened to levy fines on any local governments in Florida that imposes mandates on its employees. DeSantis contended that mandates were "anti-science" because they didn't recognize natural immunity for those who already caught Covid-19. Mum's the word — But then the governor stood quietly by as Gainesville employees upset with a vaccine mandate suggested that taking the vaccine could kill them or alter their genes. DeSantis did say that mandates would harden resistance to getting shots. And the governor's own team pushed back a little by contending that DeSantis is "both pro vaccine and anti-mandate" and the event was all about "freedom." Fear factor — But Monday's event was also an exercise in outrage and fear and a far cry from moments when the governor crisscrossed the state promoting the vaccines as a moment of hope, especially for Florida's elderly and vulnerable. (And the legal logic being espoused by Moody and the governor's administration as to why local government can't mandate vaccines is well… interesting.) Evolution — It's hard to figure out how he got here. Maybe it was because former President Donald Trump got booed when he mentioned the vaccine at a recent rally. Maybe it's because the DeSantis administration has seen an exodus, including the looming departure of another chief of staff, of people who push back. And yeah, maybe it's all about a GOP primary in 2024 that may evaporate quickly if Trump runs again. What happens next? — So what's the natural progression here? What about other vaccine mandates now in place for schools? That's not the same, insisted a spokesperson for DeSantis. OK, but that debate is coming — and fast. And what about businesses? DeSantis railed several times on Monday about how it's wrong for someone to lose their job if they don't get a shot. But back in May, he suggested it wasn't his role to dictate to businesses. So one standard for Disney, and another for Leon County? — 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 | | CRACKDOWN — "DeSantis threatens $5K against Florida cities with vaccine mandates," by POLITICO's Gary Fineout: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday opened up another front in his ongoing battle against Covid-19 related mandates, threatening to fine cities and counties thousands of dollars if they impose vaccine requirements on their employees. Counter move — The latest move from the governor comes after his weekslong fight with Florida schools over student mask mandates and after President Joe Biden last week said he will impose vaccine mandates on federal employees and health care providers that rely on federal funding, as well as employers with 100 or more workers. "We cannot allow these people being cast aside and their jobs being destroyed," said DeSantis during a press conference in the small Florida town of Newberry. | 
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 | QUIET TIME — "Speakers at DeSantis event share vaccine misinformation," by Tampa Bay Times' Lawrence Mower: "Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis stood silently Monday as employees for the City of Gainesville repeated misinformation about the COVID-19 vaccines during a news conference set up by his office. "The vaccine changes your RNA," said Darris Friend, who said he's about a year and a half away from retirement after 22 years with the city." Still more — "Another implied that the vaccine could kill her. 'I will not put my children through the possibility of losing another maternal figure in their lives,' said Christine Damm, who has worked for the city for 10 years. DeSantis shifted his feet in apparent discomfort but did not provide context or correct information as he championed efforts to fight a Gainesville city policy requiring workers to be vaccinated — or lose their jobs." UNDETERRED — " Despite DeSantis' threat of $5,000 fines, Leon County stands by employee vaccine mandate," by Tallahassee Democrat's Karl Etters: "Leon County Administrator Vince Long is standing by the requirement that all county employees get vaccinated against the coronavirus by the end of the month, despite the assertion by Gov. Ron DeSantis that he would begin to level fines for doing so. DeSantis announced Monday there would be a $5,000 fine per employee — that would mean upwards of $5 million if accounting for all 1,000 Leon County employees — against cities and counties that require vaccinations." — " Hillsborough offers $500, extra days off to vaccinated county workers," by Tampa Bay Times' C.T. Bowen and Allison Ross The daily rundown — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that there were 16,759 Covid-19 infections on Saturday and 6,995 on Sunday. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reported that 11,547 beds were being used in the state for Covid-19 patients. The Florida Hospital Association reported Monday that 42.5 percent of adult patients in intensive care units are infected with Covid-19. WORKING AROUND IT — " Thousands of Sarasota parents seek doctor's note exempting kids from school mask mandate," by Sarasota Herald-Tribune's Ryan McKinnon: "Thousands of people showed up Sunday for a mask-exemption event, where families could get a note from a doctor medically clearing their children from wearing a mask in public schools. The Hollow, a wedding venue in Venice, hosted the waiver mill on its property in a rural area of the county. The event included a cookout, a visit from former President Donald Trump's original national security adviser Michael Flynn and armed guards. But the main attraction was the two doctors giving out mask exemptions." FINAL DESTINATION — "Parents want to speed mask case to Florida Supreme Court," by News Service of Florida's Jim Saunders: "Parents locked in a legal battle with Gov. Ron DeSantis about school mask requirements want to fast-track the case to the Florida Supreme Court. Attorneys for the group of parents filed a request late Friday to effectively bypass the 1st District Court of Appeal and go to the Supreme Court. The request, filed at the 1st District Court of Appeal, focuses heavily on a July 30 executive order issued by DeSantis that sought to prevent schools from requiring students to wear masks." | | CAMPAIGN MODE | | FREQUENT FLYER — "Ron DeSantis is winning the Republican primary already playing out at Fox News," by Washington Post's Phillip Bump: "Newly published analysis from Media Matters for America finds that the Fox News primary contest is well underway among potential Republican contenders. Senior fellow Matt Gertz tallied nearly 500 appearances on the network from 18 possible candidates through the end of August, and 12 total appearances on CNN and MSNBC." Adding it up — "If appearances are votes, then Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) has got Fox News's nod. He makes up more than a fifth of the total, thanks in large part to his and the network's shared interest in hammering President Biden on issues of national security. Three others have more than 40 appearances on the network, including former secretary of state Mike Pompeo, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Tex.) and [Gov. Ron] DeSantis." | | | | HAPPENING WEDNESDAY - POLITICO TECH SUMMIT: Washington and Silicon Valley have been colliding for some time. Has the intersection of tech, innovation, regulation and politics finally reached a tipping point? Join POLITICO for our first-ever Tech Summit to explore the evolving relationship between the power corridors of Washington and the Valley. REGISTER HERE. | | | | |
| | ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... | | 'NEIGHBOR VERSUS NEIGHBOR' — "Top Florida GOP senator opposes parts of Texas abortion law that may be filed in Florida," by Sarasota Herald-Tribune's Zac Anderson: "A top Republican in the Florida Senate said Monday that she opposes some elements of the new Texas law that criminalizes abortion after a fetal heartbeat can be detected and allows almost anyone to sue an abortion provider over an alleged violation. The comments by Sen. Kathleen Passidomo to Sarasota's Argus Foundation indicate that a Texas-style law could have a tough time advancing in Florida without some revisions. Passidomo, a Naples attorney, is in line to become Senate president, making her one of the most powerful lawmakers in the state." R.I.P . — "Stephen H. Grimes, former Florida Supreme Court justice, dies at 93," by Tallahassee Democrat's Bill Cotterell: " Former Chief Justice Stephen H. Grimes, who helped guide the Florida Supreme Court into the Internet age, has died at age 93. Born in Peoria, Illinois, in 1927, Grimes spent his early years in Lakeland and attended the University of Florida. He graduated in 1950 and, after naval service during the Korean War, earned his law degree at UF in 1954. He practiced in Bartow with Holland & Knight, and was appointed to the 2nd District Court of Appeal in Lakeland by then-Gov. Reubin Askew in October 1973. Then-Gov. Bob Martinez named him to the Supreme Court in 1987." TRANSITIONS — Two former top regulators in the Rick Scott administration are helping a Southeast law firm expand its operations in Tallahassee. Former Department Environmental of Protection Secretary Herschel Vinyard and former DEP Deputy Secretary Jeff Littlejohn will make up the Florida governmental affairs unit for Adams and Reese LLP. The practice will be focused on development, infrastructure, transportation, permitting and natural resources. "When it comes to Florida, no one knows how to navigate the regulatory framework and get the job done better than Herschel Vinyard and Jeff Littlejohn," said Timothy W. Volpe, chairman of Adams and Reese in a statement. — " Ex-Supreme Court justice backs 'Grim Reaper' who sued DeSantis over COVID pandemic," by News Service of Florida's Dara Kam — "West Shore Interchange project moved up to 2023, DeSantis announces," by Tampa Bay Times' Emily Mahoney | | Bidenology | | HEADED TO JAIL — "Former Miami nurse admits threatening to kill VP Harris, faces up to five years in prison," by Miami Herald's Jay Weaver: "A former nurse at Jackson Memorial Hospital has pleaded guilty in Miami federal court to threatening to kill Vice President Kamala Harris, perhaps sealing her own fate because she recorded the threats in a series of videos she sent to her husband in prison. Niviane Petit Phelps, a 39-year-old mother of three who had lived in Miami Gardens, admitted in a factual statement that she practiced at a gun range and applied for a concealed weapons permit." | | PENINSULA AND BEYOND | | GATOR NATION — "New higher ed rankings: UF reaches the top 5 — a first for Florida," by POLITICO's Andrew Atterbury: The University of Florida ranked No. 5 in the latest U.S. News & World Report college standings, triggering an "extraordinary milestone" for the university and state leaders who for years have been gunning to have a top-5 school in the Sunshine State. UF now joins the ranks of top-rated schools like the University of California, Los Angeles and the University of California, Berkeley, which for years have been seen as leaders in higher education. — " FSU ranked No. 19 in U.S. News & World Reports 'Best Colleges 2022' guidebook," by Tallahassee Democrat's Byron Dobson — "FAMU repeats as nation's highest ranked HCBU by U.S News & World Report," by Tallahassee Democrat's Byron Dobson CHALLENGED — "Fired coach files discrimination complaint against American Heritage-Delray over Black Lives Matter support," by Sun Sentinel's Rafael Olmeda: "A former coach at American Heritage High School in Delray Beach filed a discrimination complaint against the school with the Florida Commission on Human Relations, arguing that he was fired in June for allowing members of his basketball team to show their support for Black Lives Matter during pre-game warmups." AWAY FROM THE PITCH — "Soccer stadium dust-up embarrassed a global celebrity: David Beckham," by Sun Sentinel's Susannah Bryan: "Soccer star David Beckham can never seem to duck the cameras, but a feud over a promised park at his stadium in Fort Lauderdale has thrust him into an embarrassing new spotlight. Fort Lauderdale's vice mayor, Heather Moraitis, accused Beckham and his partners last month of reneging on a promise to build a public park. The promise was part of their deal to build the DRV PNK soccer stadium on public land once home to the former Lockhart Stadium." — " A year after Hurricane Sally, Bristol Park neighborhood changed by impact," by Pensacola News Journal's Emma Kennedy — "26 people injured after explosion at Seminole casino, Hollywood Fire Rescue says," by Miami Herald's David J. Neal | | ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN | | — "Police: Florida man attacks kid yelling playground is noisy," by The Associated Press: "A 70-year-old man has been accused of slamming a child to the ground at a Florida playground after yelling that kids were making too much noise. Police arrested the man on a child abuse charge in Clearwater, Florida and took him to the Pinellas County Jail, arrest records show. Officials say there were several kids having fun at the playground at around 6:30 p.m. Saturday when the man stormed out of his nearby apartment annoyed over the noise." BIRTHDAYS: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is 43 ... Apopka Mayor and former legislator Bryan Nelson
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