News: POLITICO Florida Playbook: The GOP’s redistricting promises

Tuesday, September 21, 2021

POLITICO Florida Playbook: The GOP’s redistricting promises

Sep 21, 2021

Hello and welcome to Tuesday.

Question time — So, will it be different this time around?

Promises, promises — That's what Republican Sen. Ray Rodrigues pledged when the Florida Senate formally kicked off what will be a condensed — and likely intense — redistricting process on Monday.

Flashback — The backstory of course is that after Florida's last redistricting go-round, court challenges exposed the partisan intrigue or the "shadow process" that was used to draw the maps. The details — culled from undisclosed legislative testimony and documents collected from outside GOP consultants — showed legislators did not follow voter approved standards that require lawmakers to draw new districts that are free of partisan intent and incumbent protection.

Changes — So there are tight new rules for legislators and staff and the process. There may not be public hearings. The goal Rodrigues said is to avoid the "astroturfing" that allowed consultants to secretly submit maps intended to help Republicans. He also vowed that lawmakers this time would conduct redistricting in a way that was "beyond reproach and free from any hint of unconstitutional intent."

What's next? — OK, then. That's the promise. Where will Florida be a few months from now after the session that starts off in January. First off, understand that Florida's redistricting drama could be subject to lots of outside attention and national pressure given the razor-thin margin that now exists between Republicans and Democrats in the U.S. House. Republicans right now enjoy a 16-10 edge in Florida with one solid Democratic seat vacant. The working assumption of course is that there will be lawsuits.

Backstop — There's also a lot of cynical speculation that Republicans can run roughshod during redistricting because the courts are now stacked with appointees by Gov. Ron DeSantis and former Gov. Rick Scott.

Advantage GOP — But here's something to remember: Republicans have picked up seats and maintained control under congressional and state Senate maps that were ultimately put in place by the courts when left-leaning judges held control of the Florida Supreme Court. Democrats are battered and disorganized. And at first glance, there are congressional seats that can be pushed into the GOP column because Florida's population growth requires them to be redone. So in other words, maybe Rodrigues isn't making a piecrust promise.

— WHERE'S RON? — Gov. DeSantis is scheduled to be in Tallahassee for a meeting with the Florida Cabinet.

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.

CAMPAIGN MODE

TRUST US — "Florida lawmaker says redraw of House, Senate districts will be done within the law," by Orlando Sentinel's Gray Rohrer: "The Legislature held its first meeting to discuss redistricting Monday, with GOP leaders seeking to avoid the troubled process last decade, which ended with the courts effectively drawing the final maps for Congress and the state Senate. 'This committee will pass maps that are compliant with the constitution, that are compliant with all of our Florida statutes and that meet all of our federal requirements,' said Sen. Ray Rodrigues, R-Estero, chairman of the Senate Reapportionment Committee. 'We're not going to give the courts any reason to assume that anything we do is unconstitutional.'"

Ray Rodrigues Sept. 20 2021

State Sen. Ray Rodrigues talks to reporters about redistricting | Gary Fineout/Politico

NEW RULES THIS TIME — "Senate officially kicks off Florida redistricting process," by POLITICO's Matt Dixon: To try and avoid the legal peril of Florida's last redistricting cycle, Sen. Ray Rodrigues says this year's process will require elected members to sponsor maps, rather than allowing members of the public to submit formal maps, and also will require public speakers to disclose things like whether they have been paid in exchange for their testimony. "We will protect our process against the 'astroturfing' that occurred in the past, where partisan political operatives wrote scripts and recruited speakers to advocate for certain plans or district confirmation to create a false impression of widespread grassroots movement," Rodrigues said.

COMING SOON — "A congressional election is almost here. Who knew?" by Sun Sentinel's Anthony Man: "Even though signs are up, some candidates are sending flyers in the mail and TV commercials are airing, the contest hasn't attracted much interest. With a low turnout and an unusually large number of candidates, the winner could be decided by an extremely small number of voters."

Election? — "Chris Smith often has people ask him about elections after a political career as a state representative, rising to Democratic leader in the Florida House, and as a state senator, rising to party leader in the Senate. But at his Smitty's Wings on Sistrunk Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale, Smith gets more calls about whether the restaurant will have the Dolphins on TV and hears more talk about the Florida State Seminoles. The congressional race? Not so much."

— " The forgotten primary: 11 Democrats vie for Florida's bluest seat without outside help," by Miami Herald's Alex Daugherty

UNDER FIRE — "For Florida school boards, criticism gets personal as issues intensify," by Tampa Bay Times' Jeffrey Solochek: "The resulting fights, which occasionally have become physical, have prompted calls from higher-level politicians such as Gov. Ron DeSantis to focus on controlling the local boards to implement preferred policies. Republicans in the state House and Senate have filed legislation to convert the non-partisan board seats into partisan positions. Political action committees have begun popping up to back candidates. And the efforts haven't always remained focused on the issues."

... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ...

TRANSITIONS — Senate Minority Leader Lauren Book is announcing on Tuesday that Maggie Gerson will become the next staff director for Senate Democrats while Cathy Schroeder is coming on board as deputy staff director. "I am excited to welcome Maggie and Cathy to the Senate Democratic Office and to usher in two strong women to lead our caucus," Book said in a statement.

Coming on board — The moves come just days after four top staffers in the Senate Democratic office were let go, including several longtime employees. Gerson spent 15 years as a former prosecutor in the Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office and the last two years as chief of staff for state Sen. Jason Pizzo. The announcement says that Gerson is the first female Hispanic staff director in the history of the Florida Senate. Schroeder has spent more than 20 years working in public affairs and media relations, including time spent working in top spots in the administration of former Gov. Charlie Crist.

AFTER OUTCRY — "Florida applies for federal child food aid sought by Fried," by POLITICO's Arek Sarkissian: Florida's child welfare agency has applied for up to $820 million in federal aid tied to the Covid-19 pandemic that would provide meals for millions of children amid outcry from Democratic Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried. On Monday night, the Florida Department of Children and Families wrote in a statement to POLITICO that the agency ended up applying for the federal funding — and it accused Fried of ultimately being responsible for the money and leaving hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funds behind. DCF spokesperson Mallory McManus told POLITICO Monday night that Fried's agency is charged with administering the program, and DCF requested the federal funding last week.

LAWSON PRAISES MADDOX — "Maddox seeks prison listed among America's 'cushiest' as prosecutors say he undermined case," by Tallahassee Democrat's Jeff Burlew: "Several prominent people also wrote letters of support for [former Tallahassee City Commissioner Scott] Maddox. Among them were former City Attorney Lew Shelley and the Rev. R.B. Holmes, pastor of Bethel Missionary Baptist Church. Congressman [Al] Lawson, in a letter to [Judge Robert] Hinkle, said Maddox worked to improve race relations and oversaw large expansions of public infrastructure. 'Hopefully, some of the good things that he has done for this great city will be remembered,' Lawson wrote."

— " Gov. DeSantis reshaped Florida's appeals courts; it seems to be working out for him," by Florida Phoenix's Michael Moline

— "Medicaid waitlist remains long after $95 million infusion," by Florida Politics' Christine Jordan Sexton

— " Democratic leadership warns of Capitol COVID-19 outbreak as lawmakers reconvene," by Florida Politics' Renzo Downey

JOIN THURSDAY FOR A WOMEN RULE CONVERSATION ON ENDING SEXUAL ASSAULT IN THE MILITARY: Sexual assault in the military has been an issue for years, and political leaders are taking steps to address it. Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) and Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) proposed bipartisan legislation to overhaul military sexual assault policies, but still face opposition. Join Women Rule for a virtual interview featuring Sens. Ernst and Gillibrand, who will discuss their legislative push and what it will take to end sexual assault and sexual harassment in the military. REGISTER HERE.

CORONAVIRUS UPDATES

The daily rundown — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that there were 8,645 Covid-19 infections on Saturday. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reported that 9,187 beds were being used in the state for Covid-19 patients. The Florida Hospital Association reported Monday that 35.5 percent of adult patients in intensive care units are infected with Covid-19.

CRITICAL — "Tampa General CEO slams Biden administration over coronavirus treatments," by Tampa Bay Times' Kirby Wilson: "Tampa General CEO John Couris said he's not happy with the decision by President Joe Biden's administration to ship Florida fewer doses of monoclonal antibody treatments than the state has requested. During a meeting with Florida lawmakers on Monday, Couris, one of Tampa Bay's most prominent hospital executives, called the move 'plain wrong.' 'I don't know why they did it, because the supply chain was working perfectly the way it was,' Couris said before the Florida House Pandemics and Public Emergencies Committee."

JOINING IN — " News media allowed to join lawsuit over Florida COVID data, judge rules," by Orlando Sentinel's Kate Santich: "A judge ruled Monday to allow a group of national and state news media — including The New York Times, Washington Post and Associated Press — to join a lawsuit against the Florida Department of Health over its decision to withhold detailed data on the COVID-19 pandemic from the public. Judge John Cooper of the Second Judicial Circuit in Tallahassee issued the ruling over the objections of the state's legal counsel, Rick Figlio, who suggested that doing so would turned the case into "unmanageable political theater" — a claim the judge disputed."

'NEEDS TO STOP' — "Florida hospitals want a crackdown on pandemic-era traveling nurse price gouging," by POLITICO's Arek Sarkissian: Hospital leaders on Monday asked a state House committee to crack down on price gouging committed by contract nurse agencies that have jacked up rates six times higher than where they were before the Covid-19 pandemic began… Tampa General Hospital CEO and President John Couris told the House Pandemic and Public Emergencies Committee the cost for contract nurses — also known as traveling nurses — has increased by 111 percent. He said that kind of increase harkens back to the days of price gouging during a hurricane.

STILL MOVING — "Challenge to Florida DOH rule against mask mandates moves ahead," by POLITICO's Andrew Atterbury: An administrative law judge on Monday declined to dismiss a challenge against the heavily disputed Florida Department of Health rule that bans local school districts from requiring students to wear masks, setting the stage for a crucial hearing later this week. The state sought to throw out the case by claiming a group of five school boards and the NAACP lacked the proper standing to fight the masking policy. But Judge Brian A. Newman disagreed and will allow the case to move forward for the school boards, although not the NAACP.

ONE STOP SHOPPING — "'Vax and vote': Cast your ballot and get your shot all at once," by Sun Sentinel's Anthony Man : "Attempting to increase voter turnout and COVID vaccination rates, Broward and Palm Beach County will offer both at early voting sites in the upcoming special primary election. 'I love that,' said state Sen. Shevrin Jones, a South Broward Democrat. 'Looking at the vaccine hesitancy within the African American community, I think using the early voting locations as an opportunity to get people to get vaccinated is not only smart but I would also consider that leadership on both of the supervisors' [of elections] part.'"

— " Anti-vax baseball coach from Miami files religious discrimination complaint against MLB team," by Miami Herald's David Ovalle

— "Florida hospitals, overwhelmed with COVID, describe nursing shortage, financial hits," by News Service of Florida's Ryan Dailey

— "Florida restaurant owner: God told me not to get COVID vaccine, so I won't make my workers," by Orlando Sentinel's Tiffini Theisen

— "COVID: Tallahassee hospital on pace to see record number of deaths as cases fall 27.3%," by Tallahassee Democrat's Chris Cann and Mike Stucka

— "'We're coming back:' Parents plan to keep pushing for masks after school board strikes down meeting," by Pensacola News Journal's Jake Newby

DATELINE D.C.

DEMS V. DEMS — "Murphy fires back at progressives blasting her over Biden's $3.5 trillion plan," by Orlando Sentinel's Steven Lemongello: "The bill that President Biden sees as the cornerstone of his agenda is facing pushback from an unexpected corner: a group of centrist Democrats that includes U.S. Rep. Stephanie Murphy of Winter Park. Biden's $3.5 trillion reconciliation bill is getting strong support from progressive groups such as Our Revolution, which protested outside Murphy's office in Orlando last week. Its leaders accuse Murphy of undermining the president. 'There's a handful of people standing in the way, and she's positioning herself as the leader of the opposition within the Democratic Party,' said Joseph Geevarghese, executive director of Our Revolution, which formed out of the 2016 Bernie Sanders presidential campaign."

DESANTIS PART OF GROUP — "Dozens of Republican governors call for meeting with Biden on border surge," by The Hill's Joseph Choi: "Dozens of Republican governors call for meeting with Biden on border surge. A group of 26 Republican governors led by Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Monday issued an open letter to President Biden requesting a meeting to discuss the surge in illegal border crossings."

PENINSULA AND BEYOND

WE'RE NO 1? — "How Sarasota became the conspiracy capital of the United States," by Vice News' David Gilbert: "While [Michael] Flynn's presence at such an event may seem strange, the former general and QAnon icon lives just 25 minutes away, in Englewood, and is part of a growing cast of pro-Trump conspiracy theorists, insurrectionists, and election truthers who call Sarasota County home. Overstock.com founder and uber–conspiracy theorist Patrick Byrne recently purchased six properties in the country, all at extremely inflated prices. Cyber Ninjas, the company with no election audit experience currently running the recount in Arizona's Maricopa County, is headquartered in Sarasota County. Charlie Kirk, head of the pro-Trump, far-right group Turning Point USA, which is targeting local school boards around the country, also lives in the county."

TROUBLING — "White House: Possible use of whips on Haitian migrants is 'horrific,'" by POLITICO's Nick Niedzwiadek: White House press secretary Jen Psaki expressed dismay on Monday at images that appeared to show Border Patrol agents using whips on migrants seeking asylum along the U.S.-Mexico border. Psaki said that administration officials were aware of the situation and that "it's horrible to watch." She also said people were "understandably" outraged at the possibility that law enforcement used whips or similar objects against those gathered near Del Rio, Texas, many of them from Haiti.

— " Videos show Bartram Trail students harassing Gay Student Alliance members, stomping on Pride flags," by St. Augustine Record's Colleen Michele Jones

ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN

— "FBI searches Florida home of Gabby Petito's boyfriend," by The Associated Press' Curt Anderson: "FBI agents and police Monday searched the home of the boyfriend wanted for questioning in the death of 22-year-old Gabby Petito, whose body was discovered over the weekend at a Wyoming national park months after the couple set out on a cross-country road trip. The FBI gave no details on the search by at least a dozen law enforcement officers, but agents removed several boxes and towed away a car that neighbors said was typically used by 23-year-old Brian Laundrie's mother."

— " Florida State confirms theft of nearly 5,000 rare comics, science fiction digests, from collection at Strozier," by Tallahassee Democrat's Byron Dobson: "The Florida State Universities Libraries has a real whodunit on its hands. Sometime between March 17, 2020, and Feb. 10, someone stole nearly 5,000 items from the Robert M. Ervin Jr. Collection housed by FSU Special Collections & Archives at Strozier Library, the university confirmed Friday. In total, 4,996 items are missing from the collection which consists of comic books and serials containing and related to superheroes, science fiction, fantasy, and horror, the university said in an email to the Democrat."

BIRTHDAYS: State Rep. Michael Grieco … former State Sen. Denise Grimsley … former Rep. Bill Grant … Chris Dudley with The Southern Group

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