News: POLITICO Florida Playbook: Murphy to Dems: Less chatter, pass the bill

Thursday, September 23, 2021

POLITICO Florida Playbook: Murphy to Dems: Less chatter, pass the bill

Sep 23, 2021

Hello and welcome to Thursday.

Murphy's law — Rep. Stephanie Murphy says she has a straightforward approach to the squabbling going on Washington, D.C.: Focus on "the ideas that can be signed into law. Everything else is just chatter."

Biden time — The Central Florida Democrat was part of a group who went to the White House on Wednesday as President Joe Biden tries to salvage key parts of his domestic agenda ensnarled in a dispute between party factions. Murphy, during a press conference held via Zoom, called the meeting "productive" but she also made it clear she still expects the House to vote on an infrastructure bill Monday.

The divide — Murphy is among the moderate Democrats who have been pushing to get the infrastructure bill — which already cleared the Senate — passed and on Biden's desk. But some progressives in the party say they won't support the legislation unless there's movement on a separate $3.5 trillion social spending plan, potentially putting the infrastructure package in jeopardy without some Republican support.

Pick your battles — Murphy, who plans to seek re-election in a district that may be greatly reworked by the GOP-controlled Florida Legislature, said she can support some version of a spending plan, but sounded skeptical about the current size and scope. "We cannot afford to do it all, so we need to pick the things that will meet the most immediate need and impact to the American people," she said.

Both sides now — Murphy has been criticized by progressives for her reluctance to embrace everything now on the table in the spending plan, which spans universal pre-K, free community college and efforts to curb carbon emissions. Just this week, a group called Economic Security Project Action put up a billboard in Winter Park and launched a digital ad campaign targeting Murphy, trying to move to the left. Republicans, meanwhile, keep using Murphy's stances on budget reconciliation as a way to criticize Florida Rep. Val Demings, who is running against Sen. Marco Rubio.

Stay the course — But Murphy made her political calculation clear: Democrats need to keep control of the government. And she suggested that won't happen if they can't get legislation passed and enacted ahead of the 2022 election. She said their ideas need to be "rooted in the political reality" of what can make it through the Senate. Citing the Jan. 6 riot at the Capitol, she said there is a "national security" and "democracy" imperative for Democrats to remain charge. "It is critically important for Democrats — progressives and moderates — work together."

— WHERE'S RON? — Gov. DeSantis is scheduled to be in Tampa, where he will deliver an in-person address as part of the Job Creators Network's Bring Small Businesses Back Bus Tour.

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DATELINE D.C.

STEPPING IN — "Biden cools Democratic fever over domestic agenda, but can't cure it," by POLITICO's Sarah Ferris, Marianne LeVine, Heather Caygle and Laura Barrón-López: Democrats returned from an Oval Office sitdown Wednesday with earnest pledges to break the logjam threatening their entire domestic agenda — even as deep cracks remain in their party. "Everybody had a chance to say their piece, and there was a lot of pieces said," Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.) said after meeting with President Joe Biden and other centrists for more than 90 minutes.

Democratic Reps. Stephanie Murphy of Florida

Democratic Reps. Stephanie Murphy of Florida (pictured) and Henry Cuellar of Texas have raised concerns with paying for a $3.5 trillion budget bill. But they are not calling for offset spending on climate provisions. | AP Photo/ Andrew Harnik, Pool

Who wants a cookie? — The president sat down first with centrists in a lengthy session that included individually wrapped chocolate chip cookies for the roughly dozen lawmakers in the room. Biden largely allowed lawmakers to dominate the conversation, and refrained from diving into thorny details such as the price tag or a specific timeline. "There is a common sense that we want to be able to pass both an infrastructure bill as well as a reconciliation bill," centrist Rep. Stephanie Murphy (D-Fla.) said afterwards, referring to the $3.5 trillion spending plan that Hill Democrats plan to pass without GOP support using a wonky Senate budget process.

Gaetz-gate

WHAT'S THIS ABOUT? — "The tangled tale of the Israel consulate, the Dilbert cartoonist and the Matt Gaetz case," by POLITICO's Marc Caputo: Of the many only-in-Florida aspects of the Rep. Matt Gaetz sex-crimes investigation, one stands out for its utter weirdness: the story of the Israeli consulate staffer, the cartoonist who created Dilbert and a complicated shakedown scheme tied to a former CIA operative captured in Iran. The most-salacious aspects of the federal probe into Gaetz have received saturation media coverage over the months. But scant attention has been paid to the mysterious cameo of Jake Novak, the broadcast media director of the Consulate General of Israel in New York.

CORONAVIRUS UPDATES

The daily rundown — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that there were 10,073 Covid-19 infections on Tuesday. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reported that 8,132 beds were being used in the state for Covid-19 patients. The Florida Hospital Association reported Wednesday that 32.8 percent of adult patients in intensive care units are infected with Covid-19.

THE TOLL — "Lost to COVID: Summer delta wave puts Florida in top 10 states for pandemic deaths," by Orlando Sentinel's Skyler Swisher: "Florida has moved into the top 10 states with the highest COVID-19 death rates as a fierce summer wave pushes the virus' toll past 50,000, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Florida now has the No. 10 highest per capita death rate among U.S. states. More than a fourth of those deaths have occurred over the summer, despite the widespread availability of vaccines that are highly effective in preventing serious illness."

THE DESANTIS DOCTRINE — " DeSantis says healthy kids can skip quarantine, inviting a new standoff with schools," by Palm Beach Post's Andrew Marra: "Gov. Ron DeSantis' administration said Wednesday that public school students exposed to COVID-19 must be allowed to remain in school unless they appear sick, a jarring reversal of coronavirus safety measures that could trigger another showdown with public school leaders. The new rule, issued by the state's newly appointed surgeon general, replaces a state policy that required students who had been in 'direct contact' with someone with COVID-19 to stay home from school for at least four days."

NEW RULE LED TO THIS — "Judge throws out challenge to Florida's school masking rule," by POLITICO's Andrew Atterbury: The Florida Department of Health's move to revise a contentious rule that includes a ban on local mask mandates in schools triggered a judge Wednesday to throw out a challenge against the policy, delivering a major win to Gov. Ron DeSantis along the way. By loosening quarantine requirements for students, state officials also invalidated the original rule that is being fought in the Division of Administrative Hearings by a group of five school boards.

MEANWHILE — " Judge halts Gainesville from enforcing rule that employees get COVID-19 shots," by The Gainesville Sun's John Henderson: "A judge has issued an order that will halt the city of Gainesville from forcing its employees to get a COVID-19 vaccination, at least for now. Circuit Judge Monica J. Brasington has granted a temporary emergency injunction requested by the employees' attorney, which stops the city from enforcing the Oct. 1 deadline for employees to get their first shot. 'The city did not put on any evidence, at all, at the injunction hearing,' she writes in her ruling."

— "ACLU challenges Broward jails on COVID protection," by Sun Sentinel's Rafael Olmeda

— "Disney parks saw attendance dip over delta variant, but crowds are back in force, CEO says," by Orlando Sentinel's Katie Rice

CAMPAIGN MODE

DEMOCRATS SPENDING EARLY — In advance of an expected clash between Rep. Val Demings and Sen. Marco Rubio, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee announced on Wednesday it was going to spend $30 million on field operations in nine battleground states, including Florida. The inclusion of Florida is notable because Rubio is the only GOP incumbent in the nine states who is running for re-election. (Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson has not yet announced his plans.)

Where the money will go — A DSCC spokesperson did not have a break out of how much of the $30 million would be spent in Florida. But the DSCC said money will be spent to open field offices and hire staff, including organizers who will work on outreach to communities of color as well as younger voters. They also plan to have communications staff that will be "focused on defining GOP Senate candidates." The DSCC said this is the largest investment it has made at this point in an election cycle. "Senate Democrats are delivering for the American people — now the DSCC is making early and historic investments in order to defend and expand Democrats' majority in 2022," said Sen. Gary Peters, DSCC chair, in a statement.

DEMINGS WATCH — Speaking of Demings v. Rubio, Demings had a good turnout on Wednesday for the "Women for Val Demings" fundraiser in D.C.
Spotted: Karen Anderson, Jenny Backus, Melinda Maxfield, Cristina Antelo, Jennifer Stewart, Ellen Schned, and De'Ana Dow, with Rep. Hakeem Jeffries dropping by to lend his support.

SHHH — "Everyone is talking about DeSantis — except in St. Pete's mayor race," by Tampa Bay Times Steve Contorno: "He's on the front pages of Florida's newspapers most days and the evening national news many nights. He's debated in local school board meetings and on prime time cable news programs. He's a topic of conversation in races from California to Virginia and in the White House briefing room. He's a hashtag and on flags. It seems everyone these days is talking about Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis — except the candidates running for mayor in St. Petersburg."

PERCEPTION IS REALITY — " Miami Beach Commission Candidate Kristen Rosen Gonzalez plays 'Hispanic' card, only she's not," by CBS Miami's Jim DeFede : "In an interview with Democratic Party leaders, former Miami Beach Commissioner Kristen Rosen Gonzalez argued they should endorse her campaign comeback because she is 'the most high-profile Hispanic Democrat in the City of Miami Beach.' The only problem: She's not Hispanic. 'Well, I'm perceived as being Hispanic,' Rosen Gonzalez said in an interview with CBS Miami. 'I'm perceived as being Hispanic by all of the Hispanics in my community. I'm their girl. My last name is Hispanic. I know I'm not Hispanic.'"

— " Miami Mayor Francis Suarez 2024 presidential bid 'not a crazy conversation,'" by Florida Politics' Jesse Scheckner

JOIN TODAY 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.

... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ...

PAVED OVER — "Florida Cabinet, DeSantis clear way for Miami-Dade's highway through Everglades wetlands," by Miami Herald's Adriana Brasileiro: "Rejecting a judge's recommendation, Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet cleared the way for Miami-Dade County's plans to build a highway through wetlands meant to help preserve the Everglades and the county's drinking water supply. Environmentalists vowed to fight the decision. The item, listed without details on the cabinet's public agenda, came up in the last few minutes of a meeting Tuesday and was quickly approved by DeSantis, Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis and Attorney General Ashley Moody. Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, who has announced she will run for governor herself, was the only no vote, arguing the controversial project will be harmful to the environment."

WHAT'S IN YOUR WALLET? — "Florida's new surgeon general to make $462,000 a year in dual roles," by Orlando Sentinel's Gray Rohrer: "Florida's new surgeon general, Dr. Joseph Ladapo, will make $462,000 a year in his dual role as chief of the Department of Health and a member of the faculty at the University of Florida. Ladapo will be a professor at the UF College of Medicine, a tenure-track position subject to approval by the UF Board of Trustees. He will receive $262,000 in that job, in addition to his $200,000 salary as surgeon general and secretary of the Department of Health."

— " 4 times Florida's new surgeon general bucked the coronavirus consensus," by Tampa Bay Times' Kirby Wilson

PARLAY — "Magic City Casino owners sue federal government to block sports betting in Florida," by Miami Herald's Mary Ellen Klas: "Two Florida pari-mutuels filed a new motion in federal district court in Washington late Tuesday, asking a judge to block implementation of online sports betting under the Florida tribal gaming compact which is scheduled to begin later this year. The motion, filed by Magic City Casino and Bonita Springs Poker Room against U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland, asks a court to enjoin the sports-betting portion of the state's compact with the Seminole Tribe of Florida."

OPENING BID — "New Florida bill replicates Texas' sweeping abortion ban," by The Associated Press' Brendan Farrington: "An abortion bill similar to one signed into law in Texas was filed in Florida on Wednesday that would ban most abortions in the state and would allow lawsuits against doctors who violate it. The legislation filed by Republican Rep. Webster Barnaby immediately met with opposition from Democrats who want to preserve the right to legal abortions. Barnaby's office said he wasn't ready to comment on it."

Worth pointing out — While this piece of legislation garnered significant state and national attention, this is unlikely to be the main vehicle during the 2022 session. In a statement to The Associated Press, Florida House Speaker Chris Sprowls office said the bill has to be crafted to "jump through multiple levels of judicial scrutiny." Plus, Sprowls has already been quoted as saying that he wants Rep. Erin Grall (R-Vero Beach) to take the lead on abortion legislation.

Then there's this — "Ron DeSantis bobbles question about 'heartbeat' abortion bill," by Florida Politics A.G. Gancarski

— " Manny Diaz wants to 'review' existing non-COVID-19 vaccine mandates," by Florida Politics' Christine Sexton

TRUMPLANDIA AND THE SWAMP

LEV PARNAS UPDATE — "Prosecutors to seek testimony of former Nevada AG in trial of Giuliani associate," by POLITICO's Josh Gerstein and Kyle Cheney: "Prosecutors plan to call former Nevada Attorney General Adam Laxalt — the frontrunner for the GOP nomination in a crucial 2022 Senate race — to testify in the upcoming criminal trial of Lev Parnas, an associate of Rudy Giuliani who became a central figure in the 2019 impeachment of President Donald Trump. Laxalt's unsuccessful 2018 campaign for governor was among the recipients of two $5,000 donations from another Giuliani associate, Igor Fruman, that the Justice Department alleges were straw contributions from a Russian businessman not permitted to fund U.S. campaigns."

PENINSULA AND BEYOND

'THE RESULTS ARE DIRE' — "David Altmaier paints bleak picture of property insurance market," by Florida Politics' Christine Jordan Sexton: "Florida's top insurance regulator on Wednesday gave a bleak assessment of the state's property insurance market, saying it was 'dire,' and acknowledging consumers will likely continue to see rate hikes. Florida insurers are reporting heavier losses in 2021 than last year, and Insurance Commissioner David Altmaier told state legislators that his office was currently monitoring several insurance companies to ensure they remain solvent and that as many as 12 companies are being asked to submit monthly financial statements just to make sure they are still functioning."

LOOK WHO'S STOPPING BY — "Americans are out, Russians are in: Cuba's tourism is severely disrupted by pandemic," by El Nuevo Herald's Nora Gámez Torres: "Americans in Cuba are almost a relic of the past, and the flock of Canadian tourists that used to fill the island's hotels every year is nowhere to be found since the COVID-19 pandemic halted almost all tourism to the Caribbean island, with one exception: Russian visitors. Between January and July, Russian tourism grew 42 percent compared to the same period last year, according to data released by the Cuban government's national office of statistics."

— "' Joe Biden nou fache': Protesters in Miami demand asylum for Haitian migrants at border," by C. Isaiah Smalls II and Samantha J. Gross

ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN

— "No signs of Gabby Petito's boyfriend after days of searching," by The Associated Press' Curt Anderson: "Search teams found nothing of note Wednesday at a Florida wilderness park where they have spent days looking for the boyfriend of Gabby Petito, the young woman who authorities say was killed while on a cross-country trip with him. The search resumed Wednesday morning at the 24,000-acre (9,700-hectare) Carlton Reserve park and ended just before dark, North Port police spokesperson Joshua Taylor said.

WELCOME TO THE WORLD — Joshua Karp, a Democratic communications strategist and founding partner at Hone Strategies, and Dorian Karp, director of policy and advocacy at Jewish Women International, are celebrating the birth of Rory Shoshana Karp, who came in at 7 lbs., 2 oz. on Tuesday morning, and joins her big sister Ellie.

BIRTHDAYS: Rep. Al Lawson

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