| | | | | |  | | By Gary Fineout | Presented by the Seminole Tribe of Florida | BREAKING OVERNIGHT — South Florida media outlets report that Parkland shooter Nikolas Cruz will plead guilty to 17 counts of murder and 17 counts of attempted murder. Hello and welcome to Friday. What's the story, morning glory? — So is being a longtime weed warrior — or a newcomer to the green struggle — going to make the difference in 2022? Roll with it — In yet another remarkable sign of his continuous political evolution, Rep. Charlie Crist aka "Chain Gang Charlie" wheeled out a hefty campaign platform on Thursday where he said that if he's elected governor next year he will push for the legalization of marijuana and the expunging all charges and sentences for relatively low-level pot possession. He also promised to tax marijuana to pay for drug treatment as well as money to help the police and public school teachers. Some might say — It took little time for Democratic rival and Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried — a one-time medical marijuana lobbyist who has investments in a medical marijuana company — to rip into Crist saying on Twitter that "people went to jail" because Crist (who was a Republican when he was governor) "supported and enforced racist marijuana crime bills. Glad he's changed his mind, but none of these people get those years back." Don't look back in anger — Fried's campaign then pointed to legislation that Crist signed into law such as one that upped the criminal penalty for owning 25 marijuana plants and a bill that cracked down on the sale of bongs. Crist of course has changed his positions and parties over the years (adaptation? political expediency? Your call). But it's also true when he was governor (and still in the GOP) he moved to make it easier for convicted felons to win back their voting and civil rights — a policy that was quickly repealed once Rick Scott took office. Maybe I don't want to know how your garden grows — Crist, who announced his proposal on the steps of the Old Capitol, brushed aside questions about his newfound support pointing out that "lot of people have evolved." But he added a personal dimension by saying that his sister died of brain cancer several years ago and marijuana should have been available to her and others who were suffering. "The benefits are so obvious," said Crist, who said Gov. Ron DeSantis' opposition to legalization are just one reason that Democrats will win next year. Definitely maybe — But in order to take on DeSantis, the lingering question, of course, is whether Crist's past position as a tough-on-crime Republican will prove to be a disqualifying offense to Democratic voters. Or will they agree with Crist that it's now the 21st century and it's OK to have changed your mind. — WHERE'S RON? — Gov. DeSantis is scheduled to be at "Statesman of the Year Dinner" hosted by the Sarasota County Republican Party. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for Playbook? Get in touch: gfineout@politico.com | | A message from the Seminole Tribe of Florida: Seminole Compact is now in full effect across Florida. The historic agreement guarantees billions in revenues for our state, creates thousands of new jobs and brings mobile sports betting to Florida. The Seminole Compact is the bipartisan deal that is already working for Florida. It's guaranteed. Read more. | | |
|  | CAMPAIGN MODE | | GREEN RUSH — "Crist says he'd legalize marijuana and expunge records as governor," by Tampa Bay Times' Romy Ellenbogen: "As part of his platform focused on equality for Floridians of color, Charlie Crist announced Thursday that he would legalize marijuana and expunge criminal records for those arrested on misdemeanors or third-degree felonies related to the drug if he were elected governor next year. At the Florida Capitol, Crist said revenue from state marijuana sales would pay for police agencies, drug treatment and diversion programs and teachers." | 
Rep. Charlie Crist speaks to reporters at Florida Capitol Oct. 14, 2021 | Gary Fineout/POLITICO | FOLLOW THE MONEY — "Jacksonville race for mayor in 2023 has already raised $5 million: 'It's bonkers,'" by Florida Times-Union's David Bauerlein: "The election of the next Jacksonville mayor is 17 months away — the proverbial 'eternity' in politics — but supporters of declared and potential candidates have already pumped $5 million into a race that's will blitz voters with advertisements, mailers, phone calls and every other tool available in a wide-open contest. 'It's bonkers,' said Michael Binder, director of the Public Opinion Research Lab at the University of North Florida. 'It's crazy.'" — " Republican group erecting giant 'Trump Lost' billboards in Florida, elsewhere," by Orlando Sentinel's Tiffini Theisen — "Congressional candidate Omari Hardy views on key Israel issues put him at odds with many in Jewish community," by Sun Sentinel's Anthony Man — "New election law adds new costs for some Florida counties," by Fresh Take Florida's Natalia Galicza — "Kamia Brown rights foundering campaign as competition emerges," by Florida Politics' Scott Powers | | | | THE MILKEN INSTITUTE GLOBAL CONFERENCE 2021 IS HERE: POLITICO is excited to partner with the Milken Institute to produce a special edition "Global Insider" newsletter featuring exclusive coverage and insights from one of the largest and most influential gatherings of experts reinventing finance, health, technology, philanthropy, industry and media. Don't miss a thing from the 24th annual Milken Institute Global Conference in Los Angeles, from Oct. 17 to 20. Can't make it? We've got you covered. Planning to attend? Enhance your #MIGlobal experience and subscribe today. | | | | |
| | CORONAVIRUS UPDATES | | The daily rundown — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that there were 3,363 Covid-19 infections on Wednesday. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reported that 3,353 beds were being used in the state for Covid-19 patients. BIDEN V. DESANTIS ROUND 57 — " 'I am offended': DeSantis vows to sue Biden over vaccine mandate," by POLITICO's Arek Sarkissian: Gov. Ron DeSantis has opened a multimillion-dollar battle against vaccine mandates, and on Thursday took the fight to the Biden administration. The GOP governor said Florida will challenge in federal court and through legislation any vaccine mandates placed on employers or others by President Joe Biden. DeSantis' comments follow those of Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott, who earlier this week banned vaccine requirements in his state. "Let's not have Biden come in and effectively take away — threaten to take away — the jobs of people who have been working hard throughout this entire pandemic," DeSantis said during a news conference in Fort Myers. ON ANOTHER FRONT — "Florida wants Biden to butt out of its school mask fight," by POLITICO's Andrew Atterbury: State officials in Florida are not backing away from sanctioning local school board members who support mask mandates in the face of the U.S. Department of Education raising "legal concerns" about the punishments. In a letter to the U.S. Education Department, Florida Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran on Wednesday blasted the feds for interfering with the state's enforcement of a controversial policy banning schools from requiring students to wear masks. The Biden administration is "mistaken" to suggest Florida is breaking the rules by withholding federal aid from board members who the state fined over mask mandates, according to Corcoran. — "With virus metrics improving, Demings says end of state of emergency is near," by Orlando Sentinel's Stephen Hudak and Ryan Gillespie — "Florida National Guard: COVID-19 mission is over," by Florida Politics' Jason Delgado | | THE GUNSHINE STATE | | 3 YEARS 244 DAYS — "Gunman to plead guilty in Stoneman Douglas mass shooting and jail assault case," by Sun Sentinel's Rafael Olmeda: "Parkland school shooter Nikolas Cruz will plead guilty to 17 counts of murder and 17 counts of attempted murder, sources confirmed late Thursday. He is also pleading guilty in the jailhouse assault case scheduled to start next week, the Sun Sentinel has learned. WSVN-Channel 7 broke the news of the mass shooting pleas late Thursday afternoon, citing unnamed sources. The Broward Public Defender's Office, which represents the confessed gunman, has not verified or disputed the report, which sources have confirmed to the Sun Sentinel. Lawyers in the case are scheduled to appear at a status hearing Friday morning in front of Broward Circuit Judge Elizabeth Scherer." FALLOUT — "The Shooter's Wife: Noor Salman, wife of the Pulse Nightclub gunman, is ready to speak," by Vice News's Rhana Natour: "On the rare occasion Noor Salman ventures outside, she does so in disguise. She says it's all about looking different from the photos of her on the news. Grey contacts, dark lipstick, and pitch-black hair extensions are her armor of choice, which she fortifies with constant movement, refusing to stay in any public place for more than five minutes at a time. 'It's insurance that even if somebody were to recognize me, they would have doubt,' she said. 'I would be gone by the time they figure it out.'" 'I just didn't talk' — "Salman would spend over a year in prison during these legal proceedings, some of it in solitary confinement. Though she was ultimately acquitted, the verdict did little to dissipate the cloud of suspicion that hung over her in Orlando. For many Pulse survivors and family members of those killed, her acquittal was just a technicality, a failure on the part of prosecutors to legally prove their case. 'She was found not guilty, but she is not innocent,' said Christine Leinonen, whose son Drew was killed in the attack. 'She was morally culpable, and at some point she had to rationalize why she would not protect society.' Equally adamant are those who believe Salman was another victim of [Omar] Mateen's violence, and of a justice system that was able to scapegoat her because she was Muslim." | | | | A message from the Seminole Tribe of Florida:   | | |
| | PENINSULA AND BEYOND | | 'YOU'D BE THROWN OUT — "Threats of violence': Florida schools weigh limiting public comments amid tension with parents," by POLITICO's Andrew Atterbury: School leaders across the state are eyeing steps to rein in public comments in an effort to quell raucous crowds blasting their decisions on hot-button issues like mask mandates and critical race theory. The potential changes could add more strain between school boards and the public they serve, a domain that has emerged as a fierce culture war battleground amid the coronavirus. They also come on the heels of the U.S. Justice Department pledging to probe threats against educators, a move that sparked more strife between locals and was greeted with pushback in Florida from Gov. Ron DeSantis, who dismissed the danger. What's going on? — One Brevard board member, Jennifer Jenkins, voted against the resolution after detailing harassment she's endured in recent months. People have said they are "coming" for her and that she needs to "beg for mercy," Jenkins said. And in one instance, Jenkins claims the Florida Department of Children and Families was sent a false claim that led to her daughter being checked for burn marks at a play date. "What I reject is this effort to create fear and division in the community that leads to credible threats of violence against me and my family," Jenkins said at Tuesday's board meeting. IT IS FINISHED — "Art Acevedo's time in Miami is over. Commissioners vote to fire police chief," by Miami Herald's Joey Flechas and Charles Rabin: "Miami Police Chief Art Acevedo, a brash and outspoken personality who clashed with fellow cops, elected officials and other city leaders, was fired Thursday, ending the shortest tenure for a Miami police chief in recent memory. City commissioners unanimously voted to dismiss the chief at the end of a five-hour hearing triggered by Acevedo's suspension on Monday by City Manager Art Noriega. Commissioners sat as judges, Noriega served as the prosecution and Acevedo was the defendant." 'I AM NO LONGER AFRAID' — "Cuban authorities recycle video of Fidel Castro to attack organizers of opposition march," by El Nuevo Herald's Nora Gámez Torres: "The Cuban government is using a 30-year-old video of Fidel Castro to attack a group of activists who have called for a peaceful march in November in solidarity with political prisoners, a gesture authorities have called a provocation orchestrated by the United States to destabilize the country. After notifying its organizers on Tuesday that the motives for the march were 'illegal,' the island's government has launched a propaganda campaign on state news outlets and social media to portray the activists as agents in the service of the U.S." — " Thousands mourn Miya Marcano in memorial service; 19-year-old believed slain by apartment maintenance worker," by Sun Sentinel's Angie Dimichele and Eileen Kelley — "Capitol riot defendant from Orange Park sentenced to 18 months in gun case tied to arrest," by Florida Times-Union's Steve Patterson — "School district under fire for using Scientology group's human rights program," by Sun Sentinel's Scott Travis | | | | BECOME A GLOBAL INSIDER: The world is more connected than ever. It has never been more essential to identify, unpack and analyze important news, trends and decisions shaping our future — and we've got you covered! Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, Global Insider author Ryan Heath navigates the global news maze and connects you to power players and events changing our world. Don't miss out on this influential global community. Subscribe now. | | | | |
| | ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... | | APP NOT DOWNLOADED — "Hold your bets: Sports wagering is legal in Florida on Friday, but Seminole Tribe isn't ready yet," by Orlando Sentinel's Gray Rohrer: "Florida sports fans looking to place their first legal bets on games this weekend will have to wait a little longer. And if opponents who have filed three lawsuits eventually win in court, such bets could be off the table. Wagers on sporting events are legal on Seminole Tribe lands starting Friday, and the Tribe has plans to offer an app to allow residents to place bets that flow through a server on their land. But those plans won't be in place for at least another month and perhaps longer." DISNEY DOMINATION — " The Mouse that need not roar: How Disney World at 50 shapes Florida, wields influence," by USA Today Network-Florida's James Call: "If Disney has a fault, said former and current lawmakers, academics, and other observers, it's that it operates with an efficient focus on its bottom line, maximizing opportunities for profit to the exclusion of other issues. Rep. Anna Eskamani, D-Orlando, said she watches Disney lobbyists sit silently in committee meetings while other lobbyists work to persuade lawmakers how to vote." SINCE YOU BROUGHT IT UP — "DEP updates subcommittee on farm enforcement after Fried criticism," by POLITICO's Bruce Ritchie: A Florida Department of Environmental Protection official told a state House subcommittee on Thursday that more than two-thirds of farms referred by Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried for enforcement have been brought into compliance. DEP Deputy Secretary John Truitt updated the House Environment, Agriculture and Flooding subcommittee on enforcement of agricultural "best management practices," or BMPs, under legislation signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis in 2020. — " Ron DeSantis warns that kids may not get toys for Christmas," by Florida Politics A.G. Gancarski — "New bill would ban Florida schools, cities and counties from issuing mask mandates," by News Service of Florida's Jim Saunders | | A message from the Seminole Tribe of Florida: The Seminole Compact
Keeping its promises to the people of Florida
With overwhelmingly bipartisan support, the Seminole Compact is law throughout Florida. The Compact guarantees $2.5 billion in revenues for Florida within the first 5 years and creates an estimated 2,200 jobs.
Coming this fall, the Seminole Compact also creates Florida's only safe, legal sportsbook through Hard Rock Sportsbook, where you can place online and mobile sports bets anywhere in Florida.
The Seminole Tribe is keeping its promises to the people of Florida. Already, hundreds of new jobs have been created and thousands more are soon to be filled. With the Seminole Compact, Floridians can rest assured that revenues generated stay local and help Floridians; not sent out-of-state to profit outsiders. The Seminole Compact is a partnership built on trust that's already working for us. It's guaranteed! Learn more. | | |
| | ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN | | — "They found her OnlyFans and made her life into a living hell," by The Daily Beast's Marlow Stern: "Sara and Matt Cheek wanted to start over. So, in the spring of 2019, they gathered their three young kids, packed up all their earthly belongings, and moved to Lithia, a tiny suburb of Tampa, Florida. Less than a year after they'd arrived, however, things began to go south. COVID hit. Then Matt, a delivery driver, was injured, leading to reduced pay. If all that weren't enough, a pipe burst in their house, flooding it. With their options limited, Sara, a former salon owner, turned to social media." — " Hollywood horror: Iguanas popping out of South Florida toilets," by Sun Sentinel's Chris Perkins: "The invasive reptiles that have plagued homeowners for years have been appearing in toilet bowls across Hollywood most recently and — predictably — providing quite a scare. 'It's basically the same thing every time,' said Blake Wilkins, co-owner of Redline Iguana Removal, based in Hollywood. 'Someone goes to use the bathroom and they find something greeting them in the toilet bowl.' The Mexican spiny-tailed iguanas are providing steady work for trappers such as Wilkins and Harold Rondan, owner of Iguana Lifestyles, based in North Miami Beach." BIRTHDAYS: State Rep. Josie Tomkow … Edie Ousley of Yellow Finch Strategies … (On Saturday) State Sen. Loranne Ausley … Beth Switzer, executive director at WFSU-TV/The Florida Channel ... Mark Maxwell , partner SCG Governmental Affairs … (On Sunday) Mark Hollis, associate state director communications and outreach at AARP Texas and former comms director for Florida House Democrats ... Scott Randolph, Orange County tax collector and former legislator
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