| | | | |  | | By Gary Fineout | Presented by CVS Health | Good Tuesday morning. The next chapter — The long-running tug-of-war over Covid-19 between Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Biden administration is taking a significant new turn in Florida. Vaccine mandates (for some) are in. Monoclonal antibody treatment centers are out. Coming soon — First off, a Washington-imposed vaccine mandate for health care workers employed at providers reliant on federal money is about to kick in. The state's push to get the mandate blocked was undercut by a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling, so Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody last last week withdrew the state's appeal over the matter, the News Service of Florida first reported. Yes, that creates a conflict between state and federal law. But many health care providers are going to follow federal law even though state authorities have said they won't cooperate in enforcing this. Shutting down — Then there's monoclonal antibody treatments. The Florida Department of Health announced late Monday it was shutting down all state-run sites that rely on two types of treatments. This was done in response to the Federal Drug Administration's decision to restrict the use of the treatments made by Regeneron and Eli Lilly in the wake of a National Institute of Health guidelines panel recommended against their use because of "markedly reduced activity" against the Omicron variant. Late-night response — DeSantis on Monday evening issued a harsh statement in response, stating that "this indefensible edict takes treatment out of the hands of medical professionals and will cost some Americans their lives. There are real-world implications to Biden's medical authoritarianism — Americans' access to treatments is now subject to the whims of a failing president." The Republican governor also said the decision by the Biden administration was done "without a shred of clinical data to support this action." Please pick up the phone — The pushback at the Biden administration came a few hours after the Department of Health detailed how it had been pushing to find out about a shipment of 30,000 treatments but that federal authorities canceled a planned call on Monday to discuss the issue. What's next? — DeSantis — who has gotten national attention for his clashes with the Biden administration — has lately focused much of his energy on Covid-19 into blasting mandates and touting monoclonal treatments, so it would seem likely there will be more to come soon. One big item to watch: Does the state try to sanction health care providers that follow federal law? — 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
| | A message from CVS Health: Throughout the pandemic, in communities across the country, CVS Health has been there. We've opened more than 4,800 COVID-19 test sites, administered 41 million tests and given 50 million vaccines. We've expanded access to prenatal and postpartum care via telemedicine, increased remote access to mental health services and invested in affordable housing to help build healthier communities. We've been on the frontlines, making health care easier to access and afford. Learn more. | | |
|  | CORONAVIRUS UPDATES | | SHOWDOWN — " Florida officials fume at Biden for limiting monoclonal antibody use," by Tampa Bay Times' Kirby Wilson: "The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Monday essentially barred health care providers from using two monoclonal antibody therapies that have been central to Florida's effort to fight COVID-19 — but that experts say have not been effective against the omicron variant. As a result, the federal government said it would not send more of those monoclonal therapies, which are manufactured by Regeneron and Eli Lilly, to the 50 states or territories this week. Florida officials were not happy." DROPPED — " State ends appeal in health worker vaccine case ," by News Service of Florida's Jim Turner: "After a U.S. Supreme Court ruling this month that backed the Biden administration, Florida has dropped its appeal in a legal fight against federal COVID-19 vaccination requirements for health-care workers. Attorney General Ashley Moody's office filed a motion Friday to dismiss an appeal that was filed at the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. That appeal came after a Pensacola-based district judge in November refused to block the vaccination requirements for workers at hospitals, nursing homes and other health-care providers." The daily rundown — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said there were 36,099 Covid-19 infections reported on Sunday and 8,354 infections on Saturday. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reported that 10,794 hospital beds were being used in the state for Covid-19 patients. — "Jacksonville man with COVID-19 at center of ivermectin lawsuit against Mayo Clinic dies ," by Florida Times-Union's Katherine Lewin
| | | | JOIN FRIDAY TO HEAR FROM GOVERNORS ACROSS AMERICA : As we head into the third year of the pandemic, state governors are taking varying approaches to public health measures including vaccine and mask mandates. "The Fifty: America's Governors" is a series of live conversations featuring various governors on the unique challenges they face as they take the lead and command the national spotlight in historic ways. Learn what is working and what is not from the governors on the front lines, REGISTER HERE. | | | | | | | ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... | | IT'S ALL ABOUT THE BASE — " Senators advance DeSantis immigration bill over vocal opposition," by POLITICO's Matt Dixon: The Florida Senate on Monday began work on an immigration measure championed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, giving initial approval to the proposal over the impassioned testimony of opponents who tried to evoke Florida's own long-running history with undocumented immigrants as they lobby GOP majorities to kill the bill. DeSantis has made a hard-right immigration platform a key piece of his budding reelection campaign and potential future bid for the White House, using his growing national presence to focus increasingly on the issue. Opposition from Democrats — Democrats, immigration activists and faith-based leaders testified against the bill, saying that one immigrant committing a "heartbreaking" crime should not lead to statewide policies that would impact all undocumented people coming to Florida, including children, who would be disproportionately affected. "We are talking about one immigrant to be blamed for murders in Jacksonville," said Sen. Tina Scott Polsky (D-Boca Raton). "But there are probably thousands of murders in Jacksonville … but we are going to blame all the immigrants." IT GETS DEEPER — " DeSantis' inspector general is reviewing Florida education bid-rigging case," by Tampa Bay Times Lawrence Mower and Miami Herald's Ana Ceballos: "Gov. Ron DeSantis' chief inspector general is reviewing the handling of a bid-rigging probe at the Florida Department of Education, his office said Monday. In a reversal from the office's previous statement, DeSantis spokesperson Taryn Fenske confirmed Chief Inspector General Melinda Miguel is reviewing how the Department of Education and its inspector general handled the bid for a multimillion-dollar contract. 'She is doing her due diligence on all of the above,' said Fenske, the governor's communications director." Meanwhile — Six Democrats from Florida — led by Rep. Al Lawson — wrote the U.S. Department of Education inspector general and asked whether federal authorities should investigate since the bid centered on providing services to Jefferson County that would be paid from coronavirus-related education aid paid by the federal government. "It is important that we keep the children of Jefferson County at the forefront of this matter," Lawson said in a statement. "My colleagues and I are working to safeguard their education by requesting the Inspector General review how federal funding is being spent by the [Florida Department of Education]. These students deserve the proper resources that allow them to excel academically now and beyond." THE COLLEGIAL SENATE — "' It was just crazy': Florida Sen. Audrey Gibson on verbal attack by Sen. Ileana Garcia," by CBS Miami's Jim DeFede: "At the conclusion of a recent legislative committee meeting in Tallahassee, Republican State Senator Ileana Garcia angrily confronted State Senator Audrey Gibson, standing over Gibson as she was seated and allegedly cursing at Gibson, saying she was tired of being disrespected, according to multiple people who witnessed the incident. 'She just walked over to me and got in my face about being disrespected,' Gibson told CBS Miami. 'I said what are you talking about? And I said, `You should get out of my face.'" — " South Florida lawmakers seek to mobilize voters to fight likely restrictions on abortion access," by Sun Sentinel's Anthony Man — " Senate panel advances bill eliminating permanent alimony ," by Florida Politics' Renzo Downey — "Lawmakers look to boost broadband in rural areas," by News Service of Florida's Jim Turner — " VISIT Florida promises no more 'Pitbull incidents' as bill to extend program makes it through House Commerce Committee," by Florida Politics' Daniel Figueroa IV — " Lawmaker details how proposed 15-week abortion ban would have impacted her abnormal pregnancy," by Florida Politics' Anne Geggis | | DATELINE D.C. | | EYE IN THE SKY? — " Capitol Police examines background, social media feeds of some who meet with lawmakers," by POLITICO's Betsy Woodruff Swan and Daniel Lippman: Analysts also were tasked with sifting through tax and real estate records to find out who owned the properties that lawmakers visited. For example, the unit scrutinized a meeting that Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) held with donors in a private home. Analysts eyed the homeowner's and attendees' social media accounts, and looked for any foreign contacts they had. "These reports are incredibly disturbing," Scott spokesperson McKinley Lewis said in a statement. "It is unthinkable that any government entity would conduct secret investigations to build political dossiers on private Americans. The American people deserve to know what Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi knew and directed, and when. Senator Scott believes the Senate Rules Committee should immediately investigate." GREEN RUSH — Ballard Partners — led by longtime Florida Republican fundraiser and lobbyist Brian Ballard — is launching a practice group that will be devoted to representing clients interested in legislative and regulatory issues affecting the burgeoning cannabis industry. The new practice will be led by Courtney Coppola, a former deputy chief of staff for Gov. Ron DeSantis who once led the state's Office of Medical Marijuana use, and Eugene O'Flaherty, who worked on marijuana legalization and regulation while serving in the Massachusetts Legislature and working for the city of Boston. Nationwide — "Our firm currently represents the largest cannabis retailer in the nation along with many other clients with significant interests in this industry," said Ballard in a statement. "Under Courtney and Gene's leadership, our cannabis practice group will provide invaluable counsel and assistance to clients throughout the country." The firm said several of its partners - Dan McFaul,Wansley Walters, Stephanie Grutman, Justin Sayfie, Brady Benford and Adam Goodman – would be part of the new group. TRANSITIONS — Raul Martinez Jr. is taking over as district director in South Florida for Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz. Martinez replaces Vivian Piereschi, who is departing for new career opportunities after 20 years of public service. Martinez was most recently a senior adviser for Miami-Dade Commissioner Danielle Higgins Cohen and before that was deputy chief of staff and political director for former Rep. Donna Shalala. Adam Jardine is joining Wasserman Schultz as a senior legislative assistant and appropriations associate. Jardine previously worked for Rep. Sanford Bishop (D-Ga.) — "September retrial scheduled for ex-U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown to face fraud, tax charges," by Florida Times-Union's Steve Patterson
| | | |   | | | | | CAMPAIGN MODE | | ENDORSEMENT WATCH — Gov. Ron DeSantis and Sen. Marco Rubio picked up endorsements on Monday from many of Florida's sheriffs, who gathered in Jacksonville for a meeting of the Florida Sheriffs Association. Rubio was endorsed by 55 sheriffs, while DeSantis won backing from 59 sheriffs. The sheriffs of four counties — Gadsden, Franklin, Lafayette and Monroe — endorsed the governor for reelection but not Rubio. … The Next 50, a national political action committee, has endorsed Democratic candidate Janelle Perez for state Senate. Perez was one of 12 candidates the group endorsed nationally. The Next 50 tries to help out "young, next generation candidates" and says donors have pledged to raise or give $1 million to candidates endorsed by the organization. — " Florida Senate showdown: Rubio takes aim at former police chief Demings over crime," by Fox News' Paul Steinhauser HMM — " Miami's mayor to national GOP: How can I help (raise money)?" by McClatchy D.C.'s Bryan Lowry and the Miami Herald's Joey Flechas and Bianca Padró Ocasio: "Miami Mayor Francis Suarez, who has previously said he wouldn't rule out a run for president in 2024, says he's ready to help his party fund-raise to retake the U.S. House and Senate. During a visit to Washington for the annual U.S. Conference of Mayors, Suarez told the Miami Herald on Friday that he's planning to be more involved with the Republican Party in the run-up to the 2022 midterm elections, and likely ahead of the 2024 presidential race."
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Miami Mayor Francis Suarez speaks during a naming ceremony at the Brightline train station, to be renamed as Virgin MiamiCentral, Thursday, April 4, 2019, in Miami. The state's Brightline passenger trains are being renamed Virgin Trains USA after Richard Branson invested in the new fast-rail project that is scheduled to connect Miami with Orlando. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) | Lynne Sladky/AP Photo | FLORIDA MEN — " Poll: Trump leads 2024 Republican field with DeSantis in distant second," by The Hill's Max Greenwood: "Former President Trump dominates the field of potential contenders for the 2024 Republican presidential nod, but Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is an early favorite for the nomination in the event that Trump doesn't run again, according to a new Harvard CAPS/Harris poll shared exclusively with The Hill. In a hypothetical eight-person GOP presidential primary, Trump holds a clear edge, garnering 57 percent support among Republican voters. DeSantis and former Vice President Mike Pence are nearly deadlocked at 12 percent and 11 percent, respectively." — " Crist slams DeSantis' COVID response as 'affordability' tour heads to Orlando," by Orlando Sentinel's Steven Lemongello
| | | | 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. | | | | | | | Gaetz-gate | | THIS IS WHERE WE ARE NOW— " Matt Gaetz says sex trafficking accusations are government 'operation' against him, GOP," by Newsweek's Daniel Villarreal: "Florida Republican Representative Matt Gaetz has said that investigations into sex trafficking investigation against him are part of a government operation against him and other like-minded Republicans. In March 2021, Gaetz was named as the focus of an FBI sex trafficking investigation involving his alleged transporting of a 17-year-old girl across state lines to have sex with her. Gaetz has denied wrongdoing and hasn't been charged with a crime. Gaetz made his comment about the investigations while speaking on a recent installment of War Room, the show hosted by Steve Bannon, the former White House Chief Strategist under former President Donald Trump."
| | PENINSULA AND BEYOND | | DISPATCH FROM CORAL GABLES— " Barreto drops bids for Coral Gables Country Club and Burger Bob's, blaming 'malcontents,'" by Miami Herald's Aaron Leibowitz: "Influential lobbyist and businessman Rodney Barreto has withdrawn his controversial bids to lease and operate both taxpayer-owned Coral Gables Country Club and beloved burger joint Burger Bob's, blaming a 'coordinated, vitriolic, and persistent campaign of misinformation' in a letter to the city. 'It would be imprudent for us to commit to investing over [$5 million] in places where we are not welcome,' Barreto wrote Friday to Zeida Sardiñas, asset manager for Coral Gables' Economic Development Department." — " Civil-rights groups accuse south FL detention center of deleting video amid allegations of 'inhumane' treatment," by Florida Phoenix's Laura Cassels — " US protection sought for threatened Florida ghost orchid ," by The Associated Press — "TPD officer fired, will likely face charges after slamming handcuffed suspect into wall at jail," by Tallahassee Democrat's Karl Etters — " Judge: Jurors can see school shooter's Instagram photos," by The Associated Press' Terry Spencer
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Healthier Happens Together. Learn more. | | | | | ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN | | — " Volusia remains world shark bite capital as Florida attacks up in 2021," by Orlando Sentinel's Joe Mario Pedersen: "Florida is once again the shark bite capital of the world as numbers jumped globally after three years of declines, according to the annual update from the International Shark Attack File. The group released its annual report this month and found 73 documented attacks last year, a stark contrast from 2020′s total of 52." BIRTHDAYS: State Sen. Aaron Bean … Gus Corbella, senior director of government law and policy with Greenberg Traurig | | | | 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 | Ottawa Playbook | Brussels Playbook | London Playbook View all our political and policy newsletters | | Follow us | | | | |
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