| | | | |  | | By Gary Fineout | Presented by CVS Health | Good Friday morning. Everyday is a Winding Road — Well, so much for that. The Florida Supreme Court on Thursday soundly rejected Gov. Ron DeSantis' push to draw them into the governor's bid to dismantle the North Florida congressional seat now held by Democratic Rep. Al Lawson, who is Black. All I Wanna Do — It was a move that veteran court observers — and yes, privately, some Republicans in the Legislature — had expected. DeSantis wanted an advisory opinion to help guide him on whether there was any legal firewall protecting Lawson's seat — where Black voters don't make up the majority but it remains a so-called minority access district — under the voter-approved Fair Districts standards. If the court had accepted the challenge, it would have raised far-flung legal questions for the future on whether a governor could routinely ask a court if the executive should veto a bill ahead of time. My Favorite Mistake — But the court unanimously and swiftly rejected the request, calling it "broad" and said it could involve evidence and analysis and it was likely there could be future legal challenges that would just put it all back before the court. Also noteworthy: Five justices — including three handpicked by DeSantis — shot down the governor's gambit. Strong Enough — So what's next? DeSantis had made his request to the court after submitting his own proposal to the Legislature that would have essentially eliminated Lawson's seat. It's clear that Republican leaders have no intention of following the governor's lead on this. House Speaker Chris Sprowls, in discussing the ruling with reporters, even called the governor's rationale for going after Lawson's seat a "novel legal argument." If it Makes You Happy — But the drama is far from over. The House wheeled out its own map late Thursday, and it's got significant differences with the one already approved by the Senate. While the map preserves Lawson's district, House Republicans are proposing substantial changes to congressional districts in central Florida, including the one held by outgoing Rep. Stephanie Murphy. The House map would likely create an 18-10 GOP edge in Florida compared to the current 16-11 margin. So, in other words, it could be a bumpy ride to the finish line over the next four weeks. — 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. | | | |  | MAPMAKER, MAPMAKER | | GOODBYE FOR NOW — "Florida Supreme Court rejects DeSantis' redistricting push," by POLITICO's Gary Fineout: The Florida Supreme Court on Thursday shot down Gov. Ron DeSantis' push to get the high court to rule on whether Rep. Al Lawson's 200-mile congressional district linking Black neighborhoods must be kept intact during the state's redistricting process…."This court's advisory opinions to the governor are generally limited to narrow questions," states the unsigned opinion. "Here, the scope of the governor's request is broad and contains multiple questions that implicate complex federal and state constitutional matters and precedents interpreting the Voting Rights Act of 1965." Response — Lawson, a former state legislator who was first elected to Congress in 2016, hailed the decision by the high court. "I commend the Florida Supreme Court for making the right decision," Lawson said in a statement. "Ron DeSantis wanted the Supreme Court to violate the separation of powers and engage the judicial branch in partisan politics. They wisely and correctly rejected his request. Yes, Ron DeSantis lost today, but more importantly, democracy and the Constitution won." Governor's office chimes in — Taryn Fenske, a spokesperson for DeSantis, said the administration will continue working with the legislation on the maps. "While we were hopeful the Supreme Court would provide clarity to legal questions surrounding the maps that are under consideration, we agree with the Court's opinion that there are important issues that must be addressed quickly," Fenske said in an email.
| | | | 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 ... | | NOT SO SWEET — "DeSantis blasts GOP Senate president's priority legislation on Lake Okeechobee," by POLITICO's Bruce Ritchie: Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday broke with Republican Senate President Wilton Simpson, criticizing his priority legislation on Lake Okeechobee water supply that opponents say would benefit the sugar industry. DeSantis took the rare step of issuing a public statement criticizing the GOP-backed measure, SB 2508, which the Senate Committee on Appropriations advanced to the Senate floor Wednesday. Hmm — Simpson responded that the bill does not hinder Everglades restoration as DeSantis, the South Florida Water Management District and other bill opponents claim. The bill directs the district to protect the water supply of existing users. The agency raised concerns about the bill on Wednesday, and its chair said the agency wasn't consulted before lawmakers filed the bill on Feb. 4. But wait — District executive director Drew Bartlett told his agency board on Thursday that the bill removes a water storage reservoir south of Lake Okeechobee, which DeSantis has championed, as a funding priority in state law. He also said the legislation would undermine a proposed new lake management plan that the district has negotiated with the Army Corps of Engineers. | 
Senate President Wilton Simpson talking to reporters inside the Senate chambers. | Gary Fineout/POLITICO |
SCHOOL DAZE — "Florida House backs school term limits, textbook examinations," by POLITICO's Andrew Atterbury: The Florida House passed a far-reaching education bill Thursday that would install eight-year term limits for local school board members while also ramping up scrutiny around what students are learning and reading on campus. The GOP-led House has sought term limits in the past but broke from previous proposals by introducing them unilaterally instead of posing the question to voters through a constitutional amendment. With this legislation now in the books after a 78-40 vote and Democrats in opposition, it falls on the Senate to rework its bill that differs from the House on key policies.
WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS — "Florida Senate approves secrecy in early stages of university presidential searches," by Miami Herald's Ana Ceballos: "The Florida Senate on Thursday approved a proposal to conceal information about applicants vying to become college and university presidents, a move that could change a presidential search system that five of Florida's 12 universities are preparing to begin. The idea behind the proposal is that secrecy during the early stages of the search process will allow state universities and colleges to draw better candidates who will feel comfortable applying, knowing that their names will not become public — including to their current bosses." HANDING OVER THE CHECKBOOK — " Lawmakers pass emergency fund for governor," by News Service of Florida's Jim Turner: "A pool of ready cash Gov. Ron DeSantis could dip into when he declares emergencies is headed to his desk. The House on Thursday overwhelmingly passed two linked proposals (SB 96 and SB 98) that would create a $500 million "Emergency Preparedness and Response Fund" that the governor could directly access. The Senate passed the measures last month. Critics questioned the need for the fund. Rep. Anna Eskamani, D-Orlando, said she never heard that money wasn't available to address emergencies such as the COVID-19 pandemic and massive discharges of contaminated water last year at the former Piney Point phosphate plant in Manatee County." 'HEARTLESS' — "'Simply repugnant.' Faith leaders, some Pedro Pan Cubans answer DeSantis on immigration," by Miami Herald's Bianca Padró Ocasio: "Miami faith leaders and some Cubans who came to Florida through Operation Pedro Pan slammed Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday, after he said comparing Pedro Pan kids who arrived in the '60s to unaccompanied minors today was 'disgusting.' 'Let me tell you what I think is disgusting: a proposed heartless policy toward immigrant children, defenseless and vulnerable. It's simply repugnant,' said Mike Fernandez, a Cuban exile and former Republican donor who left the party. The group of local leaders, which also included immigration advocates and business leaders, hosted a press conference at the Archdiocese of Miami in Miami Shores just days after DeSantis visited the American Museum of the Cuban Diaspora, surrounded by a group of supporters, some of whom were also members of the Operation Pedro Pan organization." — "Legislators to require condo owners to conduct inspections, save for repairs," by Miami Herald's Mary Ellen Klas — " Lawmakers extend COVID-19 protections for health care providers, nursing homes," by Florida Politics' Christine Jordan Sexton — " A developer-backed bill would make it easier to convert low-income housing into high-priced apartments ," by Seeking Rents Jason Garcia — "Senate moves to ease appointment process after battle over Gov. DeSantis' DEP secretary pick," by Florida Politics' Renzo Downey
| | | |   | | | | | CAMPAIGN MODE | | DESANTIS HAS $10M MONTH — The latest round of monthly campaign reports showed that incumbent Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis brought in just under $10 million in January. His political committee reported taking in $7.72 million — a sum that included $1.5 million from the Republican Governors Association and $1.7 million from the Republican Party of Florida — while his main campaign account raised $2.26 million. DeSantis had about $81.5 million in the bank at the end of the month. CRIST LEADS DEMOCRATS — Rep. Charlie Crist once again led among Democratic candidates for governor in fundraising in January. He raised nearly $714,000 between his political committee and campaign — or more than double that of Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried. Fried raised slightly more than $313,000 between two accounts while state Sen. Annette Taddeo raised more than $195,000 between her PC and main campaign account. But Taddeo was required to cut off her fundraising efforts on Jan. 11, the first day of session. | 
Rep. Charlie Crist speaks to reporters at Florida Capitol Oct. 14, 2021 | Gary Fineout/POLITICO |
$75.5 MILLION TO MISS THE BALLOT — Las Vegas Sands contributed another $24 million in January to a failed effort to place a constitutional amendment on the 2022 ballot that would have cleared the way for a casino in North Florida. The political committee — Florida Voters in Charge — raised $75.5 million between last summer and the end of January with most of the money coming from the gambling company founded by the late Sheldon Adelson, a Republican megadonor. The fallout over the amendment continues amid legal battles over the approval process as well as investigations into how petition signatures were gathered.
MAYBE GET SOME CANDIDATES FIRST — "Gubernatorial candidate Nikki Fried, meeting with Black community activists in Broward, says all-female ticket would help Democrats win everything," by Sun Sentinel's Anthony Man: "Gubernatorial candidate Nikki Fried said Wednesday that Florida Democrats should nominate a female candidate for every statewide office this year, arguing it would help her party win each of the four contests. "What power that would show if we had an all-female ticket and all three of the other candidates [were women]. Whew!" she said during a roundtable discussion with Black community activists and business owners in Oakland Park." — " Mills draws first blood against 'no show' Sabatini in contentious GOP race," by The Floridian's Javier Manjarres — "Charlie Crist campaign announces four diverse hires in bid to retake Governor's mansion," by Florida Politics Jesse Scheckner
| | DATELINE D.C. | | WHAT'S GOING ON HERE? — "Rubio's CRACK Act bars federal funds for pipes – White House denies it's happening," by Miami Herald's Bryan Lowry: "Florida's Republican senators have introduced legislation to prohibit the use of federal funds for distributing pipes, something the White House disputes was ever on the table as part of a drug harm reduction program. The Cutting off Rampant Access to Crack Kits (CRACK) Act is a response to a Monday report from the conservative Washington Free Beacon that alleged that money from a $30 million grant program could be used to fund the distribution of 'crack pipes,' a claim that has been repeatedly rejected by the Biden administration and fact checkers after it sparked furor among conservative lawmakers and pundits."
| | | | 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 | | The daily rundown — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said there were 10,142 Covid-19 infections reported on Wednesday. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reported that 6,741 hospital beds were being used in the state for Covid-19 patients. A WAY WITH WORDS — "When talking about COVID-19, DeSantis leaves out key facts, experts say," by Orlando Sentinel's Steven Lemongello and Caroline Catherman: "Like many of DeSantis' comments about the coronavirus, it did not tell the whole story. DeSantis' statements about vaccine effectiveness and safety, antibody treatments and the power of natural immunity are cloudy in some cases and absolutely wrong in others, say epidemiologists and other experts interviewed by the Orlando Sentinel. Mac Stipanovich, a Tallahassee consultant and former anti-Trump Republican turned independent, said DeSantis' motivation is political. The governor is courting anti-vax Republicans in advance of the 2024 GOP primary for president, he said." SOMETHING TO TRACK — "Boynton Beach mayoral candidate is found guilty in anti-mask dispute in West Boca," by Sun Sentinel's Lisa J. Huriash: "A candidate for Boynton Beach mayor who calls COVID-19 a "plan-demic" has been found guilty of trespassing after she refused to wear a mask at a West Boca bagel restaurant in 2021. Cindy Falco-DiCorrado, 63, was found guilty Tuesday by a six-member jury of two misdemeanor counts of trespassing and resisting an officer without violence. 'I'm disappointed, I feel this is all a political ploy,' she said Thursday. 'This all stems from a mask. ... This is wrong on every level.'" Taking it to governor — "Her sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 28, and anti-mask organizers are planning a demonstration to get Gov. Ron DeSantis' attention. 'The governor is going to need to step in ... and offer Cindy a full pardon,' said Chris Nelson, an activist in Fort Lauderdale with Free Florida, which identifies itself as 'a community of Floridians against unconstitutional COVID measures.'" | | PENINSULA AND BEYOND | | THE PLOT THICKENS — "Before steakhouse slap, police say U.S. Rep's son slung a slur at Miami commissioner," by Miami Herald's Charles Rabin and Joey Flechas: "The U.S. congressman's son arrested for striking a Miami commissioner at a popular Coral Gables steakhouse Wednesday afternoon, also tossed an insulting slur before striking him, a police officer who witnessed the incident said on the arrest form. 'Hey p**sy, do you remember me?' the officer reported Carlos J. Gimenez as saying just before hitting Miami Commissioner Alex Diaz de la Portilla with an open hand on the side of the head. Gimenez, 44, was charged with one misdemeanor count of battery. Miami-Dade Corrections records showed he had been released by 11 a.m. Thursday." — "Florida National Guard unit preps Ukraine's 'tough and skilled hombres' for Russian attack," by McClatchy D.C.'s Michael Wilner — "Jury seated in Curtis Reeves' murder trial in Pasco movie theater killing ," by Tampa Bay Times' Anastasia Dawson — "Rocket startup's Florida launch debut ends in ocean crash," by The Associated Press' Marcia Dunn
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Healthier Happens Together. Learn more. | | | | | ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN | | — "MLB's Manfred says sense of urgency in Rays ballpark search," by The Associated Press' Mark Didtler: "Baseball officials 'have a sense of urgency' to find a new ballpark for the Tampa Bay Rays after scrapping a plan to split seasons between Florida and Montreal when the team's lease at Tropicana Field expires following the 2027 season. Major League Baseball gave the Rays the go-ahead in June 2019 to explore the two-city plan, then announced Jan. 20 that the concept had been rejected. 'They have been in a substantial period of uncertainty as to where they're going to play, which in turn dictates that economic outlook for the franchise,' baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred said Thursday after an owners' meeting." BIRTHDAYS: Former Gov. Jeb Bush … Ann Scott … Alex Conant, founding partner Firehouse Strategies ... Broward school board member Lori Alhadeff … (Saturday) State Sen. Jeff Brandes … NBC News' Marc Caputo … Gil Ziffer, former Tallahassee city commissioner and chairman of the board of Capital Tiger Bay Club … (Sunday) Alex Burgos, policy communications director at Meta | | | | 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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