| | | | |  | | By Gary Fineout | Presented by CVS Health | Good Thursday morning. BREAKING OVERNIGHT — After hours of personally intense debate, the Republican-controlled Florida House early this morning voted for a ban on all abortions in the state after 15 weeks of pregnancy. There are no exceptions for rape or incest. Late-night action — The 78-39 vote came just minutes after midnight and moments after the House cleared the gallery because opponents began chanting right as debate was beginning to wrap up. "What we did today was to say, at the three-month mark we're going to protect the child," House Speaker Chris Sprowls told reporters. Opening up — Democrats and Republicans conceded that their hours of debate were unlikely to sway legislators to change their minds. But Rep. Yvonne Hinson, a Gainesville Democrat, likened the emotional moments on the floor to going to church. Several female legislators told their colleagues deeply personal decisions about being raped and about making the decision to get an abortion. Personal stories — Rep. Dana Trabulsy, a Fort Pierce Republican, revealed how she had gotten an abortion and said "it's something I have regretted every day since" and how she was "ashamed" of it. But Rep. Tracie Davis, a Jacksonville Democrat, also discussed how she got an abortion and described it as a decision she made with her doctor and her family. "Florida has 99 plus problems and this is not one of them," Davis said. What happens next — The fate of the bill — which heads to the Florida Senate — isn't really in question. The Senate is expected to pass it and Gov. Ron DeSantis will then sign into the law. But in the lead up to the early-morning vote, Republicans made their position quite clear: They don't agree with past rulings by the U.S. and Florida Supreme Courts regarding abortion. And some GOP legislators said they don't think the current bill goes far enough. Passing the legislation will likely trigger yet another round of legal battles that won't be cleared up until the U.S. Supreme Court rules in the coming months on a similar law from Mississippi. — 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 PROGRAMMING NOTE: Florida Playbook will not publish on Monday in observance of President's Day. After the hiatus, we'll be back on Tuesday.
| | 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 59 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. | | | |  | ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... | | CRACKS — "' Bad Blood': Florida Republicans defy DeSantis," by POLITICO's Matt Dixon: The GOP-controlled Florida Senate and its Republican president, Wilton Simpson, bucked DeSantis recently on a series of high-profile priorities for the governor. They have refused to go along with DeSantis' proposed congressional maps, resisted fulfilling his $100 billion-plus state budget and rejected his attempts to reign in "Big Tech." Behind the scenes — According to more than a dozen state lawmakers, members of the governor's administration and Florida political operatives, the conflicts stem from DeSantis using hard-nosed tactics to strong-arm the Legislature, disagreements between lawmakers and the governor's new chief of staff and DeSantis' lobbying campaign to pressure Simpson to pass a long-stalled anti-union bill. That effort peaked after conservative groups contacted by the governor's team bought $75,000 in ads against Simpson in his own district. It's real — "It's really not hard to see," said one Republican senator who was granted anonymity to speak freely. "There is bad blood between [Simpson and DeSantis] right now. It will likely work itself out in the end, but right now they are not in a good place." Tension — DeSantis' aggressive style, though, is increasingly irritating veterans of Florida's legislative process, which is accustomed to mutually-respectable deal-making and shared victories rather than the win-at-all-cost mentality that plays well in conservative political circles — corners of which hold up DeSantis as "America's governor" and a potential heir apparent to Donald Trump. WHAT'S IN YOUR WALLET? — " House passes $105B budget over Democrats' concerns they are cut out of spending spree," by POLITICO's Matt Dixon: The Florida House on Wednesday passed a $105 billion budget over the objection of Democrats concerned about cuts to education and hospitals, and their overall share of the record spending plan. Throughout a more than two hour floor debate, multiple Democrats noted that Republican leaders proposed giving them just $25 million in so-called member projects, which are spending items that go directly to in-district projects. That number is $457 million for Republican members. SUGAR SUGAR — " Senate leaders propose rewrite of budget bill that DeSantis said was being 'rammed' through," by POLITICO's Bruce Ritchie: "The proposed bill amendment also would rewrite some language that opponents had said prioritized water supply for the sugar industry. The proposed new language still requires that a federal operation of Lake Okeechobee must 'balance the different interests across the system.' In a statement released by the Senate, Albritton still argued there was "purposeful misinformation" about the bill language that led to the outpouring of opposition at a Senate committee hearing on Feb. 9. DeSantis spokesperson Taryn Fenske told POLITICO on Wednesday night there had been no deal with the Senate on the proposed new language, which she said is being reviewed by the governor's office. 'We remain committed to protecting the Everglades,' Fenske said." — "Senate committee moves property bills, but Chris Sprowls is making no commitments," by Florida Politics' Christine Jordan Sexton — " Florida House pushes forward bill aimed at 'fatherhood' crisis," by News Service of Florida's Ryan Dailey — "Lawmakers want salary hikes for state workers but there's a conundrum: $15 an hour or 5.38 percent? " by Florida Phoenix's Isaac Morgan and Danielle J. Brown — " The Florida House just unveiled a giant package of tax cuts — and it's actually pretty good ," by Seeking Rents Jason Garcia — "A bill would make it easier to sue Florida nursing homes. Elder advocates oppose it," by Tampa Bay Times' Kirby Wilson and Hannah Critchfield — " Fried to feds: Stop State House from taking $200 million from 12 school districts over masks," by Florida Phoenix's Danielle J. Brown — "Groping someone could result in stronger criminal charge under proposed Florida law ," by Miami Herald's Ana Ceballos and David Ovalle FROM D.C. PLAYBOOK: DESANTIS NABS BOOK DEAL — As he prepares for a potential presidential run in 2024, Florida Gov. RON DESANTIS has agreed to a lucrative book deal with HarperCollins, two people familiar with the matter tell Daniel Lippman. One source in the conservative publishing world said he was miffed he didn't get a chance to bid on DeSantis' book, and was "really surprised that [DeSantis'] team has not talked to all the major publishers, especially conservative ones. I would have aggressively made a play for that." According to one publishing insider, DeSantis previously had a handshake deal with Simon and Schuster worth nearly $2 million, but backed out once he realized that the publisher shared a parent company — Paramount (formerly ViacomCBS) — with CBS News' "60 Minutes," which ran a controversial piecein spring 2021 sharply criticizing Florida's vaccine rollout. (By contrast, HarperCollins is a subsidiary of RUPERT MURDOCH's News Corp.) Spokespeople for DeSantis and HarperCollins declined to comment, while a spokesperson for Simon and Schuster didn't respond to a request for comment. This would be DeSantis' second book. In 2011, he published "Dreams From Our Founding Fathers: First Principles in the Age of Obama."
| | | | 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 D.C. | | IGNORING FLORIDA MAN— "Senator Rick Scott says he will 'absolutely' vote for McConnell to be leader," by CBS News' Adam Brewster: "GOP Senator Rick Scott, an ally of former President Trump, reiterated that he'll support Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell to lead Senate Republicans again after the midterm elections. On this question, he differs from Trump, who frequently bashes McConnell — earlier this month, he said McConnell 'does not speak for the Republican Party, and does not represent the views of the vast majority of its voters.'" BABY, ONE MORE TIME— " Britney Spears invited by Congressmen to share her story in D.C.," by Deadline's Tom Tapp: "Britney Spears was invited by two U.S. lawmakers, Democrats Charlie Crist of Florida and Eric Swalwell of California, to 'meet with us in Congress' and share her struggle to end the conservatorship her father Jamie oversaw that controlled much of her life. 'There is no doubt that your story will empower countless others outside the millions that are already inspired by you and your art,' the congressmen wrote in a December 1 letter to the singer. Spears posted the invitation on Instagram today writing, 'I received this letter months ago. … An invitation to share my story. … I was immediately flattered and at the time I wasn't nearly at the healing stage I'm in now.'" | 
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 16: Supporters of Britney Spears attend the #FreeBritney Protest Outside Los Angeles Courthouse at Stanley Mosk Courthouse on September 16, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) | Frazer Harrison/Getty Images | SPLIT— "Florida congressional representatives stake out opposite views on Trump documents probe," by Palm Beach Post's Antonio Fins: "U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, a Democrat from Weston who is one of three Floridians on the Oversight Committee, said it was not 'surprising' Trump did not turn over all his records as obligated by the Presidential Records Act of 1978, and may have destroyed others, given his 'lawlessness' during his single term in the Oval Office. …But across Alligator Alley, Naples Republican U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds, who also serves on the committee, blasted what he said was the 'Democrats' rabid obsession' with Trump and insisted he would 'not play along' with their 'baseless' criminal investigations." 'LONG PAST TIME' — "Wilson 'outraged' DOJ hasn't briefed Congress on HBCU threats," by POLITICO's Bianca Quilantan: Rep. Frederica Wilson on Wednesday demanded federal investigators respond to several lawmaker requests for a briefing on investigations into bomb threats made at historically Black colleges and universities. "I am outraged that the United States Department of Justice and Department of Homeland Security have failed to brief Congress on developments made in its ongoing investigation of bomb threats made against HBCUs," the Florida Democrat said in a statement. "Over the course of almost two months, HBCU students, staff, and faculty continue to be terrorized by racially charged threats …" she added. RUBIO AND SCOTT SIGN ON— "Eight Republican senators say they oppose 'no-fly' list for disruptive passengers because it would equate mask opponents to 'terrorists,'" by The Washington Post's Felicia Sonmez and Lori Aratani: "A group of Republican senators is pushing back against efforts to create a federal "no-fly" list for unruly passengers, arguing that doing so would essentially draw an equivalence between terrorists and opponents of mask mandates. The eight Republican senators voiced their concerns in a letter Monday to Attorney General Merrick Garland. They noted that, according to Federal Aviation Administration data, the vast majority of reports of unruly passengers have been related to the mandated use of face masks amid the pandemic."
| | | |   | | | | | THE GUNSHINE STATE | | 4 YEARS AFTER CNN TOWN HALL — "Democrats say Rubio shows 'spinelessness' and 'cowardice' for not supporting their ideas to combat gun violence," by Sun Sentinel's Anthony Man: "Gun control activists used this week's fourth anniversary of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School massacre to denounce U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., on Wednesday for his failure to support what they termed 'common sense' efforts to combat gun violence. Stacey Wesch, of Parkland, whose daughter hid in a closet at her Parkland high school when the shooter killed 17 people and wounded 17 others, said Rubio has shown 'spinelessness.' Angela Weber, of Coral Springs, whose son and his classmates hid in a storage closet one building away during the Feb. 14, 2018, rampage, said Rubio has demonstrated 'political cowardice.'"
| | CORONAVIRUS UPDATES | | The daily rundown — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said there were 6,458 Covid-19 infections reported on Tuesday. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reported that 5,208 hospital beds were being used in the state for Covid-19 patients. RULING — "4-year-old autistic boy allowed to fly without wearing mask," by The Associated Press: "Lawyers representing the family of a 4-year-old boy with autism said Wednesday that they have received a temporary court order from a federal judge exempting him from having to wear a mask when flying from Florida to Boston for treatment. U.S. District Court Chief Judge Patti Saris in Boston scheduled an emergency hearing Wednesday after the lawyers said two airlines and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention declined to grant a mask exception for the boy. His family lives in Sanford, Florida, and must travel for care at Boston Children's Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital." — "Publix no longer requires masks for vaccinated employees, according to website," by The Ledger's Dustin Wyatt
| | | | 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. | | | | | | | PENINSULA AND BEYOND | | R.I.P. — "Betty Sembler, political matriarch, anti-drug advocate, and philanthropist, dies at 90," by Florida Politics' Peter Schorsch: "Betty Sembler, a prolific and powerful advocate for conservative and Republican policies and politicians, died Wednesday, her family said. She was 90. As half of a potent fundraising duo with her husband, developer Mel Sembler, she was befriended by presidents and dynasties, especially the late George H.W. Bush and his sons, George W. Bush and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush. A message from Jan Sher, wife of The Sembler Company's former executive chairman, Craig Sher, revealed Betty Sembler died Wednesday surrounded by family. 'We all know she led a blessed life filled with amazing adventures, but her true passion was her family and all the people she treated "like family,"' Jan Sher wrote." GENTLE GIANTS — "Officials: Florida plan has fed manatees 25 tons of lettuce," by The Associated Press' Curt Anderson: "The unprecedented human effort to feed starving Florida manatees has so far provided the lovable marine mammals with more than 25 tons of lettuce, officials said Wednesday. The round-tailed, snout-nosed animals popular with locals and tourists have suffered a major die-off because their preferred seagrass food source is disappearing because of water pollution from agricultural, urban, septic tank and other sources. Officials say the feeding program involving donated romaine lettuce at a Florida Power & Light plant on the east coast is attracting about 300 to 350 manatees per day." TREND LINE — "Florida high-speed rail deaths to 57 in 5 years," by Associated Press' Terry Spencer: "Brightline trains killed one person and seriously injured another in separate accidents less than 12 hours apart, the latest in a spate of collisions plaguing the higher-speed passenger trains since the railroad recently resumed operations. Tuesday night's death was the ninth involving Florida's privately owned passenger railroad since it resumed operations in November after an 18-month shutdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. It's the 57th since Brightline began test runs in 2017, giving it the worst per-mile fatality rate in the nation, according to an ongoing Associated Press analysis that began in 2019." — "State investigators find police officer used excessive force in arrest where man was punched 11 times," by Sun Sentinel's Angie DiMichele — "The hit on a Miami TSA officer was likely bankrolled by a PPP loan, new records show ," by Miami Herald's David Ovalle — "Fort Lauderdale city auditor fired after opening secret investigation on police chief," by Sun Sentinel's Susannah Bryan
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Healthier Happens Together. Learn more. | | | | | ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN | | — "Judge blocks release of Bob Saget's autopsy records for now," by The Associated Press's Mike Schneider: "A judge in Florida on Wednesday agreed with a request from the family of comedian Bob Saget and temporarily prohibited the release of any photos, video or other records related to the investigation into his death, saying that doing so would cause them irreparable harm. Saget's wife, Kelly Rizzo, and his three daughters filed a lawsuit the previous day in Orlando, Florida, asking the state judge for a ruling that would prohibit the release of any records from the local medical examiner's office and the Orange County Sheriff's Office involving the probe into Saget's death." BIRTHDAYS: Kristin Roberts, chief content officer for McClatchy | | | | 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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