News : POLITICO Florida Playbook: Florida's redistricting drama takes another detour

Friday, February 25, 2022

POLITICO Florida Playbook: Florida's redistricting drama takes another detour

Feb 25, 2022

Presented by Floridians for Affordable Rx

Hello and welcome to Friday.

I Can See for Miles — While much of the Republican political world — and political press — is focused on Orlando and the Conservative Political Action Committee, there's the mysterious behind-the-scenes drama over congressional redistricting that continues to play out hundreds of miles away in the state Capitol.

Let's See Action — This drama involves Gov. Ron DeSantis and his quest to wrest away control of Florida's map from GOP legislators and instead put his stamp on it. DeSantis has already publicly warned he's prepared to veto any congressional map that preserves the North Florida district held by Rep. Al Lawson, a Black Democrat from Tallahassee. He contends that the seat is unconstitutional, even though it was approved by the state Supreme Court.

The Real Me — The House had — until late last night (more on that later) — drawn up a map that preserved Lawson's district. For several days there had been whispers about whether some House Republicans were willing to buck House Speaker Chris Sprowls and side with the governor — a move that could give House leaders a math problem. This buzz was fueled in part by decisions to postpone a committee meeting where the House map was supposed to be approved.

Bargain — Another reason for buzz: Two House Republicans were suddenly removed from a redistricting subcommittee that took up the House map last week. The rationale given by a Sprowls spokesperson was that there was a potential conflict since the two members were considering runs for Congress. But here's the curious part: another member — Rep. Jackie Toledo from Tampa — told a reporter on Thursday that she is still considering a run but remained on that subcommittee and voted yes.

Eminence Front — Sprowls insisted to reporters late Thursday that he has the votes to get a congressional map approved. But then he acknowledged there would be "modifications" with the ultimate goal of coming up with a map that would meet constitutional muster. And lo and behold there are some serious modifications. At around 10:30 last night, the House posted not one — but two new congressional maps — that will be considered later today.

Substitute — And guess what? Lawson's seat — which now stretches from Tallahassee to Jacksonville — has been greatly altered in one map. It would fold all of Tallahassee into the district now held by Republican Neil Dunn. But there would be a new minority access district created in Duval County. This new map would also make alterations to a Central Florida district that appears to be more in line with a proposal already passed by the Florida Senate. But it also looks like this map would let Republicans pick up seats overall.

Pinball Wizard — But there's a twist. The legislation that would also call for a backup proposal — one that appears to preserve Lawson's district — if the courts strike down the main congressional map. Will the Senate accept this? Will this satisfy the governor? Stay tuned.

— 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 Floridians for Affordable Rx:

This legislative session, let's take politics out of prescriptions in Florida. Floridians for Affordable Rx is committed to educating policymakers and the public on proven ways to lower prescription drug costs. We are standing up to special interests, like Big Pharma and the independent pharmacy lobby, that are pushing government mandates that will increase costs to grow their profits while making Florida patients and employers pay more. Learn more.

DATELINE D.C.

FLORIDA MAN WANTS FLORIDA MAN — From our friends in D.C. Playbook: In a private meeting at Mar-a-Lago a few days ago, DONALD TRUMP made a personal pitch to Senate Republican campaign chief RICK SCOTT. "You should run for Senate majority leader," he told the NRSC chair, according to someone familiar with the exchange.

So you are saying there's a chance — It wasn't the first time, either: Trump has repeatedly told Scott he'd be great at the job and should challenge MITCH MCCONNELL, multiple people familiar with the interactions told Playbook. The Florida Republican didn't tell the former president "no" that day — though he's told reporters that he supports McConnell for leader. Instead, he quickly pivoted to the reason for his meeting. "We have to focus on winning" the Senate, Scott told Trump. "My only focus is on winning."

And there's more — The Florida governor-turned-senator is navigating some treacherous terrain — and we're not talking about the Senate landscape. He's trying to balance working with the GOP's two most powerful figures in McConnell and Trump, who also happen to despise each other. But Scott's predicament also underscores his rising stock in the party: The ambitious former businessman is seen as a possible presidential contender — or, more recently in some Trump circles, as a dark-horse candidate for leadership someday. This week only cemented speculation about the latter: Scott, 69, made waves — and infuriated some McConnell allies — when he bucked the GOP leader's decision not to lay out a policy agenda for 2022 and instead released his own.

CAMPAIGN MODE

STAR TREATMENT— "DeSantis warns CPAC Florida crowd that left wants to make Republicans 'second-class citizens,'" by Tampa Bay Times Emily L. Mahoney: "Gov. Ron DeSantis took the stage of the country's largest annual gathering of conservatives Thursday, and he used it to amp up the stakes of the culture wars — saying that unless Republicans fight back against 'wokeism,' they will become 'second-class citizens.' The left's goal is to 'marginalize the conservative half of the country. They want us to be powerless, they want us to be voiceless,' he said. 'The woke is the new religion of the left, and this is what they have in mind.'"

NO MENTION OF UKRAINE? — " DeSantis slams 'authoritarian rule' in Australia and Canada as Russia invades Ukraine," by Sarasota Herald-Tribune's Zac Anderson: "As Russian dictator Vladimir Putin sent troops into Democratic Ukraine, Gov. Ron DeSantis took the stage Thursday at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Orlando and attacked authoritarianism not in Russia, but in democratic Australia, Canada and Europe. DeSantis touted his efforts to fight COVID-19 restrictions and slammed nations such as Australia and Canada that enacted more restrictive public health measures."

AND TRUMP? — "Ron DeSantis kicked off this week's Donald Trump Show — and he never mentioned Donald Trump," by Insider's Kimberly Leonard: "Donald Trump is one of the biggest topics of conversation here at the Conservative Political Action Conference. His name covers the shoes, stickers, T-shirts, and hats of attendees. There's no question: He's their star. But the former president wasn't part of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' big speech Thursday before the largest annual conservative gathering in the United States."

— " DeSantis' rising star — and fraught relationship with Trump — on display as CPAC kicks off in Florida," by CNN's Steve Contorno and Jeff Zeleny

— "Ron DeSantis fuels US presidential run speculation with CPAC speech ," by The Guardian's David Smith

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis waves as he is introduced at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) Friday, Feb. 26, 2021, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux) | John Raoux/AP Photo

MCDANIEL IN JAX — Ronna McDaniel, chair of the Republican National Committee, will be in Jacksonville on Friday to open the RNC's Black American Community Center. The RNC says that the community center is part of a "multi-million" investment to expand engagement efforts with Black voters in Jacksonville and throughout Florida. McDaniel will be joined by several Jacksonville city officials.

— "Charlie Crist shrugs off weak numbers in poll versus Ron DeSantis," by Florida Politics' A.G. Gancarski

— "A former congressional candidate and Gainesville resident intends to run for State AG commissioner ," by WCJB

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 ...

PUSHED THROUGH — "'The parent should always trump the state': Florida House approves race, gender culture wars priorities," by POLITICO's Andrew Atterbury: The GOP-led Florida House passed two contentious education bills on Wednesday, using its majority to advance policies aimed at regulating how race, gender identity and sexual orientation are taught in classrooms against the opposition of state Democrats who were powerless to thwart the proposals. Top Republicans, including Gov. Ron DeSantis, are pushing for the legislation to grant parents the authority to sue schools for keeping them in the dark about critical information — namely sexual identity — and to combat "woke" corporate trainings and classroom teachings that harp on topics like "white privilege."

AFTERMATH — "Florida House OKs bill to prevent condominium collapses," by The Associated Press' Brendan Farrington: "In response to the Surfside condominium collapse that killed 98 people, the Florida House unanimously passed a bill Thursday that would require statewide recertification of any condo building above three stories high. The bill would require recertification after 30 years, or 25 years if the building is within 3 miles (5 kilometers) of the coast, and every 10 years thereafter. The Champlain Towers South was 40-years-old and was going through the 40-year-recertification process required by Miami-Dade County when it collapse last June."

After a brief stoppage to demolish the standing remains, Search and Rescue personnel continue working in the rubble pile of the partially collapsed 12-story Champlain Towers South condo on July 5, 2021 in Surfside, Florida.

SURFSIDE, FLORIDA - JULY 05: After a brief stoppage to demolish the standing remains, Search and Rescue personnel continue working in the rubble pile of the partially collapsed 12-story Champlain Towers South condo on July 5, 2021 in Surfside, Florida. The decision by officials to bring the rest of the building down was brought on by the approach of Tropical Storm Elsa and fears that the structure might come down in an uncontrolled fashion. Over one hundred people are missing as the search-and-rescue effort continues. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) | Joe Raedle/Getty Images

IMPACT — "Proposed child-shelter rules could cost agencies that care for immigrant children millions," by Miami Herald's Ana Ceballos and Syra Ortiz-Blanes: "Required welfare checks mandated in a controversial proposed rule from Gov. Ron DeSantis that cracks down on organizations that house unaccompanied immigrant youth on behalf of the federal government could cost millions of additional dollars, according to a cost analysis from the Florida Department of Children and Families. It directs state child care regulators to deny licenses to shelters, foster agencies, and foster homes that care for and house unaccompanied migrant children on behalf of the federal government, unless Florida agrees to a resettlement agreement with the feds."

— "Lawmakers alter voting bill in response to suspicious party affiliation changes in Miami," by Tampa Bay Times' Lawrence Mower

— "Gov. DeSantis signs into law extended COVID-19 protections for health care providers ," by Florida Politics' Christine Jordan Sexton

— "House nears vote to ease appointment process after battle over Gov. DeSantis's DEP Secretary pick," by Florida Politics' Renzo Downey

— " Private prison investors love the Florida Senate's budget ," by Seeking Rents Jason Garcia

— "House passes bill to ban cigarette butts from beaches," by Florida Politics' Jacob Ogles

A message from Floridians for Affordable Rx:

CORONAVIRUS UPDATES

CONTRARIANS — "DeSantis, Ladapo urge Floridians to 'buck' the CDC on COVID guidelines," by Orlando Sentinel's Kate Santich: "Urging Floridians to 'buck the CDC,' Gov. Ron DeSantis and State Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo Thursday announced their own COVID-19 guidance by pushing back against what they called "unscientific corporate masking" and limiting isolation for COVID-positive adults, students in schools and children in day-care centers to five days."

FORWARD — " Miami-Dade mayor says city is moving from crisis to Covid-19 'safety mode,'" by POLITICO's Stephany Matat: Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava was also asked how she dealt with Gov. Ron DeSantis, who has built a national reputation by resisting Covid-related restrictions like mask and vaccine mandates. She noted that she stood with DeSantis during the initial phases of the pandemic when he focused on vaccinating seniors, but then he "departed from a focus on vaccination," she said. DeSantis over the summer, amid the surge in the Delta variant, pushed for the use of monoclonal antibody treatments while generally not pressing vaccinations as strenuously.

Here's the interview that Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava gave POLITICO Live as part of The Fifty: America's Mayors summit.

THE GUNSHINE STATE

CATALYST — "Trayvon Martin, 10 years later: Teen's death changes nation," by The Associated Press' Deepti Hajela : "The killing of this baby-faced, hoodie-wearing, unarmed youth still reverberates 10 years later -- in protest, in partisanship, in racial reckoning and reactionary response, in social justice and social media. 'We're the Trayvon Martin generation, we are the people who were moved into action because of it,' said Nailah Summers-Polite, co-director of Dream Defenders, an organization founded in Florida after Martin's death."

— " Trayvon Martin 10th anniversary: A look at the players," by The Associated Press' Mike Schneider

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

THE FLORIDA CONNECTION — " As Biden targets Russian assets over Ukraine, elite money remains parked on Florida shores," by McClatchy D.C.'s Michael Wilner: "South Florida's coastal strip of Sunny Isles Beach and exclusive enclave of Fisher Island are among the most monied addresses in the United States. They are also playgrounds for the Russian elite that have for years drawn the attention of financial crimes enforcers. Residents have included Dmitry Rybolovlev, a billionaire who famously bought a mansion from Donald Trump in 2008 for $60 million more than its asking price just a few years earlier, and Alexander Yuzvik, who has overseen construction of Russian military and intelligence projects."

HITTING HOME — "'That's not who we are': Ukrainians, Russians in South Florida condemn invasion," by Miami Herald's Aaron Leibowitz: "As Russia's military invaded Ukraine on Thursday, Malka Shahar watched the news in horror from her home in Sunny Isles Beach, an enclave for Russian immigrants in South Florida. "It's a nightmare," Shahar told the Miami Herald. "People must speak out." Shahar, 57, was born in the Soviet Union and has for years opposed Russian President Vladimir Putin, including during his past invasions of Georgia and Crimea. On Thursday evening, she was one of hundreds of people — many with Ukrainian roots, others from Russia and elsewhere — who gathered along U.S. 1 near Hallandale Beach City Hall to protest the Russian attacks. "I never support Russia in any aggression," Shahar said."

— "'I couldn't stop shaking': Ukrainians in Tampa Bay angered by Russian attack," by Tampa Bay Times' Josh Fiallo:

— " Russian invasion leaves Ukrainians in Orlando in shock, fear," by Orlando Sentinel's Natalia Jaramillo

TURNABOUT — "Feds rescind license extension for Florida nuclear plant," by The Associated Press: "Federal officials have reversed a decision to allow a South Florida nuclear power plant to continue running for another 30 years by ordering a new review of potential environmental risks, including those posed by climate change. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission issued an order Thursday to reverse a 2019 decision by a previous, Republican-led commission to extend Florida Power & Light's operating license for two reactors at the Turkey Point nuclear power plant until 2052 and 2053, respectively."

— "Tampa City Council shows little appetite for rent controls ," by Tampa Bay Times' Charlie Frago

A message from Floridians for Affordable Rx:

The Florida independent pharmacy lobby claims that pharmacies are struggling, but, 1 in 3 pharmacies in Florida is an independent pharmacy and, while thousands of businesses shuttered due to the pandemic, 20 new independent pharmacies were added in 2020. Despite this growth, their lobbyists are pushing an agenda that will make it harder for small businesses to provide affordable prescription drug coverage.

Florida lawmakers need to reject the costly and harmful special interest agenda of the independent pharmacy lobby and support a more competitive marketplace that will reduce prescription drug costs. That means supporting patient advocates like pharmacy benefit managers, PBMs, that negotiate with drug companies and pharmacies to reduce prescription drug costs for patients. Tell your legislators it is time to put the health and safety of Florida families first. Learn more.

ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN

— "Dallas Morning News hires Amy Hollyfield to lead newsroom operations," by Dallas Morning News' Maria Halkias: "Amy Hollyfield, a veteran and award-winning journalist who has led several large reporting teams at The Tampa Bay Times, is joining The Dallas Morning News as managing editor. Hollyfield, 51, brings a wealth of journalism experience to the key newsroom role, where she'll oversee day-to-day operations. She's worked as a copy editor and designer, political and government editor in her 20 years at The Times and previously as a sports editor at the Miami Herald."

BIRTHDAYS: Rep. Darren Soto … Carlos Trujillo, former U.S. ambassador to the Organization of American States … Public Service Commissioner Mike La Rosa … POLITICO's Matt Dixon … (Saturday) State Rep. David Silvers … Ana Cruz of Ballard Partners ... Former state Rep. Ron Greenstein ... Former state Rep. Jerry Paul ... Jason Dearen, investigative reporter … Photographer Mark Foley … (Sunday) State Rep. Angela Nixon … Ryan Duffy, director of corporate communications at U.S. Sugar ... Kathleen Haughney, assistant director for research communications at Florida State University ... MacKay Jimeson of WSW Winning Strategies Washington