| | | | |  | | By Gary Fineout | Presented by CVS Health | Hello and welcome to Friday morning. The coming storm — Rep. Al Lawson, the longtime politician from Tallahassee who spent decades in the Legislature before getting elected to Congress six years ago, contends that he wants to have lunch with Gov. Ron DeSantis so he can ask this question: "What is your problem with minority access districts?" Context — For those not entirely versed in redistricting speak, Lawson is referring to a congressional district where Black voters have a chance to elect a candidate of their choice even though they do not constitute a clear majority of voters. Lawson's 5th Congressional District — which stretches across North Florida — is one such district, where 44 percent of those old enough to vote are Black. Confrontation — DeSantis maintains the district may be unconstitutional and is leaning on Republicans in the Florida Legislature to blow it up as part of a widely watched redistricting gambit — a campaign cheered on by many Republicans outside of the state who don't understand Florida's voter-approved anti-gerrymandering standards. The Republican governor tried to enlist the state Supreme Court in his effort only for the justices to brush him off last week. Still, DeSantis threatened to veto any map that preserves the current configuration. Targeted — Lawson returned to his hometown on Thursday for a voting rights rally with the NAACP and several other Democrats where he blasted DeSantis and all but guaranteed a court battle if the governor gets his way: "He asked for the fight, and we said bring it on." The Democrat also framed the governor's quest as part of his bid to show the world that he is the "heir apparent" to former President Donald Trump and that this is a "test case" to go after Black districts. "If he's successful in Florida that means there will be no minority access districts throughout America," Lawson said. Flag this — But in his comments to reporters, Lawson also said he's been talking to "a lot" of legislators about the governor's proposal, including from "Republican members who say they don't want to do this." What happens next — And that's what is still unknown. The initial maps from both the state House and Senate keep Lawson's district intact. The House map, however, is more favorable to Republicans overall than the one that passed the Senate by a veto-proof majority. A House panel is scheduled to take up a new map later this morning, but when asked on Thursday, Senate President Wilton Simpson would only suggest the two chambers are likely to have a conference to hash out their differences. 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 PROGRAMMING NOTE: Florida Playbook will not publish on Monday in observance of President's Day. 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. | | | |  | CAMPAIGN MODE | | READY TO RUMBLE— "Democrats stand with Al Lawson in feud with DeSantis over 'wickedness' in redistricting," by USA Today Network-Florida's James Call: "Al Lawson ratcheted up the rhetoric Thursday in a redistricting feud with Gov. Ron DeSantis, vowing to 'take him out.' The Black Democratic congressman from Tallahassee was joined by Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, also a Democratic candidate for governor, in issuing a call-to-action at a lunchtime rally. They want to take a fight over how Florida's 28 congressional districts are drawn "to the streets, the ballot box" and, if necessary, to the courts." | 
Rep. Al Lawson speaks at a voting rights rally held on the steps of the Old Capitol on Feb. 17, 2022 | Gary Fineout/POLITICO |
NOT RUNNING — "Former Rep. Mucarsel-Powell makes decision about congressional rematch with Gimenez," by Miami Herald's Bryan Lowry: "Former Democratic Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell has ruled out a 2022 election rematch with Republican Rep. Carlos Gimenez in a key South Florida swing district. Instead, the former Miami-Dade representative will be taking on a role advising Future Majority, a Democratic-aligned advocacy group, and overseeing its new Hispanic outreach program designed to combat Spanish-language disinformation campaigns."
— "Judge ready to weigh elections law ," by News Service of Florida's Dara Kam | | TRUMPLANDIA AND THE SWAMP | | 'I NEED HIS VOTE' — "How Rubio navigated Trump as he's favored to keep his seat," by CNN's Manu Raju and Steve Contorno : "'Six years ago, Sen. Marco Rubio offered a blunt warning about the 'reckless and dangerous' Donald Trump: He would do 'damage to America.' 'We have a con artist as the frontrunner in the Republican Party,' said Rubio, a Florida Republican, as he saw Trump steamroll his way to the GOP presidential nomination. But as he now seeks a third term representing Trump's adopted home state, Rubio's tune has markedly changed. 'I think he helps,' Rubio told CNN when asked about Trump's effect on his campaign. 'First of all, he's a Floridian, so I need his vote,' Rubio said. 'But beyond that, I mean, he's brought a lot of people and energy into the Republican Party.'" BUT MEANWHILE — "GOP senators steer clear of Trump as rift deepens," by POLITICO's Burgess Everett and Meredith McGraw: The Breakers resort is about 3 miles from Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach. When more than 20 Republican senators headed there last weekend, though, only three attended an event with Donald Trump. And some say they steered clear of the former president intentionally as they raised money to take back the Senate. "People appreciate his input. But I think a lot of people see a lot of other opportunities elsewhere for 2024," said one Senate Republican, who was granted anonymity to describe the intraparty dynamics. Stopping by — National Republican Senatorial Committee Chair Rick Scott (R-Fla.) and Sens. Steve Daines (R-Mont.) and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) were the three senators that did an event with Trump. Daines said the confab was an "intimate" roundtable and described it as a "great event." — "N.Y. Attorney General can question Trump and 2 children, judge rules ," by The New York Times' Jonah E. Bromwich, Ben Protess and William K. Rashbaum
| | | | 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. | | RUBIO TO SKIP SOTU — Sen. Marco Rubio took to Twitter Thursday evening to say he won't attend the State of the Union speech by President Joe Biden because of the Covid-19 protocols for the event. Rubio called the protocols "#CovidTheatre" and said "No thank you, maybe next time." He attached to the tweet a copy of the requirements for admission that include a negative Covid-19 test within one day of Biden's speech as well as a requirement that attendees wear a KN95 or N95 mask. A Rubio spokesperson confirmed that the Florida senator will not attend the March 1 event. WHAT'S IN YOUR WALLET? — " Ballard to fundraise for potential Ways and Means chair," by POLITICO's Caitlin Oprysko: A gaggle of lobbyists at Ballard Partners is set to host a fundraiser next month for the lawmaker who could become the next chair of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee if Republicans retake the majority, according to an invitation obtained by POLITICO Influence. Bring your checkbooks — Founder Brian Ballard, along with Ballard's Sylvester Lukis, Pam Bondi, Dan McFaul, Justin Sayfie, Rebecca Benn and Jose Felix Diaz will throw the March 1 fundraiser for Rep. Vern Buchanan of Florida, the top Republican on the House tax writing panel's Health subcommittee. Suggested contributions begin at $500 per individual or $2,000 to attend, per the invitation, and go up to $1,500 per individual or $3,000 per PAC to be named a co-host. The firm, whose business boomed under the Trump administration thanks to Ballard's friendship with the former president and which has picked up a number of Democratic and congressional lobbyists over the past year, snapped up Buchanan's longtime chief of staff Dave Karvelas earlier this year. — "Leaders with Florida-based Cuban legal group back Ketanji Brown Jackson's nomination to high court," by POLITICO's Gary Fineout — " Rubio, Gimenez seek boost in federal funding for South Florida environmental projects," by Miami Herald's Bryan Lowry
| | | |   | | | | | ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... | | CONFERENCE COMING— " Senate unanimously passes $108B budget proposal, largest in state history," by POLITICO's Matt Dixon: The final weeks of Florida's legislative session could hinge on $3 billion and a handful of political money fights. That's what separates the $108 billion proposed budget, the largest in state history, passed by the Senate during a marathon floor session Thursday, and the $105 billion spending plan proposed by the House and passed one day earlier over contentious pushback from Democrats, a partisan fight that did not mark the Senate's debate. WATER WARS— " Senate rewrites, passes environmental budget bill that DeSantis opposed," by POLITICO's Bruce Ritchie: The Senate rewrote and voted 37-2 on Thursday to pass a budget conforming bill that Gov. Ron DeSantis last week said threatened a proposed Everglades reservoir. The Senate passed SB 2508 after Sen. Ben Albritton (R-Wauchula), chair of the environmental appropriations subcommittee, told senators and bill opponents in the audience that the "clarifying" language ensures the reservoir will not be affected. Sugar, sugar — "We listened very closely to what a bunch of you guys were saying about the issues that you had," Albritton told the dozens of charter boat captains in the Senate gallery who opposed the bill. The Everglades Foundation, which opposed the bill at a Feb. 9 appropriations committee hearing, said after the vote that the amendment also removed objectionable bill language that opponents argued would have favored the sugar industry in South Florida water decisions. WORDSMITHING — "Republicans made changes to 'don't say gay' bill. LGBTQ advocates aren't buying it," by Tampa Bay Times' Kirby Wilson: "When it was first filed, the bill said school districts may not 'encourage classroom discussion' about gender identity or sexuality in a way that is not 'age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate.' The bill's sponsor, Rep. Joe Harding, R-Williston, said he understood how some might find the word 'encourage' to be vague. So on Thursday, a House committee took up — and passed — a new version of House Bill 1557 he hoped would be more specific." PROMISES, PROMISES — " Lawmaker sponsoring DeSantis' immigration bill says intent is not to target children," by Miami Herald's Ana Ceballos: "But the Republican lawmaker who is sponsoring legislation that is part of DeSantis' immigration agenda said Thursday that the measure is not intended to impact unaccompanied children or the shelters that care for them as they wait to be reunited with their families or vetted sponsors. 'The intent certainly is not to target children,' said state Rep. John Snyder, R-Stuart. 'But the thing that I'd like to point out is that even if it does, then we are not saying — because we do not have the ability — to tell a common carrier they cannot transport unaccompanied minors.'" FALLOUT — "Police arrest Planned Parenthood organizer, ban 25 abortion rights protesters from Florida Capitol," by Orlando Sentinel's Skyler Swisher: 'Capitol Police arrested a Planned Parenthood organizer and issued trespass warnings to 25 others after a protest broke out in the Florida House's gallery during a heated debate over abortion. The demonstrators chanted "shame" and "my body, my choice" as debate wrapped up on a bill that would ban most abortions after 15 weeks." HURRY UP AND WAIT — " Florida will distribute $676 million in homeowner mortgage assistance, but state isn't yet saying how you can get it,' by Sun Sentinel's Ron Hurtibise: "The good news is the U.S. Treasury Department on Feb. 9 approved Florida's plan to distribute $676 million in federal homeowner assistance funding included in the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan enacted in March 2021. … The not-so-good news: Florida's program is being administered by the Department of Economic Opportunity — the same agency that runs the state's troubled unemployment system — and the agency has not yet announced when or how it will begin accepting applications. 'Now that the [plan] has been approved, DEO will launch the program,' department press secretary Morgan Jones said by email." CRACKDOWN — "Florida Senate unanimously approves retail crime bill," by POLITICO's Stephany Matat: The Florida Senate on Thursday unanimously approved legislation that would crack down on retail theft, including creating stricter penalties for people who steal from multiple stores. Bill sponsor state Sen. Jim Boyd (R-Bradenton) said the bill, SB 1534, focuses on the pattern and frequency of thefts. The legislation, part of the Republican-led Legislature's "tough on crime" agenda, would make stealing from several retail stores within a set period of time into second or third degree felonies and create a new criminal category. — " Speaker's office assures that Cord Byrd dust-up in House is 'resolved,'" by Florida Politics' A.G. Gancarski — "With gambling expansion in disarray, FL Senate moves ahead with new gaming commission," by Florida Phoenix's Laura Cassels — "Who won big? Public won't know under bill passed in Florida," by The Associated Press — " Charlie Crist calls for federal investigation of Florida's Medicaid mismanagement," by Florida Politics' Kelly Hayes
| | | | 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 6,475 Covid-19 infections reported on Wednesday. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reported that 4,920 hospital beds were being used in the state for Covid-19 patients. — " Report: Florida children at greater risk of losing health coverage after public health emergency expires," by Florida Politics' Christine Jordan Sexton | | THE GUNSHINE STATE | | NATIONWIDE — "10 years after Trayvon Martin's killing: How Benjamin Crump became America's civil rights lawyer," by Orlando Sentinel's Desiree Stennett: 'If attorney Benjamin Crump is asked to take a case, it's likely that another Black person has been killed. Every time, he has the same conversation with the grieving family: He says he tells them that he can't promise a criminal conviction, as the nation's legal system is unreliable in punishing the killers of Black people. He tells them it will be their responsibility to be the voice for their loved one — and they'll likely face bile and vitriol from many in response."
| | PENINSULA AND BEYOND | | SIGN OF THINGS TO COME?— "Lake school board member resigns, cites 'divisiveness,'" by Orlando Sentinel's Leslie Postal: "A Lake County School Board member resigned this week with two years left in her term, saying 'the general political discourse and divisiveness is just too much for me to continue in my seat at this point.' Kristi Burns, in the middle of her second four-year term, said she is stepping down effective May 1. Other candidates now can run for her seat in August, when school board elections are held across the state." IN MEMORIAM— " 100 years after the Black cemetery was erased, Tampa's Zion hosts a funeral," by Tampa Bay Times' Paul Guzzo: "Anna Rebecca Wyche was a freed enslaved woman, mother, cook and businesswoman. She was also among those buried in Tampa's Zion Cemetery, the segregation-era Black burial ground that was erased and then built on. 'I must humanize her,' said Jeraldine Williams, Wyche's great-great-granddaughter. 'She has to be more than a box of bones that was discarded.' On Thursday, Williams held a service for Wyche on Zion land. It was first funeral there since Zion was erased nearly a century ago." — " The U.S. and Canada decry harsh sentencing of Cuban protesters after sedition convictions," by El Nuevo Herald's Nora Gámez Torres — "Investigation: Broward schools took extraordinary steps to hide key details of massive data breach ," by Sun Sentinel's Scott Travis — "Tampa has few high-ranking Latino officials in city government," by Tampa Bay Times' Charlie Frago
| | A message from CVS Health: At CVS Health, we're more than 300,000 caring employees ensuring millions of Americans can access health care services.
We're offering COVID-19 vaccines at more than 9,600 CVS Pharmacy locations nationwide.
Nothing should stand in the way of mental health and well-being, so we're increasing remote access to mental health services.
We're supporting safer pregnancies and expanding access to prenatal and postpartum care via telemedicine.
Recognizing the strong connection between housing and health, we're investing in affordable housing to support underserved populations and build healthier communities.
Every day, CVS Health works to bring quality, affordable health care into neighborhoods, homes and hands—so it's never out of reach for anyone.
Healthier Happens Together. Learn more. | | | | | ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN | | — "Florida girl arrested over threats she didn't make sues her school," by The New York Times' Azi Paybarah: "The family of a Florida girl who was held in a juvenile-detention center for 11 days after a classmate impersonated her on social media to make threats against their school has filed a lawsuit against the school and Instagram for their roles in the episode. For the girl, Nia Whims, being jailed was 'a horrifying experience,' a lawyer representing her said at a news conference on Wednesday. 'She knew she didn't do anything wrong, and yet here she is, behind bars.'" BIRTHDAYS: State Rep. Jenna Persons-Mulicka … Lynn Hatter, news director at WFSU Public Broadcasting ... WPLG's Glenna Milberg … (Saturday) Tampa Bay Times' Emily L. Mahoney ... Carrie Johnson O'Brion, director of marking and communications at USF St. Petersburg ... Michael Williams with the Department of Children and Families … (Sunday) State Rep. Joe Casello | | | | 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 | | | | |
No comments:
Post a Comment