| | | | |  | | By Gary Fineout | Presented by CVS Health | Good Wednesday morning. Well, that escalated quickly — On Tuesday morning, Spanish-language radio ads started airing in the Miami/Fort Lauderdale market that criticized Gov. Ron DeSantis over his push to crack down on organizations that shelter unaccompanied children who come across the border, unless there is an agreement between the state and the federal government. The governor made the move as part of an array of criticism — from him and other Republicans — over the Biden administration's handling of immigration. Triggering event — The ads — which call DeSantis' action "disgusting" — are being paid for by the American Business Immigration Coalition-Action, a group that includes Miami health care billionaire Mike Fernandez. They also come on the heels of a recent press conference that featured Miami Archbishop Thomas Wenski and others criticizing DeSantis' actions. It was in that press conference that Wenski singled out the governor by saying "children are children, and no child should be deemed disgusting, especially by a public servant." Roll back the tape — Wenski was alluding to DeSantis' own remarks where he defended his policy — and brushed back against those who compared the current influx of unaccompanied children to Operation Pedro Pan, the early '60s effort to bring in thousands of Cuban children to the United States following the rise of dictator Fidel Castro. In an early February roundtable, DeSantis said comparing what was going on at the Southern border with Mexico — which he labeled a massive human smuggling effort — to Operation Pedro Pan as "disgusting." Away we go — Christina Pushaw, the governor's press secretary who has a constant presence on social media where she defends DeSantis and rips his critics, responded to a tweet from ABIC-Action quoting Wenski where she said "this is the group that made the ad with false claims about @GovRonDeSantis" and added "lying is a sin." She followed up shortly afterward with a tweet where she made it clear she was calling Wenski a liar. She added later: "And yes, if someone makes a false statement, whether it's an organization of CEOs for illegal immigration or the Archbishop, I will call it like it is. They made a blatantly false statement and they should retract it." — WHERE'S RON? — Gov. DeSantis is scheduled to be in Tallahassee. 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, for 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. | | | |  | CAMPAIGN MODE | | RUBIO LEADS DEMINGS — Sen. Marco Rubio has a 7-point lead over Rep. Val Demings , according to a new poll released Wednesday by Mason-Dixon Polling & Strategy. The survey shows that 49 percent of those surveyed back the incumbent Republican versus 42 percent for his Democratic challenger. Crack in the door? — But the poll notes that because Rubio is under 50 percent there is an opening for Demings if she can pull away independent voters. Right now, independents are backing Rubio 47 percent to 37 percent. Rubio also has better name recognition that Demings, who was on President Joe Biden's short list for vice president back in 2020. Presidential factor — Another potential drag on Demings, however, is that Biden remains underwater in the state. According to the poll, only 40 percent approve of Biden's job performance versus 55 percent who disapprove. "It will be difficult for her to make the necessary gains among those who are unaffiliated as long as they remain hostile to the president," the poll notes. The poll of 625 voters was done in early February and has a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percent. | 
Rep. Val Demings speaking at Democratic Club of North Florida campaign kick off as Rep. Charlie Crist watches | Gary Fineout POLITICO |
PRIMARY UPDATE — "Crist is leading the Democratic pack. Taking on DeSantis is a different story," by POLITICO's Gary Fineout: With six months to go before the primary election, [Rep.] Crist has outraised his Democratic opponents, picked up the backing of many of Florida's most influential Black politicians and has significantly outperformed in recent polling, including one out Tuesday that has him besting primary challengers by double-digits.
Nothing is set — Brad Coker, CEO and managing director for Mason-Dixon, said that there's still time for the primary dynamics to shift, noting that the same poll that has Crist ahead in the Democratic field also shows that 26 percent of primary voters remain undecided. "Although politically active observers are following this, the average voter hasn't paid much attention," Coker said. "They don't know Charlie Crist is in the race. They don't know who Nikki Fried is." Response — Annette Taddeo, who ran for lieutenant governor in 2014 as part of Crist's ticket, said she was "not surprised or concerned" about Crist's position right now or his polling numbers. She noted that Crist was running far ahead of Marco Rubio before the Senate race he eventually lost. "You should probably ask Gov. Adam Putnam about polling this far out," Taddeo said, making a reference to the GOP agriculture commissioner who was out in front of [Ron] DeSantis until Trump backed the Republican congressman in the primary. — " David Richardson says he will resign from Miami Beach Commission for State House run," by Miami Herald's Martin Vassolo — "Florida LGBTQ Democrats tackle turning a 'terrifying' year into election results," by Tampa Bay Times Emily Mahoney — "Palm Beach Republicans censure Mike Caruso over endorsement flap," by Florida Politics' Anne Geggis
| | | | 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 ... | | DESANTIS V. SIMPSON? — "DeSantis's office lobbied groups that hit Simpson over anti-union bill, source says," by POLITICO's Matt Dixon: Gov. Ron DeSantis' office lobbied conservative groups to pressure Senate President Wilton Simpson, a fellow Republican, to pass long-stalled anti-union legislation — a move that ended with campaign-style ads being run in the backyard of the Senate's top Republican. Shortly after the January 10 start of the legislative session, a group of roughly a half-dozen top DeSantis staffers started calling a constellation of conservative groups that have long supported the bill, which would ban the automatic collection of union dues from an employee's paycheck, according to an individual on one of the lobbying calls. DESANTIS + SPROWLS? — "DeSantis flips, now supports House's $200M punishment for mask mandate schools," by POLITICO's Andrew Atterbury: Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday threw his support behind the Florida House's idea to strip $200 million from school districts that passed local mask mandates in the fall, reversing from his position just a few days ago when he publicly told lawmakers, "Let's not do that." As the House held an initial floor hearing for its 2022-23 budget proposal, DeSantis issued a timely statement backing the measure that would pry state funding from 12 school districts that required their students to wear masks last fall in defiance of his administration and the GOP-led Legislature. THE FINE PRINT — "Environmental budget bill criticized by DeSantis would allow speedier wetlands permitting — for a price," by POLITICO's Bruce Ritchie: Critics say a budget conforming bill that Gov. Ron DeSantis opposes includes questionable changes to wetlands permitting and state land conservation programs, including allowing utilities to make donations to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection for expedited permitting. DeSantis last week opposed FL SB2508 (22R) because he says it's being "rammed through" the legislative process and it puts the future of a reservoir south of Lake Okeechobee at risk. The full Senate is scheduled to take up its proposed 2022-23 state budget and its budget conforming bills on Thursday. POWER PLAY — "Who should control Florida's electric vehicle charging stations?" by Miami Herald's Mary Ellen Klas: "The issue gets to the heart of what is emerging as an electric vehicle charging war in the Florida Legislature: Should the state's investor-owned utilities — Florida Power & Light Co., Duke Energy and Tampa Electric Co. — own the charging stations or should gas stations and charging manufacturers be allowed to compete?" ROLLING WITH IT — "Backers of North Florida gambling initiative push for court approval ," by News Service of Florida's Dara Kam: "Backers of a proposed constitutional amendment that would open the door to casinos in North Florida are urging the state Supreme Court to issue an advisory opinion about whether the measure meets legal qualifications to be placed on the November ballot amid a separate court battle over whether it has garnered enough signatures to go before voters. Florida Voters in Charge, a political committee sponsoring the proposed amendment, faced a Feb. 1 deadline to have nearly 900,000 signatures validated by state elections officials to reach the ballot." HAPPENING TODAY — House Speaker Chris Sprowls is holding a press conference on Wednesday to highlight legislation that he says will address the "fatherhood crisis in Florida." Sprowls will be joined on the steps of the Old Capitol by Senate President Wilton Simpson as well as representatives of All Pro Dads and Man Up and Go and Rep. Thad Altman. Altman is sponsoring a child welfare bill that is a top priority for the House. — "Florida House poised to approve 15-week abortion ban with no rape, incest exceptions," by USA Today Network-Florida's James Call — "Florida attorney general urges Supreme Court to reject cities' challenge of state gun law ," by News Service of Florida's Jim Saunders
| | MAPMAKER, MAPMAKER | | CLEAN SLATE — "Voting advocates won't oppose Florida's state legislative redistricting maps," by Miami Herald's Mary Ellen Klas: " After years of litigation and bitter opposition from the Republican-led Legislature, the coalition of voter advocacy groups that brought the state its redistricting standards have called a truce. FairDistricts Now, and its consortium of voting advocates, will not oppose the House and Senate redistricting maps that were passed by the Florida Legislature two weeks ago, setting the stage for the plans to serve as the political boundaries for the 120-member House and 40-member Senate for the next decade." — " Gov. DeSantis submits another heavily-GOP favored congressional map," by Florida Politics' Jacob Ogles
| | | |   | | | | | TRUMPLANDIA AND THE SWAMP | | OOPS — " How Miami Beach traffic stops led drivers to online pitches for Trump 2024 merchandise," by Miami Herald's Douglas Hanks: "A city police flier in circulation until last week explaining how to resolve minor traffic tickets online dropped a crucial hyphen for a Miami-Dade County courts website, steering drivers away from a bland judicial portal and to an online store selling flags, videos and caps celebrating former President Donald Trump and his potential third run for the White House. Offerings at miamidadeclerk.com include Trump 2024 camouflage caps, a DVD exploring the possibility of a 'one-world centralized government' without Trump in the White House, and two Trump-themed flags featuring the obscenity 'F***' (one paired with 'Biden,' the other with 'Your Feelings.')."
| | | | 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 6,018 Covid-19 infections reported on Monday. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reported that 5,336 hospital beds were being used in the state for Covid-19 patients. THE BACK STORY — " Florida doctor used medical office social media page to blast Covid-19 vaccine," by POLITICO's Arek Sarkissian: The self-proclaimed poster child of a bill that would provide cover for doctors who say unpopular and potentially harmful things about Covid-19 in public has tried to convince lawmakers that he has a reputation for promoting Covid vaccines
Joel Rudman, a doctor based in Navarre, told lawmakers he was known as Santa Rosa County's leader in promoting the vaccine. But there's more — According to the Facebook page for [Dr. Joel] Rudman's Holley Navarre Medical Clinic, Rudman's take on the vaccine changed sharply after he tested positive for Covid-19 in late December. In April, he was quoted by the South Santa Rosa News saying "the vaccine is our ticket to normal." Then in a Jan. 12 Facebook post, Rudman wrote that he felt ripped off by the vaccine. "We need to re-examine whether these things even deserve to be called v@xxes," Rudman wrote. "After all, if you cut yourself on a rusty tin can, got your tetanus v@xx, then got tetanus anyway, you would definitely feel ripped off." — "Gov. DeSantis says desire to escape from 'Fauciville' drove record tourism in Florida," by Northwest Florida Daily News's Tom McLaughlin — "Disney World: No more masks indoors for vaccinated visitors," by The Associated Press — "'Liberate your employee': Gov. DeSantis floats no-mask 'workers bill of rights,'" by Florida Politics' A.G. Gancarski
| | PENINSULA AND BEYOND | |
HOW HIGH'S THE WATER? — "New U.S. sea rise projections are lower but still forecast grim future for Florida," by Miami Herald's Alex Harris: "For South Florida, the region with the most coastal real estate at risk, the sobering prediction is that the sea will continue to rise — about 11 inches by 2040 — but the latest forecast is markedly less than atmospheric modeling runs produced just five years ago. That previous forecast called for 17 inches by 2040, a level likely to produce regular and damaging tidal flooding in low-lying areas from Key West to Palm Beach County and beyond."
— " Renowned Mexican scientist pleads guilty in Miami to being an agent for Russia," by Miami Herald's Jay Weaver
| | 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.
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Nothing should stand in the way of mental health and well-being, so we're increasing remote access to mental health services.
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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 | |
— "Bob Saget's family asks judge to block release of records related to his death," by Orlando Sentinel's Lisa Maria Garza: "Comedian Bob Saget's family asked an Orange County judge on Tuesday to block local authorities from releasing records related to his death investigation. The lawsuit filed by Saget's wife Kelly Rizzo and his daughters, Aubrey Saget, Lara Saget and Jennifer Saget, seeks to prevent Orange County Sheriff John Mina and the District Nine Medical Examiner's Office from releasing further information in response to public records requests."
BIRTHDAYS: Rep. Kat Cammack …. Rep. Neil Dunn … state Rep. Dan Daley … Michael Griffin, senior VP of advocacy and public policy at AdventHealth
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