| | | | |  | | By Gary Fineout | Presented by CVS Health | Good Wednesday morning. Happening again — This is becoming familiar territory for the administration of President Joe Biden. Once again the Democratic president has taken actions that have reverberated the wrong way in Florida — and placed his supporters in this state in an awkward spot. List — There was the seemingly subdued response to the protests in Cuba. There was the decision to remove a Colombian rebel group from a list of foreign terrorist organizations. The latest move to engage with the regime of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro in a way that could potentially ease sanctions on oil exports is similarly not going well. Where it's going — The decision to reach out to Venezuela is largely a response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the White House move to seek out other sources of oil amid a new ban on Russian imports the president announced Tuesday. The overtures drew swift condemnation from Republicans such as Sen. Marco Rubio — and an icy response from Florida Democrats who have had to battle recent GOP attempts to tie them to socialist leaders like Maduro. Rejected — One of the more forceful response came from state Sen. Annette Taddeo, who is running for governor this year: "If America was down to its last barrel and Venezuela was giving oil away for free, we still shouldn't go to the Maduro regime for help." Other Democrats such as Rep. Val Demings, who is challenging Rubio, weren't as blunt but also questioned the Biden administration move. Background — Eduardo Gamarra, who polls Latino voters in the U.S. and throughout Latin America, told POLITICO's Sabrina Rodriguez that Hispanics in South Florida are "accustomed to seeing things very black and white — and that makes it difficult for the Biden administration to try to explain the logic behind why Venezuela has all of a sudden become extraordinarily important." The months ahead — Biden's polling is already severely underwater in Florida and there are growing signs of some Democrats in the state taking baby steps to distance themselves from the president. The question — which continues to loom out there — is whether national Democrats care about Florida anymore or have written it off for 2024. — 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 Florida and 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. | | | |  | DRIVING THE DAY | | REVERBERATION — "Venezuela talks strike political nerve in Florida," by POLITICO's Sabrina Rodriguez : The strong and immediate reactions provide a window into the political radioactivity of the issue in the nation's third-most populous state, where both parties recognize that U.S. policy toward Venezuela and other socialist regimes in the region also reverberates across Florida politics. MEANWHILE — "Venezuela releases two Americans from prison after Biden team met with Maduro ," by El Nuevo Herald's Antonio Maria Delgado and McClatchy D.C.'s Michael Wilner: "Venezuela released two Americans from detention on Tuesday in a gesture of goodwill to the United States after the first diplomatic talks between the two countries in at least three years. One of the men released was from a group of six oil executives with Citgo, a U.S. refining company owned by Venezuela's state oil firm, who were arrested during a business trip to Caracas in 2017, two sources in Venezuela told the Miami Herald. The release came on the same day that President Joe Biden said the United States would not be importing oil from Russia because of its war on Ukraine."
| | ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... | | HEADING TO DESANTIS' DESK — "Florida approves controversial 'Don't Say Gay' law in political win for DeSantis ," by POLITICO's Andrew Atterbury: The Republican-controlled Florida Legislature handed Gov. Ron DeSantis a major political win ahead of the 2022 midterm elections, approving a controversial measure dubbed "Don't Say Gay" by opponents that bars educators from discussing sexual orientation with young students. Republicans pushed the legislation for months, claiming it strengthens parental rights in Florida by preventing teachers and school staffers from withholding critical information from parents, namely surrounding gender issues. DeSantis, who has defended the measure publicly, frequently accused the media and others of misconstruing the true intent of the bill to stoke tensions. At one point, his press secretary called opponents of the measure "groomers." — "What's ahead for parents, students after passage of 'don't say gay' bill in Florida?" by Miami Herald's Ana Ceballos — "' It's a sad day for education.' Miami teachers react to passing of 'Don't Say Gay' bill," by Miami Herald's Sommer Brugal — "' History is LGBTQ+ history': Jacksonville students speak out against 'Don't Say Gay' bill," by Florida Times-Union's Emily Bloch | 
Rep. Shevrin Jones asks a question during session in 2019 | AP Photo |
OVERTIME — Florida legislators — who are already confronting the prospect of returning for a redistricting-focused special session — are now going to have to spend even more time in Tallahassee.
Put it in writing — House Speaker Chris Sprowls and Senate President Wilton Simpson sent out a memo Tuesday night telling lawmakers they would not wrap up work on the budget in time to end the session this Friday. Florida has a 72-hour "cooling off" period that mandates legislators must wait three days before they vote on the budget. Details to come — Legislative leaders said they would aim to finish their work on Wednesday "rather than hold important public conference meetings unreasonably late into the night." But the memo did not say for certain whether the session would spill over into the weekend – or just have lawmakers come back next week. "When the budget is on the desk, and the 72-hour clock has started, we can determine the specific timeline," states the memo. SOME WIN — " Lawmakers closer on K-12 spending as House tweaks $200M mask punishment," by POLITICO's Andrew Atterbury: The latest offer from the House also reconfigures the contentious "Putting Parents First" budget adjustment proposed by the chamber to pluck $200 million from 12 mask mandate schools and disperse the money to counties that didn't buck the GOP's rules, a provision that had the support of Gov. Ron DeSantis. SOME LOSE — Under the House's new proposal, $200 million would be set aside as "school recognition" dollars available only to schools that never required students to wear masks on campus. Mask mandate schools would be ineligible for these grants, but the cash was moved in the state budget and no longer represents a deduction from these school districts, including Broward, Leon and Miami-Dade counties. "We're telling school districts that they didn't listen to the kids — or to the parents," House budget chief Jay Trumbull (R-Panama City) told reporters. NEXT VOTE LOOMING — "Florida legislators argue over status of migrant children ahead of immigration bill vote," by POLITICO's Matt Dixon: Lawmakers on Tuesday strenuously debated whether unaccompanied migrant children brought to Florida from the southern border have protected status as the Florida House set up controversial immigration legislation for final passage. Democrats have repeatedly raised concerns that the bill would impact kids transferred to Florida as part of a federal program that transports them from the southern border to social welfare agencies. Republican supporters of the measure said the bill uses the federal definition of "unauthorized alien," which offers protections to kids in federal custody. SHIFT — "Florida lawmakers divert affordable housing money to 'hometown heroes,'" by Tampa Bay Times' Lawrence Mower: "State lawmakers are looking to divert $100 million in affordable housing money to help 'hometown heroes' like nurses, police officers and teachers pay their closing costs and down payments on new homes. Under a plan agreed to by House and Senate budget negotiators, the money would come out of $209 million assigned to the State Housing Initiatives Partnership program, known as SHIP. That program goes to cities and counties to establish affordable housing policies, including funding low-income homeowners' emergency repairs, down payments and closing cost assistance, as well as construction and acquisition of property for affordable housing." ONE MORE TRY — "Senate sends juvenile record expungement bill to DeSantis," by POLITICO's Stephany Matat: The Florida Senate on Tuesday unanimously approved a juvenile record expungement bill that allows youths to wipe their records clean and enter court diversion programs. The bill now goes to Gov. Ron DeSantis, who last year vetoed a similar measure. — "State worker pay raises topping 5% in 2022-23 budget deal ," by USA Today Network-Florida's John Kennedy — "Florida cyber sex crimes bill passes after senator's story," by The Associated Press' Brendan Farrington — "Florida lawmakers want a $50 million courthouse and more judges. Are they needed?" by Tampa Bay Times' Lawrence Mower — " Fatherhood initiative to boost mentorship programs clears FL Legislature; heads to Gov. DeSantis' desk," by Florida Phoenix Isaac Morgan — "Budget conference: House, Senate sign off on state plane purchase ," by Florida Politics' Jason Delgado — "Controversial, twice vetoed alimony reform bill rears its ugly head again," by The Capitolist's Brian Burgess
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HEADED TO TALLY — "Rosalind Osgood wins state Senate seat in Broward; Jervonte 'Tae' Edmonds wins state House seat in Palm Beach County," by Sun Sentinel's Anthony Man: "Rosalind Osgood, whose decade on the Broward School Board made her one of the county's highest profile elected officials, is the newest member of the Florida Senate. 'Today is a major transition for us. Not just for me, but for us. As we continue to work to improve this community, it's going to take all of us,' Osgood said Tuesday evening. She said she would prioritize issues related to children 'as we continue to strategize to change some of the egregious things that are literally endangering our democracy.'"
JUMPING IN — " Florida's 'Grim Reaper' lawyer running for attorney general," by POLITICO's Gary Fineout: Daniel Uhlfelder, a North Florida lawyer who drew national attention by visiting Florida beaches dressed as the Grim Reaper during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, announced on Tuesday he's challenging Attorney General Ashley Moody. Uhlfelder, who has a sizable social media following, is the second Democrat to join the race in the past week. Opening argument — In a two-and-half minute introductory video that includes footage of him walking on the beach in costume, Uhlfelder says "activism is in my blood." His video features pictures of Moody, Gov. Ron DeSantis and Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) and where he says "there's a lot of bullying going on right now. And what do you expect when these are the faces of Florida's leaders?" — " Moskowitz cements frontrunner status in Congress race with dozens of endorsements – including people who'd considered running themselves," by Sun Sentinel's Anthony Man — "Apopka Mayor Nelson wins second term in city elections ," by Orlando Sentinel's Stephen Hudak — "Single-member districts prevail over countywide elections in Sarasota referendum," by Sarasota Herald-Tribune's Anne Snabes
| | | |   | | | | | TRUMPLANDIA AND THE SWAMP | | INDICTED — "Former Proud Boys leader Tarrio arrested in Miami on Jan. 6 Capitol attack charges," by Miami Herald's Jay Weaver: "Federal agents on Tuesday arrested former Proud Boys national chairman Henry "Enrique" Tarrio in Miami on conspiracy charges alleging he played a leadership role in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol while Congress was certifying the presidential election. At Tarrio's first appearance in Miami federal court, prosecutors said they want to detain him before trial because he is a danger to the community and a risk of flight, without providing further explanation."
| | CORONAVIRUS UPDATES | | THE DOCTOR SPEAKS — "Florida Surgeon General warns Covid-19 vaccine risks may outweigh benefits for kids," by POLITICO's Arek Sarkissian: Florida Surgeon General Joseph A. Ladapo delivered on his promise Tuesday by issuing guidance that warns the benefits of Covid-19 vaccine could outweigh the risks for healthy kids over age 5. The plan was released by the Florida Department of Health and follows Ladapo's plans to roll out the guidance, which he mentioned during a Monday roundtable discussion with Gov. Ron DeSantis. "Based on currently available data, healthy children aged 5 to 17 may not benefit from receiving the currently available COVID-19 vaccine," the guidance states. "The Department recommends that children with underlying conditions are the best candidates for the COVID-19 vaccine."
| | | | DON'T MISS POLITICO'S INAUGURAL HEALTH CARE SUMMIT ON 3/31: Join POLITICO for a discussion with health care providers, policymakers, federal regulators, patient representatives, and industry leaders to better understand the latest policy and industry solutions in place as we enter year three of the pandemic. Panelists will discuss the latest proposals to overcome long-standing health care challenges in the U.S., such as expanding access to care, affordability, and prescription drug prices. REGISTER HERE. | | | | | | | PENINSULA AND BEYOND | | AFTERMATH — "Lawsuit settlement by law firm, engineers to pay Surfside victims $55.55 million," by Miami Herald's Nicholas Nehamas: "Three major defendants in the Champlain Towers South collapse class-action lawsuit have agreed to settle with victims for a total of $55.55 million, all paid by their insurance firms, according to a court filing made Tuesday. The law firm Becker, which represented Champlain South's condo association before the deadly June 24 collapse, will pay $31 million, the filing states. Engineering firm Morabito Consultants, hired to inspect Champlain South for its 40-year recertification, will pay $16 million." UPDATE — " Some allowed to go home, others evacuated as wildfires grow," by The Associated Press: "Hundreds of residents forced to evacuate over the weekend as blazes in the Florida Panhandle threatened their houses have been allowed to return home, but residents in a neighboring county were evacuated Tuesday as three wildfires grew to more than 29,000 acres. Over the weekend, 1,100 residents were evacuated from homes in Bay County, Florida, an area where tons of destroyed trees from Hurricane Michael three years ago have fueled the fires. But officials gave the approval Monday for about 600 residents to return after one of the fires — the 875-acre Adkins Avenue Fire — was 60% contained. By Tuesday evening, it was 80% contained." — "Former JEA CEO Aaron Zahn, CFO Ryan Wannemacher plead not guilty to conspiracy, wire fraud," by Florida Times-Union's Nate Monroe
| | A message from CVS Health: At CVS Health, we're more than 300,000 caring employees ensuring Floridians and millions of Americans can access health care 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 | | — "MLB, players create $1 million relief funds for stadium, spring training workers," by Tampa Bay Times' Jay Cridlin: "With canceled spring training and early-season games continuing to pile up, Major League Baseball and its players have launched relief funds for the thousands of workers impacted by the league's lockout. The league on Tuesday announced it's creating a $1 million fund to support Florida and Arizona spring training workers in financial need. Clubs will administer aid to part-time and seasonal employees like grounds crew members, concessionaires, security workers and more. More relief is expected down the line for employees impacted by the loss of regular season games." BIRTHDAYS: Miami Herald's Bianca Padró Ocasio … Kristy Campbell, former press secretary for Jeb Bush ... Adam Smith, communications director for the City of Tampa ... Washington Post staff writer Hannah Sampson
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