| | | | |  | | By Gary Fineout | Good Monday morning. In case you missed the Oscars last night, this happened before the Will Smith-Chris Rock dust-up that got all the attention: " Florida's so-called 'Don't Say Gay' bill gets called out by actors at the Academy Awards," by Sun Sentinel's Austen Erblat Response — In the weeks since Russia invaded the Ukraine, Republican politicians across the country — including many governors — have taken strong positions in support of the Ukraine and even taken steps to review Russian contracts, drop investments in Russian companies and remove Russian vodka from store shelves. Rubio suggests divestment — Florida Sen. Marco Rubio introduced legislation earlier this month that would bar U.S. institutions from investing in Russian securities. "We need to minimize the resultant harm to Americans, including teachers and retirees, who have pensions and retirement accounts invested in Russian securities," Rubio said at the time. "Many Americans do not even realize that fund managers have placed their money in these Russian companies." It's all quiet — But this is apparently a topic that Gov. Ron DeSantis and the two other Republicans who oversee the state's mammoth nearly $200 billion pension plan really don't want to talk about. That's even though Florida has roughly $300 million (although the value is probably considerably less now) in Russian-related investments. What about Russia? — DeSantis, who has chimed in on many foreign policy issues during his tenure, ranging from Israel to China to Latin America, did make some comments early on about the Russian invasion and made a few critiques of Vladimir Putin. Florida's GOP governor has also criticized President Joe Biden over approaching Venezuela for oil during the crisis — and faulted him on Sunday for "using emergency war powers to produce batteries for the 1% that drive electric cars." Chiming in — Democrats, however, have repeatedly questioned the recalcitrance of the governor on Russian divestment in recent weeks and the 11 Democratic members of Florida's delegation signed a letter on Friday calling on DeSantis to act. (Apparently no GOP members would sign it.) "Urgently isolating Vladimir Putin and his oligarchs saves Ukrainian lives, and I'm repulsed that DeSantis and his fellow Republicans refuse to divest Florida's Russian-tied assets," said Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz in a statement. "I'm also stunned that, given the chance, Florida's Republican members of Congress refused to sign this straightforward letter urging their counterparts in Tallahassee to wipe this blood-stained money off Florida's investment books." On the sidelines — The other two elected officials that control Florida's pension fund are the state's attorney general and chief financial officer. Both Ashley Moody and Jimmy Patronis, who spent nearly $60,000 sending letters to businesses asking if they were controlled by Communist China, are apparently unwilling to take a position on this on their own or even respond to the Democratic criticism. Sidestep — Moody's office — as has the governor's office earlier this month — insisted the State Board of Administration is doing a review. (SBA officials said they were in "discussions" about Russia but as of last week there was no update. The SBA's investment advisory council is meeting this week and has no mention of this topic on its agenda.) Patronis' office — when asked again — cited a statement he gave weeks ago about "monitoring an incredibly dynamic situation." Flashback: Patronis back in 2017 supported then-Gov. Rick Scott's move to restrict Florida's investments in Venezuela. What legislators did — The Florida Legislature in the new budget approved this month did ask for a review into whether the state has contracts with any Russian entities. Lawmakers also barred universities and colleges from entering into cultural agreements or accepting grants from Russia. Hush — Maybe there's some political calculation at work here — and a fear that taking a stance on Russia could backfire down the line. (There's no reason to entertain various conspiracy theories devoid of meaning or proof but alive and well in the fever swamps of social media.) Instead let's point out DeSantis has routinely contended that he won't shy away from all sorts of fights, yet this topic is apparently not worthy of his time and energy. It's been noted before — so let's note it again — DeSantis thinks very much about what he says and doesn't say. And right now he's staying awfully quiet. — WHERE'S RON? — Nothing officially announced for Gov. DeSantis, but it is expected he will hold an event for signing the "parental rights in education" measure into law — the bill called "don't say gay" by opponents. THE COUNT: It's been 24 days since the Florida Legislature approved a new congressional map but it still hasn't been sent to Gov. Ron DeSantis. DeSantis has promised to veto the map. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for Playbook? Get in touch:gfineout@politico.com
| | | | SUBSCRIBE TO NATIONAL SECURITY DAILY : Keep up with the latest critical developments from Ukraine and across Europe in our daily newsletter, National Security Daily. The Russian invasion of Ukraine could disrupt the established world order and result in a refugee crisis, increased cyberattacks, rising energy costs and additional disruption to global supply chains. Go inside the top national security and foreign-policymaking shops for insight on the global threats faced by the U.S. and its allies and what actions world leaders are taking to address them. Subscribe today. | | | | | |  | RUSSIA-UKRAINE | | ON THE HUNT — "Feds target illicit Russian riches in South Florida. Ordinary residents not on their radar," by Miami Herald's Jay Weaver: "Just after Russian troops invaded neighboring Ukraine in late February, the Biden administration announced an aggressive sanctions policy targeting a list of major Russian banks, businesses and oligarchs with financial interests in the United States. In South Florida, agents with Homeland Security Investigations and the FBI immediately began searching bank, property and corporate records along with other databases — focusing first on enclaves such as Aventura and Sunny Isles Beach, home to thousands of wealthy expatriate Russians, Ukrainians and other Eastern Europeans. 'It's a major priority,'Anthony Salisbury, HSI's special agent in charge of the Miami field office, said in an interview earlier this month. 'Miami and New York are the two major hubs for potential Russian assets in the United States.'" WEIGHING IN — "GOP rep says White House walk-back of Biden's Putin comment 'damages his credibility,'" by The Hill's Olafimihan Oshin: "Rep. Michael Waltz (R-Fla.) said on Sunday that the White House's backtracking on President Biden's remarks saying Russian President Vladimir Putin shouldn't remain in power 'damages his credibility.' During an appearance on "Sunday Morning Futures" on Fox News, Waltz told host Maria Bartiromo that Biden's remarks are going to add more fuel to Russian propaganda. 'And it could actually backfire to make Putin stronger internally,' Waltz said. 'And then, number two, look, Maria, for deterrence to work, the commander in chief has to be credible. This kind of flip-flopping, he says one thing, and then the White House has to clean it up, damages his credibility.'" | 
WARSAW, POLAND - MARCH 26: Poland's President, Andrzej Duda welcomes US. President Joe Biden at the presidential Palace on March 26, 2022 in Warsaw, Poland. Biden arrived in Poland yesterday, meeting with the Polish president as well as U.S. troops stationed near the Ukrainian border, bolstering NATO's eastern flank. (Photo by Omar Marques/Getty Images) | Omar Marques/Getty Images |
DISPATCH FROM SUNNY ISLES BEACH — "Putin calls them 'gnats.' But war back home strengthens ties of a South Florida community," by Miami Herald's Linda Robertson: "But unlike back home, the war seems to have only strengthened ties between neighbors in this small oceanfront city of 22,342, where the greatest concentration of Eastern Europeans live in South Florida, according to U.S. Census data. Most hail from Russia and Ukraine but also from Belarus, Moldova, Georgia and other former Soviet bloc countries, and they say they have always been linked by language, culture and history and rarely allowed old borders to be barriers to friendship."
| | CAMPAIGN MODE | | LIMBO — "Why redistricting has stalled in 4 unfinished states," by POLITICO's Ally Mutnick and Gary Fineout: The final stage of the redistricting cycle has arrived: gridlock. Spats between governors and state legislators — and between different Republican factions — have brought map-making to a standstill in the final four states still without new congressional lines for the 2022 elections. With filing deadlines looming, 44 House seats are still outstanding in Louisiana, New Hampshire, Missouri and, most importantly, Florida, which has 28 districts all by itself. NOT A SURPRISE — " Holness launches campaign to oust Cherfilus-McCormick in congressional rematch," by Sun Sentinel's Anthony Man: Dale Holness, who lost his campaign for Congress last year by just five votes, said Saturday he's running again. His campaign against Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick has been expected since she defeated him in the Nov. 2 Democratic congressional primary to replace the late U.S. Rep. Alcee Hastings. ISLAND BOUND — "Charlie Crist to visit Puerto Rico in campaign for Florida governor," by Tampa Bay Times' Romy Ellenbogen: That population growth has changed the political calculus of Florida candidates and made the island a common campaign stop. On Friday, [Rep. Charlie] Crist visited Puerto Rico for the first time as part of his campaign for governor. Crist traveled with U.S. Rep. Darren Soto, a representative from the Central Florida area and the first congressman of Puerto Rican descent elected in Florida. CAMPAIGN ROUNDUP — Mitchell Berger, the well-known Democratic fundraiser and chair of the Berger Singerman law firm, will be the new campaign finance chair for Nikki Fried's run for governor. "The excitement and energy behind her candidacy is growing by the day," Berger said in a statement Monday. "For the first time in 24 years we can finally have a Governor who puts Floridians first, and I'm going to do everything in my power to make that happen." .... Rep. Charlie Crist on Monday announced six more endorsements for his bid for governor, including former State Rep. Jim Davis, who was the Democratic candidate who ran against Crist in the 2006 governor's race when Crist was a Republican. Broward State Attorney Harold Pryor also endorsed Crist, along with a handful of current and former local elected officials. Pryor cited Crist's record of restoring voting rights to people with felony convictions as one reason to support him. "Charlie has a long history of fighting to give Floridians their voices back, and now I'm proud to use my voice to endorse Charlie to be the next governor of Florida," Pryor said in a statement. — " Republicans build on voter registration momentum in Tampa Bay," by Tampa Bay Times' William March — "Barbara Sharief running for Florida Senate, setting stage for colossal primary showdown ," by Sun Sentinel's Anthony Man — "Pinellas Democrats search for Kathleen Peters opponent," by Tampa Bay Times' William March
| | | | 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. | | | | | | | DATELINE D.C. | | WORDS MATTER — "Rick Scott debates what's in his 'Rescue America' plan with Fox host," by POLITICO's David Cohen: Sen. Rick Scott sparred with "Fox News Sunday" host John Roberts over the contents of Scott's recently released "Rescue America" plan. Discussing the plan, the Florida Republican accused Roberts of repeating Democratic talking points while Roberts insisted he was quoting directly from the language in Scott's own 11-step policy plan. Exchange — Scott responded: "That's, of course, the Democrat talking points." Roberts replied: 'No, it's in the plan! It's in the plan!" As Scott continued to push back, Roberts added: "Hang on, senator, it's not a Democratic talking point, it's in the plan." — "Rick Scott on Ginni Thomas texts: Justice Thomas 'will always do the right thing ,'" by The Hill's Joseph Choi — "Can Rick Scott trump Ron DeSantis to win the GOP base?" by Douglas MacKinnon for The Hill
| | ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... | | SCHOOL DAZE — "DeSantis signs education transparency bill to review schoolbooks," by POLITICO's Andrew Atterbury: Gov. Ron DeSantis capped off a major piece of the Florida GOP's 2022 education agenda on Friday by signing a far-reaching bill that will bring more scrutiny to the content of classroom and library books while also installing term limits for local school board members. The legislation is part of a push by state Republican leaders this year to take a closer look at what students are learning and reading in schools, joining conservatives across the U.S. in criticizing books that largely delve into sexual orientation and race. Republicans introduced the proposal to strengthen parental rights in Florida, expanding what has been a major priority for DeSantis and other leaders as education continues to be a national focal point ahead of the midterm elections. OPENING — "Florida Department of Law Enforcement commissioner to retire in September," by POLITICO's Stephany Matat: Florida's top cop, Rick Swearingen, will retire in September after serving in law enforcement for 38 years. Swearingen sent an email to nearly 2,000 employees at the Florida Department of Law Enforcement announcing his retirement Friday morning. "I will always be especially proud of the many statewide initiatives we accomplished together during my tenure as Commissioner," Swearingen wrote to his colleagues in his retirement email. "The future of this agency is in good hands because of the work each and every one of you do on a daily basis." — " Ethics probe into sexual harassment allegations against former Sen. Jack Latvala reemerges," by Florida Politics' Gray Rohrer
| | TRUMPLANDIA AND THE SWAMP | | UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT — "Trump D.C. hotel gets OK to sell to Miami investment fund," by The Associated Press: "Donald Trump's luxury hotel near the White House, which drew diplomats, lobbyists and plenty of controversy while he was president, received government approval Friday to hand the keys to a Miami investment fund, a last hurdle to a sale that many industry experts doubted would ever go through. The federal government agency overseeing the building said an 'extensive and exhaustive' review found no problem with Trump Organization plans to sell to a fund led by CGI Merchant Group. The Associated Press has reported that investors include former New York Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez. The $375 million price tag is far more than many expected for a hotel that lost tens of millions of dollars while Trump was president." — "Matt Gaetz reups vow to nominate Donald Trump for House speaker," by Florida Politics' A.G. Gancarski | | PENINSULA AND BEYOND | | FLORIDA MAN — "Giuliani ally Lev Parnas pleads guilty to fraud fundraising for 'Fraud Guarantee ,'" by POLITICO's Josh Gerstein: A Florida man who worked closely with Rudy Giuliani on former President Donald Trump's drive to get Ukraine to open an investigation that would be politically damaging to President Joe Biden pleaded guilty Friday to wire fraud in connection with a business scheme. Lev Parnas, 50, admitted in a federal court hearing that he deceived investors in the ironically named business venture, "Fraud Guarantee," which was ostensibly aimed at helping vet business opportunities for potential fraud. SHUTTERED — "'It's a sad day': Tallahassee-based Black News channel ceases operations, airs last show," by Tallahassee Democrat's Christopher Cann: "Black News Channel, the Tallahassee-based news outlet with a mission of serving Black and other underserved communities, has ceased its operations, aired its last show and will file for bankruptcy. 'It's a sad day,' Tim Buckman, a spokesperson for the news outlet, told the Democrat. In a mass email to the network's staff just before 3 p.m., the outlet's CEO Princell Hair linked the source of the closure to 'challenging market conditions and global financial pressures,' which made them 'unable to meet our financial goals, and the timeline afforded to us has run out.'" — "'This was a bust.' South Beach vacations rattled by city's last-minute curfew rules," by Miami Herald's Douglas Hanks — " At Tampa pride, thousands celebrate a respite from Florida politics," by Tampa Bay Times' Divya Kumar — "Did teen's big size factor in Florida amusement park ride death? " by The Associated Press' Curt Anderson — "Grand jury criticizes Quincy commissioner salary increase, rejects Sunshine Law violation," by Florida Politics' Tristan Wood
| | ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN | | — "Bradenton restaurant says it wasn't aware of Capitol rioter's 'going to prison' party," by WFLA's Athina Morris and Dylan Abad: "Adam Johnson made national headlines when he was photographed carrying House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's lectern after he entered restricted U.S. Capitol grounds on Jan. 6, 2021. Johnson pleaded guilty to entering and remaining in a restricted building in November and was sentenced in February to 75 days in prison. A 'going to prison' party was set to be hosted by Johnson at popular waterfront restaurant Caddy's in Bradenton, but it has been canceled. A person who identified themself as a restaurant manager told WFLA by phone on Friday that Johnson had indeed scheduled the event but that staff decided to cancel the reservation due to the attention it drew." BIRTHDAYS: Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody
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