| | | | |  | | By Gary Fineout | Presented by CVS Health | Good Tuesday morning. Never-ending story — Gov. Ron DeSantis says it's time to end "Covid theatre." Apparently, even as cases drop it's not time to end the battle with the White House and the Biden administration over how to respond to the disease. Wait for it — The Republican governor on Monday held a lengthy roundtable on Covid-19 — which has claimed nearly 71,000 lives in the state — and at the end of the event recently confirmed state Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo announced that Florida would recommend that healthy children should not get the Covid-19 vaccine. As you probably realize, that advice contradicts the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Doubling down — DeSantis — who got widespread attention last week for his chiding of high school students wearing masks at one of his press conferences — later in the day defended Ladapo's position and said children were at low risk from the disease. He lashed out at the CDC and said officials there were more interested in "political science" and that a "huge majority of Americans had lost confidence" in the agency. Response from D.C. — White House press secretary Jen Psaki pushed back saying that data showed how unvaccinated teenagers were at higher risk of getting hospitalized. "It's deeply disturbing that there are politicians peddling conspiracy theories out there and casting doubt on vaccinations when it is our best tool against the virus," Psaki told reporters. Here come the Dems — Democrats and other groups also weighed in. Charlie Crist called Ladapo a "dangerous quack " while Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried said DeSantis and Ladapo were confusing Floridians and "promoting dangerous Covid-19 misinformation." Counterpoint — DeSantis supporters then lashed back at Democrats online. Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez: "It was @GovRonDeSantis who prioritized seniors, followed the data for businesses to remain open and children to attend school in person, recognizing how little their risk was. While the Biden Administration criticizes our efforts, Florida remains to be the envy of the nation." Context — It's important to note — again — that DeSantis and his administration did not take a straight line on Covid-19 policies over the last two years (there were lockdowns in Florida at one point, and he did visit the Trump White House to champion vaccines). But many of the stands the governor took were eventually accepted by others. From a political standpoint, Covid-19 has helped propel DeSantis' standing nationally, especially among conservatives. But even as Americans yearn to return to normalcy, it would appear both sides are going to keep arguing about this as the 2022 elections move closer. — 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. | | | |  | CORONAVIRUS UPDATES | | CONTRARIAN — "Florida's controversial surgeon general recommends against Covid-19 vaccination for kids ," by POLITICO's Arek Sarkissian: Florida's controversial surgeon general announced Monday that the state is breaking with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and will be the first state in the nation to recommend against giving the Covid-19 vaccines to kids ages 5 and older. | 
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis addresses a question from the media as Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo looks on during a news conference in Jacksonville, Fla., on Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2022. | Bob Self/The Florida Times-Union via AP |
— "Pasco schools spent $11M on COVID health care for unvaccinated employees," by Tampa Bay Times' Jeffrey S. Solochek
| | ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... | | ONE MORE VOTE — "Florida's 'Don't Say Gay' parental rights bill poised to pass Senate," by POLITICO's Andrew Atterbury: The Florida Senate held an initial floor hearing Monday for legislation targeting how sexual orientation and gender identity can be taught and discussed in the state's public schools, setting up the proposal labeled as the "Don't Say Gay" bill by opponents for approval during the final week of the 2022 session. Senate Republicans are poised to pass the bill, one of the most controversial measures introduced this year, on the floor Tuesday, which would likely mark its final stamp from the state Legislature. … "We're going to make sure that parents are able to send their kid to kindergarten without having some of this stuff injected into their school curriculum," Gov. Ron DeSantis told reporters Monday at a press conference about 30 miles from Tampa. Efforts to change bill voted down — One amendment, introduced by Sen. Shevrin Jones (D-Miami Gardens), an openly gay lawmaker, would have tweaked the bill to instead ban any classroom instruction explicitly intended to "change" a student's sexual orientation or sexual identity. Jones shared his experiences of coming out, testifying that friends stopped talking to him and he was the source of jokes made by his own family in an attempt to rally support from Republicans. "When I see these kids, I don't think y'all understand how much courage it takes for these children to show up every day," Jones said on the floor Monday. THE MOUSE SPEAKS — "Disney CEO Bob Chapek addresses company's response to Florida's 'Don't Say Gay' bill," by The Hollywood Reporter's Alex Weprin: "Disney has been taking heat in recent weeks for declining to release a statement about the bill and for donating money to statewide elected officials who supported the bill. [CEO Bob] Chapek addressed both issues in his memo, saying that the company's new chief corporate affairs officer, Geoff Morrell, would be 'reassessing our advocacy strategies around the world — including political giving — as he begins to integrate the communications, public policy, government relations and CSR teams.' (He also noted that the company has supported politicians who have 'taken positions on both sides of the legislation.') As for the decision not to release a statement, he told staff, 'I do not want anyone to mistake a lack of a statement for a lack of support.'" TURNABOUT — "'Kumbaya' to 'don't say gay': How Florida GOP outreach to LGBTQ community fell apart," by Orlando Sentinel's Steven Lemongello: "Four years later, however, gay rights groups are in an uproar over the Republican-backed 'don't say gay' bill that's expected to pass this week and head to Gov. Ron DeSantis' desk for his signature. The schism between the GOP and the LGTBQ community is at its highest levels since the gay marriage battles of the 2000s. Those involved with that outreach from four years ago, meanwhile, are now struggling to figure out what happened. 'I think it's bull----,' said Jennifer Thompson, a former Republican Orange County Commissioner who attended the 2018 event, when asked about the bill that Republicans say protects parental rights." WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS — "Florida Legislature backs making executions more secret," by News Service of Florida's Dara Kam: "On Monday, the Florida Senate passed a measure that would more broadly cloak information about people and businesses involved with state executions and the drugs used for lethal injection, sending it to Gov. Ron DeSantis. Current law includes a public-records exemption to shield information about people such as executioners and the prescribers of drugs for lethal injections. The proposal would broaden that to cover people or entities involved in any step in the execution process." The tally — "The bill required a super-majority vote to pass because it includes a public records exemption. Six Democrats – Loranne Ausley, D-Tallahassee; Janet Cruz, D-Tampa; Tina Polsky, D-Boca Raton; Linda Stewart, D-Orlando; Victor Torres, D-Orlando; and Darryl Rouson, D-St. Petersburg – joined almost all Republicans in supporting the measure. Sen. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, was the only Republican who opposed the bill." SHADE — " Senate passes, sends solar payments bill to governor," by POLITICO's Bruce Ritchie: The Senate on Monday passed a bill that would reduce payments to those who own or lease rooftop solar systems. The Senate voted 24-15 to send the bill to the governor after a brief debate during which opponents said the Legislature should instead study the payments issue rather than changing state law. Sen. Jennifer Bradley (R-Fleming Island), bill sponsor, said the measure was needed to rein in subsidies for rooftop solar customers. Florida Power & Light Co. requested the bill and launched a television ad campaign in support of it. But senators debating against the bill argued that rooftop solar energy plays a key role in energy independence, yet the state has not studied the subsidy issue. TRANSITIONS — Louise St. Laurent, general counsel for the Department of Health, is leaving the state agency to join the Panza Maurer law firm as a partner in their health care practice. … Lauren Cassedy has joined AT&T after working as director of public affairs for Attorney General Ashley Moody for the past three years. Cassedy had previously worked as press secretary for Gov. Rick Scott. — "GOP Legislature to deliver for DeSantis, but tensions mount on redistricting, budget," by Florida Politics' Gray Rohrer — "Strawberry fields forever! Shortcake's Florida state dessert," by The Associated Press — " Late bill change would weaken tenure at Florida universities, faculty say," by Tampa Bay Times' Divya Kumar and Miami Herald's Ana Ceballos — " Amid nursing home staffing crisis, Legislature approves industry-backed bill changing care requirements," by Florida Politics' Christine Jordan Sexton
| | | | HAPPENING TODAY, INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY, AN IMPORTANT CONVERSATION ON THE WOMEN IN AFGHANISTAN: Join Women Rule editor Elizabeth Ralph for a panel discussion on the future for Afghan women. Guests include Hawa Haidari, a member of the Female Tactical Platoon; Cindy McCain, U.S. ambassador to the United Nations Agencies for Food and Agriculture; Roya Rahmani, Afghanistan's first female ambassador to the U.S.; and Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.). Learn how female Afghan veterans are planning their futures, what the women still in Afghanistan face, and what the U.S. can do to help. REGISTER HERE. | | | | | | | RUSSIA-UKRAINE | | FOR YOUR RADAR — News that the Biden administration has approached the government of Venezuela — which the U.S. broke off diplomatic relations with in 2019 but is apparently rethinking amid the Russia-Ukraine war — has created an awkward moment so far for Florida Democrats. Rep. Val Demings said in a statement that she was "deeply skeptical" of the overture while Rep. Charlie Crist said on Twitter that he was "deeply concerned the wrong change to our policy would simply enrich [Nicolás] Maduro's brutal dictatorship and set back the fight for democracy." No way — State Sen. Annette Taddeo was much more direct: "If America was down to its last barrel and Venezuela was giving away oil for free, America still shouldn't go to the murderous tyrannic Maduro regime for help. There are ways to reduce gas prices that don't involve putting America and Florida at the mercy of murderous dictators." GOP response — Florida Republicans are strongly opposed to negotiations with Venezuela. "Biden Admin secret meeting with #Maduro was a huge PR boost for #MaduroRegime," Marco Rubio tweeted . "And a demoralizing betrayal of those who have risked everything to oppose Maduro & weren't even told this was happening. And for what? The amount of oil #Venezuela can produce right now is insignificant." Gov. Ron DeSantis also weighed in : "It is wrong for the Biden Administration to beg for oil from Venezuela & legitimize Maduro's communist regime during an official visit. The U.S. should hold Maduro accountable while increasing domestic energy production so we won't need to rely on hostile regimes for energy." OVERTURES — "Venezuelans in Miami torn by 'risky' U.S. talks with Maduro about oil, sanctions, Russia ," by Miami Herald's Bianca Padró Ocasio: "As Russia's war on Ukraine rages on, leaders in the Venezuelan community in Miami are watching in suspense — and low expectations — the ongoing talks between the Biden administration and the government of Nicolás Maduro to potentially ease sanctions on Venezuelan oil. A U.S. delegation traveled to Caracas last week in what was the U.S. government's first approach to the communist regime since it broke diplomatic ties in 2019. With the price of oil skyrocketing, the U.S. is seeking alternative sources of oil and renewed engagement with one of Russian President Vladimir Putin's closest allies in Latin America." ADDITIONS — "Florida Republicans pursue new sanctions after Russia's invasion of Ukraine,' by Miami Herald's Bryan Lowry: "Florida lawmakers have proposed a slew of new sanctions and other measures in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Rep. Carlos Gimenez and Sen. Marco Rubio, two Republicans from Florida, last week introduced the Preventing Usurpation of Power and Privileges by Extralegal Territories' Sedition Act, or PUPPETS Act, to target the pro-Russian separatist groups in eastern Ukraine whose conflict with the Ukrainian government in Kyiv was used by Russian President Vladimir Putin as a pretext for the invasion."
| | | |   | | | | | CAMPAIGN MODE | | 'THERE IS AN APPETITE FOR THIS' — "'Defcon 1 moment': New Spanish-language conservative network fuels fresh Dem fears over disinfo, Latino outreach," by NBC News' Marc Caputo: "The nation's first Spanish-language conservative network launches Tuesday morning on satellite radio, opening a new front in the political information wars targeting Latinos in the United States and beyond. The network, called Americano, arrives during a crucial inflection point in U.S. politics, as more Hispanic voters show signs of drifting right and Democrats continue to sound the alarm about Spanish-language right-wing disinformation on social media and local radio, particularly in Miami, which is also Americano's home base." — " Rep. Jackie Toledo announces congressional run in north Hillsborough district," by Tampa Bay Times' Romy Ellenbogen — " Fred Guttenberg endorses Jared Moskowitz for CD 22 seat," by Florida Politics' Anne Geggis
| | | | 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 | | FALLOUT — "Federal grand jury indicts former JEA executives on conspiracy, wire fraud," by Florida Times-Union's Nate Monroe and David Bauerlein : "Federal prosecutors on Monday unsealed a grand jury indictment charging former JEA chief executive officer Aaron Zahn and finance chief Ryan Wannemacher with conspiracy and wire fraud, casting the two men as the architects of a brazen scheme to secretly extract tens of millions of dollars of personal profit out of the city-owned utility before selling it off to a private operator." Significant — "In truth, prosecutors allege, almost every aspect of the failed effort to privatize one of Jacksonville's largest and most important public agencies — a policy project Mayor Lenny Curry threw the weight of his administration into supporting — was a fraud, echoing the past findings of auditors, outside attorneys, a Jacksonville City Council investigation and previous Times-Union reporting." PUSHING BACK — " Fort Lauderdale's fired biracial chief was not part of 'good ol boys club,' NAACP leader says," by Sun Sentinel's Susannah Bryan: "Larry Scirotto, Fort Lauderdale's top cop fired amid allegations of reverse discrimination last week after just six months on the job, was firing back on Monday, saying any and all options are open — including a wrongful termination lawsuit and reinstatement. Scirotto, speaking to reporters at a news conference outside the NAACP building in downtown Fort Lauderdale, said city leadership hired him, in part, to bring change to a department whose leaders usually came from inside the agency. Scirotto, tasked with bringing diversity to the agency, says he reviewed prior promotions and saw classic nepotism and favoritism." — "Boat carrying Haitian migrants grounds off the Florida Keys," by Associated Press — " About 2,000 migrants from Haiti and Cuba have made the risky trip since October," by Miami Herald's Omar Rodríguez Ortiz
| | 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.
We have been 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 have been increasing remote access to mental health services.
We have been supporting safer pregnancies and expanding access to prenatal and postpartum care via telemedicine.
Recognizing the strong connection between housing and health, we have been 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 | | — "Football standout Travis Rudolph claims 'stand your ground' in 2021 homicide. Will court allow it?" by Palm Beach Post's Gerard Albert III: "Travis Rudolph fired almost 40 rounds from his AR-15 outside his Lake Park home early one morning last April, killing one of the four men who had pulled up to his house to confront him about his treatment of a woman, according to court testimony Monday. Circuit Judge Jeffrey Gillen will decide whether Rudolph, a former standout football player at Florida State and Cardinal Newman High School, fired the semi-automatic rifle in self-defense." BIRTHDAYS: Michael Bileca, chair of Miami Dade College board of trustees and former legislator ... Attorney Lance Block
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