News: POLITICO Florida Playbook: Frenzied Florida Legislature rushes to the finish line

Thursday, March 10, 2022

POLITICO Florida Playbook: Frenzied Florida Legislature rushes to the finish line

Mar 10, 2022

Presented by CVS Health

Good Thursday morning.

Blink and you will miss it — The final frantic days of the 2022 session are here and in a dizzying few hours the Republican-controlled Legislature on Wednesday created a new election police and finalized a budget deal that included hundreds of millions of dollars in spending pushed by legislative leaders. They also debated the teaching of race in class and passed a contentious bill on immigration.

Winning — The overarching story is that it's an election year and — despite some earlier signs of friction — GOP leaders are largely bowing to the wishes of Gov. Ron DeSantis and catering to the Republican voting base. They even gave the governor a version of his gas tax moratorium pitch (and would have it start in October. Hmm. What happens right around that time?) after dismissing the idea for the first eight weeks of the nine-week session.

Strategy? — There is buzz that the last-minute capitulation to the governor is designed to win him over on redistricting despite DeSantis vowing to veto the congressional maps legislators approved last week. (Didn't DeSantis say "I don't bluff" just days ago?)

The agenda — Most of the session has been dominated by culture war red meat as other potential problems (property insurance, for one) have been secondary concerns. The voices of Democrats — as well as protesters visiting the Capitol — has done little to pause Republicans from marching ahead.

Process, process — The idea of a bicameral Legislature has also taken a hit as the Senate, on multiple occasions, has taken bills passed by the House and then steered them through one large Republican-dominated committee in order to avoid close votes and speed them to the floor for final passage This happened this week for a measure regarding legal notices that could harm Florida newspapers financially. (How convenient.)

What's next — Legislators will wrap up nearly all their work — except for a final vote on the budget — in the next two days as they push a few contentious bills to final passage, including one dealing with classroom instruction on race. It will likely take months for most Floridians to realize what lawmakers actually did — or didn't do to help them with their daily lives.

— 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

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... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ...

AFTER IT'S OVER — "DeSantis agrees to meet with Disney CEO amid 'Don't Say Gay' fallout," by POLITICO's Andrew Atterbury: Walt Disney Co.'s CEO told shareholders on Wednesday that Gov. Ron DeSantis agreed to meet with him to discuss Florida's "Don't Say Gay" parental rights bill amid widespread condemnation of the controversial measure. Bob Chapek, the head of the California-based Walt Disney corporation, said he called DeSantis expressing "disappointment and concern" over the legislation and that the Republican governor agreed to meet with him and LGBTQ company leaders over the impact the bill could have, according to a readout of Chapek's comments provided to POLITICO by Disney.

And this means what? — DeSantis' spokesperson, Christina Pushaw, confirmed that the two men spoke Wednesday but said the governor has not wavered from his support for the bill, which prohibits educators from leading instruction on sexual orientation or gender issues with students in kindergarten through third grade. DeSantis has not yet signed the legislation. "The governor's position has not changed," Pushaw wrote in a statement to POLITICO.

SO HOW DO YOU LOBBY WITHOUT LOBBYING? — "Chapek says Disney opposes 'don't say gay' law, will meet with DeSantis," by Orlando Sentinel's Steven Lemongello and Skyler Swisher: "[Bob] Chapek told the investors at Disney's annual shareholders meeting that its behind-the-scenes approach to the bill 'didn't get the job done.' 'We were hopeful that our longstanding relationships with those lawmakers would enable us to achieve a better outcome, but despite weeks of effort we were ultimately unsuccessful,' he said."

But, but, but — "Disney is not registered to lobby on the 'don't say gay' bill, according to legislative records. The company has deployed lobbyists on other legislation in Tallahassee, including a bill to expand tax breaks for television or streaming projects and a measure targeting 'woke' ideology in corporate training."

— "LGBTQ Floridians once hoped DeSantis could be an ally. Not anymore ," by CNN's Steve Contorno

FALLOUT — Even as the session heads to the finish line with many controversial bills already passed, a coalition of ten progressive groups this week said that they are spending more than $500,000 on ads targeting Republican Sens. Ileana Garcia and Jason Brodeur as well as Rep. Nick DiCeglie. All three are likely to run for office later this year in competitive Senate districts. Progressive groups also protested outside of Garcia's office on Wednesday, a move that came a day after she said during debate that "gay is not a permanent thing."

The message — The English and Spanish radio ads are airing in Miami, St. Petersburg and in Seminole County saying, "We need our elected officials to stand up for us and not for greedy billionaire corporations. Instead of prioritizing Florida's housing and climate crisis, Republicans in Tallahassee are making it harder for you to vote, attacking teachers and kids, banning books, and giving money to utility companies like FPL instead of keeping solar power affordable."

MORE GOVERNMENT — " Legislature gives DeSantis new election police to target voter fraud in Florida," by POLITICO's Gary Fineout: Florida Republicans handed Gov. Ron DeSantis another legislative victory on Wednesday when they approved creating a stand-alone election police force designed to crack down on voter fraud. DeSantis proposed the special unit to tackle election crimes as he came under pressure from some Republicans to do a full-blown audit of the 2020 election even though former President Donald Trump had little trouble winning Florida and there were no widespread issues with fraudulent voting. "We're very excited and thank the legislature for delivering on Governor DeSantis' election security initiative. The legislature carried out our goal of making it easier to vote and harder to cheat," said Taryn Fenske, a spokesperson for DeSantis.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis waves as he is introduced at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) Friday, Feb. 26, 2021, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux) | John Raoux/AP Photo

YOU GET MONEY AND YOU GET MONEY — "Florida lawmakers release multi-billion dollar budget deal after days of quiet," by POLITICO's Matt Dixon: It was a deal-making day in Tallahassee. After more than a week of relative inaction, legislative budget writers Wednesday night released billions of dollars of agreed upon spending in dozens of pages of budget documents — the product of behind-the-scenes negotiating that for a time stalled, prompting lawmakers to need a brief bit of legislative overtime. The session was scheduled to end on Friday, but lawmakers will likely need to return Monday for a final vote on the more than $100 billion spending plan.

SPREADING IT OUT — The more than 80 pages of budget documents released at 5:40 p.m. offered the first look at how Florida plans on spending $3.5 billion in money from the Biden administration's pandemic relief bill passed last year, $760 million in "sprinkle list" projects — or those not in the original budget but sprinkled in at the very end of the process — and a deal to cut taxes by nearly $700 million, including $200 million in gas tax cuts sought by Gov. Ron DeSantis.

FOR YOUR RADAR — " After Senate agrees to restrict abortions, President Wilton Simpson puts birth control funding in budget," by Florida Politics' Christine Jordan Sexton: Senate President Wilton Simpson on Wednesday put $2 million in funding to help low income women obtain what's known as long acting reversible contraception, or birth control options that don't have to be taken daily to work. This is the second time in as many years that Simpson, who calls himself a "pro-life Republican," has included funding in the state budget for the issue. The LARC funding he added in the 2021 budget was vetoed by Gov. Ron DeSantis. Simpson told reporters Wednesday night he is hopeful the passage of HB 5, which makes it illegal for a woman to have an abortion after 15 weeks gestation, may be a game changer for the Governor this year.

— "Florida lawmakers agree to 1-month gas tax break, right before governor's election," by Orlando Sentinel's Skyler Swisher

YOU CAN ALWAYS GET WHAT YOU WANT — " From limiting race talk to election security, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' wish list advances," by USA Today Network-Florida's John Kennedy: The top items on a polarizing wish list sought by Gov. Ron DeSantis advanced Wednesday in the House and Senate following hours of heated debate over his push for new limits on race discussions in schools and work, swipe at immigration and creation of an elections security office. Support from the Republican-controlled Legislature was never in doubt. But Democrats fought the bills and tried to derail them with amendments, all voted down by GOP majorities in both chambers.

INCLUDING THIS — " GOP-led Legislature sends immigration bill to DeSantis," by POLITICO's Matt Dixon: Gov. Ron DeSantis got his bill. The governor in November called on lawmakers to send him immigration legislation that, among other things, cracked down on federally-contracted flights that take unaccompanied minors from the southern border to Florida — a request the Florida House fulfilled Wednesday by voting 77-42 along party-lines after two days of contentious debate.

TWO VETOES WEREN'T ENOUGH — "Contentious Florida alimony bill headed to Gov. DeSantis," by News Service of Florida's Dara Kam: "Continuing a decade-long effort to rewrite the state's alimony laws, the Florida House on Wednesday approved a contentious measure that would do away with permanent alimony and set up maximum payments based on the duration of marriage. The measure, now set for action by Gov. Ron DeSantis, drew emotional debate from people on both sides of the issue during committee meetings in recent weeks. The Senate approved the bill (SB 1796) last week. This year is the third time the Legislature has passed alimony overhauls, with former Gov. Rick Scott twice vetoing such legislation."

CRISIS, WHAT CRISIS? — "Lawmakers at odds over property insurance reform as session's end looms," by POLITICO's Matt Dixon: Florida's property market is imploding, but with less than three days left in Florida's session the Legislature remains at odds over how to progress, and the fight is getting some intrigue from an unexpected place: "The Real Housewives of Miami." The biggest sticking point is over the Senate's push to crack down on roof fraud, which some senators says is driving rate hikes, while the House argues the upper chamber's proposal waters down coverage that will hurt low-income homeowners.

Cameo — The Senate also added language to its bill cracking down on trial attorneys who file thousands of lawsuits without filing notifications that they are intending to sue, which is required under an insurance reform bill passed last session…..Lawmakers approved legislation last year that requires plaintiffs who sue insurance companies to file a "notice of intent" — generally recognized as a warning shot — which [Sen. Jim] Boyd says has routinely been violated, including thousands filed by a handful of individual attorneys. One of those is Anthony Lopez, a South Florida trial attorney who married "Real Housewives of Miami" star Nicole Martin.

NEW CHIEF — "Muniz chosen as new Florida Supreme Court chief justice," by The Associated Press: "Carlos Muniz will become the next chief justice of the Florida Supreme Court after a vote Wednesday by his colleagues. The court announced in a news release that Muniz will begin his two-year term as chief justice on July 1. He will replace Justice Charles Canady, who will remain on the seven-member court. Muniz, 52, was appointed to the court in January 2019 by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis. Among other positions, he previously served as general counsel to former U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos and chief of staff to former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi. He also worked for former Gov. Jeb Bush."

— "If new local rules hurt revenue, Florida businesses will be allowed to sue for damages," by Miami Herald's Mary Ellen Klas

— " As COVID concerns fade, DeSantis stays in the spotlight by taking more extreme positions," by Sarasota Herald-Tribune's Zac Anderson

— "Heated exchanges over HB 7: 'Are you trying to whitewash the history of African Americans ?" by Florida Phoenix's Imani Thomas

— "Senate readies school board term limits for vote," by Florida Politics' A.G. Gancarski

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CAMPAIGN MODE

SEVERAL PARKLAND FAMILY MEMBERS BACK MOSKOWITZ — Some of those whose children and family members were shot and killed at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School are endorsing former state Rep. Jared Moskowitz for Congress. Moskowitz announced last week he was going to run to replace Rep. Ted Deutch. Those who are backing his bid are Broward School Board member Lori Alhadeff (mother of Alyssa Alhadeff), Fred Guttenberg (father of Jaime Alhadeff), Debbi Hixon (wife of Chris Hixon), Tony Montalto (father of Gina Montalto), and Max Schachter (father of Alex Schachter). Guttenberg, who has become an activist against gun violence, said in a statement that "Jared and I share common Democratic values about politics, decency, civility, and family. I have full faith that Jared is the right person for the job and that he can advance important gun violence prevention policies in Congress."

DATELINE D.C.

HIT FROM BOTH SIDES — "Rubio, other Republicans put Biden in a bind over Russian oil and gas," by Orlando Sentinel's Steven Lemongello: "Florida U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio and other Republicans have been pushing President Biden to stop imports of Russian oil because of the Ukraine invasion. But they've also blamed him for soaring gas prices that are expected to go up even higher now that's he done it. In less than 24 hours, two tweets from Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee epitomized the GOP line: 'Stop buying Russian oil, Joe Biden,' and 'MAKE GAS CHEAP AGAIN.' 'It's definitely a classic, "Damned if you do, damned if you don't" situation politically,' said Aubrey Jewett, a professor of political science at the University of Central Florida."

WHAT'S NEXT? — "U.S. plans more talks with Maduro on releasing other Americans detained in Venezuela," by McClatchy D.C.'s Michael Wilner and El Nuevo Herald's Antonio Maria Delgado: "The Biden administration plans to continue talking with President Nicolás Maduro on 'a range of issues,' including the release of more Americans being detained in Venezuela, the White House said on Wednesday. Maduro released two Americans Tuesday evening after U.S. officials met with him last weekend. The State Department worked quietly for months to set the stage for the release of Gustavo Cardenas, an oil executive with Citgo, and Jorge Fernandez, a Cuban-American tourist, from Venezuelan prisons. Eight Americans remain in custody there."

— " Congress to bump NASA Artemis funds, but requires moon lander plan within 30 days," by Orlando Sentinel's Richard Tribou

— " Rick Scott getting rolled as NRSC chairman," by National Journal's Josh Kraushaar

— "Zelensky is rallying 'the world,' Biden is leading from the 'rear' : Rep. Michael Waltz," by Fox News

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PENINSULA AND BEYOND

NOT OVER? — "$83 million Surfside settlement endorsed by judge but some victims plan to object," by Miami Herald's Linda Robertson: "The settlement agreement that would pay $83 million to victims of the Surfside condominium collapse has received preliminary approval and an endorsement from the judge overseeing lawsuits arising from the disaster that killed 98 people. The agreement between lawyers representing surviving condo owners and heirs with wrongful death claims that was hammered out during a contentious Feb. 4 mediation session 'passes muster with flying colors,' Miami-Dade County Circuit Court Judge Michael Hanzman wrote in his order granting approval."

GENTLE GIANTS — "55 tons of lettuce fed to Florida's starving manatees," by The Associated Press' Curt Anderson: "More than 55 tons of lettuce have been fed to starving Florida manatees as part of an experimental program to help the slow-moving marine mammals since their natural food is being destroyed by water pollution, wildlife officials said Wednesday. The lettuce, funded by more than 1,000 individual donations, is offered to manatees that gather in the warm water discharge near a power plant on Florida's east coast as they typically do during cold months."

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