| | | | |  | | By Gary Fineout | Presented by CVS Health | Hello and welcome to Thursday. Stop Me If You Think You've Heard This One — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis walks into a press conference and …. Ask — Playbook has pointed numerous times that the state's Republican governor usually leaves little to chance and is very calculating about what he says — and what he doesn't. This Charming Man — Then there are the occasional times when he's not. And that's what happened when DeSantis took a relatively benign — and easy to manage press conference on handing out millions of dollars to help pay for cybersecurity workforce training — and turned into a viral moment that got headlines across the nation. The Headmaster Ritual — Recounting it for those that missed: DeSantis marched up to the podium at the University of South Florida and saw that some high school students brought in to join the governor were wearing masks. The governor preceded to then get a bit — let's call it — agitated. How Soon is Now? — "You do not have to wear those masks," DeSantis told the students. "Please take them off. Honestly, it's not doing anything. We've got to stop with this Covid theater. So, if you want to wear it, fine — but this is ridiculous." After that, DeSantis spins around to the podium, shakes his head vigorously and makes a loudly audible sigh. So in other words, this doesn't come across as mere teasing from the chief executive of the nation's third largest state. Is It Really So Strange? — The incident soon spread far and wide across social media and internet. One video shared by WFLA has more than 3 million views alone. Celebrities started chiming in and for DeSantis' persistent critics, such as Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried , this was just another example of what they call the governor's bullying behavior. Rep. Charlie Crist said on Twitter that "Young people in our state deserve to be treated with respect, not dunked on by a heartless, egotistical Governor with a political agenda." You Just Haven't Earned It Yet Baby — Christina Pushaw, the governor's press secretary, pushed back on social media saying "if hundreds of geriatric politicians can crowd indoors for Biden's SOTU without masks, why should high school and college kids wear masks?" She also said : "For all the journos who insist @GovRonDeSantis was 'berating' kids for wearing masks… that's how dads talk to their kids. The students obviously got it; they were smiling and laughing about it. A group of them approached him for a (maskless) photo outside afterwards." Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want — This back-and-forth of course comes amid a long-running push by DeSantis and the Legislature to bolster parents' rights about what's best for their children on everything from masks to lessons on race and gender. So it was interesting to then see some of DeSantis backers lash out when the parents of some of the high school children went on television to say they didn't appreciate the governor's behavior. What Difference Does It Make? — Now, all that said, will this at the same time prove to be beneficial to the governor? Absolutely. Those already supporting the governor for his battle against Covid-19 mandates and lockdowns will cheer him on — as will those who will contend it's just another example of an overly sensitive media going after him. It certainly fuels the fire at the alter of partisan gamesmanship, or maybe, it's just another act in a political theater where the intermissions are too few and too far apart. — 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 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. | | | |  | ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... | | 'SIMPLY TRYING TO SURVIVE' — "Senate rejects rape and incest exemptions in 15-week abortion ban," by POLITICO's Arek Sarkissian: The Florida Senate on Wednesday voted against a Democrat-pushed amendment to the proposed 15-week ban on abortions that called for exemptions for victims of rape, incest and human trafficking. By voice vote, the chamber struck down the amendment after Senate Democratic Leader Lauren Book (D-Plantation) spoke for the first time publicly about being raped by multiple men as a young teenager. 'Young, younger girls aren't so lucky' — Book, who has spoken openly about being sexually abused by a nanny as a child, told senators that she had never publicly shared details about being drugged and gang raped as a young teen. She opened up about her story as she pleaded with Republicans to support the exemptions. "I was simply trying to survive, but young, younger girls aren't so lucky," Book said, adding she told her experience to the support of a group made up of young women and girls. | 
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HMM — "House, Senate don't propose funding DeSantis' economic development fund," by POLITICO's Matt Dixon: Legislative budget-writers are not funding a pot of economic development cash that is a top priority for Gov. Ron DeSantis. The House and Senate are giving no money to the Job Growth Grant Fund, a pot of money that allows the DeSantis administration to provide money to local economic development and workforce projects. It was a top priority for the governor, who recommended funding it at $100 million in his budget proposal.
— " There's money for Casey DeSantis' cancer research in latest budget offer," by Florida Politics' Christine Jordan Sexton — "The Florida Senate budget includes millions to help a housing development in Senate President Wilton Simpson's backyard ," by Seeking Rents Jason Garcia — "Florida hospitals serving poor patients may lose millions in state budget," by Tampa Bay Times' Kirby Wilson 'IT'S A PUBLIC SAFETY CRISIS'— "South Florida prosecutors push Legislature for attorney pay. Call it 'public safety' issue," by Miami Herald's Charles Rabin: "South Florida prosecutors in Miami tried applying some last-minute pressure on state lawmakers to increase the pay of staff attorneys, saying Wednesday that they were woefully underpaid, leaving in droves and that shortages and turnover were "endangering the public safety." In the past year, the Monroe County State Attorney's Office has lost nine of its 15 assistant state attorneys, forcing remaining staff to double case loads. Palm Beach County has lost about 80 percent of its applicants. And in Miami-Dade County, the largest office in South Florida, 80 employees have resigned." DOUBLING DOWN— "Florida lawmakers look to limit out-of-state donors on citizens' initiatives drives," by News Service of Florida's Jim Saunders: "Florida lawmakers are taking another run at large donors to drives to put proposed constitutional amendments on the ballot. The House on Wednesday voted 77-39 to approve a campaign finance bill that includes placing a $3,000 limit on contributions from out-of-state donors to political committees trying to collect enough petition signatures to move forward with citizens' initiatives. The Senate could add the limit to a similar bill Thursday. The House bill would narrow a 2021 law that a federal judge blocked on First Amendment grounds. That law included a $3,000 limit on all donors — not just out-of-state donors — to committees supporting initiative petition drives." BACKUP — "House GOP leadership turns to familiar think tank to justify new election fraud force," by USA Today Network-Florida's Jeffrey Schweers: "When the future Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives needed to justify a new statewide election-crimes squad, he turned to the work of a Washington, D.C.-based conservative think tank. A list of voter fraud cases in Florida used by Rep. Daniel Perez, R-Miami, to argue his case to spend $3.7 million on the new squad came from the Heritage Foundation, which promotes stricter voting regulations, among other conservative priorities." — " As nursing home staffing bill advances through Legislature, AARP Florida considers veto campaign," by Christine Jordan Sexton — "Woman who killed lottery winner backs keeping names secret ," by Fresh Take Florida's Isabella Leandri — "House passes data privacy bill for second year amid lobbying 'onslaught,'" by Florida Politics Renzo Downey — "Bill blocking church closures during emergencies goes to DeSantis," by News Service of Florida's Jim Turner — " Eleven Democrat gun control bills die without a committee hearing," by Florida Politics' Tristan Wood — "House passes 'free kill' bill that revamps state's wrongful death laws ," by Florida Politics' Christine Jordan Sexton
| | | | 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. | | | | | | | TRUMPLANDIA AND THE SWAMP | | FALLOUT — "Jan. 6 committee says Trump violated multiple laws in effort to overturn election ," by POLITICO's Kyle Cheney and Nicholas Wu: The Jan. 6 select committee says its evidence has shown that then-President Donald Trump and his campaign tried to illegally obstruct Congress' counting of electoral votes and "engaged in a criminal conspiracy to defraud the United States." In a major release of its findings, filed in federal court late Wednesday, the committee suggested that its evidence supported findings that Trump himself violated multiple laws by attempting to prevent Congress from certifying his defeat.
| | CAMPAIGN MODE | | SWITCHING RACES — "Florida's first Black elected prosecutor to challenge Moody," by POLITICO's Gary Fineout: Aramis Ayala, who was the state's first Black elected prosecutor, is ending her congressional campaign and will instead challenge Republican Ashley Moody for state attorney general. Ayala, 47, was one of several Democrats in a crowded race to replace Rep. Val Demings, who is mounting her own challenge to Sen. Marco Rubio. She filed paperwork Wednesday to officially jump into the attorney general race. Reasoning — Ayala said she decided to switch races because of what she called "dangerous attacks" by Moody and Gov. Ron DeSantis on voting rights as well as "the LGBTQ+ community, immigrants, communities of color, our most vulnerable neighbors, and the environment." Response — Christina Johnson, a spokesperson for Moody's campaign, sharply criticized Ayala. "It's clear that the Democrats, obsessed with defunding the police, have struggled to recruit a candidate to run for the office of Attorney General," Johnson said in an email. "Desperate and disorganized, they have now turned to a radical ex-prosecutor who has a history of failing to defend our police." SCOTT DODGES TRUMP V. DESANTIS QUESTION — Sen. Rick Scott reiterated on Wednesday that he's running for reelection in 2024 and he's not running for president. But when directly asked to pick between former President Donald Trump or Gov. Ron DeSantis Scott sidestepped the question. "Oh, that's a long way off," Scott said during an appearance on the Fox Business Channel. "We'll see what happens. We'll see who runs in 24." The response is curious given Scott's good relationship with Trump – and his icy relationship with Florida's current governor. — " Candidate who lost a 2020 Democratic primary by less than a half a percent may run for Ted Deutch congressional seat," by Sun Sentinel's Anthony Man
| | | |   | | | | | DATELINE D.C. | | 'IT'S NOBODY ELSE'S POLICY IDEAS — "Scott says his plan could change after McConnell rebuke," by The Hill's Reid Wilson: "The chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) said Wednesday that he would continue to work on the policy agenda he released last week, emphasizing that it was his own slate of proposals rather than the party's, after it received pushback from Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.). In an interview with The Hill on Wednesday, Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) said Republican candidates across the country would run their own races independent of his plans, even as national Democrats signaled they would use the proposal to cast Republicans as tax raisers who would also end programs like Social Security and Medicaid." 'NOTHING IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN FAMILY' — "Florida Democrats introduce bill to restart Cuban family reunification program," by Miami Herald's Syra Ortiz-Blanes and El Nuevo Herald's Nora Gámez Torres: "Congressional Democrats want to restart a federal program that reunites Cuban families in the United States, years after application processing for the program ceased after U.S. government personnel in Havana became mysteriously ill. A bill filed Wednesday by Florida Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz and New Jersey Rep. Albio Sires would resume the Cuban Family Reunification Parole Program, which allows eligible Cuban Americans to bring loved ones to the United States while they wait for their visas."
| | RUSSIA-UKRAINE | | DOSVEDANYA— "Publix stops selling Russian vodka in solidarity in Ukraine," by Sun Sentinel's Lisa J. Huriash: "Publix will no longer carry Russian vodka on its store shelves, the company said Wednesday. The announcement came nearly a week into the invasion of Russian forces into democratic Ukraine. 'Publix stands with the people of Ukraine,' Publix spokeswoman Maria Brous told the South Florida Sun Sentinel on Wednesday. 'To show our support, we have decided to remove Russian-made vodka brands from our shelves.'"
| | | | 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. | | | | | | | CORONAVIRUS UPDATES | | 'WE'RE TIRED OF FIGHTING THIS FIGHT' — "Florida could soon allow nursing home visits — even during a pandemic," by Tampa Bay Times' Hannah Critchfield and Kirby Wilson: "If a measure backed by Gov. Ron DeSantis clears the Legislature, Shannon Daniel said she hopes families won't have to fight facilities to let loved ones in. The proposals, House Bill 987 and Senate Bill 988, establish broad protections for nursing home and hospital visitors. The bills would prohibit the facilities from requiring any vaccinations for visitors, a move that is consistent with federal guidelines related to the current pandemic. They would require facilities to establish policies that allow family members to have physical contact with the loved ones they're visiting."
| | PENINSULA AND BEYOND | | PUSHED OUT — "Alachua outs superintendent who fought DeSantis on masking students," by POLITICO's Andrew Atterbury: Alachua County's school board narrowly voted to fire Superintendent Carlee Simon on Tuesday, signaling an abrupt end for a local leader who played a central role in a high-profile fight with the DeSantis administration over masking students last fall. Board members expressed disappointment with Simon's overall performance as superintendent, yet the embattled schools chief claimed the move was an 'unprecedented partisan attack' in response to her opposition of Gov. Ron DeSantis. The decision, which came down to a 3-2 vote, was called for by Mildred Russell, a former GOP party chair appointed to the board by the Republican governor. WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS — "Florida approves 24-hour-a-day alligator hunting," by Sun Sentinel's David Fleshler: "A 24-hour-a-day alligator hunt won preliminary approval from the Florida wildlife commission Wednesday, in the latest expansion of hunting on an animal that used to be on the endangered species list. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission voted to extend the hours during hunting season on public lands from 17 to 24 hours. Although airboat tour operators and meat processors had previously expressed concerns about the proposal, no one spoke against it at Wednesday's meeting." — " Publix sales jump to $48 billion in 2021, topping 2020," by Orlando Sentinel's Austin Fuller — " Alan Ginsburg's foundation gives $40 million to Nemours, Holocaust Museum, UCF," by Orlando Sentinel's Kate Santich and Caroline Catherman
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Healthier Happens Together. Learn more. | | | | | ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN | | — "Rosenberg told FIU staffer he harassed she was a 'princess' and would divorce his wife, report says," by Miami Herald's Jimena Tavel: "He started calling her 'princess.' He commented on her clothes, asking if she had dressed "so nicely for him." He wouldn't have lunch without her, wouldn't leave the office until she did and hugged her when greeting her. He also extended a proposition: He told her he would get a divorce and asked her to be his 'lover.' He then confessed he had fallen in love with her and wanted to marry her, promising she would be 'taken care of' financially and professionally. Those are some of the allegations of misconduct described in detail by the young woman who in December asked to be transferred out of the President's Office at Florida International University because of how her boss, the university's former president Mark Rosenberg, treated her, according to a report FIU released Wednesday about its investigation of the incidents." BIRTHDAYS: State Rep. Fentrice Driskell … Dan Conston, president of Congressional Leadership Fund and American Action Network. | | | | Follow us on Twitter | | | | Subscribe to the POLITICO Playbook family Playbook | Playbook PM | California Playbook | Florida Playbook | Illinois Playbook | Massachusetts Playbook | New Jersey Playbook | New York Playbook | Ottawa Playbook | Brussels Playbook | London Playbook View all our political and policy newsletters | | Follow us | | | | |
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