| | | | |  | | By Gary Fineout | Hello and welcome to Friday. For the history books — It's hard to say if anything that happened this week has ever happened before. Seen at the Capitol — Democratic legislators, nearly all of them Black, staged a sit-down and protest in the middle of the House floor. Republicans ceded the floor amid the chanting and then flooded back in an hour later. House Speaker Chris Sprowls attempted to talk over the protesters and then — failing to do so — called for a vote on three bills, including the new congressional map that sparked the protest because it dismantles a seat held by one Black Democrat and dilutes the Black vote in another district. The votes occurred in quick succession before — poof! — the session was over. Unmatched — Sure, there have been interruptions before. But they usually came from the gallery that overlooks the chamber where the public can sit. And yes, the Democrats have tried to make things uncomfortable for the GOP majority in the past two decades — most notably when they forced the House, under then-Speaker Marco Rubio to read the full text of every bill. (Rubio responded by locking the doors and not allowing members to leave, even if they wanted to use the restroom.) Dueling opinions — Some House Republicans tried to equate the hour-long protest, which included prayers and songs, to the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol where rioters violently clashed with police. Multiple Democrats pushed back on this narrative, saying they had a right to be in the House, but that it was time to speak for Black voices they said were being ignored and silenced. Reverberations — Sprowls would later put out a statement decrying those members who decided to "hijack the legislative process." He also said Democrats had violated House rules and interfered "with the rights of their fellow elected colleagues to debate important legislation." Does this mean that the House plans to sanction or discipline those who took part? That's not immediately clear, but it's obviously a possibility. How it got here — What is clear is that the protest was the culmination of a session that was largely unlike any other in recent memory. It started with legislative leaders ceding the drawing of a new congressional map completely to Gov. Ron DeSantis — a tremendous concession and one not given to previous governors. And in another stunning moment, the session was expanded to take up two bills aimed at Disney. That legislation was made public, barely discussed and voted out and sent to the governor in slightly more than 48 hours. Remember that next time when lawmakers contend they ran out of time to do something. What comes next? — So yes, this entire week was without parallel. And what does it signal for the next special session (likely in late May) and beyond? And is it yet another reminder that the hyperpartisan toxic dysfunction Washington, D.C., is known for has now taken over Tallahassee? — WHERE'S RON? — Gov. DeSantis is scheduled to be the keynote speaker for the Miami-Dade Republican Party Lincoln Day dinner in Miami Beach. He's also scheduled to attend a fundraiser at nearby Fisher Island. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for Playbook? Get in touch: gfineout@politico.com
| | | | DON'T MISS ANYTHING FROM THE 2022 MILKEN INSTITUTE GLOBAL CONFERENCE: POLITICO is excited to partner with the Milken Institute to produce a special edition "Global Insider" newsletter featuring exclusive coverage and insights from the 25th annual Global Conference. This year's event, May 1-4, brings together more than 3,000 of the world's most influential leaders, including 700+ speakers representing more than 80 countries. "Celebrating the Power of Connection" is this year's theme, setting the stage to connect influencers with the resources to change the world with leading experts and thinkers whose insight and creativity can implement that change. Whether you're attending in person or following along from somewhere else in the world, keep up with this year's conference with POLITICO's special edition "Global Insider" so you don't miss a beat. Subscribe today. | | | | | |  | DRIVING THE DAY | | THE GOVERNOR'S MAP — "Florida approves DeSantis-backed congressional maps that dismantle Black lawmaker's seat ," by POLITICO's Matt Dixon and Gary Fineout: Republican majorities in the House on Thursday passed congressional maps favored by Gov. Ron DeSantis over a vocal protest from House Democrats, who interrupted the legislative debate for nearly an hour over opposition to the redistricting proposal. The newly approved maps cut in half the number of seats designed to allow Black voters to select a candidate of their own choosing. The House passed the DeSantis-drawn plan 68-38 along party lines as chants of "what do we do when Black voters are under attack, stand up, fight back," chants rang loudly through the chamber. The GOP-led Florida Senate approved the maps along party lines on Wednesday. The maps now go to DeSantis for his signature. | 
Rep. Angie Nixon (D-Jacksonville) holds up a sign in protest, breaking up a debate on Senate Bill 2-C: Establishing the Congressional Districts of the State in the House of Representatives Thursday, April 21, 2022 at the Capitol in Tallahassee, Fla. | Phil Sears/AP Photo |
MOUSETRAP — "Florida lawmakers vote to dismantle Disney's special privileges over 'Don't Say Gay ,'" by POLITICO's Andrew Atterbury: Florida's Republican-led House on Thursday put the Legislature's final stamp on two bills requested by Gov. Ron DeSantis to penalize The Walt Disney Co. for its public criticism of a new law restricting how sexual orientation and gender identity are addressed in public schools. The legislation, which is now awaiting final approval from DeSantis, could spell the end of special benefits afforded to Disney since the 1960s that allow the California-based entertainment giant to self-govern the land surrounding its Disney World theme park in Central Florida. GOP leaders, including DeSantis, say the proposal is necessary to push back against "woke" corporations while Democrats opposed the idea, warning of widespread ramifications for thousands of employees and the local municipalities expected to take on new responsibilities.
THE DESANTIS WAY — "DeSantis, through hardball tactics, bends Florida Republicans to his will," by POLITICO's Gary Fineout: It was another reminder that DeSantis — who enjoys rock star status among conservatives and is seen as a likely 2024 presidential contender — yields what many long-time insiders call an unprecedented level of power in Florida that has not matched other recent governors such as former Gov. Jeb Bush, who was in office while his brother was president. State Sen. Jeff Brandes (R-St. Petersburg), who is leaving office this year due to term limits, sharply criticized his own party leaders during an interview for focusing on "politics" and not "policy." "Most of the previous speakers and presidents had a spine. The current ones have no spine," said Brandes, who broke ranks and voted against the Disney bills. "They are jellyfish." Moving ahead — DeSantis has been able to use his power to attack "woke" corporations and others who have resisted his agenda on immigration, elections, Covid-19 policies and education. The governor, who is expected to win a second term this fall, has reveled in his confrontational nature, repeating during campaign appearances and at speeches that he will not "back down" to opponents. "I have to give the governor credit for seizing this political moment and acting on it," said state Rep. Spencer Roach (R-North Fort Myers). Roach added that Disney was once considered "untouchable" and the "fourth rail of Florida politics." — "Ron DeSantis flexes the raw power of his imperial governorship," by CNN's Maeve Reston — " Ron DeSantis' governing strategy in Florida is paying off," by CNN's Harry Enten REACTION — "Why Colorado Democrat's Democratic governor called Ron DeSantis socialist ," by Deseret News' D. Hunter Schwarz: "[Colorado Gov. Jared] Polis, a moderate who was once the only Democratic member of the libertarian House Liberty Caucus, invited both companies to come to his state. He said Colorado doesn't "meddle in affairs of companies" and invited Disney to build a 'Mountain Disneyland' in Colorado and for Twitter to open a second headquarters there. 'We will grant Mickey and Minnie full asylum in Colorado,' Polis added in a follow-up tweet." FALLOUT — " Demings: Eliminating Disney's Reedy Creek 'catastrophic' for Orange taxpayers," by Orlando Sentinel's Stephen Hudak: " State legislators' plan to dissolve a special district that has governed Central Florida lands owned by the Walt Disney Co. for over half a century would be 'catastrophic' for Orange County's budget and taxpayers, who'd shoulder the burden of providing public safety and other services for the entertainment giant's properties, Mayor Jerry Demings said Thursday. He said Disney foots 100% of the bills for its law enforcement services, provided through a contract with the Orange County Sheriff's Office; Reedy Creek Fire Services, which delivers fire-rescue protection from a station in Lake Buena Vista; and its 911 call center. — "Florida taxpayers could face a $1 billion Disney debt bomb if its special district status is revoked," by CNBC's Robert Frank
| | ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... | | AS EXPECTED — "DeSantis chooses GOP Sen. Manny Diaz for education commissioner," by POLITICO's Andrew Atterbury: Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday recommended Manny Diaz, a sitting Republican state Senator from Hialeah, to become the state's next commissioner of education. Diaz, who has served the Legislature since 2012, has spearheaded several high-profile education bills during his time in Tallahassee, including proposals this year aiming to reshape the state's standardized testing system and root out "woke" lessons in schools. The choice is fitting for DeSantis, who previously appointed former House Speaker Richard Corcoran — another lawmaker who put an emphasis on education policy and especially school choice. JUST A SUGGESTION REALLY — "Fried announces rule setting 100 percent renewable energy goal for Florida," by POLITICO's Bruce Ritchie: Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried announced Thursday that her department is proposing rules to require 100 percent renewable energy from utilities by 2050…Fried said Florida is vulnerable to climate change but accused Gov. Ron DeSantis of refusing to address the issue even while acknowledging the state's vulnerability to sea level rise. And she said the Legislature had refused to take up bills containing her proposals to set renewable energy goals. "We need to be doing so much more when it comes to finding solutions and protecting our environment," Fried said. By the numbers — Utilities in 2020 produced 4.2 percent of their electricity from renewable energy sources, according to the Public Service Commission, which regulates utilities. Those utilities would have to produce 40 percent from renewables by 2030 under the proposed rule. It would also require 63 percent by 2035, 82 percent by 2040 and 100 percent by 2050. Fried's rule doesn't contain any mechanism for enforcing the goals other than commenting to the PSC on a utility's 10-year site plans that are submitted annually for review. ADDED INFO — "'What? Me? Racist? Florida's education department gives examples of math textbook concerns," by Scott Travis and Leslie Postal: "The math textbooks rejected by the state of Florida included word problems that discuss racism and practicing empathy with others, according to examples released Thursday by the Department of Education. The department posted examples on its website following numerous questions regarding its announcement April 15 that 41% of math textbooks were rejected for reasons such as the inclusion of critical race theory and social-emotional learning." — " Can Republican Sen. Ileana Garcia keep blocking her Miami constituents on Twitter?" by Miami New Times' Alex Deluca
| | | | JOIN US ON 4/29 FOR A WOMEN RULE DISCUSSION ON WOMEN IN TECH : Women, particularly women of color and women from disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds, have historically been locked out of the tech world. But this new tech revolution could be an opportunity for women to get in on the ground floor of a new chapter. Join POLITICO for an in-depth panel discussion on the future of women in tech and how to make sure women are both participating in this fast-moving era and have access to all it offers. REGISTER HERE. | | | | | | | CAMPAIGN MODE | | FIRE UP THE LAPTOPS — The Republican National Committee, in partnership with the National Republican Congressional Committee, is hosting a data "bootcamp" for campaigns and staffers in Tampa starting today. It's one of only eight the party is doing nationally and aimed to boost data infrastructure in a key state that, to a degree, Democrats nationally are not as focused on during the 2022 midterms. "We just want to take everything the RNC is investing in in data infrastructure and continue to invest in human capital to leverage it," RNC Deputy Chief Data Officer Justin Kemp told POLITICO. The event comes as most indicators nationally and in Florida point to a rough election cycle for Democrats. National groups, including the Democratic Governors Association, have already signaled they will have less of a presence in Florida than in the past, a blow to Democrats who will already struggle to beat Gov. Ron DeSantis, the heavy favorite. (From POLITICO's Matt Dixon) FOLLOW THE MONEY — " HCA Healthcare shareholders rally against political donations to Gov. Ron DeSantis," by Sun-Sentinel's Cindy Krischer Goodman: "Employee and union shareholders of HCA Healthcare, the largest operator of hospitals in Florida, rallied at the company's annual meeting Thursday for improved reporting around its political spending and lobbying. The shareholders said research into political contributions revealed HCA has given more than $7 million to conservative political action committees in Florida that donated at least $2 million to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' campaign ― $1.5 million of that was given in 2022." Protest — "Xochitl Gonzalez, a patient care tech at Los Robles Hospital in Thousand Oaks, Calif., said HCA Healthcare workers who also are shareholders oppose a donation to the committees that support DeSantis' campaign. DeSantis' refusal to expand Medicaid in the interest of politics leaves billions of federal dollars on the table that could help struggling rural hospitals and create good health care jobs in Florida, she said." — " Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry won't run for Congress in newly drawn district," by Florida Times-Union's David Bauerlein — "Aaron Bean exploring run in new Jax-area congressional seat ," by Florida Politics' A.G. Gancarski
| | TRUMPLANDIA AND THE SWAMP | | ANOTHER ONE — "Florida man charged with attacking officers at Capitol riot," by The Associated Press: "A Florida man who attacked police officers while storming the U.S. Capitol during the January 2021 insurrection was arrested Thursday, officials said. Barry Ramey, 38, of Plantation, was arrested in South Florida, where he is scheduled to make his initial court appearance Friday, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. Plantation is just west of Fort Lauderdale. Ramey faces charges of assaulting, resisting, or impeding officers with a dangerous weapon, civil disorder and engaging in physical violence in a restricted building or grounds with a dangerous weapon." — "Donald Trump Jr. plans to meet with Jan. 6 committee," by New York Times' Luke Broadwater and Maggie Haberman — " Arbitrator orders Trump campaign to pay Omarosa Manigault Newman's Jacksonville attorney $1.3 million," by Florida Times-Union's Dan Scanlan
| | PENINSULA AND BEYOND | | THE NEW CALIFORNIA — "Miami-Dade home prices hit new high, crushing American Dream for many people," by Miami Herald's Michael Butler and Rebecca San Juan: "The story of [Anthony] Nunziata, his wife Carolina Penafiel and their son Santino Nunziata-Penafiel is all too familiar for area residents dealing with what the Miami-Dade County mayor this month called a housing affordability crisis. Real estate industry and academic experts, as well as let-down homebuyers, already had reached that conclusion. 'The American dream's been sold to me my whole life and it's not there anymore,' the New York City transplant said of making homeownership a reality. 'No one gives a s---. Local government doesn't care and state government (only) cares about passing the critical race theory and 'don't say gay' bills.'" — "'Discriminatory': Puerto Ricans decry Supreme Court ruling allowing exclusions," by NBC News' Nicole Acevedo — " Sentencing postponed for Stephen Alford, who attempted to extort millions from Gaetz family," by Northwest Florida Daily News' Tom McLaughlin — " Floridians are getting medical marijuana cards in record numbers. Here's how to get one," by Sun-Sentinel's Cindy Krischer Goodman — "Broward family savagely beat gay man because they felt he 'made' son gay, victim told cops ," by Miami Herald's David Ovalle — "Hillsborough schools' handling of sexual harassment under federal scrutiny," by Tampa Bay Times' Bethany Barnes — "State suspends Destin nursing home license, orders it to discharge 100-plus residents," by Florida Politics' Christine Jordan Sexton — "' We Build the Wall' leaders who worked with Bannon plead guilty to fraud," by NBC News' Zoë Richards
| | ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN | | — "Dan Markel murder: Charlie Adelson arrested on murder charges in Broward County," by Tallahassee Democrat's Karl Etters: "Nearly eight years after FSU law professor Dan Markel was gunned down in his Betton Hills garage by hired hitmen, his former brother-in-law has been arrested in connection with his brazen, broad daylight murder. Charlie Adelson was booked, according to Broward County Jail records, on charges of first degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder and solicitation of murder. The 45-year-old was taken into custody "without incident" Thursday morning at his home by the FBI. … Details of the crimes he is accused of committing were not included in booking documents. Adelson's lawyers declared his innocence." BIRTHDAYS: Former state Sen. Frank Artiles | | | | 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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