| | | | |  | | By Gary Fineout | Hello and welcome to Friday. Spotlight — Gov. Ron DeSantis' wave of attention this week included a rock star welcome on Fox News Thursday night as well as a major write-up in The New York Times. This came on top of a raucous rally in Las Vegas, Nev., where the governor campaigned for longtime friend and Senate candidate Adam Laxalt. Here to bury them — DeSantis on national television last night all but announced the obituary of Florida Democrats, calling them "dispirited" and a "woke train wreck of a party," and he predicted that there will be a big turnout for him and other Republicans this fall. Reminder — This comes amid a wave of legislative successes and DeSantis' maneuvers on Covid-19, where he pushed back against the advice and recommendations of national health authorities. And let's say it again: Many of the policies that the GOP governor called for were eventually adopted by Democrats in other places. Around the corner? — Yet, there is a persistent and growing affordability crisis in the state that can't be waved away just because more people are moving here. If a recession is around the corner — which DeSantis said he was fearful about — it could cause major problems. Florida's economy has always risen and fallen in line with the national one. D & D — And there's the pitched battle with Disney — one of the state's largest employers — over Florida's "parental rights in education" law, known as "don't say gay" by its critics. The measure to strip Disney of its self-governing special status (after the company spoke out against the legislation) was pushed through with unprecedented haste and it has become apparent there remain a multitude of unanswered questions, including whether the legislation is legal and who will wind up paying off the debt associated with Disney. Everything is fine — The answer from the DeSantis administration amounts to a trust us, all will be fine, response and the governor asserted that again on Fox News. "Stay tuned," DeSantis said, adding that "all will be apparent." He emphatically insisted that Disney will pay its debts and maintained the company has too much money invested in Florida to suddenly move elsewhere. In the end, he once again railed at Disney and said the company had "lost your way" and "maybe this will be the wakeup call they need." — 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
| | | | 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 | | MOUSETRAP — "DeSantis officials say Florida won't pay Disney's debt — but there's no plan yet ," by POLITICO's Andrew Atterbury: The DeSantis administration is adamant that Florida taxpayers will not be stuck paying massive debts for Walt Disney Co. after Republicans revoked the company's longstanding special privileges in the state — but the governor has offered few specific details as questions mount over the legal ramifications. A plan for how the state will tackle Disney's Reedy Creek Improvement District, which gives the California-based company self-governing power over its amusement park property in Central Florida, is expected to be "shared in the next few weeks," according to DeSantis officials. | 
Cinderella Castle inside the Magic Kingdom Park is lit purple and gold in honor of the Los Angeles Lakers winning the 2020 NBA Final on Oct. 11, 2020, at Walt Disney World in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. | David Roark/Disney Resorts via Getty Images |
THE DESANTIS WAY — "How DeSantis transformed Florida's political identity," by The New York Times' Patricia Mazzei: Florida has transformed over the past two years as Gov. Ron DeSantis has increased and flexed his power to remarkable effect, embracing policies that once seemed unthinkable. That has made the Republican governor a favorite of the party's Fox News-viewing base and turned him into a possible presidential contender.
The future — The question now for Mr. DeSantis — and virtually everyone else in Florida — is whether the rightward lurch will stop, either by court intervention, corporate backlash or, come November, electoral rebuke. But given Florida's trends in recent years, the more likely outcome could be a sustained campaign toward a new, more rigid conservative orthodoxy, one that voters could very well ratify this fall. The state's swift and unexpected rightward tilt has happened as Florida has swelled with new residents. — " Rapturous reception for Ron DeSantis at Fox News town hall," by Florida Politics' A.G. Gancarski
| | ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... | | CALLED OUT — "'No guts': In blistering attack on fellow Democrats, state Sen. Gary Farmer says his party is 'enabling' DeSantis and Republicans," by Sun Sentinel's Anthony Man: "State Sen. Gary Farmer, a prominent Broward Democrat, delivered a blistering attack on the way his fellow Democrats conduct themselves in Tallahassee, charging that they have "no guts" and are 'enabling' Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Republicans. Farmer didn't spare DeSantis from criticism during a 40-minute speech and Q&A session at the North Broward Democratic Club. But the critique aimed at members of his own party was astonishing." Details — "He also said Democrats made a strategic failure when [Sen. Lauren] Book presented an amendment that would add an exemption for rape, incest and human trafficking. Based on his conversations with a dozen Republicans, Farmer said eight would have voted for the amendment — enough to get it added to the bill. But, he said, the Democratic Senate caucus didn't demand a roll-call vote to officially vote 'yes' or 'no,' a move he said would have shamed some Republicans, and instead allowed the presiding Republican to declare the amendment had failed on a voice vote with no record." — "Gary Farmer to seek open judge position in Broward County," by Florida Politics' Anne Geggis LOOK WHO'S TALKING NOW — " Former Florida surgeon general disputes state's vaccine, transgender guidance," by Tampa Bay Times' Kirby Wilson: "Scott Rivkees, the first Florida surgeon general appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, does not seem to agree with recent guidance from the department he once ran. The Department of Health, which is now run by Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo, issued guidance in March discussing the potential dangers of giving healthy children COVID-19 vaccines. This month, the Department of Health put out a statement advising against social transition or gender affirming surgery for transgender children. Rivkees — who has since left the state to take a job at Brown University — publicly disputed both of those stances recently." | 
FILE- Florida Surgeon General Dr. Scott Rivkees, right, speaks to the media as Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis looks on during a news conference Monday, March 2, 2020, in Tampa, Fla. Florida's surgeon general says states like Florida with high numbers of seniors should be given higher priority in distributing COVID-19 vaccines. In an interview with The Associated Press on Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021 Dr. Scott Rivkees tried to reassure Floridians that "we will get to you." (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara, File) | (Chris O'Meara, File/AP Photo) |
NEXT ROUND — "Court scrutinizes Florida crackdown on social media," by News Service of Florida's Dara Kam: "Lawyers for Gov. Ron DeSantis' administration tried to persuade a federal appeals court Thursday to undo a preliminary injunction that blocked a controversial law seeking to prevent social-media behemoths such as Twitter and Facebook from stripping politicians and other users from online platforms. The arguments before a three-judge panel of the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals followed a ruling last year by U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle, who sided with online-industry groups that argued the law — one of DeSantis' top 2021 legislative priorities — violated the First Amendment."
THE NEXT COMMISSIONER — "Meet DeSantis' pick for education commissioner: Manny Diaz Jr.," by Miami Herald's Ana Ceballos: "[Manny] Diaz, a mild-mannered lawmaker with deep-rooted ties to charter school operators, aligns with the governor's education agenda. He plans to continue advocating for the GOP mantra about school choice, greater parental control and the fight against what Republicans call the indoctrination of children in the classroom." — "How Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis wages his culture wars ," by Washington Post's Amber Phillips — "Democrats want special session expanded to consider protections for renters," by Florida Phoenix's Michael Moline — "Judge refuses to shield Florida corrections chiefs from testifying on solitary confinement," by News Service of Florida — " Florida's March revenues land $626 million above estimate," by Florida Politics' Gray Rohrer
| | | | JOIN US TODAY 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. | | | | | | | DATELINE D.C. | | TARGET — "White House hits Rick Scott's tax plan again as Democrats look for economic message," by Miami Herald's Bryan Lowry: "The White House is doubling down on its efforts to elevate Sen. Rick Scott's tax proposal ahead of the midterm election. Democrats see the proposal to raise taxes from Scott, R-Florida, the National Republican Senatorial Committee chair, as a useful tool to wield against Republican candidates ahead of an election when the party is expected to lose seats to Republicans. A White House document touting small business growth since President Joe Biden took office is the latest example of how Biden's party plans to use Scott's plan as a negative against Republicans this election." — "Republicans blame Homeland Security Secretary for spike in migration," by New York Times' Eileen Sullivan: | | CAMPAIGN MODE | | GOVERNOR'S RACE TV ADS — Candidates for Florida governor are beginning to put some spots on television. Rep. Charlie Crist on Thursday announced he will begin airing an ad in Orange and Osceola counties that blasts Gov. Ron DeSantis over Disney, saying the legislation will result in a "DeSanTax" for taxpayers in those counties. … The DeSantis campaign on Thursday started airing an ad on One America News Network called "Get Yours Today" that highlights a yard sign that the campaign is distributing. CAMPAIGN ROUNDUP — Giffords, the gun safety organization formed by former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, has hired Samantha Barrios as its first-ever state director in Florida. She will help manage investments in the state for the group as it seeks to create a "lasting political infrastructure." … State Sen. Bobby Powell (D-West Palm Beach) is joining several other Senate Democrats who have endorsed Rep. Charlie Crist for governor this week…. Kevin Hayslett, a Republican candidate for Florida's 13th Congressional District, was named an "On the Radar" candidate by the National Republican Congressional Committee. … The Congressional Leadership Fund, a super PAC endorsed by House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy , announced that it has reserved $1.4 million in television ad time in the Tampa Bay market where the seat now held by Crist is a prime target to flip. WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS — "Judge grants secrecy for some messages gathered in 'ghost' candidate probe," by Orlando Sentinel's Annie Martin: "Communications between former state Sen. Frank Artiles and roughly two dozen individuals and organizations, which were obtained by Miami prosecutors investigating an alleged vote-siphoning scheme in 2020′s state Senate races, will not be released publicly, a South Florida judge ruled Thursday. Miami-Dade Circuit Court Judge Ariana Fajardo Orshan is also considering withholding from public disclosure a list of Artiles' contacts that also was seized by prosecutors." — " Annette Taddeo campaign manager's pitch: Wait until voters get to know her," by Florida Politics' Scott Powers
| | PENINSULA AND BEYOND | | 'WE WILL NOT STAND FOR THIS' — "Florida prison guards accused of killing Miami inmate while in state custody," by Tallahassee Democrat's Kathryn Varn: "Three Florida corrections officers were arrested for murder in connection with the death of an inmate who was beaten while being transported from Miami in February, state law enforcement authorities said Thursday. Officers Christopher Rolon, Kirk Walton and Ronald Connor face charges of second-degree murder in the Feb. 14 death of a man, who was not identified by Florida Department of Law Enforcement officials in announcing the arrests. The charges also include aggravated abuse on an elderly or disabled adult, conspiracy to commit aggravated abuse on an elderly or disabled adult, and cruel treatment of a detainee. A fourth officer involved in the murder was still at large on Thursday, according to FDLE's news release." TO COURT — "3 former Scientology workers sue, saying they were trafficked as children," by Tampa Bay Times Tracey McManus: "Through its highly regimented Sea Org workforce, Scientology officials systematically trafficked [Gawain] Baxter, 39, and others by indoctrinating them as children and making it financially, physically and psychologically impossible for them to leave as adults, according to a lawsuit filed Thursday in Tampa federal court against Scientology leader David Miscavige and five church entities." 'WE NEED TO REMEMBER THESE PEOPLE FOREVER' — " Surfside families to meet at condo collapse site on anniversary of tragedy that killed 98," by Miami Herald's Martin Vassolo: "Families of the victims in the Surfside condo collapse will gather at the exact time and site of the tragedy on June 24 for a memorial event on the one-year anniversary of the Champlain Towers South disaster. The private gathering will be held around 1:22 a.m. — the moment the 12-story condo building collapsed. With candles and flowers in hand, they plan to meet on the now-barren plot of land at 8777 Collins Ave. 'We lost 98 people, we need to remember those people forever,' said Pablo Langesfeld, whose 26-year-old daughter Nicole Langesfeld and son-in-law Luis Sadovnic, 28, died in the collapse." MAY DAY — Florida Rising along with other groups on Sunday are holding demonstrations, rallies and press conferences across the state to urge local officials to take action regarding rising rents and evictions including passing a "Tenant Bill of Rights." Events are scheduled in Hollywood, Kissimmee, Jacksonville, Orlando, Miami, Sanford, St. Petersburg, and Tampa. The rally in Orlando will also include calls for immigrant rights. — " British Virgin Islands premier arrested on US drug charges," by The Associated Press' David Fischer
| | ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN | | — "Casey Anthony 'is getting ready to tell her truth' in upcoming TV documentary, says friend," by People's Steve Helling: "Casey Anthony is planning to cooperate on a documentary of her life, a source close to her tells PEOPLE. 'She's waited almost 14 years to really talk deeply about her experience,' the source says. 'She's now getting ready to tell her truth. She feels like it's time.' Anthony, now 36, was arrested in 2008 for the disappearance of her 2-year-old daughter, Caylee. For nearly six months, countless volunteers conducted a nationwide search for the toddler, following up on hundreds of leads. That December, Caylee's remains were found in a wooded area near the family home." BIRTHDAYS: State Sen. Gary Farmer … veteran Florida photographer Mark Wallheiser … former state Rep. Renier Diaz de la Portilla ... (Saturday) Brooke Sours, director of integrated communications American Petroleum Institute … (Sunday) Sarah Rumpf, freelance writer and contributing editor at Mediaite | | | | 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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