News: POLITICO Florida Playbook: Florida's redistricting session: Quick, partisan, and bitter

Tuesday, April 19, 2022

POLITICO Florida Playbook: Florida's redistricting session: Quick, partisan, and bitter

Apr 19, 2022

Hello and welcome to Tuesday.

Tick, tick, boom — In the next 48 hours, Florida's Republican-controlled Legislature will likely take up a new congressional map for the state proposed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, muscle it through over the loud opposition of Democrats, and go back home.

Here's your hat, what's your hurry? — The session schedule has lawmakers coming in at noon today and potentially working until Friday. But don't expect them to hang around that long. Instead it will be a drive-by moment of legislating where the Senate will be ready to take up DeSantis' map by late afternoon and then place it in a posture to have both chambers pass it sometime on Wednesday and legislators will then head to the exits. (Worth noting: Legislators running in nonfederal races can't accept campaign donations as long as they are in session.)

Sharp criticism — Black Democrats on Monday decried the proposed map — which completely dismantles the seat held by Rep. Al Lawson, a Black Democrat, and changes the demographic makeup of the one now held by Rep. Val Demings — with state Sen. Shevrin Jones calling it a "racist tactic." Protesters are scheduled to hold a rally on the Capitol steps this morning where they will blast the governor, who contends that recent court decisions justify his proposal to draw up what he calls "race neutral" boundaries.

You have one minute to comment — The timeline laid out means that there will be limited time for the public to weigh in on the maps. And it probably means that the governor's staff won't have to spend too much time explaining unanswered questions about who helped them draw it up and whether it was done for partisan gain. Florida's constitution says legislators can't draw maps designed to favor one party, yet the DeSantis map would create a scenario where Republicans pick up four seats this fall.

Lawyer up — Once all of the finger-pointing and arguing is over there will likely be a race to the courthouse door. But looming deadlines for this year's election means that the map passed in the next two days will probably be the one that is locked in place for 2022. Supposedly, legislative leaders wanted to avoid the knockdown legal battles of the last decade that resulted in previous GOP legislators acknowledging they violated the constitution. But that's all gone now.

How we got here — The reason Florida legislators are at this moment is because DeSantis vetoed the last map that was sent to him. So this time around GOP leaders such as House Speaker Chris Sprowls and Senate President Wilton Simpson threw in the towel and decided to defer to the governor. Sure, there may be a moment of discomfort or two for Republicans over the next two days as they try to explain how this latest map is suddenly legal when a few weeks ago it was a "novel legal theory." Republicans will probably also just shrug as Democrats call them "sheep" or that they have abdicated all power to DeSantis.

Flashback — Just remember this January quote from a current Republican legislator who was granted anonymity: "They are not going to embarrass Ron DeSantis. Ron DeSantis is essentially the speaker of the House, the president of the Senate and the chief justice of the Supreme Court right now."

— WHERE'S RON? — Gov. DeSantis will hold a press conference in The Villages with Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran, Senate President Wilton Simpson and House Speaker Chris Sprowls.

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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MAPMAKER, MAPMAKER

'WE WILL SEE HIM' — "Black lawmakers call DeSantis for 'racist' actions in redrawn congressional map," by Miami Herald's C. Isaiah Smalls II: "State Sen. Shevrin Jones said that the framing of Florida's last legislative session as "culture wars" masked what was really happening. 'We're using culture wars as a nice way to call out what's actually happening,' Jones said. 'Let's be clear and call it what it is: It's racist.' In an email response, DeSantis spokesperson Christina Pushaw wrote that they 'won't be responding to unsubstantiated allegations from partisan critics.'"

— " Two alternative maps for Florida congressional districts submitted to federal court," by Florida Politics' Jacob Ogles

... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ...

THE NEW MATH — "DeSantis defends math textbook rejection as Dems seek proof of critical race theory lessons s," by POLITICO's Andrew Atterbury: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday defended the state's decision to disqualify dozens of proposed math textbooks for broaching critical race theory and other "impermissible" topics while fending off demands from Democrats to release examples of allegedly "indoctrinating" information. "We want kids to learn to think so they get the right answer," DeSantis told reporters Monday at an event in Jacksonville.

X+Y = ? — The Florida Education Association, the state's largest teachers union, joined Democrats in calling for more transparency over the textbook decisions. "The state has an obligation to ensure that every child is getting the math instruction they need with the highest quality materials," FEA president Andrew Spar said in a statement. DeSantis said he would be open to the state making public examples of the textbooks, but maintained that the content is considered "proprietary information" as publishers weigh possible appeals to the rejections. "I would like it to be released, but I also respect the process," DeSantis told reporters Monday.

Ron DeSantis | AP Photo

MEANWHILE — "School districts 'taken aback' over state's banning of math books," by Orlando Sentinel's Leslie Postal: "Every Central Florida school district recently selected new elementary school math textbooks, then learned Friday their choices had been rejected by the state, which accused publishers of trying to "indoctrinate" students by mixing "critical race theory" and other objectionable content into math lessons. The announcement from the Florida Department of Education surprised educators who selected textbooks from a state list and worked for months to review the various publishers' offerings to pick ones they thought best met Florida's new math standards."

— "South Florida schools face chaos as state bans math books with 'prohibited topics,'" by Sun Sentinel's Scott Travis, Brooke Baitinger and Leslie Postal

REAP THE WILD WIND — " DeSantis calls for May property insurance special session," by POLITICO's Gary Fineout: "Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis abruptly announced on Monday that he will call state legislators back to Tallahassee in May for a special session to deal with the state's ongoing property insurance crisis. DeSantis' move comes as homeowners' insurance rates are spiking in the state as some providers are teetering amid multiple problems, including ongoing lawsuits and troubles obtaining affordable backup insurance. Lawmakers failed to come up with a legislative solution during the regular session because Republicans were at odds over what steps to take — and whether to require consumers to bear more costs as part of the solution."

CORONAVIRUS UPDATES

SUSPENDED — "TSA won't enforce mask mandate for travel, following Florida ruling ," by POLITICO's Alex Daugherty and Erin Banco: The administration said Monday evening that it will stop enforcing the federal mask mandate for travel — for now — after a federal judge in Florida earlier in the day struck down the CDC's mask requirement for planes and trains, ruling that the agency overstepped its statutory authority. An administration official said the federal government is still determining how it will respond to the ruling, but that the CDC masking order, which is enforced by the TSA, "is not in effect at this time."

Reaction — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis praised the ruling minutes after it was announced. The state of Florida has sued the federal government over various Covid-related restrictions throughout the pandemic, but Monday's ruling was based on a lawsuit by the Health Freedom Defense Fund, a nonprofit that has brought legal challenges to Covid restrictions across the country, and two women in Florida who said the mask mandate led to anxiety and medical issues. "Great to see a federal judge in Florida follow the law and reject the Biden transportation mask mandate," DeSantis tweeted. "Both airline employees and passengers deserve to have this misery end."

CAMPAIGN MODE

MAKING THE GRADE — Much is riding on the 2022 midterm elections: the fate of President Joe Biden's agenda, leadership in state capitals across the country and a potential 2024 comeback by former President Donald Trump.

In the House, Democrats' five-seat majority is highly endangered. In the Senate, Democratic control of the 50-50 chamber hinges on Vice President Kamala Harris' tie-breaking vote.

Use our Election Forecast to see which races you need to watch this year — and who we think will win each one.

For Florida, the forecast has both the governor's race and Senate race as "likely Republican." There are no forecasts for House races because there is still not a final congressional map. POLITICO's Steve Shepard lays out why he thinks Gov. Ron DeSantis and Sen. Marco Rubio will win this fall.

CAMPAIGN ROUNDUP — Maxwell Alejandro Frost, a Democratic candidate for Florida's 10th Congressional District, has picked up multiple endorsements for his campaign including from California Rep. Ro Khanna, State Sen. Victor Torres, the Black Lives Matter PAC, Florida Young Dems, Orange County Young Dems and the Florida Immigration Coalition. … Americans for Prosperity Action Florida announced it was endorsing a list of 13 Republican legislative candidates including Rep. Paul Renner, the next House speaker.

WHAT'S IN YOUR WALLET? — POLITICO Influence delved into what lobbyists are giving money to Republicans in the running for the highly coveted spot as Ways and Mean chair, should the GOP regain control of the House. POLITICO's Caitlin Oprysko reports that Florida Rep. Vern Buchanan , who has seniority over the Smiths on the panel and is seen as the frontrunner, pulled in $1.1 million in the first three months of the year, filings show, compared to $439,000 during the same period in 2020. The haul included contributions from more than three dozen registered lobbyists looking to get — or stay — in Buchanan's good graces. Several lobbyists contributed the maximum amount of $2,900 but Buchanan also received cash from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's political action committee.

SCREEN TIME — Brave New Films is partnering with several voting groups, including Equal Ground, Florida Rising, All Voting is Local, the League of Women Voters of Florida, For Our Future FL, Hispanic Federation, Black Voters Matter and Poder Latinx to screen a new documentary called "Suppressed and Sabotaged 2022" on Wednesday night. It's centered on what the filmmaker calls "voter suppression" efforts in Florida and other states. After the film there will be a panel discussion featuring those who sued to challenge Florida's election last passed last year. The film will be released to the public in June. Here's a clip from the film about Florida. Those interested in the screening can register here.

— "Bank records shed light on dark-money group in 'ghost' candidate scandal," by Orlando Sentinel's Jeff Weiner and Annie Martin

— " Republican Shawn Harrison files to run against incumbent Janet Cruz for SD 14," by Florida Politics' Kelly Hayes

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DATELINE D.C.

SOCIAL DISTANCE — "More Dem Senate hopefuls split with Biden on border ," by POLITICO's Burgess Everett and Holly Otterbein: Five more Democratic Senate candidates told POLITICO they disagree with the way the Biden administration is phasing out Title 42, the latest sign that Biden's policy position is a big loser among purple-state Democrats facing tough elections. And an increasing number of Democrats say the whole thing needs to be paused.

Among the group — Rep. Val Demings of Florida, who is challenging Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), seemed to defend the Biden administration's move earlier this month, but her campaign said on Monday that until there is "a plan to put more boots on the ground and support our law enforcement officers at the border, Chief Demings does not support lifting Title 42."

Bidenology

SCHOOL DAZE — "GOP governors demand changes to Biden administration charter school plan ," by POLITICO's Juan Perez Jr.: Conservative state governors on Monday opened a new line of attack against an Education Department proposal to further regulate how charter schools apply for and spend hundreds of millions of dollars in federal grants. Eighteen Republicans — including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp — demanded that Education Secretary Miguel Cardona's administration scrap planned requirements for the federal Charter School Programs that have whipped up fury from an array of charter supporters, and delay any proposed changes until the next fiscal year.

TRUMPLANDIA AND THE SWAMP

NEW CHARGES — "Feds say Jan. 6 defendant held old secret military documents ," by Tampa Bay Times' Dan Sullivan: "A retired U.S. Army Special Forces soldier who is among those accused in the Jan. 6, 2021, riots at the U.S. Capitol faces new charges that he held onto secret national defense documents from his time in the service. A federal grand jury in Tampa last week returned an indictment alleging that Jeremy Brown had unauthorized possession of the documents, which relate to military activities that occurred in 2004 and 2005. The new charges accompany previous allegations that Brown illegally possessed two guns and a set of hand grenades, which federal agents found when they executed a search warrant last year at his Tampa home."

PENINSULA AND BEYOND

UP, UP AND AWAY — "Astronaut slated to become first Black woman to stay long-term on space station," by Orlando Sentinel's Richard Tribou : "A couple of space rookies are joining a couple of veterans on a trip to the International Space Station this week, but one of them will open a new door of diversity as the first Black woman assigned for long-term duty on board. Jessica Watkins, 33, is heading the ISS for her first trip to space as part of the Crew-4 mission set to launch on a new SpaceX Crew Dragon named Freedom. Liftoff from Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39-A is set for Saturday at 5:26 a.m."

— " Sensors were adjusted on ride where teen fell to death," by Associated Press' Mike Schneider

— "Start of Parkland killer's penalty phase trial moved to June, judge rules ," by Sun Sentinel's Angie DiMichele and Rafael Olmeda

ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN

— "Florida man skipped bathroom breaks to achieve 'Spider-Man: No Way Home' viewing record," by NBC News' Kalhan Rosenblatt: "A Florida man set a Guinness World Record for most cinema productions attended of the same film after seeing the latest 'Spider-Man' installment in theaters a whopping 292 times — sans bathroom breaks. Ramiro Alanis sat through 'Spider-Man: No Way Home' roughly five times per day between the film's release in December until March. In order to achieve the record, Alanis watched the film without interruptions — meaning while the movie was playing, he couldn't do things like use his phone, take a nap or use the restroom."

— " Police: Man cuts arm, uses own blood to deface Holocaust memorial," by WPLG's Rosh Lowe and Michelle Solomon: "It is a place where people come to pay their respects to the six million Jews who were murdered in the Holocaust. But, according to an arrest report, 44-year-old Christopher Green, defaced a Holocaust memorial in Miami Beach. According to police, several people witnessed Green at the memorial as he began to dig into his left forearm to make his arm bleed. 'The defendant then used his blood to smear it against the Holocaust museum wall. The defendant wrote numerous letters of the alphabet in his blood. The letters he wrote did not spell anything readable,' according to an arrest form."

BIRTHDAYS: State Rep. Colleen Burton … state Rep. Cord Byrd … Towson Fraser of Fraser Solutions