| | | | |  | | By Gary Fineout | Hello and welcome to Thursday. Upcoming — The Florida Legislature's rapid-fire session that morphed from a short mission to put in place a new congressional map drawn by Gov. Ron DeSantis' staff into a slapdown of Disney, one of the state's largest employers, is likely to end later today… Reset? — But a person who wants to replace DeSantis — Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried — has had a bit of a week as well, prompting Fried to spend more than an hour on Wednesday night talking about it via Twitter. Fried, who billed herself as a "true Democrat" in contrast with gubernatorial rival Rep. Charlie Crist, over a two-day period posted a picture of herself maskless on a plane (saying it was possible due to Democrats) and then the following day announced a lawsuit against the Biden administration over a rule that bars medical marijuana users from purchasing guns. What's going on here? — Fried suddenly found herself in the position of having some in the DeSantis camp say she was right about the federal lawsuit while Democrats were befuddled by both moves. Her other primary rival, state Sen. Annette Taddeo, said on Twitter that "I'm a lifelong Democrat running for Governor of Florida, and I have never sued the Biden administration." Agree to disagree — Now, it is remarkable that Fried actually spent a good deal of time going over all this during a Twitter Spaces discussion. Not many other candidates would do that. There were some puzzling moments, including an assertion by a candidate who once compared DeSantis to Hitler that politics is out of control due to polarizing attacks and finger-pointing. But she explained that the federal rule on guns and marijuana preceded Biden and that her office had given the White House advanced notice. She called it a "friendly" lawsuit and that it was not adversarial. "Sometimes I'm not going to agree with the White House and that's OK," Fried said. Moving on — Fried — who has been a relentless critic of DeSantis over his handling of Covid-19 — also went into a lengthy discussion about the pandemic and essentially asserted that after two years — and the availability of vaccines — it was time to return to normalcy, including ditching masks. "Are we going to wear masks forever?" said Fried. Let's just pause here and note that DeSantis has been calling for an end to what he calls "Covid theater," which includes the wearing of masks, for a long time… Explanations — Fried contended that none of this was a political calculation: "I'm going to do what my gut tells me." But other Democrats across the country have also been trying to move away from Covid restrictions as they head into what might be a brutal election season due to Biden's lagging poll numbers. That bad environment includes Florida, where DeSantis is a formidable foe. Yet at the end Fried said she was a "proven winner" and "If Democrats want a real shot in November 2022, I am their only shot." — WHERE'S RON? — Gov. DeSantis will be in Destin, where he is holding a press conference with Eric Sutton, executive director of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. 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 | | D-I-V-O-R-C-E — "Years of fruitful relations between Disney, Florida at risk," by The Associated Press' Mike Schneider and Curt Anderson: "The idea was presented to Florida lawmakers in a movie house outside Orlando 55 years ago, with Walt Disney, who had died less than two months earlier, helping make the pitch from the screen: Let Disney form its own government and in exchange it would create a futuristic city of tomorrow. That city never materialized, but Walt Disney World became an economic juggernaut with four theme parks and two dozen hotels, while its government retained unprecedented powers in deciding what and how to build, issuing bonds and holding the ability to build its own nuclear plant if it wanted." MOVING FAST — "Florida Senate approves bill stripping Disney of its special status," by POLITICO's Andrew Atterbury: The Florida House is expected to approve the two measures on Thursday, scoring a quick victory for the Republican governor, who is already campaigning off fighting back against "woke executives." "We're not looking for retaliation," Senate President Wilton Simpson told reporters after the votes. "We're looking and saying, 'this is an organization amongst others that has many powers that we do not believe that they should have in 2022.' They have eminent domain powers. They can build a nuclear facility. They have many other powers that I do not believe the public would approve of if we were doing this today and not in 1967." BECAUSE WE CAN — "Brevard Rep. Randy Fine, sponsor of Reedy Creek bill, has a love-hate history with Disney World," by Orlando Sentinel's Steven Lemongello: "'Disney is a guest in Florida, Fine, a native Arizonan and Nevada consultant who moved to Florida in the 2000s, wrote Tuesday of the Disney company, which has been in Central Florida since 1965. Yet, Fine was once a fan of the Disney World. After the theme park reopened following the COVID-19 shutdowns, Fine posted a photo of himself on Instagram in front of Cinderella Castle. 'So glad this engine of our economy is choosing to open safely and get people back to work,' he wrote, later boasting that the official Disney Parks account reposted his photo to its more than 1 million followers." — "Can the Florida Legislature get rid of Disney's special district?" by Tampa Bay Times' Kirby Wilson — " Why Disney has a self-governing district — and why DeSantis wants to end it," by POLITICO's Stephany Matat
| | CAMPAIGN MODE | | GREEN PARTY — "Nikki Fried wants to be the marijuana governor. What's her track record?" by Tampa Bay Times' Kirby Wilson: "Since she entered the political fray in 2018, Fried has made marijuana reform a key focus. But Fried's track record as the only statewide elected Democrat shows the limits of her own marijuana activism. The governor's office, not the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, ultimately oversees Florida's medical marijuana program. Even if she wins the governor's mansion, marijuana policy will largely be left to the Florida Legislature. That body is likely to be controlled by cannabis-skeptical Republicans for the foreseeable future." — " Charlie Crist affirms pledge to legalize recreational marijuana at 4/20 panel," by Florida Politics' Tristan Wood UNSOCIAL MEDIA — " Nikki Fried defends maskless photo on plane, claims Democrats 'made it possible,'" by Fox News' Taylor Penley: "A recent tweet from Florida Agriculture Commissioner and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Nikki Fried landed her in hot water — with critics from both sides of the aisle turning up the heat. A maskless Fried gestured a peace sign toward her selfie camera in one tweet. Attached to the photo was the caption: 'Peace out to the TSA mask mandate, but also peace and respect to others, whether wearing a mask or not.' Critics slammed Fried for her decision to go maskless, labeling her as 'ableist' and 'irresponsible,' and saying she should remain on the safe side and mask up on her flight." | 
Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried speaks during a meeting addressing the importance of the state applying for available federal food assistance for children, Thursday, Aug. 26, 2021, at the St. Ruth Missionary Baptist Church in Dania Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) | Lynne Sladky/AP Photo |
HEADED WEST — "DeSantis to stump for Trump-backed Nevada Senate candidate," by The Hill's Max Greenwood: "Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) will campaign alongside Nevada GOP Senate hopeful Adam Laxalt, lending his growing political celebrity to one of former President Trump's preferred Senate candidates. The April 27 'Rise Up' rally in Las Vegas will mark one of the Florida governor's first public appearances campaigning on behalf of a candidate outside of his home state. While he's long attended fundraisers and other events across the country, he has so far avoided wading too far into races outside of Florida. But in a statement issued through Laxalt's campaign on Wednesday, DeSantis explicitly announced his support for the former Nevada attorney general, who's considered the GOP favorite to take on Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) in November in one of the premier Senate races of the 2022 midterm elections."
| | | | INTRODUCING DIGITAL FUTURE DAILY - OUR TECHNOLOGY NEWSLETTER, RE-IMAGINED: Technology is always evolving, and our new tech-obsessed newsletter is too! Digital Future Daily unlocks the most important stories determining the future of technology, from Washington to Silicon Valley and innovation power centers around the world. Readers get an in-depth look at how the next wave of tech will reshape civic and political life, including activism, fundraising, lobbying and legislating. Go inside the minds of the biggest tech players, policymakers and regulators to learn how their decisions affect our lives. Don't miss out, subscribe today. | | | | | | | ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... | | ABOUT TO CROSS FINISH LINE — "Florida Senate approves new congressional map that cements GOP gains ," by POLITICO's Gary Fineout: The Florida Senate on Wednesday signed off on a new congressional map pushed by Gov. Ron DeSantis that promises significant gains for Republicans and would dismantle and dilute two current districts held by Black Democrats. The Senate approved the new map on a straight party-line 24-15 vote after a nearly two-hour debate during which Democrats assailed the proposed map as unconstitutional because it would diminish the voting power of Black voters. Democrats also repeatedly faulted their GOP colleagues for passing a map drawn up by the governor's office. "Throughout this process, Gov. DeSantis has thrown childish tantrum after tantrum, all in an attempt to boost his own political prospects, and it is frankly embarrassing that my Republican colleagues lack the backbone to stand up to the governor's playground-style bullying," said state Sen. Shevrin Jones (D-Miami Gardens) after the vote. — "Enthusiasm grows for a different Florida map, one passed by senators in January ," by Florida Politics' Jacob Ogles POINT COUNTERPOINT — "Florida releases guidance clashing with HHS advice on transgender kids ," by POLITICO's Arek Sarkissian: The Florida Department of Health on Wednesday offered new guidance on transition-related medical care for young people, bucking advice given by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Department and medical experts including the American Medical Association. Florida's health department published a memo claiming that minors should not receive hormone therapies, puberty-blocking drugs or gender reassignment surgery. Instead, Florida's health agency states that children and adolescents should be provided social support by peers and family and counseling from a licensed provider. The memo serves as guidance and is not a rule or regulation. MEANWHILE — "Florida pulls out of CDC survey on students' drinking, drug use and suicidal thoughts," by Orlando Sentinel's Kate Santich: On the heels of the state's so-called "Don't Say Gay" law, the Florida Department of Education has quietly dropped out of a 31-year-old CDC survey of students that includes questions of mental well-being, suicidal thoughts, sexual orientation and gender identity. Mental health advocates called the move 'an incredibly dangerous precedent' and said the data produced by the survey is essential for understanding the struggles of adolescents and teens and guiding public policy. THE DESANTIS WAY — " Anyone contemplating crossing Gov. Ron DeSantis needs to be prepared to pay a price," by Sun Sentinel's Anthony Man: "Gov. Ron DeSantis stepped to a lectern Tuesday morning and showed, once again, that he's the boss of Florida politics — the kind of boss that you don't cross, unless you're prepared to pay a price. He escalated a political fight with Disney, exercised muscle over state universities and professors, and received enthusiastic praise from the leaders of what's supposed to be a co-equal branch of government. It combined for a display of power that DeSantis has amassed and used more effectively than any governor in decades, demonstrating the peril of getting on the wrong side of the governor." — "DeSantis move to punish Disney threatens tiny water district hundreds of miles away in Broward," by Sun Sentinel's Anthony Man — " Charlie Crist questions Ron DeSantis' 'free state' motto as GOP targets Disney," by Florida Politics' Renzo Downey | | DATELINE D.C. | | SCOTT ABROAD — Sen. Rick Scott , accompanied by wife, Ann, traveled to Poland this week and on Wednesday visited a refugee center and met with members of the Polish Parliament in Warsaw. Scott had met with Poland's deputy minister of foreign affairs on Tuesday and joined the U.S. ambassador in a Holocaust-remembrance wreath-laying ceremony. McKinley Lewis, a spokesman for Scott, said during the senator's trip and meeting with high-level officials in Poland "reinforce the U.S. commitment to our NATO allies and discuss the importance of Ukraine winning the way against Russia and supporting those nations that stand up for democracy and human rights." — "Florida AG calls out Jen Psaki's 'misinformation' about Florida law: 'A fraud on the American public,'" by Fox News And just in case you missed it… — "Jen Psaki 'mischaracterizing' Florida's parental rights bill, says State Senate President," by Fox News Joshua Q. Nelson
| | TRUMPLANDIA AND THE SWAMP | | RESPONSE — "Hillary Clinton moves to shut down Trump lawsuit," by POLITICO's Josh Gerstein and Kyle Cheney: Hillary Clinton is moving quickly to shut down an epic federal lawsuit that former President Donald Trump filed last month accusing her, her political allies and various government officials of a racketeering conspiracy to propagate false claims about Trump and Russia in connection with the 2016 presidential race. In a motion filed Wednesday with a federal court in South Florida, Clinton's attorneys say the sprawling, 108-page complaint is entirely without legal merit and amounts to little more than a publicity stunt.
| | CORONAVIRUS UPDATES | | ON TO THE NEXT ROUND — "DOJ to appeal travel mask mandate ruling after CDC says masks still needed on public transportation ," by POLITICO's Krista Mahr: The Department of Justice is appealing a court ruling to reinstate the Biden administration's mask mandate on planes, trains and other public transportation, after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the facial coverings were still necessary for indoor travel. The CDC asked the DOJ on Wednesday to appeal the ruling in order to protect Americans' health as well as the CDC's authority. The decision follows two fraught days of debate in the White House, as officials weighed the political risks of continuing a popular but controversial travel mask mandate against rising Covid-19 cases and the potential threat the ruling posed to the CDC's ability to issue future mandates.
| | PENINSULA AND BEYOND | | 'DIALOGUE' — "U.S. is weighing resuming migration accords with Cuba, Homeland Secretary Mayorkas says," by El Nuevo Herald's Nora Gámez Torres: "The United States is considering resuming migration accords with Cuba at a time tens of thousands of people are leaving the island to come to the U.S., Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas said Wednesday. Officials from the two countries will meet in Washington on Thursday to discuss the current crisis." 'Explore the possibility' — "'I don't want to get ahead of the dialogue between the United States and Cuba, but everyone knows we have had migration accords with the country of Cuba for many, many years,' Mayorkas said in a press conference after a regional meeting in Panama to tackle migration challenges in the Western Hemisphere. 'Those were discontinued, and we will explore the possibility of resuming that, and that is a reflection of our commitment to legal, orderly and humane pathways so individuals, including Cubans, do not take, for example, to the seas, which is an extraordinarily perilous journey.'" — "Miami-Dade judge won't block upcoming Formula One Race at Hard Rock Stadium," by Miami Herald's Aaron Leibowitz — " Fallen Officers charity falling short of federal and state requirements," by Florida Center for Government Accountability's Franciso Alvarado and WGCU's John Davis — "Antisemitic flyers featuring Adolph Hitler found outside Boca Raton homes ," by CBS Miami
| | ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN | | — "911 calls released: NFL quarterback Dwayne Haskins had run out of gas before he was struck and killed on I-595," by Sun Sentinel's David Fleshler and Chris Perkins: "A 911 call from the wife of Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Dwayne Haskins appeared to solve the mystery of why he was walking on a busy interstate highway when he was struck and killed: He had run out of gas. His wife Kalabrya called moments after he was killed on Interstate 595 near the Fort Lauderdale airport early on the morning of April 9, saying she was worried about him." BIRTHDAYS: Hessy Fernandez, University of Florida director of issues management and crisis communications … journalist Lloyd Dunkelberger ... Dan Stengle, attorney, former general counsel to Gov. Lawton Chiles
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