| | | | |  | | By Matt Dixon | Good morning and welcome to Thursday. BOLO — Someone might need to put out a "Be on the lookout" for Gov. Ron DeSantis. It's not that he is missing exactly, but he kind of is. DeSantis is one of the most pugilistic politicians in the country — a reputation that has endeared him to the conservative base nationally, and has him on every 2024 presidential shortlist. But ever since POLITICO first reported the bombshell draft U.S. Supreme Court opinion overturning Roe v. Wade, DeSantis has been uncharacteristically … dare I say ... reserved. Caution? — DeSantis is the sort of politician who will get in a headline-grabbing fight over what day of the week it is. So the fact that he has not taken a more aggressive approach as Republican's appear on the verge of securing a victory they have sought for half a century is out-of-character, to say the least. DeSantis was asked about the issue for the second day in a row, and urged "caution." "I would just caution people, you know you can leak stuff out of a court, which is really unprecedented, but let's see when you actually have something rendered," he said. This is from the guy actively embroiled in a nationally-watched fight with Mickey Mouse, and who dressed down high schoolers for wearing masks at a press conference then said nothing when his press team made fun of a kid's mom when she expressed concern. Special session — DeSantis is echoing the same sentiment as Republicans across the country. Essentially, they have been reluctant to discuss the substance of the draft opinion, but have blasted the notion that it ever got released. In Florida, though, there is a special legislative session focused on property insurance reform coming at the end of the month, which has raised more timely and pressing issues about whether overturning Roe could embolden a GOP-dominated Legislature and DeSantis to insert abortion into the special session. Democrats are openly worried that Republicans will try to pass a "trigger law," or something that would automatically ban abortion in the state if Roe is overturned. That law exists in 13 other states, and anti-abortion groups are pushing DeSantis to add it to the agenda in the wake of the draft ruling. So far, though, we don't know what Republican leaders are thinking. Legislative leaders have joined DeSantis in not hinting at their thought process as Roe appears on the way out. Thanks for reading. I'm POLITICO Florida Bureau Chief Matt Dixon, filing in for Gary Fineout. — 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
| | | | STEP INSIDE THE WEST WING: What's really happening in West Wing offices? Find out who's up, who's down, and who really has the president's ear in our West Wing Playbook newsletter, the insider's guide to the Biden White House and Cabinet. For buzzy nuggets and details that you won't find anywhere else, subscribe today. | | | | | |  | DRIVING THE DAY | | MIDTERM FIGHT — "Will debate over abortion affect Florida governor's race? Democrats hope so," Tampa Bay Times' Emily L. Mahoney: "Lily Kalandjian, a 19-year-old University of Florida junior, was checking her social media Monday night when she got a notification about the leaked Supreme Court draft opinion suggesting the court will strike down Roe v. Wade. Even though the spring semester is over, her organization, the University of Florida College Democrats, didn't sit back. By Tuesday, the group was finishing a social media graphic listing abortion resources and where people can register to vote, she said. Some of the group's leaders coordinated a rally with Planned Parenthood." FIGHT CONTINUES — "Abortion decision leak a 'wakeup call' for Florida Democrats, a 'moment' for Republicans," Tallahassee Democrat's James Call: "Florida's election-year culture war campaign intensified overnight Tuesday with reports of a leaked draft of a U.S. Supreme Court ruling on abortion access. The ruling, if released as is, would leave states in charge of abortion regulations. Planned Parenthood of Florida immediately called for protesters to converge on the Florida Supreme Court building in Tallahassee and other courthouses around the state at 5 p.m. Tuesday." SPOTLIGHT — " DeSantis' abortion view could get renewed attention in post-Roe landscape," Palm Beach Post's Zac Anderson and John Kennedy: "Gov. Ron DeSantis signed laws requiring parental consent for minors seeking an abortion and outlawing the procedure after 15 weeks of pregnancy , and once said he'd go even further and back a 'heartbeat' bill that effectively moves the cutoff for an abortion to roughly six weeks of pregnancy. With the U.S. Supreme Court poised to overturn its landmark Roe v. Wade decision protecting abortion rights, the new possibilities for abortion legislation in a post-Roe landscape could put increased attention on DeSantis' abortion views as he runs for reelection, heightening awareness of what a governor can achieve on the issue, the stakes involved and where DeSantis' political ambitions might lead him in the future." — "Gainesville community rallies for abortion rights in fear of Roe v. Wade being overturned," Gainesville Sun's Gershon Harrell — " Pro-choice rally at Collier County Courthouse," Naples Daily News — "What you need to know about the future of abortion in Florida ," Tampa Bay Times' Christopher O'Donnell and Ian Hodgson
| | The Campaign Trail | | | 
Rep. Charlie Crist, a candidate for Governor of Florida, speaks with South Florida AFL-CIO union leaders and workers on November 23, 2021 in Miami, Florida. | Joe Raedle/Getty Images |
CONSOLIDATION CONTINUES — Incoming Democratic House Leader Fentrice Driskell is endorsing Democratic Rep. Charlie Crist's gubernatorial run. It's a continuation of Democrats consolidating around Crist, who has led his primary foes, Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried and state Sen. Annette Taddeo, in both public polling and fundraising. In her endorsement, Driskell sounded like many other Democrats backing Crist in recent weeks. In short, the party needs to get behind one candidate so they don't limp into the general election against Gov. Ron DeSantis. "Charlie Crist is the best candidate to take on Governor DeSantis and deliver a new tomorrow for Floridians."
ON THE AIR — "Florida's DeSantis announces massive initial ad reservation with focus on Hispanic voters, in re-election run," Fox News' Paul Steinhauser: "Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida is launching his first ad reservation in his 2022 re-election campaign that's directed towards Spanish-speaking voters. The popular first-term governor with a strong national conservative following announced on Wednesday that he'll spend a massive $5.3 million to reserve ad time on Spanish language broadcast, cable, radio and digital to run campaign ads." VOTER FRAUD — " 2nd person arrested in voter fraud investigation at Alachua county jail; bail set at $75k," Gainesville Sun's Alan Festo: "A second person accused of voter fraud while incarcerated at the Alachua County Jail in 2020 is back behind bars after being officially charged in the case in late March. Leroy James Ross, 63, was booked Tuesday on two counts of providing false voter information and one count of election fraud. Ross, who has eight prior felony convictions, had bail set by Judge James Colaw at $25,000 for each count, for a total of $75,000." OOPS — "' Just an oversight:' Miami-Dade Republicans appeal $21,000 campaign-finance penalty," Miami Herald's Martin Vassolo: "The Miami-Dade Republican Party is appealing a $21,181 fine issued by the county elections department for being nearly three months late filing a quarterly campaign finance report last year. The local GOP blamed inexperience among new officials for the 85-day delay in filing a campaign treasurer's report last October. A hearing with the Florida Elections Commission is scheduled for May 17, according to a notice the FEC sent to the Miami-Dade Elections Office." TRUMP SEAL OF APPROVAL — "Donald Trump swings big for Greg Steube," Florida Politics' Jacob Ogles: "Count former President Donald Trump as a fan of U.S. Rep. Greg Steube's politics and batting average. Trump endorsed the Sarasota Republican for re-election in Florida's 17th Congressional District, all but assuring the incumbent faces no challenge from the right in the deep-red district." ONE YEAR — "Charlie Crist hones message year into campaign trail for Florida governor ," Tampa Bay Times' Romey Ellenbogen: "U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist on Wednesday continued to hone his messaging as he faces a competitive Democratic primary for Florida governor, attacking Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis as 'the worst governor in Florida's modern era' and avoiding any mention of his primary opponents. At a news conference to mark the one-year anniversary of his entry into the governor's race, Crist touched on issues of overall affordability, good jobs and health care access."
| | ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... | | TO COURT — "Central Florida residents sue DeSantis over dissolving Disney special district," POLITICO's Matt Dixon: A handful of Central Florida residents are suing Gov. Ron DeSantis over legislation he signed doing away with Walt Disney Co.'s special taxing district, the latest in a politically tinged fight between the governor and one of Florida's largest employers. In the lawsuit filed in federal court, a trio of property owners in Orange and Osceola counties, where Disney is located, argue that dissolving the Reedy Creek Improvement District that served as the company's self-governance structure was illegal because it has more than $1 billion in outstanding debt that could be transferred to taxpayers. — "Disney v. DeSantis: Chapek's 'Don't Say Gay' fumble a warning to CEOs, Harvard professor says," Yahoo's Alexandra Canal NEW SHOP — " DeSantis signs bill creating resiliency office to address flooding, sea-level rise," News Service of Florida: "Gov. Ron DeSantis late Tuesday signed into law a measure that will create a resiliency office directly under his watch to address the impacts of flooding and sea-level rise on the state.The bill (HB 7053 ) was among 10 signed Tuesday by DeSantis after being approved during the legislative session that ended March 14. Kate Wesner, Florida director of the American Flood Coalition, called the new Statewide Office of Resilience a "historic investment" that tackles "this challenge head-on." — "Feds visit Florida to announce $1B conservation grant applications available ," POLITICO's Bruce Ritchie
| | | | 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. | | | | | | | PENINSULA AND BEYOND | | TISK, TISK — "Florida Supreme Court reprimands Palm Beach County Judge Marni Bryson over absences from work," Palm Beach Post's Jane Musgrave: "It took less than four minutes on Tuesday for Palm Beach County Judge Marni Bryson to become the second jurist in county history to be publicly reprimanded by the Florida Supreme Court. Standing alone in the well of the wood-paneled courtroom in Tallahassee, the 47-year-old two-term judge listened as Chief Justice Charles Canady blasted her repeated absences and tardiness, saying they showed 'galling disrespect' for the public." ON THE RISE? — " FPL, Duke Energy and Tampa Electric seek approval for millions to bolster against storms," News Service of Florida's Jim Saunders: "As this year's hurricane season gets ready to start June 1, major utilities have filed proposals that could lead to customers paying hundreds of millions of dollars in 2023 to help bolster electric systems against storms. Florida Power & Light, Duke Energy Florida and Tampa Electric Co. filed the proposals Monday at the state Public Service Commission as part of efforts to add underground power lines, 'harden' other parts of electric systems and reduce outage threats from trees and other vegetation." STORM SEASON — "FSU experts discuss 2022 hurricane season," Tallahassee Democrat's Tarah Jean: "The time of year Floridians have come to dread is approaching: hurricane season. A media briefing on Monday afternoon via Zoom consisted of Florida State University experts discussing the 2022 hurricane season, which will start on June 1. 'The forecasts that have been released so far all agree that an above active season is predicted,' said Allison Wing, an assistant professor in the Department of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Science." CULTURE WARS — " Dual School Board Tables Joyce's parental rights resolution after hundreds show up at meeting," Florida Times-Union's Emily Bloch: "What otherwise would have been a routine Duval County School Board meeting, with discussions over Teacher Appreciation Month and maintenance projects, morphed into a lengthy and heated culture wars debate discussing gender identity and LGBTQ+ issues on campus. The Tuesday evening meeting lasted nearly eight hours, wrapping at about 1:50 a.m., but no final decision was made." BIG PROBLEM — "FAITH group continues its push for affordable housing in Volusia County," Daytona Beach News Journal's Eileen Zaffiro-Kean: "As people throughout Volusia County continue to struggle to pay rent every month, the local FAITH group is not letting up on its push to help those low-income tenants. Dozens of FAITH members held a prayer vigil outside of the Volusia County Administration Building before Tuesday's County Council meeting, and then they poured into the Council chambers to implore the county to launch an affordable housing trust fund."
| | ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN | | NO FEAR — "UCF student who tracks Elon Musk's plane not afraid of turbulence from Twitter purchase," Orlando Sentinel's Joe Mario Pederson: "While some white-knuckle over the turbulence made by billionaire Elon Musk's purchase of Twitter, one University of Central Florida student is flying high without any worry. UCF freshman Jack Sweeney caught the attention of the social media platform and Musk himself in 2020 after he created the aviation tracking Twitter bot account @ElonJet, which tracks the flight patterns of Musk's private jet and has 432,000 followers." — " Cape Coral art teacher fired for discussing LGBTQ topics," NBC 2's Dave Elias Birthdays: Former Rep. Craig T. James … Jim Magill with Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney and former legislative affairs director for Gov. Jeb Bush … Paul Flemming, director of public information office for the Supreme Court of Florida
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