News : POLITICO Florida Playbook: Florida's Murphy has a stern message for Dems

Friday, May 20, 2022

POLITICO Florida Playbook: Florida's Murphy has a stern message for Dems

May 20, 2022

Hello and welcome to Friday.

The future — Maybe Stephanie Murphy will come back. Maybe she will challenge Sen. Rick Scott in 2024 like some Florida Democrats predict.

Speaking out — But the central Florida Democrat who knocked off 12-term incumbent John Mica six years ago remains set on leaving the stage — and has some strong words for a party struggling as Florida steadily sheds its battleground status and becomes a red state.

Down — Murphy this week voted against a gas price gouging bill pushed by Democratic leaders and bluntly stated that "it's well past time that Congress and President take concrete action to lower inflation." She also called on the Biden administration to lift tariffs and pass a bill aimed at China.

Making it clear — Back in March, she talked to POLITICO about her frustrations with Democrats who promised "unicorns and rainbows" when they don't have the votes. In an interview with Insider published this week, she repeated her past concerns about decisions by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Democratic leaders to link the passage of an infrastructure bill with Biden's Build Back Better Act. Murphy praised Biden's handling of Covid-19 but made it clear she did not believe Washington, D.C., was "attuned to the struggles of the American people" brought on by inflation.

Be smart — Murphy, a Vietnamese American whose family fled the communist country when she was just six months old, offered this assessment about Democrats in Florida: "But in order to win Florida, you have to have smart policies and strong politics and by smart policies, I mean, we have to craft policies that advance the needs of Floridians." She did add that Democrats also need to have an organization to put together the "money, message and machine" to compete.

The path not taken — Murphy will likely be in the spotlight a bit more before she leaves Congress since she sits on the select committee investigating the events of Jan. 6. One can wonder what type of position Florida Democrats would be in this year if they had moderate Murphy running against Rubio and Rep. Val Demings challenging Gov. Ron DeSantis (a scenario that was very close to happening). The question is will Democrats embrace Murphy in the future if she chooses to reenter the fray after what is shaping up to be a bad year for them.

— WHERE'S RON? — Nothing official announced for Gov. DeSantis.

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DATELINE D.C.

MURPHY A NO — "The four Democrats who bucked party and voted against gas price gouging bill," by The Hill's Rachel Frazin and Mychael Schnell: "[Rep. Stephanie] Murphy in a statement on Thursday said the price-gouging bill 'takes the wrong approach,' claiming that it 'could further reduce supply' and worsen the current situation. 'At best, this bill is a distraction that won't actually address the problem. At worst, it could make the problem more severe,' Murphy wrote. She also cited comments from Larry Summers, who served as Treasury secretary during the Clinton administration. Summers said the bill would not reduce inflation, but could 'cause and contrive all kinds of shortages.'"

AND THERE'S THIS — "A once rising star in Florida politics who stunned Democrats with an untimely retirement says Biden should dismiss 'progressive pipe dreams,'" by Insider's John L. Dorman: "In a recent conversation with Insider, the 43-year-old Blue Dog lawmaker spoke of the need to help families struggling financially, and criticized the Biden administration for using the term "transitory" in discussing inflationary issues last year. [Rep. Stephanie Murphy] also lamented the failed Democratic push to pass a $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill in tandem with the nearly $2 trillion Build Back Better social-spending framework. 'I think a lot of my district looks at Washington and the dysfunction and the bickering and are turned off by it,' Murphy said. 'I always say that the only things that can help my constituents and the American people are the ideas that have the ability to be signed into law. Everything else is just talk.'"

Rep. Stephanie Murphy speaks during a House hearing.

Rep. Stephanie Murphy, D-Fla., speaks before the House select committee hearing on the Jan. 6 attack on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, July 27, 2021. (Chip Somodevilla/Pool via AP) | Chip Somodevilla/Pool via AP

'A HISTORIC DAY' — "Lawmakers reach consensus on Puerto Rico status bill, call for plebiscite," by NBC News' Nicole Acevedo: "House Majority Leader Rep. Steny Hoyer, D-Md., has helped lead a monthslong effort to get lawmakers on opposing sides of the Puerto Rico territorial status debate to make some compromises under the newly unveiled draft of the Puerto Rico Status Act. 'Puerto Rican people do not want to be a colony, and the United States of America does not want to be a colonialist power. This legislation seeks to address that issue,' Hoyer said during a news conference Thursday. The proposed legislation combines elements of the pro-statehood bill introduced by Rep. Darren Soto, D-Fla., and Rep. Jenniffer Gonzalez, Puerto Rico's nonvoting member of Congress and a Republican, alongside the Puerto Rico Self-Determination Act from Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Nydia Velázquez, both New York Democrats."

SCOTT V. BIDEN ROLLS ON — Sen. Rick Scott has rolled out a second television ad to promote his "Rescue America" plan and blast President Joe Biden. In the ad, where Scott touches on gas prices and baby formula shortages, he adds "Joe Biden is incompetent, confused and forcing us into a recession." The ad is part of a previously-announced seven-figure national ad purchase. Scott's move come while Democrats — and Biden — continue to go after Scott's "Rescue America" because it calls for all Americans to pay income taxes and calls on Congress to sunset all federal legislation in five years.

... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ...

COMING SOON? — "Florida has a firewall protecting abortion rights. DeSantis' Supreme Court could change that," by POLITICO's Gary Fineout: But the current Florida Supreme Court is dominated by conservatives, including three appointed by [Gov. Ron] DeSantis, and some fear the state justices could interpret the privacy rights differently. Most pressingly, the conservative justices could uphold Florida's recently approved ban on abortions after 15 weeks when it's legally challenged. The law is set to go into effect on July 1. "I don't think anyone is naive to the fact that the Supreme Court of Florida has become more conservative," said state Rep. Anna Eskamani (D-Orlando), who used to work for Planned Parenthood. "But they have yet to decide on an abortion case. This is going to be the first in a long time."

MAGIC 8 BALL SAYS — "Insurance analysts do not have high hope for Florida's special session," by POLITICO's Matt Dixon: Insurance industry analysts do not have high hopes that next week's special session focused on property insurance reform will result in substantial or immediate changes.

What's going on? — "One thing we have been talking about for the past several weeks is what will the Florida Legislature address in the special session called by Gov. Ron DeSantis next week," said Mark Friedlander, director of the Insurance Information Institute. "We still don't know. We still do not have answers. Bills have not yet been filed." His comments came during a roundtable on Florida's property insurance market hosted by credit rating agency A.M. Best.

— "NRA says California ruling bolsters its fight to strike down Florida gun law," by News Service of Florida's Dara Kam

— " Targeting fentanyl, Gov. DeSantis signs controlled substances bill," by Florida Politics' Renzo Downey

HAPPENING WEDNESDAY—A WOMEN RULE TALK ON THE MIDTERMS : Join POLITICO'S Women Rule for a conversation with the women running the midterm campaigns and how they are shaping messaging and strategy for their candidates. The program will look into what a win for either party could mean for access to reproductive health care, economic advancement of women, and how the final stages of the Covid-19 pandemic are managed. REGISTER HERE.

CAMPAIGN MODE

MISSING SOME PEOPLE — "In 2 states, 1 in 20 residents missed during US head count," by The Associated Press Mike Schneider: "Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississippi and Illinois respectively had undercounts of 5%, 4.8%, 4.1% and 1.9%, while Florida and Texas respectively had undercounts of almost 3.5% and 1.9%. Arkansas, Florida, Tennessee and Texas did not direct as many resources as other states in encouraging residents to fill out census forms.

And about that missing congressional seat — "Florida's undercount translates into around 750,600 missed residents, and an analysis by Election Data Services shows the Sunshine State needed only around 171,500 more residents to gain an extra seat. … Hispanics make up more than a quarter of Florida's population and almost 40% of Texas residents, and critics say the Trump administration's failed efforts to add a citizenship question to the census form may have had a chilling effect on the participation of Hispanics, immigrants and others."

ON OFFENSE — "DeSantis is 'creating havoc' in Florida, Democratic candidate for governor, Nikki Fried says," by Fox News Matt Leach: "Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis is "creating havoc" in the Sunshine State, a Florida candidate for governor, Nikki Fried, told Fox News in an exclusive, wide-ranging interview. 'He's made our state unaffordable. He has divided our state. He is creating havoc in our local communities,' said Fried, a Democrat who's served as the state's agriculture commissioner since her election in 2018. 'This governor has one goal and one goal only: to get to the White House, not to take care of the people of our state,' Fried added."

'SHE WOULD NOT HOLD THE REPUBLICANS ACCOUNTABLE' — "'Vote you out.' Sharief attacks Book in Broward battle over abortion bill amendment," by Miami Herald's Bianca Padró Ocasio: "Kicking off a war of words in what is likely to be a competitive Democratic primary in the newly-redrawn Senate District 35, [Barbara] Sharief — who ran unsuccessfully for Congress last year in a crowded race for Florida's District 20 — attacked [Lauren] Book over her decision not to force a roll call vote while the state Senate debated including exemptions for rape, incest and human-trafficking victims in the 15-week abortion ban during this past legislative session. 'I don't think that we need Democrats in there that are going to bow down so that they can get small wins,' Sharief said Thursday during a press conference in Miramar, where she unveiled her social justice and immigration platform."

Sen. Lauren Book speaks during a Florida Senate session.

Sen. Lauren Book speaks during a Florida Senate session. | Steve Cannon/AP Photo

PROBE — "Duval County elections supervisor investigates whether 22 sex offenders illegally voted," by Florida Times-Union's David Bauerlein: "A Duval County investigation is under way into whether 22 sex offenders illegally voted in the 2020 election, expanding a prior probe that resulted in the rare arrest of a Jacksonville man on voter fraud charges. The review by Supervisor of Elections Mike Hogan is examining cases filed by Gainesville database researcher Mark Glaeser. He has lodged 100 complaints in 11 counties, including Duval, contending felony sex offenders violated state law by casting ballots in 2020."

CAMPAIGN ROUNDUP — Grover Norquist, president of Americans for Tax Reform, endorsed Senate President Wilton Simpson for agriculture commissioner … Vote Mama, a PAC focused on electing Democratic moms, is endorsing Allison Miller, who is running for state attorney in Florida's 6th Judicial Circuit (Pinellas and Pasco counties).

— "Fried to meet with supporters to talk about guns, abortion, rising costs and more," by Miami Herald's Anna Wilder

— "2 Trump appointees among group of SC donors at private DeSantis fundraiser in Charleston," by The Charleston Post and Courier's Caitlin Byrd

— " FEC complaint targets six-figure 'straw donor' to Ron DeSantis, Wilton Simpson, Francis Suarez," by Florida Politics' Jesse Scheckner

THE GUNSHINE STATE

AFTERMATH — "Scot Peterson sleeps at night," by Eric Barton for Men's Health: "He appears from behind the storm door. Blue jeans, wire-framed glasses, a cop's buzz cut. And immediately you see: It's really him. Scot Peterson, the cop from the surveillance video. Valentine's Day 2018, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, Parkland, Florida. That same six-foot-five frame—a little huskier now, four years later, but the same lumbering figure. The whole world saw it: his grainy silhouette standing against a wall in the high school courtyard, behind the white pole. Not moving."

PENINSULA AND BEYOND

DEEP DIVE — "The Annihilation of Florida: An Overlooked National Tragedy," by Jeff VanderMeer for Current Affairs: "About the size of Greece, Florida is the jewel in the crown of the amazingly biodiverse Atlantic Coastal Plain. The state has 1,300 miles of shoreline, 600 clear-water springs, 1,700 ravines and streams, and over 8,000 lakes. More than 3,000 native trees, shrubs, and flowering plants are native to Florida, many unique to our peninsula and also endangered due to development. Our 100 species of orchid (compared to Hawai'i's three native orchids) and 150 fern species speak to the moist and subtropical climate across many parts of the state."

— " FL's Northern Turnpike Extension threatens to pave over historic Black community," by Florida Phoenix's Craig Pittman

FOR YOUR RADAR — " Expiration of public health emergency, enhanced tax credits could surge state's uninsured rolls," by Florida Politics' Christine Jordan Sexton: "There's a 'perfect storm' brewing that could lead to hundreds of thousands of Florida residents losing their health insurance coverage, warned Florida Covering Kids & Families Program Director, Jodi Ray. For the last 20 years, Ray has spearheaded efforts to lower the number of uninsured residents. But Ray warned Thursday that costs of health insurance premiums could soar by 53% for more than 2.5 million people if Congress does not make permanent the enhanced subsidies that were included in the American Rescue Plan."

TO COURT — "Former Scientologist called police. When that went nowhere, she sued," by Tampa Bay Times' Tracey McManus: "Before she sued the Church of Scientology last month for allegedly trafficking her as a child, Valeska Paris, 44, tried to pursue criminal charges. She filed a 32-page affidavit in September 2019 with the Clearwater Police Department alleging forced labor and sexual abuse as a child in England, a teenager in Clearwater and as a young adult on the church's Freewinds ship in the Caribbean. And she told police where they could find evidence to prove it."

R.I.P. — " Jerry Cooper, who fought for White House Boys abused at Dozier school, dies at 76," by USA Today Network-Florida's James Call: "The leader of the White House Boys has died. Jerry Cooper was among a group of retired men who forced a formal apology from the Florida Legislature for the abuse they suffered as children at the Arthur Dozier School for Boys, a state run reform school for so-called delinquent children, 60 miles west of Tallahassee. Cooper succumbed to cancer this past weekend at his home in Cape Coral, his wife, Babbs, told Tampa Bay Axios. He was 76."

— " Concert by Cuban band Los Van Van at Pembroke Pines City Center draws demands for cancellation. City says show will go on," by South Florida Sun-Sentinel's Anthony Man

— "Osceola deputy to be charged in gas station fire sparked by Taser ," by Orlando Sentinel's Cristóbal Reyes

— "Emergency landing in Florida: Pilot who lost consciousness in mid-air suffered aortic tear," by Palm Beach Post's Katherine Kokal

ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN

— "Controversial UCF professor fired amid racism controversy wins job back," by Orlando Sentinel's Annie Martin: "A controversial University of Central Florida professor who came under fire two years ago for tweets that many students described as racist and was fired last year has won his job back after an independent arbitrator determined the school's action violated its contract with the faculty union. Charles Negy, an associate professor in the psychology department, will get his job back with back pay and benefits, according to a ruling signed this week by an arbitrator who heard arguments from the United Faculty of Florida and the university in the case."

BIRTHDAYS: State Rep. Anna Eskamani … State Sen. Jason Pizzo … Ida Eskamani with Florida Rising … Lauren Wolman of Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz's office … Steve Uhlfelder , attorney and former lobbyist and former member of the Board of Governors … (Saturday) Former Sen. George LeMieux … Former Rep. and Florida House Speaker Tom Feeney … (Sunday) State Rep. Patt Maney … Department of Economic Opportunity Secretary Dane Eagle … Sam Ard, senior partner at Ard Shirley & Rudolph…. Jillian Lane Wyant of Rep. Matt Gaetz's office.