News : POLITICO Florida Playbook: Vets bill vote sparks fury as Jon Stewart slams Scott

Friday, July 29, 2022

POLITICO Florida Playbook: Vets bill vote sparks fury as Jon Stewart slams Scott

Jul 29, 2022

Hello and welcome to Friday.

Reversal — An unexpected turnabout by Republican senators to block a measure aimed at helping veterans exposed to toxic burn pits drew the ire of veterans, Democrats and comedian Jon Stewart on Thursday.

Stunner — The vote surprised supporters of the bill since many GOP senators had supported it previously during the summer and Democrats contended the vote was a response to a new deal on health care and climate legislation Senate Democrats had announced.

Scott ripped — Stewart, in a profanity-laden speech , lashed into several Republicans, including Sen. Rick Scott. He accused Scott of "hypocrisy" by pointing out that the day before Scott had posted on his Twitter account how he was "honored" to help the USO make care packages for "our brave military members in gratitude of their sacrifice and service to our nation."

A 1000 words — Stewart mentioned the word "gratitude" twice and then said "There's a beautiful picture. I wish you could see it. He's standing with a little package." He then turned to one of the veterans at the press conference and said "Did you get the package? It has M&Ms in it and some cookies and some moist towelettes. Honestly, I don't know what to say."

Response — Late Thursday night, Scott put out another tweet that acknowledged he had voted for the legislation previously and that he "will support its final passage soon. Sadly, Democrats purposely delayed this bill by adding a budget gimmick which warranted further discussion. We're working to quickly fix this & get veterans the care they deserve."

Wrong about Rubio vote — But while Scott decided to switch his vote — Sen. Marco Rubio, a prime proponent and author of the measure — voted along with Democrats. He still got tagged in a tweet by Florida Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz where she ripped "MAGA Republicans" and said it was "shameful" that both Rubio and Scott had voted against the measure. That prompted one of Rubio's staffers, Dan Holler, to respond with his own tweet that "Marco helped write the bill and voted yes. Your petty partisan political games are toxic. Stop lying and trying to score points on Twitter." Wasserman Schultz apparently later deleted the tweet and then put up a new one where she called out Republicans for the vote but did not mention Rubio by name.

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

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DATELINE D.C.

DERAILED — " Senate Republicans block bill to help veterans exposed to burn pits ," by Washington Post's Eugene Scott and Mike DeBonis: "Senate Republicans on Wednesday blocked a bill to help veterans exposed to toxic burn pits weeks after the measure initially sailed through the Senate with 84 votes, angering Democrats, veterans groups and comedian Jon Stewart, a leading proponent to aid the community. Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.), chairman of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, was particularly incensed by the turn of events. Tester, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), other lawmakers and Stewart on Thursday morning joined veterans outside the Capitol — who originally came to Washington to see the bill pass — to assail the GOP. 'It just makes the gut punch that more devastating,' Stewart said, given the number of veterans who came to Washington hoping the bill would pass. 'Their constituents are dying.'"

HOUSE ARREST — Man who threatened Gaetz sentenced to six months home detention , by POLITICO's Josh Gerstein: A California man has been sentenced to six months of home confinement for making a death threat to Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) just days after the storming of the Capitol last year. Eugene Huelsman, 59, pleaded guilty in October to a felony interstate threats charge for leaving a threatening voicemail message at Gaetz's district office in Pensacola, Fla., and was sentenced by a federal judge there Thursday to a half-year of house arrest. "Tell [Gaetz] to watch his back, tell him to watch his children," Huelsman said in the Jan. 9, 2021, message, which a defense attorney said was played in court Thursday.

— " Gen Z activist mocked by Gaetz raises $1M for abortion access in 72 hours ," by Washington Post's Andrew Jeong

CAMPAIGN MODE

THIS IS WHERE WE ARE — " Most Orlando-area GOP candidates for Congress deny Biden 'legitimately' beat Trump ," by Orlando Sentinel's Skyler Swisher: "Almost every Republican congressional candidate participating in a Central Florida candidate forum Thursday night said they didn't think President Joe Biden 'legitimately' won the 2020 election. Twenty-seven candidates joined the discussion at the Orlando Science Center sponsored by the Orlando Sentinel, AARP and Spectrum News 13, including 14 Republicans running in districts 7, 9 and 10. Only two Republicans answered yes when asked whether Biden legitimately won the election — former Orange County Commissioner Ted Edwards and Rusty Roberts, the longtime chief of staff to former U.S. Rep. John Mica."

TEMPERATURE CHECK — "' National Review is basically a fanzine for Ron DeSantis': DeSantis splits Never Trumpers ," by Vanity Fair's Caleb Ecarma: "That, however, poses a deep existential question for a small but mighty sliver of the Republican Party: those who have refused to vote for Trump since 2016. Is DeSantis acceptable by nature of simply being a different person? On the one hand, DeSantis could finally put an end to what they view as a singularly vile era in modern U.S. politics—a proposition that might be seen as a victory for conservatives who would have likely taken any of the other dozen-plus Republicans who ran in 2016 over the one they ended up with. Or is the current version of DeSantis—an ambitious climber who has seemingly tailored his image for the wants and needs of the Trump faithful—too close to the man they vowed to resist?"

BROWARD BATTLE — Senate Democrats increasingly worried about Book's contentious primary, by POLITICO's Matt Dixon: Florida's Senate Democrats are increasingly concerned an expensive and bruising primary for Minority Leader Lauren Book is hurting Democrats in other key state Senate races during a 2022 midterm election cycle where the party is already facing tough headwinds. It's exceptionally rare for the head of a legislative caucus to get a well-funded primary challenge, but that's exactly what Book faces against former Broward County Mayor Barbara Sharief, who seeded her campaign with a $500,000 personal loan.

Jab — "Prior to April 1, having closed out 2021 with the highest fundraising number Senate Victory has ever seen, my sole political focus was on strengthening our caucus, protecting incumbents, and bringing back more Democratic members," Book said on Wednesday. "My opponent's decision to run against the incumbent Democratic Leader serves one clear purpose: to help Republicans."

Florida Sen. Lauren Book speaks.

The state Senate struck down an abortion ban exemption for victims of rape, incest and human trafficking, despite Democratic Leader Lauren Book sharing for the first time publicly her story of being raped by multiple men as a young teenager. | Wilfredo Lee/AP Photo

REQUEST — " Tampa congresswoman asks DOJ to probe FPL's use of 'dark money, '" by Orlando Sentinel's Annie Martin: "U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, D-Tampa, has asked the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate Florida Power & Light over its use of dark money organizations to sway elections. Castor's request comes on the heels of an Orlando Sentinel investigation showing how consultants working for FPL worked to oust the utility's foes from elected office; took over and dictated coverage at a publication that presented itself as a news outlet; and followed a journalist whose coverage the company considered too critical."

BY THE NUMBERS — So far, 303,566 vote-by-mail ballots have been cast for the Aug. 23 primary, according to the latest information on the state Division of Elections website. Of those, 126,002 have come from Republicans and 124,206 have come from registered Democrats. Overall, there are more than 3.76 million mail ballots that have been requested but not yet returned. Of those, more than 1.68 million are held by Democrats and more than 1.19 million are with Republicans.

CAMPAIGN ROUNDUP — The Republican State Leadership Committee is launching its first-ever Spanish language ad in five battleground states, including Florida. It's a five-figure digital ad buy that highlights how Democrats are taking Hispanics for granted and are "making it harder for all Americans to thrive." The RSLC helps elect down-ballot GOP candidates including those running for the Legislature as well as lieutenant governor.

… End Citizens United/Let America Vote on Friday endorsed Maxwell Alejandro Frost, who is running in a crowded Democratic primary for Florida's 10th Congressional District. "Whether it's protecting reproductive rights, working to reform our gun laws, or taking on corporations, he's always put working families first," said End Citizens United/Let America President Tiffany Muller in a statement. "He's also made the bold decision to reject corporate PAC and lobbyist money, so that Floridians know he's working for them, not D.C. special interests."

… Both Jared Moskowitz — and one of his Democratic primary rivals Ben Sorensen — have been endorsed by Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus in the race for Florida's 23rd Congressional District. An item in Thursday's Playbook noted the Moskowitz endorsement, but did not include that Sorensen had also been endorsed.

… Kevin Hayslett's campaign released an internal poll that it says shows that the GOP candidate for Florida's 13th Congressional District is within the margin of error against primary rival and frontrunner Anna Paulina Luna. The late July poll done by American Viewpoint contends that Luna got 36 percent of likely Republican voters to 34 percent for Hayslett. The margin of error in the poll is +/- 4.9 percent.

…. The Florida Retail Federation endorsed Attorney General Ashley Moody for reelection.

— " Frost releases congressional ad confronting DeSantis over gun violence ," by Orlando Sentinel's Steven Lemongello

— " Ron DeSantis's political committee makes $50k to HD16 candidate Kiyan Michael ," by Florida Politics' A.G. Gancarski

— " Incumbent Rep. Alex Andrade faces 2 challengers in primary for Florida House District 2, " by Pensacola News Journal's Alex Miller

— " Election 2022: Demings' open seat in U.S. House draws an army of candidates ," by Orlando Sentinel's Steven Lemongello

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... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ...

'NOT BINDING' — Florida warns schools against following Biden's LGBTQ student protections , by POLITICO's Andrew Atterbury: Florida education officials on Thursday urged schools across the state to disregard recent guidance from the Biden administration aiming to strengthen protections for transgender students under federal Title IX gender equity law. In a widely distributed memo, Education Commissioner Manny Diaz Jr. told school leaders that the federal policies are "not-binding" in Florida and "should not be treated as governing law." Diaz, who was appointed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, warned that complying with the U.S. Department of Education could spell legal trouble under state law.

FALLOUT — Charter school group splits from lobbyist after cease-and-desist from DeSantis , by POLITICO's Andrew Atterbury and Matt Dixon: One of Florida's top charter school advocacy groups cut ties with an education lobbyist on Thursday after he was hit by a cease-and-desist letter from Gov. Ron DeSantis' campaign over a "misleading" ad featured in a Miami-Dade County school board race. Christian Cámara was removed from the Florida Charter School Alliance's lobbying team three days after lawyers for DeSantis flagged Cámara for a mailer that featured the Republican governor hugging a candidate running against an opponent he endorsed. The quick action, revealed in a state filing, "sends a message" to lobbyists and consultants amid a school board election season where GOP leaders are sending waves of cash and endorsements to candidates, hoping to reshape local boards that have opposed them in the past.

— " Moody and hospital districts are in a legal battle over opioid settlements ," by News Service of Florida's Jim Saunders

— " Florida Gaming Commission warns allowing 'adult arcades' in Jacksonville could be illegal ," by Florida Times-Union's David Bauerlein

PENINSULA AND BEYOND

TURNABOUT — Miami-Dade reverses course, accepts previously rejected sex-ed textbooks , by POLITICO's Andrew Atterbury: The Miami-Dade County School Board on Thursday accepted two health and sexual education books for use in local schools, reversing a decision from just last week to reject the curriculum over fears it could violate the state's "Parental Rights in Education" bill, known by opponents as "Don't Say Gay." The about-face was led by the chair, Perla Tabares Hantman, whose flipped vote made the difference in the books passing by a close 5-4 margin. Hantman, who opposed the books last week after community members criticized them for broaching topics like abortion and contraceptives, worried that denying the books could eventually leave the school district out of compliance with state teaching standards.

GOING FORWARD — " Florida restaurant says drag shows will go in spite of DeSantis's criticism and state inquiry ," by South Florida Sun-Sentinel's Lisa J. Huriash: "The South Florida restaurant that drew the ire of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis over its drag-show performances in front of children said Thursday it will continue business as usual. 'As of right now we are set to continue this weekend,' said Larry Carrino, spokesman for R House, the restaurant in Miami's Wynwood neighborhood that stands to lose its state liquor license after being labeled a 'nuisance' by state investigators. 'There are no plans to alter operation while the client and their attorney are working with the state to remedy the situation.'"

'FAR SHORT' — " Florida debuts new database on cops with bad records. It has holes, reform advocates say ," by Miami Herald's Charles Rabin: "The site, which debuted last week, is a start, but also has some critical holes, police reform advocates say. Among them: It doesn't include citizen complaints, only goes back a decade, and for an officer to make the list, he or she must have a felony criminal conviction or have been found guilty of a moral character violation. 'I'm glad there is a move towards transparency and accountability. But it's far short of what we're all looking for,' said former Miami-Dade prosecutor and civil rights attorney Melba Pearson. She noted that Derek Chauvin, convicted in the murder of George Floyd, had more than 20 complaints against him over his career."

WHAT'S IN YOUR WALLET? — Florida's 3 largest utilities say rising gas prices could fuel $3.3B shortfall , by POLITICO's Bruce Ritchie: Florida's electric utilities told the Public Service Commission this week that rising natural gas prices will cause collections to fall $3.3 billion short of costs in 2022, which likely will lead to higher customer bills next year. Duke Energy Florida and Tampa Electric Co. asked the PSC to approve charging customers for the shortfall beginning in January 2023 while Florida Power & Light Co. said it would wait until later to submit a request. Utilities pass along fuel costs to customers on their bills without earning profits from them. If actual fuel costs exceed collections, then utilities can petition the commission for approval pass through the cost increases.

— " Tampa wants to let voters decide on housing emergency ," by Tampa Bay Times' Jack Evans

— " If JetBlue gets final clearance for $3.8 billion Spirit buyout, South Florida would lose Spirit's home office ," by Miami Herald's Anna Jean Kaiser

ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN

— " Rescued manatee flown from Texas to Florida on cargo plane ," by Associated Press: "An ailing manatee that was found and rehabilitated in Texas late last year was flown to Florida on a cargo plane and released into a bay near a wildlife refuge along the Gulf Coast this week. The manatee named TexasTeeMiguel was released Wednesday into Kings Bay in Crystal River, Florida. Late last week, TexasTeeMiguel flew on a DHL Express cargo plane in a custom, state-of-the-art container built specifically for manatees."

BIRTHDAYS: Former Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn … (Saturday) Bob Nave, senior vice president of research for Florida TaxWatch … The Associated Press' Frieda Frisaro … Nancy Dahlberg, business writer and editor … (Sunday) Former Agriculture Commissioner and Rep. Adam Putnam ... Kristen Knapp, director of communications at Florida Health Care Association ... POLITICO's Bill Duryea … Dan McFaul of Ballard Partners … Tony Winton, editor-in-chief of the Key Biscayne Independent