| | | | |  | | By Gary Fineout | Hello and welcome to Tuesday. Here's the envelope — Gov. Ron DeSantis spent part of his Monday handing out checks in Jacksonville to first responders. Democrats weren't happy about it. And you get a check and you get a check — DeSantis held a press conference in Jacksonville where he gave $1,000 checks to individual firefighters and law-enforcement officers that were being made available through this year's state budget. Nearly 85,000 first responders throughout the state will be getting the checks, according to the Department of Economic Opportunity. A tradition — This is the second year DeSantis has proposed the bonuses, but this year's batch is being handed out just a few weeks before the governor is up for reelection. Oh, and guess what else is about to happen? The state's gas taxes are going to be cut for a full month starting in October. Who did that? — The reason that all of this stings Democrats is that DeSantis and Republicans are using money from the federal American Rescue Plan — which provided more than $8.8 billion to the state of Florida — to help pay for this and lots of other programs that the governor is now touting. A new reelection ad paid for by Republicans even mentions the $1,000 bonuses. Oh, the irony — And all this is happening even though Florida Republicans were unified in opposition to the American Rescue Plan and DeSantis himself was critical of the measure. (It's worth recalling that Florida Sen. Rick Scott said that the money was not "free" and that states should return it to Washington, D.C. DeSantis rejected that suggestion and said the money would just wind up elsewhere.) What's missing here? — In his remarks on Monday, DeSantis didn't mention the American Rescue Plan and suggested that the state was able to do the bonuses because it had a hefty budget surplus that was created because of the governor's anti-lockdown Covid-19 policies. Well, it's true that the state has the largest surplus in its history due in part to better than anticipated economic activity. But the bonuses — which will cost an estimated $113 million this go round — are 100 percent paid for by the federal government. Response — A Democratic National Committee spokesman Ammar Mousa blasted DeSantis over the move saying "if Ron DeSantis had his way, police officers would not have gotten funding to protect their communities. Gaslighting voters and taking credit for funding he pushed against is simply par for the course with Ron DeSantis." Net gain — This isn't the first time DeSantis has managed to hand out federal money without mentioning the source of the cash, but it's probably going to happen a lot more between now and Election Day especially since the gas tax holiday will be taking effect soon. And he will likely continue bash President Joe Biden and the Democrats for pushing policies that he says has caused inflation — which includes the massive spending included in the American Rescue Plan. Democrats can complain, but absent some sort of big and expensive ad blitz, they will have to watch DeSantis reap political benefit from a legislative accomplishment of Biden and Democrats. — 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
| | | | A WOMEN RULE CONVERSATION ON LEADING FROM THE GROUND UP: Join POLITICO's Women Rule on Sept. 15 for conversations focused on creating and leading sustainable, healthy and inclusive communities. The program will feature a Member Exchange panel followed by a keynote discussion exploring the most pressing issues facing women in their communities and women in leadership roles who are best positioned to solve these problems. REGISTER HERE. | | | | | |  | CAMPAIGN MODE | | READY FOR BATTLE — "DeSantis 'full armor of God' rhetoric reaches Republicans. But he is playing for fire?" by Miami Herald's Ana Ceballos: "The Republican governor, a strategic politician who is up for reelection in November, is increasingly using biblical references in speeches that cater to those who see policy fights through a morality lens and flirting with those who embrace nationalist ideas that see the true identity of the nation as Christian. He and other Republicans on the campaign trail are blending elements of Christianity with being American and portraying their battle against their political opponents as one between good and evil." | 
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis adjusts his collar during a press conference Sept. 7, 2022, in Miami, Fla. | Rebecca Blackwell/AP Photo | SOME HELP FOR DEMINGS — Schumer plows $15 million into battle for Senate, by POLITICO's Burgess Everett: Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is also committing major money to Democrats' offensive opportunities. Schumer will send $1 million apiece to the victory funds of Rep. Val Demings of Florida, Cheri Beasley of North Carolina, Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes of Wisconsin, Rep. Tim Ryan of Ohio and Lt. Gov. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania. Those five candidates are all either challenging incumbents or competing for open seats currently held by Republicans. MOVING ON — " As death toll passes 80,000, COVID-19 fades as election issue in Florida," by Orlando Sentinel's Steven Lemongello: "The number of Floridians who have died of COVID-19 passed 80,000 this month, another tragic milestone amid the latest wave that's still killing as many as 400 state residents a week. But as the race for governor enters its final stretch, the pandemic has barely played any role in the campaigns. DeSantis' 'freedom' agenda celebrates the state's lack of COVID restrictions. Democrat Charlie Crist's attacks on DeSantis have focused on abortion rights and culture wars. COVID policy isn't listed among the main issues on Crist's campaign website." PIECRUST PROMISE? — "Democrats see realistic path to victories in Florida," by The Hill's Max Greenwood: "But recent polling has reignited Democratic interest in Florida, fueling hope among party operatives and officials that they just might be able to oust Gov. Ron DeSantis and Sen. Marco Rubio (R) this year and reassert Florida's reputation as a swing state. 'I don't want to sound overly optimistic. We still have a lot of work to do,' said one Democratic consultant involved in key races in Florida. 'But things are trending in the right direction.'" ONE TO WATCH — " Key Florida Senate race pits incumbent against DeSantis pick," by News Service of Florida's Ryan Dailey: "Stakes are high in a North Florida contest between a scion of a prominent Democratic political family and a former football star who is a "huge fan" of Gov. Ron DeSantis, in one of the state Senate's most closely watched races this year. Incumbent Sen. Loranne Ausley, a Tallahassee Democrat, is trying to fight off a challenge from Republican Corey Simon, a political newcomer who gained fame playing football for Florida State University before turning pro." CAMPAIGN ROUNDUP — Giffords PAC, the gun safety group founded by former Rep. Gabby Giffords, on Monday endorsed gubernatorial candidate Rep. Charlie Crist and his running mate Karla Hernández-Mats. "Charlie Crist has been a longtime advocate for commonsense gun safety measures," Giffords said in a statement. "Throughout his career in public service, he has always put Floridians' safety first." Gifford PAC said it backed Crist because he had supported gun measures while in Congress. When Crist was a Republican he regularly got high marks from the National Rifle Association. … … The Federal Elections Commission has sent two letters questioning campaign finance reports submitted by Laurel Lee, the Republican candidate for Florida's 15th congressional district. FEC letters dated Sept. 11 say that Lee's July quarterly report and a report due right before the primary did not include "acceptable" information about the occupation and employer of some of her donors. Lee, who is the state's former secretary of state, has been asked to respond by Oct. 17. … The Federal Elections Commission is asking Rep. Vern Buchanan's campaign questions about a July quarterly report. A Sept. 11 letter from the FEC says Buchanan, who is running for reelection, paid for campaign expenses out of his own pocket but his report not detail what vendors were paid by the congressman as well as the date, amount and purpose of the expenses. Buchanan and his campaign have been asked to respond by Oct. 17. … Crist on Tuesday will join State Rep. Patricia Williams in Pompano Beach for a meet and greet with local Black seniors — "Kamala Harris continues to edge Ron DeSantis in hypothetical 2024 polling ," by Florida Politics' A.G. Gancarski — "Ron DeSantis: 'We rejected the elites, and we were right,'" by Fox News' Ronn Blitzer | | ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... | | BALLARD EXPANDS — Ballard Partners – which has already has offices in seven locations in Florida – is opening up a Sarasota office and is naming firm partner Todd Josko to serve as managing partner of the new office. "As Florida's growth continues to boom, Southwest Florida is a burgeoning market for Florida business and also plays a critical role in Florida governance and elections," said Brian Ballard, the firm's President and founder said in a statement. Josko has more than 25 years of experience in government relations and public affairs. Ballard Partners, which started in Tallahassee and is one of the most successful lobbying firms in the capital city, also has a thriving practice in Washington D.C. and other locations. — "DeSantis' suspension of prosecutor marks perilous path," by Reuters Hassan Kanu
| | | | Join POLITICO Live on Tuesday, Sept. 20 to dive into how federal regulators, members of Congress, and the White House are seeking to write the rules on digital currencies, including stablecoins. The panel will also cover the tax implications of crypto, which could be an impediment to broader adoption and the geopolitical factors that the U.S. is considering as it begins to draw regulatory frameworks for crypto. REGISTER HERE. | | | | | | | TRUMPLANDIA AND THE SWAMP | | GETTING WIDER — "Justice Dept. issues 40 subpoenas in a week, expanding its Jan. 6 inquiry," by The New York Times' Glenn Thrush, Maggie Haberman, Adam Goldman and Alan Feuer: "Justice Department officials have seized the phones of two top advisers to former President Donald J. Trump and blanketed his aides with about 40 subpoenas in a substantial escalation of the investigation into his efforts to subvert the 2020 election, people familiar with the inquiry said on Monday. The seizure of the phones, coupled with a widening effort to obtain information from those around Mr. Trump after the 2020 election, represent some of the most aggressive steps the department has taken thus far in its criminal investigation into the actions that led to the Jan. 6, 2021, assault on the Capitol by a pro-Trump mob." — Pence, defied subpoenas, and a final report: The Jan. 6 panel's endgame, by POLITICO's Nicholas Wu and Kyle Cheney AS THE PAGES TURN — " Justice Dept. says it would accept Trump nominee for special master," by Washington Post's Devlin Barrett and Perry Stein: "The Justice Department filed court papers Monday signaling that it would accept a former chief federal judge in New York as a special master charged with reviewing papers seized by the FBI from former president Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence and club. U.S. District Court judge Aileen M. Cannon must approve Raymond J. Dearie's appointment for the document review — which has stalled the Justice Department's criminal probe — to go forward." | 
An aerial view of former President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate is pictured. | Steve Helber/AP Photo |
THE FINAL DAYS — "Exclusive: 'I'm just not going to leave': New book reveals Trump vowed to stay in White House," by CNN's Jeremy Herb: "Former President Donald Trump repeatedly told aides in the days following his 2020 election loss that he would remain in the White House rather than let incoming President Joe Biden take over, according to reporting provided to CNN from a forthcoming book by New York Times reporter Maggie Haberman. 'I'm just not going to leave,' Trump told one aide, according to Haberman. 'We're never leaving,' Trump told another. 'How can you leave when you won an election?'"
| | THE GUNSHINE STATE | | DEFENSE PRESENTS ITS CASE — "Psychologist: School shooter suffered fetal alcohol damage," by Associated Press' Terry Spencer: "Attorneys for Florida school shooter Nikolas Cruz began building their argument Monday that his birth mother's alcohol abuse left him with severe behavioral problems that eventually led to his 2018 murder of 17 people at Parkland's Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. Paul Connor, a Seattle-area neuropsychologist, said medical records and testimony by prior witnesses show that Brenda Woodard drank and used cocaine throughout much of her pregnancy before Cruz's birth in 1998. Woodard, a Fort Lauderdale prostitute, gave up the baby immediately after to his adoptive parents, Lynda and Roger Cruz. Woodard died last year."
| | PENINSULA AND BEYOND | | FALLOUT — "Was DeSantis' suspension of four Broward school board members politics or much needed?" by Miami Herald's Jimena Tavel: "In a statement after her suspension, Rich Levinson, the former board chair, argued her suspension was politically motivated: 'This is all about political retribution for not firing Superintendent [Robert] Runcie,' she said. 'It's about blaming the Superintendent, and any School Board Members who supported him, for the Marjory Stoneman Douglas shooting. Governor DeSantis impaneled a Grand Jury, under the guise of school safety, as a pretext to remove School Board Members who did not fire the former Superintendent. Do future Board Members need to pre-clear their votes with DeSantis? Could future Democratic Governors now remove locally elected Republicans?'" MEANWHILE — "Broward School Board may vote to stop paying legal bills of suspended members," by South Florida Sun-Sentinel's Scott Travis: "Broward School Board members will be asked Tuesday to stop paying the legal fees for former board members who fought to keep a scathing grand jury report secret. The request, from Chairman Torey Alston, comes after the South Florida Sun Sentinel reported this past weekend that Ann Murray and Donna Korn had racked up grand jury-related legal bills of $120,000 over the past 16 months." — " Florida state officials called emergency meetings with Palm Beach County Schools. Why?" by Palm Beach Post's Katherine Kokal FOR YOUR RADAR — "Orlando abortion clinic faces $193K fine for allegedly violating Florida law, fears bankruptcy ," by Orlando Sentinel's Caroline Catherman: "The Center of Orlando for Women is fighting a $193,000 fine from the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration after the Orlando abortion clinic was found to have reportedly performed abortions without following a law that requires a 24-hour waiting period. The law, passed in 2015, was tied up in court until April 25, when a Leon County circuit judge upheld it. It requires people seeking abortions to come in-person to a clinic to receive information, then make an additional appointment at least 24 hours later to get the procedure." — "3 Pasco teachers arrested in testing scandal at Hudson High, FDLE says," by Tampa Bay Times' Marlene Sokol — " Quincy residents will receive $100 credit for 'relief' from rising utility bills," by Tallahassee Democrat's Christopher Cann — " UF students recorded nude in dorms; suspect accused of UCF, too," by Fresh Take Florida's Elliot Tritto — "Tampa casino workers get raises as Seminole Hard rock sets $100M for wages ," by Tampa Bay Times' Jay Cridlin
| | ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN | | — "This Florida teen is making a business out of rebuilding old school auto-tech," by Popular Science's Kristin Shaw: "Carburetors may represent old-school tech in the automotive world, but don't tell Riley Schlick, a high school senior in Florida who rebuilds them for a tidy profit. Send your tired, dirty, mucked-up carburetor to Schlick and she'll return it to you clean, shiny, and ready for duty once again. She has operated her Bradenton-based business, Riley's Rebuilds, for three years now, and a steady stream of carburetors has crossed her path." BIRTHDAYS — Berneice Cox , CEO of the United Way of the Big Bend | | | | Follow us on Twitter | | | | Subscribe to the POLITICO Playbook family Playbook | Playbook PM | California Playbook | Florida Playbook | Illinois Playbook | Massachusetts Playbook | New Jersey Playbook | New York Playbook | Ottawa Playbook | Brussels Playbook | London Playbook View all our political and policy newsletters | | Follow us | | | | |
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