| | | | |  | | By Gary Fineout | Hello and welcome to Wednesday. Posting time — Florida’s two Republican senators and Pete Buttigieg, the Transportation secretary, are exchanging some unsocial words in the confines of social media. Calling them out — Buttigieg, seen as a potential future Democratic candidate for president, openly clashed with Sens. Marco Rubio and Rick Scott on Twitter on Tuesday, writes POLITICO’s Tanya Snyder. Assessment — Rubio had already been calling for Buttigieg to be fired over the large rail derailment in Ohio that caused a toxic chemical fire and evacuations. But he zinged Buttigieg again after the former Indiana mayor cited a 2021 letter Rubio signed that dealt with track inspections. Rubio said that Buttigieg “lies to the media” and “is an incompetent who is focused solely on his fantasies about his political future & needs to be fired.” Retort — Buttigieg responded: “The facts don’t lie. The 2021 letter you signed was obviously drafted by railroad industry lobbyists. It supports waivers that would reduce visual track inspections.” Counterpunch — Rubio tagged back: “Before you emerged from hiding 10 days after the worst rail accident in over a decade the last time we heard you talking about rail was when you were lobbying for the rail company 'deal' that screwed workers out of paid leave while I was fighting for workers. Please resign now.” And the other senator — Scott called out Buttigieg for not visiting the East Palestine, Ohio, derailment site, stating in his Twitter post that “when leaders show up, things get done — enough with the excuses. Show up, do your job and stop playing politics with every crisis you find.” Please help — That prompted Buttigieg to say he has been “staying out of the way” during an initial investigation. He added that “now that we’re into the policy phase, I’ll be visiting — and I need your help. Will you work with us to toughen accountability standards on freight railroads?” — WHERE'S RON? — Nothing official for Gov. Ron DeSantis. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for Playbook? Get in touch: gfineout@politico.com
| | | | JOIN POLITICO ON 3/1 TO DISCUSS AMERICAN PRIVACY LAWS: Americans have fewer privacy rights than Europeans, and companies continue to face a minefield of competing state and foreign legislation. There is strong bipartisan support for a federal privacy bill, but it has yet to materialize. Join POLITICO on 3/1 to discuss what it will take to get a federal privacy law on the books, potential designs for how this type of legislation could protect consumers and innovators, and more. REGISTER HERE. | | | | | |  | DATELINE D.C. | | STEEL WHEELS — Buttigieg feuds with Florida’s GOP senators on Twitter over derailment, by POLITICO’s Tanya Snyder: Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg’s spat with Florida’s Republican Senate delegation over the Ohio train derailment escalated Tuesday, with Buttigieg calling out Sens. Rick Scott and Marco Rubio by name on Twitter. Rubio has called for Buttigieg to resign or be fired several times in the past week, saying Buttigieg demonstrates “a gross level of incompetence and apathy” and that he has been “completely absent” during major transportation disruptions, including this month’s derailment of a toxic train payload in East Palestine, Ohio. And Scott has dinged Buttigieg over Twitter for not going to the derailment site. | 
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg speaks before the arrival of President Joe Biden at the construction site of the Hudson Tunnel Project, Jan. 31, 2023, in New York. | John Minchillo/AP Photo |
‘NOT HERE, NOT NOW’ — “House Minority Leader in Florida: We won’t let Black history be erased,” by Palm Beach Post’s Hannah Morse: “House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries took some jabs at Florida over its rejection of an AP African American studies course and encouraged a West Palm Beach crowd to ‘be resilient, be strong’ to get through what he called a 'backlash moment.’”
— “Anna Paulina Luna is getting national attention. And she’s pushing back,” by Tampa Bay Times’ Kirby Wilson | | DESANTISLAND | | ‘WE INTEND TO WIN’ — “DeSantis unveils 2024 school board target list to block ‘woke’ ideology from Florida classrooms,” by Fox News’ Brooke Singman: “[Gov. Ron] DeSantis met with Florida House Speaker Paul Renner, Moms for Liberty co-founders Tina Descovich and Tiffany Justice and key leaders in Florida's school board reform movement in a Tuesday morning meeting. During that strategy session, DeSantis unveiled his initial 2024 school board target list, which features 14 school board members across the state who ‘do not protect parental rights and have failed to protect students from woke ideologies.’ The school board members DeSantis plans to target are from Brevard County, Duval County, Hillsborough County, Indian River County, Miami-Dade County, Pinellas County, Volusia County and Sarasota County.” About that gathering — The Fox News story about the meeting to draw up the school board “target” list included a photo from the session where DeSantis, Renner and the Moms for Liberty leaders were meeting. Sitting at the table at the Republican Party of Florida building in Tallahassee were one of DeSantis’ top political aides as well as Florida Education Commissioner Manny Diaz. Diaz, who was appointed by the state Board of Education, declined to answer a question about getting involved in targeting school board members. TURNABOUT — “DeSantis and Haley highlight 2024 chasm on Ukraine,” by Washington Post’s Aaron Blake: “As a founding member of the House Freedom Caucus, then-Rep. [Ron] DeSantis often staked out hawkish positions on Russia and Ukraine, pointing to the Obama administration’s inaction after Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea from Ukraine. At a 2014 hearing, DeSantis warned that Putin’s justification — that Crimea was largely composed of ethnic Russians — could be extended to other nations and even some NATO members such as Latvia and Estonia. He pressed an Obama State Department official to confirm that the United States would defend those countries from a Russian incursion, as is the U.S. commitment under Article 5 of the NATO charter.” — “DeSantis racks up wins while Trump, potential 2024 opponents take swipes at Florida governor,” by Fox News’ Jessica Chasmar — “Florida college students plan a statewide walkout against Gov. DeSantis’ education ‘attacks,’” by Tallahassee Democrat’s Tarah Jean — “Ron DeSantis’ name brought up in celebrity wedding lawsuit,” by Florida Politics’ Gabrielle Russon — “Palin tells Ron DeSantis to sit out 2024 presidential race, says he could run ‘someday, but not right now,’” by Fox News’ Aubrie Spady | | TRUMPLANDIA AND THE SWAMP | |
WHAT’S IN YOUR WALLET? — “Trump spent $10 million from his PAC on legal bills last year,” by The New York Times’ Maggie Haberman: “Former President Donald J. Trump, who throughout his business career had a reputation for not paying lawyers, spent roughly $10 million from his political action committee on his own legal fees last year, federal election filings show. The money that went to Mr. Trump’s legal bills was part of more than $16 million that Mr. Trump’s PAC, Save America, spent for legal-related payments in 2021 and 2022, the filings show.”
— “Jury in Georgia Trump inquiry recommended multiple indictments, forewoman says,” by The New York Times’ Danny Hakim — “Trump’s praise for DeSantis’ Democratic opponent rankles MAGA world,” by Newsweek’s Jon Jackson
| | | | DOWNLOAD THE POLITICO MOBILE APP: Stay up to speed with the newly updated POLITICO mobile app, featuring timely political news, insights and analysis from the best journalists in the business. The sleek and navigable design offers a convenient way to access POLITICO's scoops and groundbreaking reporting. Don’t miss out on the app you can rely on for the news you need, reimagined. DOWNLOAD FOR iOS– DOWNLOAD FOR ANDROID. | | | | | | | ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... | | STILL NO PRICE TAG — School choice expansion clears first Florida Senate hurdle,” by POLITICO’s Andrew Atterbury: The Florida Senate’s Pre-K-12 Education Committee on Tuesday advanced the banner school choice proposal of 2023 that is set to drastically expand access to private schools throughout the state. The legislation has now passed initial votes in the House and Senate, setting it up for key hearings before chamber appropriations committees as questions linger surrounding the potential costs. A priority of top Florida Republicans, Democrats continue to oppose the possible expansion of the state’s voucher program that would remove income restrictions for the scholarships and make them available to all students. MOVING ON — Bill providing annual funding for Indian River Lagoon advances despite opposition, by POLITICO’s Bruce Ritchie: A bill that aligns with Gov. Ron DeSantis' proposal to pay for projects to improve Indian River Lagoon water quality on Tuesday cleared its first committee stop amid Sierra Club opposition. The Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources voted 9-0 to advance FL SB320 (23R). The bill provides at least $50 million per year from the Land Acquisition Trust Fund for Indian River Lagoon projects. UP IN THE AIR — “State official inheriting Florida migrant relocation program has questions about vendor,” by Miami Herald’s Mary Ellen Klas: “The head of the state agency now tasked with handling Gov. Ron DeSantis’ migrant relocation program told a Senate committee on Tuesday that he was not sure whether he will continue the state’s arrangement with Vertol Systems Company, the politically-connected aviation company paid to transport migrants from Texas to Massachusetts. “The answer to that question is, I don’t know,’’ said Division of Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie when asked if he would continue to use Vertol, the company handpicked by the governor’s public safety czar.” — “Florida elections officials ask lawmakers not to make voting changes before 2024,” by Tampa Bay Times’ Lawrence Mower — “UF requests $50 million from Legislature for graduate campus in Jacksonville,” by Florida Times-Union’s David Bauerlein — “Permitless carry bill speeds through process despite concern on both sides,” by Tampa Bay Times’ Romy Ellenbogen — “Transgender care for minors targeted by House Health Care Committee,” by Florida Politics’ Christine Jordan Sexton — “Wilton Simpson: When bad actors threaten, farmers deliver,” by Florida Politics’ Rosanne Dunkelberger | | CAMPAIGN MODE | | MORE ENDORSEMENTS — Former Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried and former state Sen. Annette Taddeo rolled out more endorsements Tuesday for their bids to become the next chair of the Florida Democratic Party. Taddeo announced support from Democratic Party official from Taylor and Pinellas counties while Fried announced that she picked up backing from several members of the Democratic Executive Committee from Gadsden, Marion, Pinellas, Okaloosa and Orange counties. It takes a majority of more than 1,110 votes needed to win the position that had been held by Manny Diaz until he abruptly resigned in January. One unofficial spreadsheet maintained by a former Florida Democratic Party official has 459 votes pledged to Fried, 275 for Taddeo and 38 for other candidates in the race. There are still voting members of the state executive committee who have not publicly announced who they are supporting. | 
Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried speaks with members of the media on Aug. 18, 2022, in Gainesville, Fla. | Gerardo Mora/Getty Images |
— “Can any Democrat pose a serious challenge to wealthy Rick Scott in 2024? Or is he vulnerable?” by Florida Phoenix’s Mitch Perry
| | PENINSULA AND BEYOND | |
R.I.P. — “Former UCF president John Hitt, who oversaw massive growth at Orlando campus, dead at 82,” by Orlando Sentinel’s Annie Martin: “Former University of Central Florida president John Hitt, who oversaw tremendous growth at the school and the addition of a medical school, on-campus football stadium and more than 100 new buildings, has died. Hitt, 82, died Monday, less than five years after retiring from the university where he spent 26 years at the helm.”
FOR YOUR RADAR — “Jeff Greene: UF offered to name West Palm graduate school after me. ‘A deal’s a deal,’” by Palm Beach Post’s Alexandra Clough: “The University of Florida in early 2022 offered to name a proposed West Palm Beach graduate school after Palm Beach billionaire Jeff Greene in recognition of downtown land he planned to donate toward a campus, according to a letter Greene provided to The Palm Beach Post on Monday. But during the past year, Greene's requirements for the donation met with resistance from UF, which decided to try to buy the property instead, Greene said.” BECAUSE IT WENT SO WELL LAST TIME — “FWC chair: Florida black bear hunt ‘on the table’ with presentation in the near future,” by Fort Myers News-Press Chad Gillis: “State wildlife managers will again discuss holding a black bear hunt after hearing from proponents at a public meeting in Jacksonville Tuesday. After watching a presentation on other hunting rules and regulations, several hunters said they want the state to hold a black bear hunt again, as it did in 2015. … The 2015 black bear hunt happened under the watch of then-governor Rick Scott, who, at the time, was over state agencies like the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. It was a public black-eye as several hunters were caught without licenses, while others were caught baiting bears. Even nursing mothers and cubs were shot.” SCHOOL DAZE — “PBAU probing whether professor was ‘indoctrinating’ students over racial justice class,” by Palm Beach Post’s Andrew Marra: “Samuel Joeckel has taught the same writing composition class at Palm Beach Atlantic University for more than a decade. And while he says the course has not changed much in years, the world he teaches in has. The veteran English professor says he learned just how much last week when he received a visit after class from a dean and the school’s provost. The somber-faced administrators told him Wednesday that his annual contract renewal, usually a formality, was being postponed while they investigated a claim he was ‘indoctrinating’ students with discussions about racial justice, he recalled. A parent, it seemed, had called to complain.” — “‘I am embarrassed to be a student in Escambia County.’ District bans 3 more books,” by Pensacola News Journal’s Brittany Misencik — “Lawyer seeking Drake’s testimony in XXXTentacion trial in Broward meets resistance in Beverly Hills,” by South Florida Sun-Sentinel’s Rafael Olmeda — “Held without charge, a Miami inmate’s unborn child asks court for release in odd case,” by Miami Herald’s Grethel Aguila
| | ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN | |
— “10-foot alligator kills an 85-year-old Florida woman who was on a walk with her dog,” by NBC News’ Julianne McShane: “An 85-year-old woman was killed in an alligator attack Monday as she was walking her dog in Florida, authorities said. The incident occurred just after noon, when Gloria Serge was walking her small dog near the community retention pond at Spanish Lakes Fairways, a 55-plus community in Fort Pierce, a city about 67 miles north of West Palm Beach, according to the state Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The 10-foot alligator emerged from the water and knocked Serge over before it pulled her into the water by her foot, the agency's report said.”
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