| | | | |  | | By Gary Fineout | Presented by the University of Central Florida | Good Wednesday morning. Day 1 of the Florida legislative session can usually be a lot of pomp and circumstance and little else. So much for that. Here are the main takeaways from opening day: New restrictions — Florida Republicans — including Gov. Ron DeSantis — got behind a newly proposed ban on abortions after six weeks of pregnancy, a substantial restriction beyond the 15-week ban enacted just a year ago. Senate President Kathleen Passidomo, who late last year floated the idea of a ban after 12 weeks, said she is backing this latest proposal because it includes an exception for victims of rape and incest. The proposed bills include a highly unusual clause or a “trigger” provision, as House Speaker Paul Renner put it. The proposal would not take effect until the Florida Supreme Court rules on a pending legal challenge to last year’s law or voters approve a new constitutional amendment that makes it clear the right to privacy now included in the state constitution does not include abortion rights. (This would seem to suggest an amendment could be coming at some point in time.) Open carry is a no-go — Gun rights advocates have been calling for legislators to let people to carry guns in public as part of a pending bill that scraps permitting requirements for those with a concealed weapon. DeSantis also said he would support open carry. But both Renner and Passidomo made it clear that’s not happening. Passidomo said that as long as Florida sheriffs are opposed to open carry then she is opposed. No surprises — DeSantis, who has been hopping around the state and the nation to promote his new book, did not really roll out any additional proposals in his State of the State speech. He focused on Florida’s standing and his record over the past four years as well as some — but not all — of his legislative proposals for the 2023 session. “We defied the experts, we buck the elites, we ignored the chatter, we did it our way, the Florida way,” DeSantis told legislators. Blogging bill is finished — There was a bit of frenzied press attention over the past week about a bill filed by central Florida Republican Sen. Jason Brodeur that would have required bloggers who write about state elected officials to register with the government and report who paid them. DeSantis, in remarks to reporters after the State of the State speech, made it clear that he had nothing to do with the bill and he didn’t support it. A little while later, Renner also blasted the proposed legislation. So much for that. Start the clock — Only 59 more days to go. — WHERE'S RON? — Gov. Ron DeSantis is scheduled to sign copies of his new book at a Brandon bookstore. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for Playbook? Get in touch: gfineout@politico.com
| | A message from the University of Central Florida: UCF is unleashing the potential of people and ideas to positively change the world. With our research, innovative approaches and powerful talent pipeline, we’re focused on solving the state’s problems in engineering, immersive technologies, energy, and healthcare by meeting the demand for Florida’s critical jobs and attracting new industry. That’s why UCF has been ranked a “Top 20 Most Innovative University” (U.S. News & World Report) for 5 years. See how UCF propels Florida’s prosperity. | | | |  | ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... | | ‘WHERE WE’VE LANDED’ — Florida Republicans seek ban on abortions after 6 weeks of pregnancy, by POLITICO’s Arek Sarkissian: Florida’s Republican-led legislature on Tuesday filed bills that would ban abortions after six weeks of pregnancy but offer exemptions for victims of rape and incest if they can provide official proof of the crime. Lawmakers in the House and Senate filed similar legislation to make abortions illegal two weeks after a pregnant person’s first missed period, tightening the 15-week ban they approved last year. Reaction — Florida Senate Democratic Leader Lauren Book (D-Plantation), who worked with Passidomo last year on the exemptions, said on Tuesday that incest victims are already fleeing the state for treatment and the 6-week bill will only make things worse for them. “If it’s a war they want, it’s a war they will get,” Book wrote in a statement. “This issue bridges the partisan divide, and we will not go down as easily as they believe.” ‘WE ARE THE MODEL’ — DeSantis delivers annual state of state — with an eye to 2024, by POLITICO’s Matt Dixon: Gov. Ron DeSantis was in Tallahassee Tuesday to open Florida’s 2023 legislative session — but his sights were set on a much larger stage. DeSantis delivered the annual State of the State address to the GOP-dominated Florida House and Senate, a speech that came against the backdrop of a national book tour, planned trips to early presidential primary states and inescapable buzz surrounding an expected 2024 presidential bid — likely officially launching after the state’s two-month legislative session. Democrats respond — Both state and national Democrats quickly released a slate of press releases and “fact checks” blasting DeSantis, a rapid response effort that’s ramping up as Democrats prepare to do battle with DeSantis heading into the 2024 presidential election cycle. … White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre on Tuesday also told reporters that elected officials like DeSantis “espouse quote, freedom for all, unquote, while directly attacking the freedom to make one’s own health care decisions. Their rhetoric doesn’t come without consequences here.” | 
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis smiles as he ends his State of the State address during a joint session of the Senate and House of Representatives. | Phil Sears/AP Photo |
— “DeSantis opens legislative session, promising more to come in culture wars, abortion bans,” by Miami Herald’s Mary Ellen Klas
— “DeSantis argues US should be like Florida ahead of 2024 bid,” by The Associated Press’ Brendan Farrington and Anthony Izaguirre — “DeSantis opens 2023 Florida legislative session saying ‘you ain’t seen nothing yet,’” by USA Today Network-Florida’s John Kennedy — “DeSantis points to looming culture wars with Florida ‘on the front lines in the battle for freedom,’” by CNN’s Steve Contorno ‘WINNERS AND LOSERS’ — Florida Senate targets teacher union dues, by POLITICO’s Andrew Atterbury: A Florida Senate panel gave initial approval Tuesday to legislation tightening regulations for public-employee unions through policies such as blocking union dues from being automatically withdrawn from member paychecks. Several pieces of the bill, SB 256, were requested by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis ahead of Florida’s Legislative session to ensure that teachers unions ‘are not exerting excessive influence’ in education. Teachers unions and Democrats oppose the proposal, claiming it limits the rights of workers and ultimately aims to scale back union participation. — “Superminority report: Democrats dub the 2023 Legislative Session the ‘Ron DeSantis’ show,” by Tallahassee Democrat’s James Call — “Geraldine Thompson blasts ‘sophomoric’ GOP proposal to ‘cancel’ Democrats, suggests nixing Republicans instead,” by Florida Politics’ Jesse Scheckner TO COURT — “Medical groups ask court to block subpoena over gender-affirming care information,” by POLITICO’s Arek Sarkissian: At least 18 national medical advocacy groups supporting gender-affirming care have asked a federal appeals court judge to block a subpoena filed by Florida to turn over records illustrating the inner workings of those groups. — “Minor league baseball players in Florida could be paid below minimum wage under proposed bill,” by News Service of Florida Jim Turner — “Monument protection bill filed in House, Senate,” by Florida Politics’ A.G. Gancarski
| | | | 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. | | | | | | | DESANTISLAND | | SECOND SERVE — DeSantis on Tuesday called on President Joe Biden to let tennis superstar Novak Djokovic into the country so he can compete in the upcoming Miami Open. Djokovic had tried to get a waiver from existing vaccine rules for international travelers so he could play in two American tournaments, but Sen. Rick Scott said last Friday that the request had been turned down by the Biden administration. Both Scott and Sen. Marco Rubio last week called on the administration to grant the waiver. In his letter, DeSantis called the current entry restriction on unvaccinated international travelers “unfair, unscientific and unacceptable.” The governor added: “While Mr. Djokovic is surely a supreme competitive threat to his fellow tennis professionals, his presence in our country poses no meaningful health or public safety risk.” Additionally, DeSantis suggested that under the current rules — which are expected to be lifted later this year — Djokovic could still enter the country by boat. The governor asked the Biden administration to respond by this Friday on whether this interpretation is correct. Djokovic has already withdrawn from a California tournament he was seeking to play in. The Miami Open is scheduled to start March 19. | 
Serbia's Novak Djokovic reacts after he lost a point against Daniil Medvedev during their semi final match of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Friday, March 2, 2023. (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili) | AP |
SPEAKING OUT — The liberal advocacy group Florida Rising — along with a dozen other groups — is launching what it calls “WAKE-UP WEDNESDAYS!” that will take place over the course of the legislative session. The groups plan demonstrations, digital actions and protests that are billed as a response to DeSantis' policies. The first round of actions will be held in Miami, Orlando and Tampa and the groups are encouraging people to show with “banned books written by Black women authors.” Florida Rising executive director Andrea Mercado, said in a statement that “we are sending a clear message that we will not stand back when the third largest state in the U.S. bans books and Black History in schools. We will not stay quiet when LGBTQIA+ and immigrant communities are attacked.”
‘A GOOD OPPORTUNITY’ — “‘Very intimate knowledge.’ What Ron DeSantis saw while serving at Guantánamo,” by McClatchy D.C.’s Michael Wilner: “As a young military officer at the height of the war on terror, Lt. Ron DeSantis was often seen running on the beach of Guantánamo Bay and along its ridgeline, encircling Camp America. It was a chaotic time at the U.S. military detention facility in Cuba, and as an ambitious Navy lawyer, DeSantis was positioned to witness history up close. He arrived at Joint Task Force Guantanamo in the spring of 2006 as its leaders were grappling with multiple challenges and global scrutiny.” — “Documentarian Ken Burns says DeSantis bills are like ‘Soviet system,’” by The Hill’s Jared Gans
| | | | A message from the University of Central Florida:   | | | | | TRUMPLANDIA AND THE SWAMP | |
‘I AM YOUR WARRIOR’ — “Trump, vowing ‘retribution,’ foretells a second term of spite,” by The New York Times’ Maggie Haberman and Shane Goldmacher: “Framing the 2024 election as a dire moment in an us-versus-them struggle — ‘the final battle,’ as he put it — [former President Donald] Trump charged forward in an uncharted direction for American politics, talking openly about leveraging the power of the presidency for political reprisals. His menacing declaration landed differently in the wake of the pro-Trump mob’s assault on the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in a last-ditch effort to keep him in power. The notion that Mr. Trump’s supporters could be spurred to violence is no longer hypothetical, as it was in 2016 when he urged a rally audience to ‘knock the crap out of’ hecklers.” — Anger at police, and hints of a plan, as Proud Boys marched toward Capitol, by POLITICO’s Kyle Cheney — “A Trump third-party win would be ‘effectively impossible,’ study says,” by Washington Post’s Aaron Blake | | DATELINE D.C. | | ADDED FOCUS FOR BALLARD FIRM — Ballard Partners, the well-known lobbying firm with a substantial presence in both Florida and Washington, D.C., is forming a veterans practice group that will advocate on several issues including health care, housing, mental health and suicide prevention. The practice group will be chaired by former Rep. Jeff Miller, the Panhandle Republican who served as chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee. Firm employees in Tallahassee, Washington, D.C. and Los Angeles will also be part of the group. “Former Congressman Miller dedicated his public service career to serving veterans, and he will continue to do so in our firm’s new practice group,” said Brian Ballard, president and founder of the firm. “He will be joined by other partners in our firm who have distinguished public service experience addressing the needs of our nation’s veterans.” | | CAMPAIGN MODE | | ANOTHER TERM — “Tampa Mayor Jane Castor easily wins reelection,” by Tampa Bay Times’ Charlie Frago: Mayor Jane Castor cruised to a second term Tuesday over token opposition, firmly securing another four years leading a city undergoing a glittering transformation while grappling with the growing pains that have come with it. With nearly the entire vote in, the incumbent mayor won 80.1% of the vote with 19.8% of voters casting a ballot for a write-in candidate. By comparison, former mayor Bob Buckhorn won 96% of the vote when facing a write-in candidate for his second term in 2015.” — “Lynn Hurtak, Janet Cruz head to overtime after contentious City Council battle,” by Florida Politics’ Peter Schorsch
| | | | 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. | | | | | | | PENINSULA AND BEYOND | | WHAT’S IN YOUR WALLET? — PSC approves rule change, rate hikes for fuel, storm charges as legislative session begins, by POLITICO’s Bruce Ritchie: The Public Service Commission on Tuesday approved storm recovery and fuel costs adjustments for investor-owned utilities that will hike customer's bills beginning in April. The Public Service Commission voted unanimously to increase the monthly bills for the average residential customer by $14.41 for Tampa Electric Co. and $6.28 for Duke Energy Florida. Most Florida Power & Light Co. customers will see a $14.79 monthly increase on average. GROUNDED — “U.S. sues to block JetBlue takeover of South Florida-based Spirit Airlines,” by South Florida Sun-Sentinel’s David Lyons: “The U.S. Justice Department finally filed a long-expected lawsuit Tuesday to block the proposed $3.8 billion buyout of South Florida-based carrier Spirit Airlines by JetBlue Airways. The government alleges the agreement would narrow air services and raise fares for travelers, the direct opposite outcome argued for weeks by the two air carriers. … Last month, for example, it unveiled a broad expansion plan that would dramatically boost domestic and international service from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, where the two airlines are the predominant carriers.” TRENDLINE — “Central Florida homeless population rises along with rents,” by Orlando Sentinel’s Stephen Hudak: “Homelessness appears to be worsening in Central Florida though agencies paid to house more than 3,400 people last year. An ongoing housing crisis and soaring rents are pushing more and more people to the brink of eviction, local experts said. Increasing numbers of homeless people are almost exclusively the result of rising housing costs, said Martha Are, executive director of the Homeless Services Network of Central Florida, during a discussion of the problem Tuesday with Orange County commissioners.” — “City funding for UF campus in Jacksonville picks up more City Council support,” by Florida Times-Union’s David Bauerlein
| | A message from the University of Central Florida: Since 1963, UCF has supported Florida’s crucial industries by solving tomorrow’s problems today. We’re bringing top talent, innovation and ideas to the table — attracting industry and propelling Florida’s prosperity for generations to come.
Today, UCF is the nation’s No. 1 supplier of aerospace and defense talent, Florida’s No. 1 provider of new nurses and a critical source for sustainable energy innovation. What does this mean for our region? We’re fortifying Florida’s cyber infrastructure to safeguard from new threats. We’re reducing the nursing shortage and utilizing advanced technologies and simulation to enhance patient care. And we’re shaping how energy can become more affordable, efficient and reliable for all.
A better, brighter future starts now — and it starts at the University for the Future: UCF.
Find out how UCF grads and researchers are shaping Florida’s future. | | | | | ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN | |
BIRTHDAYS: Michael Bileca, chair of Miami Dade College board of trustees and former legislator ... Attorney Lance Block
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