| | | | |  | | By Gary Fineout | | | Hello and welcome to Friday. In transit — By the time you read this, Gov. Ron DeSantis will be on a jet flying to Virginia where he is scheduled to speak at the convocation of Liberty University, which bills itself as the world’s premier Christian university. Late in the evening — Just hours earlier, the likely presidential contender was in his office at the state Capitol signing a new law on abortions that many contend will result in a near-total ban on the procedure in Florida. The signing came about six hours after the House voted 70-40 (with several Republicans siding with Democrats in opposition) for the legislation restricting abortions after six weeks of pregnancy. Statement — “We are proud to support life and family in the state of Florida,” DeSantis said in a statement issued by his office shortly after 11 p.m. “I applaud the Legislature for passing the Heartbeat Protection Act that expands pro-life protections and provides additional resources for young mothers and families.” Contrast — Last year, when DeSantis signed a ban on abortions after 15 weeks he did it at a bill signing ceremony with a large crowd that gathered at a Spanish-speaking church in central Florida. This time he signed the measure behind closed doors and in the middle of a whirlwind of activity. DeSantis was in Ohio on Thursday promoting his book (and sounding at times like a candidate) and ended it at the Butler County Republican Party Lincoln Day dinner, where he was joined on stage with first lady Casey DeSantis. Off and running — A flight-tracking website shows that a private chartered jet left Ohio at 8:44 p.m. and arrived in Tallahassee at 10:22 p.m. A half-hour later, according to the governor’s office, DeSantis had signed the abortion ban into law. A photo shows a group — including the bill sponsors — standing next to him as he does it. That same flight-tracking site shows a chartered jet left for Lynchburg shortly after 6 a.m. this morning. Response — Democrats, who argued against the new ban on the House floor for hours and unsuccessfully tried to amend it multiple times, chided DeSantis for his late-night bill signing. “DeSantis signed the extremist 6-week abortion ban into law just before 12 am, hoping Floridians won’t notice he stripped away a right most people agree with," House Minority Leader Fentrice Driskell tweeted. "Retweet & amplify. If we don’t want FL’s present to become America’s future, we must stop him in ’24.” Fallout — The new law would end Florida's status in the South as a destination for the procedure but it doesn’t take effect right away because the Florida Supreme Court needs to act on a current challenge to the 15-week ban. Still, the political questions are already mounting about how the change will be viewed by voters, especially in a general election. The initial response from Republicans — as evidenced by the press release from DeSantis’ office and allies such as House Speaker Paul Renner — is that Democrats in states such as California are just as extreme about abortion rights. The aim — But those in the DeSantis orbit have made it clear: If he runs, as expected, the goal is to beat former President Donald Trump and win Republican primaries. And right now the Legislature is giving him everything he needs to make that happen. — WHERE'S RON? — Gov. DeSantis is scheduled to give the convocation keynote speech at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia. He is also scheduled to speak at the Amos Tuck Dinner being hosted by the New Hampshire Republican Party in Manchester, New Hampshire. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for Playbook? Get in touch: gfineout@politico.com
| | A message from Alibaba: Florida businesses, like DS Laboratories, are among thousands of American companies that sell products to over one billion consumers in China on Alibaba’s e-commerce platforms. Last year, sales of U.S. products to Chinese consumers on Alibaba added $1.7 billion to Florida’s GDP and supported 15,000 jobs and $936 million in wages for local workers. Learn about Alibaba’s positive impact on the U.S. economy. | | | |  | ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... | | LATE-NIGHT SIGNING — DeSantis signs Florida’s 6-week abortion ban into law, by POLITICO’s Arek Sarkissian: Gov. Ron DeSantis late Thursday night signed Florida’s six-week abortion ban into law just hours after the GOP-led Legislature approved it. The legislation will upend Florida’s status as an abortion haven in the south, cutting off access for thousands who would otherwise travel from neighboring states each year for the procedure. DeSantis announced the signing on Facebook and Twitter at around 11 p.m. A photo accompanying the Facebook and Twitter posts shows the Republican governor signing the legislation surrounded by more than two dozen people. ‘WE ARE GOING TO MAKE HIM OWN THIS’ — DeSantis could be walking into a general election trap on abortion, by POLITICO’s Sally Goldenberg and Alice Miranda Ollstein: Gov. Ron DeSantis is banking on support in the primary from anti-abortion voters, particularly those angry at Donald Trump. The former president faced a backlash from some conservatives when he complained that the party’s far-right position on abortion hurt the GOP in last year’s midterm election. But a six-week ban pushes the outer boundary of anti-abortion rights proposals. And it could spell trouble for DeSantis among independents and suburban voters in a general election, if he makes it that far. Pledge — “We’re going to make him own this, and his agenda, everywhere he goes,” said a national Democratic operative granted anonymity to discuss party strategy. “Goes to Michigan? Abortion ban. Goes to Ohio next week? Abortion ban. And that will take different forms but we’ll hang this incredibly toxic abortion ban and his agenda around his neck with different tactics.” | 
Twitter | RENNER TIME — House Speaker Paul Renner, a day before the Florida House sent DeSantis a ban on abortion after six weeks, sat down for an interview with POLITICO’s Ryan Lizza. In his interview, he talked about the abortion ban, education, a proposed ban on gender-affirming care and Florida’s “pivotal moment” when it comes to pushing GOP policies. “I think Florida is in a very pivotal time and in a very pivotal moment,” Renner said. “And as leading and I know from chatting with many of my colleagues around the country that are like minded, they're saying, what's Florida doing next on this issue?”
| | | | 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. | | | | | WHAT’S GOING ON? — “State Rep. Basabe under investigation for allegedly slapping an aide,” by CBS Miami’s Jim DeFede: “A 25-year-old aide to State Representative Fabian Basabe is accusing the lawmaker of slapping him across the face and telling him to stand in the corner of a room during a reception in Tallahassee. The alleged incident occurred on January 3, at a reception hosted by a large Tallahassee lobbying firm following Governor Ron DeSantis's inauguration. ... "In a statement to CBS News Miami, the aide, Nicolas Frevola, said Basabe ‘had been drinking and was mistaken about something that lead him to slap me in the face in front of other people in the room. He then told me to stand in the corner. I was so embarrassed that I did as he asked.’ Basabe expressed shock at the accusation, saying: ‘What?! I don't remember anything like that.’” — “‘Shame on you’: Fabián Basabe, who skipped vote, blames Democratic ‘bullies’ for 6-week abortion ban,” by Florida Politics’ Jesse Scheckner WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS — “Florida education agency delays then seeks $10,414 for crucial school voucher records,” by Orlando Sentinel’s Leslie Postal and Annie Martin: “In the past 18 months, at least 238 new complaints have been filed, according to the department. The Orlando Sentinel requested copies of those documents, and any related information gathered from the schools, on Jan. 24. The request was similar to the public records requests it has made for complaints against private schools several times since 2017. The education department said in a Feb. 15 email that it could provide copies of the complaint files for an estimated charge of $10,414.70 — an amount the newspaper considers exorbitant, out-of-line with what was charged in past years and an effort to block access to public records on a topic of public interest.” — “DeSantis’ push to lower Florida’s death penalty threshold passes House,” by Tampa Bay Times’ Romy Ellenbogen — Parental rights expansions are on the cusp of passing in Florida, by POLITICO’s Andrew Atterbury — “Legislature passes bill raising penalties for attacking defense attorneys, public defenders,” by Florida Politics’ Jesse Scheckner — “Bill paying $1.85M to Tampa man wrongly imprisoned for 37 years advance to Senate floor,” by Florida Politics’ Jesse Scheckner
| | | | A message from Alibaba:   | | | | | DESANTISLAND | | STORM CLOUDS — Donald Trump Jr. dings DeSantis for not canceling travel during Florida flooding, by POLITICO’s Lee Hudson: Former President Donald Trump’s son on Thursday criticized Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis for not canceling out-of-state travel while parts of southern Florida suffered from historic flooding that stranded motorists and caused massive traffic jams. “Fort Lauderdale is under water and DeSantis is campaigning in Ohio right now instead of taking care of the people suffering in his state,” Donald Trump Jr. tweeted. When asked — In response, the governor’s office said it is wrong for the media and political critics to rush to politicize every national disaster. “The governor left yesterday, and the unprecedented flooding intensified later in the night. He returns today,” DeSantis’ spokesperson Bryan Griffin said in a statement. “Nonetheless, at the direction of Governor DeSantis, the state emergency response apparatus is in full swing responding to the flooding and the needs of the localities as they are communicated to us. This now includes issuing a state of emergency in Broward County,” he added. GETTING BACKUP — “Ron DeSantis, down in polls and taking flak from Donald Trump, looks to rebound,” by Wall Street Journal’s Alex Leary: “[Gov. Ron] DeSantis makes his first trip to New Hampshire on Friday, and starting Monday, a group supporting his campaign will launch a seven-figure television ad that portrays the governor as a leader of a movement surrounding his rejection of Covid-19 lockdowns, support for parental rights in education and fights over the ‘woke left.’ The national ad is backed by a committee called Never Back Down that raised $30 million in the first three weeks of its formation, a sign of the enthusiasm many major donors have toward Mr. DeSantis." BALANCING ACT — “The conundrum of the DeSantis base: Pro-Trump and Anti-Trump voters,” by The New York Times’ Michael Bender: “Bob Sikorski, a 57-year-old business owner in Portage Lakes, Ohio, admires the skill Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida shows on policy and is open to supporting him in a presidential primary. But the longtime Republican voter warned there was one sure way to turn him away: any direct criticism of former President Donald J. Trump. ‘That would just be really bad for the party — and for the country — and would absolutely turn me off,’ Mr. Sikorski said after watching Mr. DeSantis speak on Thursday at an event in Akron.” ‘HE NEEDS TO GET IN NOW’ — “‘What are you waiting for?’: DeSantis’ 2024 supporters worry he’s launching too late,” by McClatchy D.C.’s Alex Roarty and David Catanese: “In interviews with more than 20 Republican strategists, DeSantis allies and current and former elected officials, many expressed a growing anxiety about DeSantis’ approach, fretting that a politician who started the year with so much momentum is starting to falter before he even formally becomes a presidential candidate. Their overarching concern: The Florida Republican has already waited too long to launch, leaving him ill-prepared to defend against the former president’s bludgeoning attacks and lagging behind in the type of on-the-ground organizing critical in states with an early nominating contest.” ‘STARTS AND STOPS WITH CASEY’ — “Casey DeSantis: The ‘X-factor’ in Florida governor’s inner circle,” by Tampa Bay Times’ Emily L. Mahoney: “Trained as a TV journalist and talk show host, Casey DeSantis is practiced in the art of improvising before an audience. With a gentle joke or anecdote about the kids, she infuses warmth and mom-next-door relatability into the governor’s pugilistic, sometimes awkward brand. ‘She is a powerful force,’ said U.S. Rep. Jared Moskowitz, a former DeSantis administration official. In a presidential campaign, he said, the first lady would be ‘an absolute X-factor.’ ‘Nobody else who has been mentioned on the Republican side has a Casey DeSantis,’ he said.” |  Florida First Lady Casey DeSantis, holding son Mason, 4, is recognized by her husband Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis before his State of the State speech Tuesday, March 7, 2023, at the Capitol in Tallahassee, Fla. (AP Photo/Phil Sears) | AP |
— “Leading SC Trump 2020 supporter switches to draft Ron DeSantis movement,” by The Post and Courier’s Schulyer Kropf
— “DeSantis trying to halt Trump’s momentum in Florida after congressional endorsements,” by Sarasota Herald-Tribune’s Zac Anderson — “Ron DeSantis receives warm welcome in Trump-friendly Ohio,” by NBC News’ Henry J. Gomez — “Critics warn DeSantis is hurting Florida universities with push to the political right,” by USA Today Network-Florida’s John Kennedy
| | | | GO INSIDE THE 2023 MILKEN INSTITUTE GLOBAL CONFERENCE: POLITICO is proud to partner with the Milken Institute to produce a special edition "Global Insider" newsletter featuring exclusive coverage, insider nuggets and unparalleled insights from the 2023 Global Conference, which will convene leaders in health, finance, politics, philanthropy and entertainment from April 30-May 3. This year’s theme, Advancing a Thriving World, will challenge and inspire attendees to lean into building an optimistic coalition capable of tackling the issues and inequities we collectively face. Don’t miss a thing — subscribe today for a front row seat. | | | | | | | PENINSULA AND BEYOND | | SCOFLA — “Judge who sentenced Parkland shooter removed from other case,” by The Associated Press: “The judge who oversaw the sentencing of the Parkland massacre gunman was removed from another death penalty murder case Thursday by the Florida Supreme Court, which agreed she showed unfair sympathy for prosecutors in the Parkland school shooting case. The court removed Judge Elizabeth Scherer from overseeing any post-conviction proceedings for Randy Tundidor, who was sentenced to death for the 2019 murder of his Broward County landlord and is appealing his case. Justices cited Scherer’s chummy interactions with prosecutors who were seeking the death penalty against shooter Nikolas Cruz during sentencing.” — “‘Like the ocean was on Las Olas’: South Florida under flood warning as historic rainfall ends,” by South Florida Sun-Sentinel’s Rafael Olmeda, Angie DiMichele, Shira Moolten and Susannah Bryan — “Some Floridians in limbo over Medicaid coverage loss,” by Orlando Sentinel’s Caroline Catherman
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Read how American businesses are succeeding with Alibaba. | | | | | ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN | | — “The twists and turns in discovering OMA’s ‘Basquiats’ were fakes,” by Orlando Sentinel’s Matthew J. Palm: “How the now-discredited ‘Basquiat’ artwork came to hang in Orlando Museum of Art is a story of lies, eBay, ticket stubs, catalog clues and shipping labels. The 22-page plea agreement with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California, in which Los Angeles auctioneer Michael Barzman admits he’s guilty of making false statements to a government agency about the art he helped counterfeit, paints a picture of the origins of the scandal that began more than a decade before the FBI raided the Orlando museum last June.” BIRTHDAYS: State Rep. Ashley Gantt (Saturday) Frank Penela, external and legislative affairs director for the Florida Commission on Human Relations … (Sunday) Former Senate President Bill Galvano … Former Rep. Cliff Stearns | | | | 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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