| | | | |  | | By Gary Fineout | | | Hello and welcome to Tuesday. Bringing it in — Florida Republicans have a supermajority in the Florida Legislature. And they had a super first quarter of raising money from a long line of business interests cheering on legislation that’s moving through this year’s session. By the numbers — All told, the Republican Party of Florida — and the two fundraising committees led by House Speaker Paul Renner and Senate President Kathleen Passidomo — raised more than $14.3 million during the first quarter of 2023. (This total doesn’t include what RPOF raised through its federal account.) The Florida Democratic Party — and two affiliated legislative committees — raised a net of more than $940,000 for the same period. Deadlines — Most of the money flooded in right before the start of the session (and the prohibition on fundraising) but campaign records show that large donations came in from many of the integral players with a vested interest in the outcome of this year’s session. The usual suspects — Business groups that backed a crackdown on lawsuits — such as the Florida Chamber of Commerce and Associated Industries of Florida — donated a half-million dollars. Auto dealers, insurers, utilities, those in real estate have kicked in money to Republicans too. Others include Publix Supermarkets ($275,000) and medical marijuana company Trulieve ($150,000). Big checks — Another notable donor is the Seminole Tribe of Florida, which previously got sports betting from the Legislature temporarily only to shut it down due to a legal challenge, donated $1.3 million to Republicans and $50,000 to Democrats. One of the largest donations to the party ($1 million) came from Craig Mateer, an Orlando businessman Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed to the Florida Board of Governors, which oversees the state's university system. — WHERE'S RON? — Nothing official scheduled 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 message from Alibaba: Florida businesses are thriving with Alibaba. Sales from U.S. brands on Alibaba added $1.7 billion to Florida’s GDP and supported 15,000 jobs and $936 million in wages for local workers, according to a new study by NDP Analytics. Learn about Alibaba’s positive impact on the U.S. economy. | | | |  | ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... | | SAYING IT OUT LOUD — Florida Republican apologizes after calling transgender people ‘mutants,’ by POLITICO’s Andrew Atterbury: After several speakers, some identifying as transgender, spoke out against the bill during public comment, Rep. Webster Barnaby sounded off about the “evil, dysphoria, disfunction” he said is gripping society. His remarks embody the tense debate that has followed the culture war bills being pushed by Florida Republicans this year focused on how gender identity and sexual identity intersect with parental rights and education. |  Florida Representatives Jason Shoaf, left, and Webster Barnaby chat during a break in a legislative session, Friday, April 30, 2021, at the Capitol in Tallahassee, Fla. | Wilfredo Lee/AP Photo |
MOVING AHEAD — House panel advances Covid-era legislation pushed heavily by DeSantis, by POLITICO’s Arek Sarkissian: A Florida House committee on Monday signed off on two plans sought by Gov. Ron DeSantis that would expand and make permanent the state’s ban on Covid-19 mandates and provide doctors with legal cover for speaking out against commonly accepted treatment. The House Health and Human Services Committee voted 12-5 in favor of HB 1013, which seeks to expand on Covid-19 bans that will expire in June. The current ban allows employees to circumvent Covid vaccine mandates at work by claiming an exemption.
— “Andrew Gillum public corruption trial appears on track to start Monday,” by Tallahassee Democrat’s Jeff Burlew — “House moves on less strict insurer ‘accountability’ bill,” by Florida Politics’ Gray Rohrer — “Bill allowing insurers, docs to deny payment, provision of health care keeps moving,” by Florida Politics’ Christine Jordan Sexton — “FL Dem warns of ‘state of vigilantism’ when ‘we’re so gun-crazed and gun-obsessed,” by Florida Phoenix’s Michael Moline
| | | | 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 | | WHAT DESANTIS WORLD IS READING — “DeSantis pushes toughest immigration crackdown in the nation,” by The New York Times’ Miriam Jordan: “The new measures represent the most far-reaching state immigration legislation since 2010, when Arizona, a border state that was the nation’s busiest corridor for human smuggling at the time, passed a law that required the police to ask people they stopped for proof of immigration status if they had a reason to suspect they might be in the country illegally.” OVERSEAS DESTINATION — “Potential U.S. presidential candidate DeSantis eyes Japan visit in April,” by Japan Today: "Florida Gov Ron DeSantis, who is a potential 2024 Republican presidential candidate, is considering a visit to Japan in late April, a diplomatic source said Thursday. "During the planned visit, DeSantis would hold talks with Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi, the source said, adding the governor would also seek a meeting with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. It would be DeSantis' first trip to Japan since taking office in 2019 and he is planning to lead a delegation of business leaders from the southern U.S. state, the source said. — “DeSantis to make 1st public appearance in South Carolina,” by The Associated Press’ Meg Kinnard — “Fewer pronouns, more guns: Ron DeSantis’s plan to turn the US into Florida,” by The Guardian’s David Smith
| | THE GUNSHINE STATE | | REACTION — In the aftermath of the Monday shooting in Louisville, Ky., Sen. Rick Scott said on Twitter that he knew one of the victims — Tommy Elliott. Elliott was also an associate and friend of Kentucky's Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear. Scott said that “he was my banker for many years. This news is very shocking and sad for Ann and me. He did so much in the Louisville community, and we pray for his family during this awful time.” Scott’s social media post drew a rebuttal from David Hogg, an activist who was a student at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School during the Parkland massacre, said that “must be tough knowing you’re complicit.” Ryan Petty, whose daughter was killed during the Parkland shooting and is a member of the Florida Board of Education, responded to Hogg: “Shut up you little turd.”
| | | | A message from Alibaba:   | | | | | TRUMPLANDIA AND THE SWAMP | | LINING UP — “Florida GOP congressman backs Trump for president, as more prepare to follow suit,” by Time’s Eric Cortellesa: “Now, another member of Florida’s Republican House delegation, Rep. Cory Mills, is going all-in on Trump’s quest to take back the White House. ‘I think that what’s happening in New York is a very unifying event,’ Mills tells TIME. ‘We need to stop the infighting and come together and unify. And I think right now the person that we need to be unifying behind is President Trump.’ "Mills, a freshman member who represents a Central Florida district, will likely soon be accompanied by more of his colleagues. Other GOP Florida House lawmakers have told associates that they will endorse Trump in the coming days or weeks, including Reps. Kat Cammack, Brian Mast, Vern Buchanan, and Greg Steube, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter.” ‘ADDITIONAL TIME IS NEEDED’ — “Trump ignores deadline for personal financial disclosure to F.E.C.,” by The New York Times’ Shane Goldmacher: “Former President Donald J. Trump has a minor addition to his mounting pile of legal challenges after he failed to meet the deadline to disclose his personal financial holdings. But the threatened initial penalty — a meager $200 — is the latest sign of how weak federal enforcement of campaign laws has become. The personal financial disclosure will eventually provide the first look at Mr. Trump’s post-presidential businesses, including his holdings in Truth Social, the social media company he helped create.” — “Trump’s political appearances are ‘uncomfortable’ for Melania: ‘She simply wants to be left alone,’” by People’s Linda Marx — Trump appeals order for Pence to testify in Jan. 6 probe, by POLITICO’s Kyle Cheney — “Trump expected to sit for deposition this week in civil lawsuit brought by New York attorney general,” by CNN’s Kara Scannell and Kristen Holmes — “New poll finds Donald Trump leading Ron DeSantis in Florida,” by Florida Politics’ Jacob Ogles | | ...HURRICANE HOLE... | | RECOVERY — “Six months after Hurricane Ian, three Floridians who lost their homes find their footing,” by USA Today Network-Florida’s Kathryn Varn: “Federal emergency officials provided 4,550 households with hotels, apartments and manufactured homes to help alleviate the crisis, but many families still struggled to find places to live. We followed up with three residents who were navigating the housing crisis to see where they’ve landed six months later. Two are staying in the area. The third is heading back to her family in Michigan, her Florida dream over for now.”
| | | | 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 | | AFTERMATH — “Two friends were denied care after Florida banned abortion. One almost died,” by Washington Post’s Caroline Kitchener: “Anya Cook did not want to push. But sitting on the toilet, legs splayed wide, she knew she didn’t have a choice. She was about to deliver her baby alone in the bathroom of a hair salon. On this Thursday afternoon in mid-December, about five months before her due date, she knew the baby would not be born alive. Cook tried to tune out the easy chatter outside, happy women with working wombs catching up with their hairdresser. At 36, she’d already experienced a long line of miscarriages, but none of the pregnancies had been more than five weeks along.” TO COURT — “Dorworth sues Joel Greenberg, family, citing massive ‘massive effort’ to ruin his reputation,” by Orlando Sentinel’s Martin E. Comas: “Developer and former lobbyist Chris Dorworth claims in a lawsuit he filed Friday that disgraced Seminole County Tax Collector Joel Greenberg, along with his wealthy family and ex-wife, coordinated ‘a massive effort’ to ruin his life after he refused to work with U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz in obtaining a pardon from then-President Donald Trump. Dorworth calls the defendants in his suit the ‘Greenberg Racketeering Enterprise,’ which are Joel Greenberg; parents, Andrew and Sue Greenberg; his ex-wife, Abby Greenberg, and businesses AWG, Greenberg Dental Associates, Greenberg Dental & Orthodontics and Greenberg Dental Specialty Group.” RESOLUTION — “Fox News settles lawsuit with Venezuelan businessman it said helped rig U.S. election,” by El Nuevo Herald’s Antonio Maria Delgado: “Fox News reached a settlement with controversial Venezuelan entrepreneur Majed Khalil to put an end to the defamation lawsuit in which the businessman with close ties with Caracas’ socialist regime claimed he was falsely identified as the head of an alleged scheme to rig the 2020 U.S. presidential election.” RULING — “Judge OKs class-action status for Medicaid suit by Florida adults with disabilities,” by News Service of Florida’s Jim Saunders: “A judge has cleared the way for a class-action lawsuit alleging that Florida’s Medicaid program has violated federal laws by denying coverage for incontinence supplies for adults with disabilities. U.S. District Judge Marcia Morales Howard issued a 37-page decision granting a request by attorneys for two women and the organization Disability Rights Florida to handle the case as a class action.” PUSHING BACK — “After FBI raid, Uhuru leader denies Russian role in St. Pete elections,” by Tampa Bay Times’ Colleen Wright: “Federal law enforcement officials are investigating what they have said are connections between the Uhurus and a Russian government official, whom they believe directed political groups such as the Uhurus in a campaign to sow division, spread pro-Russian propaganda and interfere in U.S. elections. Yeshitela adamantly denied accepting any money from that official, Aleksandr Viktorovich Ionov, while speaking at the Uhuru House in St. Petersburg on Monday.” ‘AN IMPORTANT STEP IN THE PROCESS’ — “Was the Broward death of Pittsburgh Steeler QB intentional? Family lawsuit says NFL player was drugged,” by South Florida Sun-Sentinel’s Rafael Olmeda: “But the lawsuit filed on March 23, 2023, on behalf of [Dwayne] Haskins’ wife, Kalabrya Haskins, raises questions about why the dump truck driver didn’t see him and why Haskins was as drunk as he was at the time of his death. “’t is believed that Dwayne was targeted and drugged as part of a blackmail and robbery conspiracy,’ said his attorney, Rick Ellsley. ‘In fact, his highly expensive watch was stolen from him shortly before his death.’” — “Maxwell Frost garners Orlando mayor’s support for his bill to create federal gun violence office,” by Orlando Sentinel’s Ryan Gillespie — “Judge rips Boca politicians, open way for beachfront home project,” by South Florida Sun-Sentinel’s David Lyons — “Corruption claims. A $226K probe. Holocaust principal scandal rages on after 4 years,” by Palm Beach Post’s Andrew Marra — “A marketing blitz and ‘bold solutions’: How Broward schools will aim to attract students and compete against vouchers,” by South Florida Sun-Sentinel’s Scott Travis | | A message from Alibaba: Last year, U.S. businesses sold a record $66 billion in products to consumers in China on Alibaba’s e-commerce platforms, a nearly 10% increase over 2021. This included sales from thousands of American brands, big and small, such as Fender, Bob’s Red Mill, and DS Laboratories.
Read how American businesses selling on Alibaba impacts the U.S. economy. | | | | | ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN | |
— “Jane Castor offers Taylor Swift a key for Tampa and ‘mayor for a day’ title,” by Tampa Bay Times’ Gabrielle Calise: Ahead of [Taylor] Swift’s three Raymond James Stadium shows, the city of Tampa posted a video on its social media pages today offering the singer a special honor. ‘We know Glendale changed its name, Arlington made a street sign and Vegas illuminated their Gateway Arches,’ [Mayor Jane] Castor said in the video. ‘But here in Tampa, we’ve got a reputation to uphold. We want to go bigger.’ Castor went on to present a key to the city and invite the singer to reign as Tampa’s honorary mayor for a day.”
BIRTHDAYS: State Rep. Paula Stark
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