| | | | |  | | By Gary Fineout | Hello and welcome to Wednesday. Sunshine State showdown — When it comes to a battle between one longtime Florida man vs. the recently arrived Florida man, is the newcomer winning? Early reviews — There are still miles of road to go but a picture is emerging so far that the campaign of former President Donald Trump is far more organized in the third go-round — a situation that may make it difficult for Gov. Ron DeSantis to build up momentum once he announces his expected bid for president. Assessment No. 1 — POLITICO’s Sally Goldenberg and Meridith McGraw quote one anti-Trumper and New Hampshire Republican who has noted the level of organization so far within Trump world and offered this up: “The DeSantis people are rookies.” Assessment No. 2 — One longtime adviser to Trump put it this way: “This is a campaign run by adults who have excelled at the ‘crib kill’ strategy,” Michael Caputo told POLITICO. Context — Let’s note of course that all the chatter and hand-wringing is coming before DeSantis has even announced. While Never Back Down, the pro-DeSantis super PAC, has started to do some counter-punching, there’s no official campaign apparatus that is bracketing Trump. Counterpoint — And DeSantis world, which is sitting on a significant amount of money, is moving ahead despite the headwinds. “Coming off of an historical re-election victory, DeSantis has the most robust political apparatus with national reach that no one is aware of,” the article quotes one person with close ties to the Florida governor, who was granted anonymity to speak freely before the campaign launches. “If he decides to run, there is no ramp up. The machine is built, full of rocket fuel and ready to launch.” — WHERE'S RON? — Gov. DeSantis will be in Jupiter for a press conference with Agency for Health Care Administration Secretary Jason Weida and Department of Elder Affairs Secretary Michelle Branham. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for Playbook? Get in touch: gfineout@politico.com
| | | | DON’T MISS THE POLITICO ENERGY SUMMIT: A new world energy order is emerging and America’s place in it is at a critical juncture. Join POLITICO on Thursday, May 18 for our first-ever energy summit to explore how the U.S. is positioning itself in a complicated energy future. We’ll explore progress on infrastructure and climate funding dedicated to building a renewable energy economy, Biden’s environmental justice proposals, and so much more. REGISTER HERE. | | | | | |  | TRUMPLANDIA AND THE SWAMP | | ‘A HEAD START’ — ‘The DeSantis people are rookies’: Even Trump critics say he’s running circles around DeSantis,” by POLITICO’s Sally Goldenberg and Meridith McGraw: But it is also the product of a team of advisers who have had worked with former President Donald Trump or on Trump-adjacent operations for years, including Susie Wiles and Chris LaCivita, as well as Brian Jack, who served as Trump’s political director in the White House. Those advisers and others on his team have kept a low profile as they have worked behind the scenes to build out support in Congress, plan state visits and political events, put county-level operations in place, and tend to state party leaders who go on to become influential delegates. State-level GOP officials from places like Nevada and Louisiana have made visits to Mar-a-lago for fundraisers and other events, where Trump has made time to talk to them and follow through with any personal requests they have, like signing hats to auction off at home. MEANWHILE — “Trump opens up 36% lead over DeSantis in new 2024 Republican poll,” by New York Daily News’ Dave Goldiner SAME SONGBOOK — Trump vows to go after ‘radical Left’ colleges, echoing DeSantis approach, by POLITICO’s Michael Stratford: Former President Donald Trump is calling for a drastic expansion of the federal government’s oversight of colleges and universities, vowing to “reclaim” campuses that he asserts are “dominated by Marxist Maniacs and lunatics.” In a video released by his campaign on Tuesday, Trump outlined a plan to reshape higher education if he returns to the White House, echoing some of the policies that his possible Republican primary rival, Gov. Ron DeSantis, has pursued in Florida. ARRESTED — “Florida man charged with setting off explosive device in Capitol tunnel during Jan. 6 riot,” by NBC News’ Ryan J. Reilly: “The FBI on Tuesday arrested a Florida man who federal authorities say set off an explosive device in a Capitol tunnel during a fierce battle between Trump supporters and law enforcement officers on Jan. 6. Daniel Ball of Homosassa is charged with 12 counts, including assaulting, resisting or impeding officers with a deadly or dangerous weapon; using an explosive to commit any felony; and obstruction of law enforcement during a civil disorder. He is the only Jan. 6 defendant charged with setting off an explosive device during the attack on the Capitol.” — “‘Get him out of here’: Donald Trump tossed NBC reporter’s phones during tirade aboard campaign plane,” by Vanity Fair’s Charlotte Klein — “Trump agrees to return to CNN, ending a long boycott,” by The New York Times’ Jeremy W. Peters | | DESANTISLAND | |
APPROVED — Florida GOP passes sweeping anti-immigration bill that gives DeSantis $12 million for migrant transports, by POLITICO’s Gary Fineout: The governor and his Republican allies contended that the newly approved bill will send a “message” to the Biden administration, while Democrats countered the legislation was overtly cruel and intimidating to migrants. House lawmakers approved the measure after debating for 90 minutes, culminating with bill sponsor Rep. Kiyan Michael, a Jacksonville Republican who was elected last year, recounting how someone who had entered the country illegally had killed her 21-year-old son in a car accident while he was driving to the bank to cash his paycheck.
Response — But Rep. Susan Valdés, a Tampa Democrat whose parents immigrated from Cuba, contended the bill “demonized marginalized people.” “Immigrants are people just like us except they did not have the fortune to be in the United States,” Valdes said. WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS — Florida GOP legislators agree to shield DeSantis travel records, by POLITICO’s Gary Fineout: Florida’s Republican-controlled Legislature agreed on Tuesday to shield the publicly-funded travel records of Gov. Ron DeSantis, giving his administration a way to block inquiries from the media and political opponents ahead of an expected run for president. The far-reaching bill would not only apply to DeSantis’ future movements but also could be used retroactively to deny access to information on trips he’s already taken. |  Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks to Iowa voters gathered at the Iowa State Fairgrounds on March 10, 2023 in Des Moines, Iowa. | Scott Olson/Getty Images |
HAPPENING TODAY — In a bit of a pivot from some of the usual education battles involving Florida Republicans, American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten will join other union officials and Floridians who plan to criticize and blame DeSantis for the state’s persistent homeowner’s insurance crisis. When asked about it, a spokesperson for Weingarten’s team stated that “AFT is getting involved on this issue because educators are the largest group of working people in the state of Florida. AFT wants educators to be able to live where they work, they want working families to be able to buy school supplies.”
THE AGENDA — “Gov. DeSantis signs anti-ESG bill into law,” by Orlando Sentinel’s Steven Lemongello: “Gov. Ron DeSantis signed into law Tuesday a bill banning state agencies and local governments from taking climate change and diversity factors into account when investing money. The Government and Corporate Activism Act targets ESG, or environmental, social and governance standards, derided as ‘woke’ by DeSantis and the GOP-led Legislature in their culture war battles. Democrats and some business owners say the law could cost the state money and impact municipal bonds.” FOR YOUR RADAR — “‘This will hurt’: Miami’s real-estate community fears impact of DeSantis-backed bills,” by Miami Herald’s Rebecca San Juan and El Nuevo Herald’s Antonio Maria Delgado: "Limiting the buying power of foreign nationals from seven countries would weaken South Florida’s real estate market, experts in Miami’s real estate community said in criticizing legislation backed by Gov. Ron DeSantis. The Miami Herald contacted 10 real estate agents, academics, lawyers and nonprofit leaders, they all agreed the bills would soften the South Florida residential market." — “Florida Gov. DeSantis backs UF putting graduate center in Jacksonville,” by Florida Times-Union’s David Bauerlein — “Florida just ranked as the top state for education, amid DeSantis battles on curriculum, books and college leadership,” by Insider’s Kimberly Leonard
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TO COURT — Medical group sues to stop Florida House subpoena seeking records on gender-affirming care, by POLITICO’s Arek Sarkissian: The Florida Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics sued Rep. Randy Fine, the chair of the state House Committee on Health & Human Services, to stop a subpoena that seeks records tied to gender-affirming care for transgender minors. The medical group filed the lawsuit Tuesday in Tallahassee federal court in response to a subpoena issued last week by the Health & Human Services committee that demanded records from the pediatric group and the Florida Psychiatric Society.
WHAT’S IN YOUR WALLET? — “Florida lawmakers decide against plan that would cut worker paychecks,” by Tampa Bay Times’ Lawrence Mower: “Florida lawmakers backed off a bill that could have cut the paychecks of tens of thousands of Floridians. Instead, only minor league baseball players could see lower wages — eventually. The Florida House of Representatives on Tuesday approved SB 892, which would allow baseball players to be paid less than the state’s $11 hourly minimum wage. The bill now heads to Gov. Ron DeSantis for his signature.” MIAMI HEAT — “Dems blame ‘grudge’ by Lt. Gov. Nuñez for latest state takeover bid of Miami toll roads,” by Miami Herald’s Douglas Hanks: “The extended political drama behind Miami-Dade County’s busiest toll expressways now involves a hypothetical transportation project in the Big Cypress swamp and an alleged years-long grudge held by Florida’s lieutenant governor. Both topics were cited in Tuesday’s debate in the Florida Senate over the latest attempt by the Legislature to take over the Miami-Dade Expressway Authority (MDX). That’s a county controlled toll board that runs five of the area’s busiest commuting routes, including the Dolphin and Snapper Creek expressways.” | 
Florida Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nunez speaks during a campaign rally for Republican Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, Monday, Nov. 7, 2022, in Hialeah, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) | AP |
PRESCRIBED — “Pharmacy bill pushed by Gov. DeSantis passes Legislature without opposition,” by Florida Politics’ Christine Jordan Sexton: "Florida legislators sent Gov. Ron DeSantis a measure overhauling pharmacy benefits, a push championed by the Governor that has been the target of a fierce lobbying campaign by drug companies, pharmacies and insurers. Previous attempts to crack down on pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) had gotten bogged down in the Legislature. But the Legislature embraced the idea after DeSantis appeared at a January press conference in The Villages where the Governor announced his support of legislation to increase choice of pharmacists, better regulate PBMs, and control prescription drug costs, the latter of which resonates with the elderly."
— “Senate OKs Disney monorail rules, sends bill back to House,” by News Service of Florida’s Jim Turner — “Legislature graduates bill banning higher ed dealings with ‘foreign countries of concern,’” by Florida Politics’ Jesse Scheckner — “Alimony overhaul heads to Gov. DeSantis,” by News Service of Florida — “House passes ban on financial classification codes for guns, ammo,” by Florida Politics’ Gray Rohrer — “Gillum trial deliberations Day 3: Jury recesses after struggling for consensus,” by Tallahassee Democrat’s Jeff Burlew | | PENINSULA AND BEYOND | | GENTLE GIANTS — Florida environmentalists to sue feds after thousands of manatees die, by POLITICO’s Bruce Ritchie: Environmental groups plan to sue federal wildlife officials for allegedly failing to protect manatees after thousands of the iconic Florida sea mammals have died in recent years. The groups, including the Center for Biological Diversity and the Harvard Animal Law & Policy Clinic among others, on Tuesday filed an intent to sue the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, contending that the agency failed to reinstate the West Indian manatee as an endangered species after more 2,000 have died in Florida since 2021. SETTLEMENT — “Miami’s most controversial cop is back on police force. Will he be on the street?” by Miami Herald’s Joey Flechas and Charles Rabin: “Miami’s most controversial cop is getting his badge back — but he’s not going to be back on the street and he’s already got a retirement date. About seven months after Police Chief Manny Morales fired Capt. Javier Ortiz — the embattled former union boss and longtime firebrand known for racist social media posts and accusations of excessive force — has been reinstated.” — “No deal: The land for the future onePULSE memorial will not go to the charity,” by Orlando Sentinel’s Amanda Rabines — “Joel Greenberg associate to plead guilty to 3 counts, cooperate with feds in plea agreement,” by Orlando Sentinel’s Amanda Rabines — “Florida college campuses hit with multiple ‘swatting’ calls,” by Tampa Bay Times’ Divya Kumar — “Hillsborough transit chief departs, taking $88,000 with her,” by Tampa Bay Times’ Olivia George — “Duval schools Superintendent Diana Greene leaving job June 2; interim replacement undecided,” by Florida Times-Union’s Steve Patterson | | ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN | |
— “Florida woman arrested, charged with battery after allegedly throwing drink at Matt Gaetz,” by Pensacola News Journal’s Jim Little: “A Tallahassee woman was arrested and charged with battery after throwing a drink on U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz at the South Walton Beaches Wine and Food Festival. Selena Jo Chambers, 41, was charged with one count of misdemeanor battery and one count of battery on an elected official, which is a felony. A Walton County Sheriff's Office report on the incident stated that Gaetz told police Chambers threw a drink at him while walking past him at the event.”
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