| | | | |  | | By Gary Fineout | Hello and welcome to Thursday, the first day of hurricane season. Not united — Florida’s Republican-heavy congressional delegation split in two over the debt ceiling agreement reached between President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, with 10 Republicans and one Democrat voting no against the measure that raises the nation’s borrowing limit through 2024. Ten Republicans and seven Democrats voted yes. Those opposed — Some of the no votes — including Reps. Byron Donalds and Matt Gaetz — were not surprising, as right-wing GOP members fumed about some of the provisions contained in the agreement. “I’m trying to figure out what conservatives should be happy about,” Donalds told reporters earlier this week. Another no vote, Rep. Cory Mills, said it was “good optics” but filled with “unnecessary concessions. ... This bill … is like filling a balloon with helium. It’s nice for the party, but the next day it’s a sad disappointment.” Those in support — Progressive Democrats weren’t enthusiastic about the agreement as well, although some like Rep. Maxwell Frost ultimately voted yes on the deal. Frost had reservations about parts of the agreement that would impose stricter work requirements on food stamps and the freeze on student loan repayments. Frost said he was “disappointed in this deal’s failure to live up to the commitments we’ve made to younger generations.” Metaphor time — Lakeland Republican Scott Franklin said the measure was “not the bill I wanted” but contended it included worthwhile cuts and clawbacks of previously approved spending. “Here’s the reality of where we are: Republicans hold a razor thin majority in the House,” Franklin said. “We don’t control the Senate. We don’t control the White House. In such a divided government, it is a certainty that any bill of consequence will require negotiation and bipartisan compromise in order to pass. As they say in sports, ‘take the W when you have it.’” — WHERE'S RON? — Gov. Ron DeSantis will be campaigning for president in Laconia, Rochester, Salem and Manchester, N.H. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for Playbook? Get in touch: gfineout@politico.com
| | | | DON’T MISS POLITICO’S HEALTH CARE SUMMIT: The Covid-19 pandemic helped spur innovation in health care, from the wide adoption of telemedicine, health apps and online pharmacies to mRNA vaccines. But what will the next health care innovations look like? Join POLITICO on Wednesday June 7 for our Health Care Summit to explore how tech and innovation are transforming care and the challenges ahead for access and delivery in the United States. REGISTER NOW. | | | | | |  | DRIVING THE DAY | | CLOSED — “Florida businesses plan to strike Thursday to protest DeSantis immigration law,” by USA Today Network-Florida’s Ana Goñi-Lessan and John Kennedy: “Protests are planned across six Florida cities and some businesses across the state are shutting their doors Thursday in opposition to a tough, new immigration law pushed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, who is campaigning this week in Iowa and New Hampshire. DeSantis last week formally announced his bid for the Republican presidential nomination. But just a couple of weeks earlier, he signed into law the sweeping crackdown on undocumented immigrants that is the subject of the protests. ‘I’m trying to support all of the immigrant people,’ said Victor Prado, general manager of El Mariachi restaurant in West Palm Beach, which plans to be closed Thursday.”
| | DESANTISLAND | | DESANTIS 2.0? — DeSantis talks up fast food, service stations in Iowa relatability tour, by POLITICO’s Natalie Allison: For DeSantis, it marked a significant effort to come across as relatable in a state whose caucus politics demand it. But he was also seeking to make a point of contrast with former President Donald Trump, who leads significantly in polling and with whom DeSantis remains aligned on many policy issues. Unlike Trump, the governor has described his own upbringing as middle-class. On Wednesday, Casey DeSantis described the couple as “gas station connoisseurs,” noting her favorite snacks so far from Casey’s, a chain of Midwest convenience stores. DeSantis himself went so far as to call Buc-ee’s, another chain found in southern states, “about like Shangri-La, with respect to service stations.”
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Republican presidential candidate Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis talks with his wife Casey, left, during a campaign event at Port Neal Welding, Wednesday, May 31, 2023, in Salix, Iowa. | Charlie Neibergall/AP Photo | UNSOCIAL MEDIA — “Inside Trump and DeSantis’ ugly feud over The Babylon Bee,” by Rolling Stone’s Aswin Suebsaeng and Adam Rawnsley: “That suspicion has only heightened over the past week after [Seth] Dillon fired a Bee employee following a Twitter feud with Christina Pushaw, a top DeSantis flack. Gavin Wax, the Bee’s vice president of marketing and a Trump supporter, tweeted 'what’s your fucking problem?' at Pushaw and accused her of liking a tweet accusing him of fraud. Dillon fired Wax publicly after the tweet. In his Twitter Spaces conversation, Dillon said that he made the decision because it was 'a pattern of a person who spends his entire day attacking people online with a vile and vulgar language and with the Babylon Bee in his bio.' Wax remains skeptical. 'A lot of Trump supporters have serious questions about Bee and their leadership’s political leanings,' Wax told Rolling Stone after the incident.” COMING ON BOARD — Colleagues at D.C. Playbook report that Dave Vasquez is now national press secretary for Never Back Down, the super PAC backing Ron DeSantis’ presidential run. He previously served as DeSantis’ press secretary for the 2018 gubernatorial campaign and during his first term and most recently was press secretary for Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas). He is also a Trump Pentagon alum. — “In Iowa, DeSantis signals the start of a slugfest with Trump,” by The New York Times’ Shane Goldmacher and Nicholas Nehamas — “What could America expect from Ron DeSantis? How he has changed Florida provides clues,” by Miami Herald’s Mary Ellen Klas — “DeSantis floats new policy proposals on student loans and military readiness,” by CNN’s Steve Contorno and Kit Maher
| | ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... | | SIGNED — DeSantis backs more insurance changes for Florida’s troubled market on eve of storm season, by POLITICO’s Gary Fineout: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday signed into law three bills designed to help consumers just ahead of a hurricane season that could deal a devastating blow to Florida’s still shaky insurance market. Republicans pushed through the measures this spring after previously passing two major laws that severely restricted lawsuits against insurance companies and which have already been called a “bailout” by critics including former President Donald Trump. … The main insurance bill signed by the governor was tagged the “insurer accountability” bill and Republicans announced it with much fanfare during the legislative session. But lawmakers eventually scaled it back and what was left was previously described as “eyewash” by the CEO and chair of one Florida insurance company. FINGER-POINTING — “Ron DeSantis’ security becomes a flashpoint for Florida’s top police agency,” by NBC News’ Matt Dixon: "Florida's top law enforcement agency is diverting waves of additional resources toward Gov. Ron DeSantis — for both his protection and his priorities — including adding more agents and spending more money as the governor begins frequent national travel for his presidential campaign. Top officials insist the increase is not entirely to do with the governor's national political ambitions. Instead, they say, they are simply realigning resources after mismanagement by past leaders. But that's hitting fierce pushback from some of those same past leaders, including from a former department commissioner and Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., who previously served as governor for two terms.” ANOTHER HIRE — Ballard Partners announced Thursday that Alison Anway is coming on board to chair the lobbying firm’s newly created Health Policy Advisory Group. “We are thrilled to welcome Alison in this unique position to broaden our firm’s suite of services beyond government relations advocacy,” said Brian Ballard, the firm’s president and founder. “With her rare and granular expertise in the intricate world of health care policy, Alison will provide our health care clients with the policy research and development necessary for effective policy advocacy.” Anway is the founder and principal of the Anway Policy Group, a firm specializing in the health care sector. Anway had previously worked as a legislative assistant in the U.S. Senate and for Anthem. — DeSantis, environmentalists tout water bill signing, by POLITICO’s Bruce Ritchie
| | ...HURRICANE HOLE... | | CRISIS, WHAT CRISIS? — “Survey: 20% of Floridians make no prep for hurricane season, despite last year’s destruction,” by Orlando Sentinel’s Bill Kearney: “A recent hurricane prep survey by AAA revealed how Floridians plan — or don’t plan — for deadly storms. The annual survey shows that 20% of those asked said they do nothing at all to prepare for hurricane season. AAA conducted the survey, which queried 400 residents ranging in age from 18 to over 65, in late April. As for how they react to evacuation warnings, 24% said they simply ignore them. Of those who actually heed them, 56% say the hurricane needs to be at least a Category 3 storm, with wind speeds reaching 111 mph to 129 mph, to drive them from their homes. About 10% said that the only way they’d leave is if the storm is a Category 5 storm, with wind speeds of 157 mph or greater.” — “State-run program aimed to rebuild homes after hurricanes. Years later, many are still waiting,” by Miami Herald’s Alex Harris
| | | | GET READY FOR GLOBAL TECH DAY: Join POLITICO Live as we launch our first Global Tech Day alongside London Tech Week on Thursday, June 15. Register now for continuing updates and to be a part of this momentous and program-packed day! From the blockchain, to AI, and autonomous vehicles, technology is changing how power is exercised around the world, so who will write the rules? REGISTER HERE. | | | | | | | TRUMPLANDIA AND THE SWAMP | | PARTY ON DUDES — Trump’s latest policy pitch: A massive birthday party for the nation, by POLITICO’s Meridith McGraw: Donald Trump’s latest idea to enshrine American greatness is to throw the country “the most spectacular” birthday bash — one that will last all year. In 2026, the U.S. will celebrate the semiquincentennial: the quarter millennial since its declaration of independence. To commemorate the anniversary, Trump is proposing a blowout, 12-month-long “Salute to America 250” celebration. In a new policy video, Trump calls for a “Great American State Fair,” featuring pavilions from all 50 states, nationwide high school sporting contests, and the building of Trump’s “National Garden of American Heroes” with statues of important figures in American history like Frederick Douglass and Amelia Earhart. AS THE PAGES TURN — “Trump captured on tape talking about classified document he kept after leaving the White House,” by CNN’s Katelyn Polantz, Paula Reid and Kaitlan Collins: “Federal prosecutors have obtained an audio recording of a summer 2021 meeting in which former President Donald Trump acknowledges he held onto a classified Pentagon document about a potential attack on Iran, multiple sources told CNN, undercutting his argument that he declassified everything. The recording indicates Trump understood he retained classified material after leaving the White House, according to multiple sources familiar with the investigation.” — Trump adds some campaign muscle to early state operations, by POLITICO’s Alex Isenstadt
| | PENINSULA AND BEYOND | | IT’S IN THE WATER — “Coastal town brings mass litigation – and an ‘existential threat’ – to chemical giants,” by The Wall Street Journal’s Kris Maher and Dan Frosch: “Most of the officials present at the meeting at city hall had never heard of the chemicals or knew why they were a problem. Stuart had twice won a state award for having the best-tasting water around. The water manager paced the room in disbelief, according to Mike Mortell, Stuart’s city attorney, who retreated to his office to scour the internet for any information he could find. Seven years later, the small city of retirees and tourists 40 miles north of Palm Beach is at the forefront of one of the nation’s biggest environmental legal battles, over a class of chemicals known as PFAS. The fight pits hundreds of municipalities and about a dozen states against corporate giant 3M and other companies that made or sold the chemicals or firefighting foam containing them.” BRING IT HOME — “In major move, Space Force selects Florida’s Space Coast for STARCOM training headquarters,” by Florida Today’s Emre Kelly and Dave Berman: “After years of surveys and deliberations, the Space Force on Wednesday announced it would headquarter one of its major commands at Patrick Space Force Base in Florida. The headquarters for the Space Training and Readiness Command, or STARCOM, will initially bring hundreds of personnel to the Space Coast to help develop training programs for Space Force members. The Patrick operation will also include Space Delta 10, which is responsible for wargaming and tactics. Colorado and New Mexico were selected to host STARCOM's other two deltas. The command, one of three under the branch established in December 2019, is responsible for education, training, and development of space professionals.” ‘NOT A WELCOME PLACE’ — “Florida politics puts a damper on Orlando ‘gay days’ this year,” by Orlando Sentinel’s Dewayne Bevil: “But this year, Florida’s political climate worries organizers, who nonetheless believe many travelers are still coming to Orlando despite new laws that affect transgender people, medical care, drag performers and what subjects are allowed in schools. Yet, some previous visitors are skipping the 2023 festivities, they say. Travel advisories and the recent Lake Nona incident in which an electronic traffic sign was altered to read ‘Kill all gays’ made international headlines and heightened awareness on the heels of the state’s so-called ‘don’t say gay’ law approved by Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Legislature. ‘There’s definitely concern out there,’ said Joseph Clark, CEO and owner of Gay Days Inc., which throws multiple parties and activities.” — “Prosecutors spun compelling tale of greed, deception in JEA hearing,” by Florida Times-Union’s Nate Monroe — “Did Carollo target Little Havana businesses? Jury weighs multimillion-dollar lawsuit,” by Miami Herald’s Charles Rabin
| | MEDIA MATTERS | | R.I.P. — “Florida native journalist Aimee Sachs dies at 38, but leaves a courageous legacy of giving life to others,” by Florida Politics’ Drew Wilson Joseph Schatt is now an editorial producer at Newsmax in Boca Raton. He most recently was an assignment editor at WPTV in West Palm Beach and is a CNN alum. Kathryn Varn announced on Twitter that next week she is joining Axios Tampa Bay after working as an enterprise reporter for the USA Today Network-Florida. Varn also previously worked at the Tampa Bay Times.
| | | ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN | | | — “This mayor moved to Broward, but broke the law by still voting in Miami-Dade, prosecutors say,” by South Florida Sun-Sentinel’s Lisa J. Huriash: “Prosecutors say they used cellphone records to help track a South Florida mayor’s location as he commuted from Davie to Miami-Dade County — demonstrating he illegally voted three times in a county where he no longer lived. North Miami Beach Mayor Anthony DeFillipo’s cellphone locations, obtained by subpoena, shows him leaving his Davie home, then driving to vote in Miami-Dade, and returning back to Davie later each day on the days he voted, Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle said. DeFillipo cast his ballots in August, October and November 2022 in the primary, early voting and the general election, which also was a North Miami Beach city runoff, Fernandez Rundle said. ‘He was voting in a county he wasn’t living in,’ Fernandez Rundle said.” BIRTHDAYS: State Sen. Danny Burgess … Tallahassee Democrat’s Jeff Burlew … Lyndee Rose … journalist Jake Stofan … Journalist Bill Barrow | | | | 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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