| | | | |  | | By Gary Fineout | Good morning and welcome to Friday. Hello, I must be going — So it may be a while before Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is seen in public in the state of Florida. Inked — DeSantis on Thursday signed the new $116.5 billion state budget into law during a ceremony held at a Fort Pierce yacht club that was equal parts bashing of the administration of President Joe Biden and trumpeting spending highlights, such as the amount of money going to Everglades restoration and water projects. Final act — DeSantis acknowledged that the budget signing was the “capstone” for a legislative session that witnessed lawmakers deliver on a long line of conservative policy items that he has been using on the presidential campaign trail. The road ahead — And that trail takes him next to Nevada and California, then to Washington D.C., followed by the Moms for Liberty summit in Philadelphia and a long line of campaign visits to Iowa in the month of July. August will bring debates for the Republican candidates running for president. On his desk — Yes, DeSantis still has close to 100 bills to act on, but the major ones he wanted to emphasize have been signed. In the past his administration would stretch out bill signings through the summer across the state — a tactic that would bring with it a phalanx of local television cameras. A different focus — But it’s not about the Florida audience — which overwhelmingly reelected him in November — anymore. Case in point: DeSantis opted against holding a public event to sign the annual tax cut package, which this year included easy talking points such as a permanent tax exemption for diapers. DeSantis did mention the tax cut package on Thursday, but it was jammed into a press conference where the topics varied from Biden to California Gov. Gavin Newsom. So long, farewell — In Tallahassee attention now turns to the myriad of legal fights generated by DeSantis and his agenda. But chances are the governor will be far, far away from the hot and humid locale. — WHERE'S RON? — Nothing official announced for Gov. DeSantis, but he is headed to Las Vegas ahead of a Saturday appearance at the 8th annual Basque Fry in Gardnerville, Nev. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for Playbook? Get in touch: gfineout@politico.com PROGRAMMING NOTE — Florida Playbook will not publish on Monday for Juneteenth, but we will return on Tuesday. Please continue to follow POLITICO Florida.
| | | | 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 | | AND ABOUT THAT BUDGET SIGNING — DeSantis budget vetoes include projects from GOP lawmakers who didn’t endorse him, by POLITICO’s Gary Fineout: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday axed nearly $511 million from the state’s new budget before signing it into law, a move that drew fire from at least one Republican who contended that the governor was punishing him because he endorsed former President Donald Trump for president. And there’s this — [Agriculture Commissioner Wilton] Simpson, who has stayed neutral in the primary fight between Trump and DeSantis, questioned DeSantis’ support for agriculture, a statement that could haunt the governor as he tries to pick up support in the crucial early nominating state of Iowa. “There is no conceivable reason to target agriculture in a year when we have billions of dollars in reserves,” said Simpson, who also endured large budget vetoes a year ago when he was still president of the state Senate. Response — Jeremy Redfern, a spokesperson for DeSantis, said that the governor supported funding for the land buying program last year and that at least $240 million is still available … Redfern also pushed back against [Sen. Joe] Gruters, pointing back that the budget has an additional $155 million in projects for Sarasota County, including $25 million for New College of Florida, the small liberal arts college that DeSantis pushed to overhaul earlier this year. “Senator Gruters turning conservative governance and fiscal responsibility into a political statement is absurd,” he said.
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Republican presidential candidate Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks during the North Carolina Republican Party Convention in Greensboro, N.C., Friday, June 9, 2023. | Chuck Burton/AP Photo | — “DeSantis cuts money for Black history, gun violence prevention from budget,” by Tampa Bay Times’ Lawrence Mower, Miami Herald’s Mary Ellen Klas and Ana Ceballos, and Tampa Bay Times’ Romy Ellenbogen — “DeSantis signs $116.5 billion state budget, vetoes $511 million while ripping Washington,” by USA Today Network-Florida’s John Kennedy — “UF graduate campus in Jacksonville and Ponce de Leon in St. Augustine avoid DeSantis vetoes,” by Florida Times-Union’s David Bauerlein — “Veto list: Gov. DeSantis nixes funding for public broadcasting stations,” by Florida Politics’ A.G. Gancarski THE P WORD — DeSantis jabs Newsom over 2024: ‘Are you going to throw your hat in the ring?’ by POLITICO’s Andrew Atterbury: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis blasted his California rival Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday amid their simmering feud, with the Republican presidential candidate ribbing the Democrat for not mounting a challenge to President Joe Biden. … Newsom has been peppering DeSantis with criticism in the time since and Monday said he would debate the Florida governor, something DeSantis was asked about Thursday yet didn’t specifically address. “[Newsom] has a real serious fixation on the state of Florida, I think it’s just bizarre that he does that,” DeSantis said at the event in Fort Pierce. “What I would tell him is — you know what, stop pussyfooting around. Are you going to throw your hat into the ring and challenge Joe?” ANOTHER ROUND — DeSantis kicks off feud over College Board’s AP psych class, by POLITICO’s Juan Perez Jr. and Andrew Atterbury: The College Board has rejected changing a high school Advanced Placement psychology course’s lessons on gender and sexual orientation, in a direct challenge to Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration that could reignite conflict between the education giant and the presidential hopeful. Florida school districts had raised questions about an AP Psychology “learning objective” that covers gender and sexual orientation, the College Board acknowledged Thursday, after the DeSantis administration expanded restrictions and regulations on classroom instruction in April. OUT WEST — “Trump world gets testy as Ron DeSantis encroaches on his Nevada turf,” by NBC News’ Natasha Korecki and Henry J. Gomez: “A strategist for the front-running Trump, fresh from an arraignment this week in federal court, punched down on DeSantis and rejected the suggestion that he could encroach on Trump’s turf. ‘Not surprised Ron DeSantis is looking for a set of balls,’ said Chris LaCivita, a senior adviser to Trump’s campaign. ‘So Adam Laxalt, who lost the governor’s race in ’18 and lost the Senate race in ’22, is lecturing President Trump?’ LaCivita added. ‘That’s the pot calling the kettle black.’” — It’s not just Trump. Christie’s gunning for DeSantis, too, by POLITICO’s Sally Goldenberg — “‘State-sanctioned kidnapping’: Texas sheriff aids probe into new DeSantis migrant flights,” by Miami Herald’s Sarah Blaskey — “New Ron DeSantis super PAC ad shows him dragging media, ‘activists,’” by Florida Politics’ A.G. Gancarski
| | CAMPAIGN MODE | | CALIFORNIA DREAMING — Miami Mayor Francis Suarez’ first day as a Republican presidential candidate started with a somewhat combative interview with "Good Morning America"’s George Stephanopoulos and ended with a well-received speech at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California. The interview on national television got a bit bumpy after Stephanopoulos pressed Suarez on the indictment against former President Donald Trump. At one point Suarez said ”I think if we continue to have a conversation about the former president, then the former president will be the nominee. I'm talking about me running for president.” When pushed again, Suarez said “Look, it’s not what I would have done” but then he proceeded to say he also wouldn’t have stored documents in a garage, a reference to President Joe Biden. During his Thursday night speech, Suarez struck an optimistic tone and recalled a visit by Reagan to Miami when he was still a boy. He touched on the need to confront China and to support law enforcement. But he also pitched himself as a candidate who could attract younger voters, as well as urban and suburban voters and Hispanic voters. Suarez also suggested a path that is less confrontational than some of the other candidates — perhaps a nod to both Trump and Gov. DeSantis. “I believe America is still a shining city on a hill, whose eyes of the world are upon us, and whose promise needs to be restored,” Suarez said. “And I believe this city needs more than a fighter or a shouter. I believe it needs a servant. I believe it needs a mayor.” IN HIS OWN WORDS — D.C. Playbook author Ryan Lizza caught up with Suarez ahead of his big speech, where he asked him questions on the race, crypto and DeSantis.
|  Miami Mayor Francis Suarez speaks at the "Time for Choosing" series at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library Thursday, June 15, 2023, in Simi Valley, Calif. | Michael Owen Baker/AP Photo | — “Three Republican White House candidates from Florida? No problem, experts say,” by McClatchy D.C.’s Alex Roarty — “Miami’s mayor files for president, and hometown feud goes from simmer to white hot,” by Miami Herald’s Douglas Hanks — “Miami Mayor Francis Suarez is in GOP presidential race: ‘Unity is more powerful than division,’” by Miami Herald’s Joey Flechas — “Miami Mayor Francis Suarez says he would support 15-week federal abortion ban,” by The Hill’s Sarah Fortinsky — “5 things to know about Francis Suarez,” by The New York Times’ Maggie Astor — “Dave Aronberg’s executive, Alexcia Cox, announces bid to succeed him as Palm Beach SA,” by Florida Politics’ Anne Geggis
| | | | SUBSCRIBE TO POWER SWITCH: The energy landscape is profoundly transforming. Power Switch is a daily newsletter that unlocks the most important stories driving the energy sector and the political forces shaping critical decisions about your energy future, from production to storage, distribution to consumption. Don’t miss out on Power Switch, your guide to the politics of energy transformation in America and around the world. SUBSCRIBE TODAY. | | | | | | | TRUMPLANDIA AND THE SWAMP | | AS THE PAGES TURN — “At the heart of the documents case: Trump’s attachment to his boxes,” by The New York Times’ Maggie Haberman, Alan Feuer and Michael S. Schmidt: “During President Donald J. Trump’s years in the White House, his aides began to refer to the boxes full of papers and odds and ends he carted around with him almost everywhere as the ‘beautiful mind’ material. It was a reference to the title of a book and movie depicting the life of John F. Nash Jr., the mathematician with schizophrenia played in the film by Russell Crowe, who covered his office with newspaper clippings, believing they held a Russian code he needed to crack.” STAYING PUT — RNC shuts down Hutchinson’s push to amend loyalty pledge amid Trump indictment drama, by POLITICO’s Natalie Allison and Steven Shepard: Top Republican Party officials have a message for any candidate worried about signing a loyalty pledge to potentially support a convicted felon: There’s the door. Despite at least one candidate expressing concerns about the Republican National Committee’s requirement that they support the eventual nominee in order to qualify for the debate stage this summer, the committee said there will be no changes to its protocols. HMM — “Trump demands GOP rivals pledge to pardon him … or else,” by Rolling Stone’s Adam Rawnsley and Asawin Suebsaeng: “In the days leading up to his arraignment, the former president worked the phones to vent about the case to his allies and discuss the way forward. According to a person familiar with the matter and another source briefed on it, Trump had one repeated request for his supporters: go on TV and social media and trash Ron DeSantis for refusing to commit to pardoning Trump. ...’If you’re Ron, you find yourself really in a really tough situation, because if you blast the DOJ and you blast Jack Smith and Biden, you’re essentially defending Trump and admitting Trump was right,’ one MAGA-aligned Republican strategist tells Rolling Stone. ‘If you condemn him, there’s no lane for you running on that. And then silence is an equally bad option because folks notice you not saying anything.’” — Trump judge’s thin criminal trial resume comes with a twist, by POLITICO’s Kyle Cheney — Trump now faces three trials over six-month span during critical phase of 2024 campaign, by POLITICO’s Erica Orden — Judge orders Trump lawyers to seek security clearances, by POLITICO’s Kyle Cheney — “Donald Trump scores rare legal win as DA drops golf course tax probe,” by Associated Press’ Michael R. Sisak
| | DATELINE D.C. | | IT’S GOTTA BE THE SHOES — Meet the member of Congress who’s trying to save Capitol soles, by POLITICO’s Sam Stein and Nicholas Wu: It’s said that to truly understand a man’s character, you must walk a mile in his shoes. To truly understand the character of Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.) you must recognize the shoes he cannot walk in. Moskowitz is a sneakerhead, maybe Congress’ foremost advocate for kicks. He recently launched the bipartisan Congressional Sneaker Caucus and owns 150 pairs, having collected them since he — like most `90s kids who share his faith — had impossible dreams of being the “Jewish Michael Jordan” and bought Air Jordans as a form of semi-spiritual fulfillment. A request — On Thursday, he sent a letter to Speaker Kevin McCarthy and other relevant parties requesting a meeting to discuss lifting the sneaker ban for reporters, with an eye to eventually doing the same for lawmakers. “Obviously, there is tradition here,” Moskowitz said in an interview with POLITICO. “This is the halls of Congress. We need to dress a certain way. But Congress is getting younger. Traditions change. No one is wearing a wig around the Capitol anymore.”
| | PENINSULA AND BEYOND | | ‘A LEADING HYPOTHESIS’ — “Surfside condo’s pool deck had ‘severe strength deficiency,’ investigators say,” by The New York Times’ Mike Baker: “The condo in Surfside, Fla., that collapsed two years ago had a ‘severe strength deficiency’ in its pool deck, with a design that failed to meet building codes and construction that did not follow its original plans, federal investigators said Thursday. Concerns about the pool deck have surfaced repeatedly since the June 2021 collapse at Champlain Towers South that left 98 people dead, but the preliminary analysis from a federal team shows the extent of the problems uncovered so far. Crews are assessing whether a failure of the pool deck could have triggered the collapse of the mid-rise residential tower; at a meeting on Thursday, one investigator described that scenario as ‘somewhat a leading hypothesis’ for now.” — “Florida man executed for 1984 killings of teenage babysitter, mother of 2 slain months apart,” by Associated Press’ Brendan Farrington — “Lake Okeechobee almost completely covered in algae, sparking summer concerns,” by WPTV’s Kate Hussey — “Worrell defends handling of carjacking case against man now accused in rape attempt,” by Orlando Sentinel’s Christopher Cann — “Florida deputy didn’t follow extensive training during Parkland school massacre, supervisor says,” by Associated Press’ Terry Spencer — “Conor McGregor reportedly accused of sexual assault after NBA finals game in Miami,” by Miami Herald’s Madeleine Marr
| | ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN | | BIRTHDAYS: Phil Cox ... Ramon Maury of Maury Management Group ... Omar Khan, senior vice president for state and local government affairs at WSP (Saturday) State Rep. Rachel Plakon ... Brett Doster, president of The Front Line Agency … Florida Trend’s Vickie Chachere (Sunday) Joe Harding, former state representative (Monday) Jim Baltzelle with The Associated Press … Miami Herald’s Mary Ellen Klas … Florida Politics’ A.G. Gancarski | | | | 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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