| | | | |  | | By Kimberly Leonard | | | |  Joe Biden speaks during a rally at Florida Memorial University on Nov. 01, 2022 in Miami Gardens, Florida. | Joe Raedle/Getty Images | Good morning and welcome to Tuesday. President Joe Biden is turning to Florida to make it rain. Biden has used Gov. Ron DeSantis as a foil over the course of his reelection campaign. His campaign launch video featured “MAGA extremists” who support book removals. He delivered a lighthearted joke at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner about the governor’s fight with Walt Disney World. He sent surrogates to Miami to bash the state’s policies ahead of the Republican presidential debate. But the president’s stops today in South Florida are less about messaging and more about cold, hard cash ahead of the South Carolina primary for Democrats on Saturday, as Playbook reports with POLITICO’s Elena Schneider. Biden will appear at a reception in Palm Beach County and another in Miami-Dade, where Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava will also be in attendance. The dynamic, in a state where Republicans have out-registered Democrats by 780,000 voters, is similar to how Republicans go to California and New York to fundraise knowing it's not competitive for them. Asked about Biden’s strategy in Florida, campaign senior spokesperson Kevin Munoz pointed to his recent comments on MSNBC where he said the president had “many pathways to 270,” referring to the number of electoral votes required to win the presidency. Munoz also told POLITICO that Florida, which has 30 electoral votes, was “an important contrast state for us that we can uplift as MAGA, unpopular and extreme.” There’s some symbolism to the locale given that Donald Trump — the presumptive GOP nominee for president — also lives in Palm Beach County and has been charged with hoarding classified documents there. Trump won Florida twice, and, according to polling, is poised to do so by even bigger margins a third time. Asked about Biden’s stop, Brian Hughes, Florida director for the Trump campaign, called the state “Trump Country.” “Crooked Joe Biden may shake down liberals here for a few bucks, but polling consistently shows a dominant double-digit lead for President Trump,” he said. State- and county-level Democrats aren’t willing to cede the state to Republicans, noting that they secured victories in a recent Central Florida state House race and in the Jacksonville mayor’s race. They’re hoping that having cannabis legalization and abortion rights on the ballot will also improve their outlook in November. Florida Democratic chair Nikki Fried, who’s attending Biden’s Miami fundraiser, said it was important for all Democrats running in November to keep talking not only about Trump but about DeSantis’ policies in Florida. Since dropping out of the presidential race, the governor has been hosting a series of press conferences to criticize Washington, D.C. “We have a lot of opportunity here,” Fried said. “Florida is in a moment with DeSantis now home, licking his wounds, trying to regain some type of strength in the state.” — WHERE'S RON? Nothing official announced yet for DeSantis. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for Playbook? Get in touch at: kleonard@politico.com | | | | A message from Instagram: Parents should be able to decide which apps are right for their teens.
Giving parents a say in which apps are right for their teens helps them support their teens in having a positive experience online.
That’s why Instagram wants to work with Congress to require parental approval wherever teens under 16 download apps.
Learn more. | | |
|  | ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... | |
TODAY — The Senate Education Pre-K-12 Committee will consider several changes to school vouchers.
— The House Criminal Justice Subcommittee will consider lowering the minimum age to buy firearms from 21 to 18 — The Senate Commerce and Tourism Committee will take up SB 1596, which would let 16- and 17-year-olds work longer hours. (Tune in.) |  The bill would also apply to Make America Great Again flags. | Jamie Kelter Davis for POLITICO |
NO VOTE — A Senate committee took up a controversial bill Monday that would restrict people from displaying certain flags in government buildings and classrooms. But, in a rare move, did not vote on the bill due to time constraints.
The expiring clock doesn't appear to put the legislation in jeopardy — at least not yet, although it may not be heard again until next week. The proposal in question, SB 1120, requires K-12 schools, colleges, universities and government agencies, as well as local state government buildings, to remain politically neutral by targeting flags touching on viewpoints that explicitly include "partisan, racial, sexual orientation and gender." Notably, it targets LGBTQ+ pride flags and banners supporting Black Lives Matter and would also apply to Make America Great Again flags. "Every individual has every last right to fly whatever flag they want to," state Sen. Jonathan Martin, a Fort Myers Republican who sponsored the bill, said during a Committee on Governmental Oversight and Accountability hearing. "We don't want the government using everybody's taxpayer dollars to push any particular political or ideological viewpoint." The Senate took up SB 1120 last on the agenda Monday, a timeframe that allowed lawmakers to consider two amendments to the bill and hear brief public comment. Democrats were questioning Martin over the bill when the meeting abruptly ended. In one of the questions, state Sen. Tina Polsky, a Democrat from Boca Raton, asked Martin if she would be allowed to hang an LGTBQ+ pride flag in her office at the Capitol. If the bill passes, that would be disallowed, Martin said. Similar legislation is advancing in the House and scheduled for one additional committee hearing. The Senate bill still needs to pass three assigned committee stops. "I really wish this was nothing but a bad essay, but at its core, this is simply another targeted attempt to render indivisible an entire group of persons," Anita Hatcher, a Leon County teacher who opposed the bill, told the Senate panel Monday. — Andrew Atterbury ADVANCED — House subcommittee backs DEP stormwater rules despite cost concerns, reports POLITICO’s Bruce Ritchie. A House subcommittee on Monday voted to advance a proposed bill ratifying a Department of Environmental Protection proposal overhauling state stormwater regulations despite concerns about the cost to businesses and local governments. The department estimates the cost at $1.2 billion over five years, or a 10 percent increase over current stormwater treatment costs, according to a House bill analysis. EYES ON DC — “DeSantis implores Legislature to back term limits for Congress, balanced federal budget,” reports the Orlando Sentinel’s Jeffrey Schweers. “Banking on the idea that such reforms are popular and nonpartisan, DeSantis said Florida should be a leader in getting other states to push for a constitutional convention, an idea that has been discussed before but never achieved.” SALARY BUMP — Florida's next governor could get a big pay raise, reports POLITICO’s Gary Fineout. “A bill drawn up by the House budget committee — which lawmakers will vote on later this week — would require that the salary paid to the governor match the amount paid to Supreme Court justices, essentially a $110,000 increase. The lieutenant governor and the three members of the Florida Cabinet would be paid a salary that is 95 percent of what the governor is paid.” SPLIT ON ‘PARENTAL RIGHTS’ — “Florida lawmakers offer shifting views on how much to protect children,” reports the Tampa Bay Times’ Jeffrey S. Solochek. “The 2024 legislative session is dotted with several initiatives aimed at child safety issues, some expanding limits on what children can see and do, others reducing some of the rules. The efforts, which have been driven by the Republican supermajority, have drawn criticism from Democrats who said that proponents have taken inconsistent stances — supporting parent rights when it suits them, for instance, and ignoring those rights when it doesn’t.” UNHOUSED TARGETED — “Florida lawmakers may force cities and counties to ban public camping,” reports the Orlando Sentinel’s Ryan Gillespie. “As battles rage around the country over the growing number of unhoused individuals sleeping on sidewalks and in parks, Florida lawmakers are pondering a hard-nosed approach: Prohibiting cities and counties from allowing public camping, and permitting people and businesses to sue governments that don’t remove encampments.” — “Florida’s space agency gearing up for more launches, more financial needs, more spaceports,” reports News Service of Florida’s Jim Turner — “These 3 controversial Florida bills aren’t likely to move forward,” reports the Tampa Bay Times’ Romy Ellenbogen. They include an all-out abortion ban and open carry of firearms. | | | | JOIN 1/31 FOR A TALK ON THE RACE TO SOLVE ALZHEIMER’S: Breakthrough drugs and treatments are giving new hope for slowing neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s disease and ALS. But if that progress slows, the societal and economic cost to the U.S. could be high. Join POLITICO, alongside lawmakers, official and experts, on Jan. 31 to discuss a path forward for better collaboration among health systems, industry and government. REGISTER HERE. | | | | |
| | PENINSULA AND BEYOND | |
FEDERAL LAWSUIT — “Racial gerrymandering trial begins in Miami,” reports WLRN’s Joshua Ceballos. “The plaintiffs sued in December of 2022 after City Commissioners approved a new map of the five commission districts following the 2020 U.S. Census. Residents were up in arms that commissioners divided the community of Coconut Grove, which has historically been in District 2, into three districts with separate commissioners — specifically, part of the predominantly Black portion of West Coconut Grove.”
WARREN PUSH — “Democrats call out DeSantis for fighting state attorney’s reinstatement,” reports the Tampa Bay Times’ Sue Carlton and Chris Urso. “Whether the courts reinstate Andrew Warren or not, it remains unclear whether he will run to reclaim the post in the 2024 election. Fried told reporters she expects a ‘strong’ Democratic candidate in the race against Republican Suzy Lopez, who was appointed by the governor to replace Warren. 'My hope is that this comes through quickly and that it is Andrew,' she said." DISMISSED — “FAMU discrimination lawsuit rejected; judge says group didn’t show ‘segregation sanctioned by law,’” reports News Service of Florida’s Jim Saunders. “U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle last week issued a 29-page ruling that dismissed the case filed by lawyers for six FAMU students. He wrote that the plaintiffs did not meet a key legal test of showing that disparities among state universities were rooted in what is known as ‘de jure’ segregation — segregation sanctioned by law.” | | | | A message from Instagram:   | | | | | CAMPAIGN MODE | |
WINNING OVER — Trump puts on full-court press for big-time donors — and nabs more than a few, reports POLITICO’s Alex Isenstadt. Donald Trump is aggressively courting potential megadonors to his campaign, targeting those who’ve kept their powder dry so far this cycle and at least one who was the biggest backer of his chief primary rival.
The former president is set to dine with more than two dozen of the party’s biggest check-writers on Thursday evening at the Palm Beach, Florida, home of billionaire investor John Paulson, a Trump ally who has pledged to support his campaign.
|  Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., addresses attendees at the Republican Party of Florida Freedom Summit, Nov. 4, 2023, in Kissimmee, Fla. | Phelan M. Ebenhack, File/AP | STATE BACKING — U.S. Sen. Rick Scott will unveil endorsements today from 80 state lawmakers at an event in Tallahassee. The endorsements include Florida Senate President Kathleen Passidomo, Florida House Speaker Paul Renner, Florida Senate President-Designate Ben Albritton and Florida House Speaker-Designate Daniel Perez. “As governor, I had the opportunity to work alongside many of these legislators to make Florida the best state in the nation to find a great job and build a business, live in a safe neighborhood, and receive a world-class education,” Scott said in a statement. “Now, as Florida’s U.S. Senator, I am working with our state legislative leaders to make sure Washington works for each of their communities." DUELING EVENTS — Former Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, who is running for the Democratic nomination to challenge Scott in November, is holding a reproductive rights roundtable in Miami today that will include Jessica Mackler, the interim president of EMILY’s List. SECOND TO LAST HOLDOUT — “After long wait, U.S. Rep. Mario Díaz-Balart endorses Trump,” reports Florida Politics’ Jacob Ogles. “That leaves U.S. Rep. María Elvira Salazar, a Coral Gables Republican, as the sole Republican in the delegation not to back a presidential favorite in the ongoing GOP Primary — and indeed not to endorse Trump.” | | | | YOUR GUIDE TO EMPIRE STATE POLITICS: From the newsroom that doesn’t sleep, POLITICO's New York Playbook is the ultimate guide for power players navigating the intricate landscape of Empire State politics. Stay ahead of the curve with the latest and most important stories from Albany, New York City and around the state, with in-depth, original reporting to stay ahead of policy trends and political developments. Subscribe now to keep up with the daily hustle and bustle of NY politics. | | | | | | | DATELINE D.C. | |
NEW CONDITIONS — “White House gives Maduro an April deadline on democratic reform before sanctions snap back,” reports Antonio Maria Delgado El Nuevo Herald and Michael Wilner of McClatchy. “The Biden administration warned the Nicolás Maduro regime on Monday that the Venezuelan government has until April to fulfill its commitment to free political prisoners, and to allow all presidential candidates to compete in this year’s elections, or else face the reimposition of oil sanctions.”
| | ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN | |
— “43-year-old sea creature and her baby spotted in Florida. See photos of the ‘rarity,” per the Miami Herald’s Moira Ritter
— “A mysterious sound is bugging Florida residents. It might be fish mating,” per the Washington Post’s Kyle Melnick BIRTHDAYS: Former state Sen. Perry Thurston … Mario Rubio of Indelible Solutions | | | | A message from Instagram: Parents should be able to decide which apps are right for their teens.
Apps can teach teens skills or ignite their creativity. But with access to so many apps, parents should have a say in which ones their teens download.
That’s why Instagram wants to work with Congress to require parental approval wherever teens under 16 download apps.
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