| | | | |  | | By Kimberly Leonard | | | Good morning from Tallahassee and welcome to Tuesday. Florida Republicans in Congress and at home are completely — and predictably — rejecting the Senate's long-awaited border and national security aid bill. Though it has elements such as funding for a border wall that should please former President Donald Trump (who also outright opposes the bill), most Republicans are balking over what they see as overly lax caps on daily crossings before the administration could order a total shut down. A test vote in the Senate tomorrow on the President Joe Biden-backed bill is expected to fail. Sen. Rick Scott is holding a press conference in D.C. at noon today with other Republican senators to lay out “why we strongly oppose anything that codifies Biden’s bad border policies.” At least 24 senators are either leaning no or stating that they won’t be supporting the bill, according to a survey from POLITICO’s Ursula Perano and Daniella Diaz. Sen. Marco Rubio bashed the legislation as “parody.” Over in the House, Florida Republicans posted their derision on social media. Rep. Cory Mills panned the package as an “amnesty” bill. Rep. Greg Steube said authorizing the bill would amount to a “betrayal” while Rep. Anna Paulina Luna demanded to #killthebill. Rep. Matt Gaetz compared all the conservative backlash to a child hitting a piñata. Even Gov. Ron DeSantis joined the fray, describing the giant bill as a “farce” during an unrelated press conference in Miami Beach yesterday. “It just shows me the contempt that these people in D.C. have for American taxpayers,” he said. Failure to resolve the problems at the border would keep the issue alive ahead of the 2024 elections, though it’s not yet clear whether by November voters would blame Republicans or Democrats for the surge in illegal crossings as Texas continues to move migrants to blue cities. Biden has a 35-point deficit against Trump when it comes to voters’ views regarding his handling of the border, per an NBC News poll released this week. The consolidation of Florida’s top GOP brass against the border deal also shows just how much of a hold Trump continues to have on the party, with members quickly falling behind him within less than 24 hours. Trump said Monday on “The Dan Bongino Show” that he didn’t think the bill should “even be considered” and called it “lunacy,” a “disaster” and ticked off a list of restrictions he enacted by executive order when he was president. He said the quiet part out loud: That the bill’s passage would be a “gift to Democrats” who “want this for the presidential election.” The GOP-majority U.S. House has already said it won’t take up the Senate bill and plans to vote on impeaching Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas today. Later today, the House is also expected to take up a $17.6 billion standalone bill cosponsored by GOP Rep. Mario Diaz Balart of Florida that would provide federal aid to Israel only — without any offsets. But Biden has said he’d veto it. — WHERE'S RON? Gov. DeSantis is doing an event focused on manatees in Volusia County. 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 Alibaba: Every day, American businesses generate big global sales on Alibaba's online marketplace – to the tune of $66B in one year alone. These sales are having a bigger impact on communities back home. Florida companies like Timberwolf Pet Foods and DS Laboratories sell to over one billion consumers in China through Alibaba, supporting 15,800 local jobs and contributing $1.9B to Florida's GDP. Learn more about how Alibaba positively impacts Florida's economy. | | | |  | ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... | |
TODAY — State Senate committees are considering controversial proposals. One would ban certain flags from public spaces, such as Pride and even MAGA flags, and another would ban the removal of monuments, including confederate monuments.
— The Senate Commerce and Tourism Committee will consider the “Right to Rock Act,” which would prevent event spaces that get public funding from canceling live performances because of something they said or believe. (Tune in.) TOMORROW — The Florida Supreme Court will consider whether to approve the wording drafted for the ballot measure on abortion rights. Protesters from both sides plan to gather, per the Florida Phoenix’s Michael Moline. The initiative has enough signatures to qualify for the November ballot. ADVANCED IN COMMITTEE — Florida may pass law to protect election workers, reports POLITICO’s Gary Fineout. Florida legislators may make it a crime to threaten or harass an election worker as they are trying to do their job — a turnabout from last year when they jettisoned similar legislation amid opposition from conservative activists. SENATE TAKEUP — Florida senators alter legislation restricting social media for minors, reports POLITICO’s Andrew Atterbury. During the first hearing of the social media bill in the Senate, the Judiciary Committee added significant House language to SB 1788 that attempts to clarify which sites are singled out under the proposal, targeting “addictive, harmful, or deceptive design features” that are meant to grab users and keep them engaged.
|  Florida State Sen. Jason Brodeur is seen during a hearing at the Florida State Capitol Jan. 11, 2024. | Francis Chung/POLITICO via AP Images | COULD TRIGGER COURT REVIEW — Senate panel clears revived defamation bill despite free speech concerns, reports POLITICO’s Kimberly Leonard. The measure, which would weaken free speech laws and open journalists and news organizations to lawsuits if they published a false statement from a single anonymous source, drew backlash from all corners of the political spectrum, with the ACLU Florida to the conservative Americans for Prosperity urging lawmakers to reject it. Lawmakers have advanced the bill through one House and one Senate panel but it still has to clear others, with supporters saying more rules should be in place to protect people from reputational harm. BILL ON HOMELESSNESS — “DeSantis backs bills requiring Florida cities to ban public camping,” reports the Orlando Sentinel’s Ryan Gillespie. “The legislation also gives local governments the ability to set up permanent encampments with requirements for security, clean restrooms, water and mental health services. And it gives the public the ability to sue cities and counties that don’t clear people sleeping on sidewalks and in parks.” MOVING IN LEGISLATURE — “Treading on difficult ground, Florida lawmakers want to define ‘anti-Semitism,’” reports the Orlando Sentinel’s Desiree Stennett. “Rep. Mike Gottlieb, D-Plantation, sponsor of the House bill, said the goal is to curb hate speech toward Jews and Israel that has been on the rise across the nation for years … But the bill’s definitions and examples are provoking concern among pro-Palestinian activists and those who want to protect their right to criticize Israel, at a time when many people are struggling with the question of what is anti-Semitic and what is legitimate condemnation of governmental action.” COVERAGE SLOWDOWN — “Florida lawsuit against feds could delay expansion of child health insurance,” reports the Tampa Bay Times’ Christopher O'Donnell. “But the KidCare expansion, which was scheduled to start in January, has already been delayed to at least April after the state failed to file for a waiver needed to obtain a federal subsidy. It’s unclear whether the state’s lawsuit will mean a further delay.” CURFEW — “DeSantis repeats warning against Spring Break ‘melee’ scenarios,” reports Florida Politics’ A.G. Gankarski. “DeSantis has a message to college rowdies who may be coming to Florida to party: If they get out of line, be prepared for force from the state. In Miami Beach, DeSantis repeated his offer to provide state resources to avoid situations that have occurred in past years.” | | | | DON’T MISS POLITICO’S GOVERNORS SUMMIT: Join POLITICO on Feb. 22 to dive into how Governors are wielding immense power. While Washington remains gridlocked, governors are at the center of landmark decisions in AI and tech, economic development, infrastructure, housing, reproductive health and energy. How are they setting the stage for the future of American politics, policies and priorities? How are they confronting major challenges? Explore these questions and more at the 2024 Governors Summit. REGISTER HERE. | | | | |
| | PENINSULA AND BEYOND | |
NDA ASK — “Disney wants to keep confidential any proprietary information or trade secrets that comes out of its state court fight with DeSantis’ appointees over who controls the governing district at Walt Disney World,” reports The Associated Press’ Mike Schneider. “The entertainment giant asked a state court judge on Friday for a protective order allowing it to designate documents and depositions as confidential and requiring parties handling them to sign a nondisclosure agreement.”
SENIOR CARE — “Florida primary care provider Cano Health files for bankruptcy,” reports the South Florida Sun Sentinel’s Cindy Krischer Goodman. “Its Florida offices are heavily concentrated in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties with some locations on the west coast in Tampa and central Florida in Kissimmee/St. Cloud. Cano’s doctors treat more than 310,000 patients.” CITY PROBE — “Miami city attorney investigated by Florida Bar over ties to alleged house-flipping scheme,” reports the Miami Herald’s Sarah Blaskey. “The Florida Bar is investigating Miami City Attorney Victoria Méndez and her close connection to companies that purchased homes belonging to vulnerable Miami residents at well below-market-value and then sold them — sometimes the same day — at a large profit. The investigation, which has not been previously reported, has been open since at least last April.” | | | | A message from Alibaba:   | | | | | CAMPAIGN MODE | |
FLORIDA GOP WEEKEND — Republican Sen. Rick Scott will be among the speakers at the Republican Party of Florida’s annual meeting on Saturday in Wesley Chapel, Playbook has learned. Other speakers will be announced in the coming days.
|  Former state Sen. Annette Taddeo. | Wilfredo Lee/AP Photo | NEW CANDIDACY — Former state Sen. Annette Taddeo on Monday announced her run for Miami-Dade County Clerk of Courts and Comptroller.
| | | DATELINE D.C. | | |
TODAY — U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz will hold a press conference at 11:45 a.m. with 25 colleagues on a resolution “reaffirming ‘President Trump did not engage in insurrection or rebellion against the United States.’” The resolution has 60 cosponsors.
TOMORROW — The Western Hemisphere Subcommittee will hold a roundtable with Venezuelan opposition candidate María Corina Machado, per GOP Chairwoman María Elvira Salazar. Machado will appear at the hearing virtually. | | | | 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. | | | | | | | ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN | |
TAYLOR’S VERSION — Taylor Swift’s forthcoming album includes a song called “Florida!!!” featuring Florence & The Machine, per the Tampa Bay Times. She also just announced three tour stops in Miami. The stops will be right around the time that Florida Democrats are organizing Get Out the Vote events.
NO. 1 … in shark attacks. Sixteen unprovoked bites were reported on Florida’s shores, writes Cheryl McCloud of USA Today Network - Florida. In all, 36 were reported across the U.S. NAME ‘EM — Commissioner Brian Hamman is looking to change the name of the Sanibel Causeway to the “Ron DeSantis Sanibel Causeway” to recognize the governor’s help with Hurricane Ian repairs, reports WINK News’ Claire Galt. BIRTHDAYS: State Sen. Clay Yarborough … Leon County Supervisor of Elections Mark Earley | | A message from Alibaba: Timberwolf Pet Food, a family-owned company based in Windermere, Florida, achieved an impressive 7-figure growth after launching on Alibaba's online marketplace, which reaches over one billion consumers in China. Partnering with Alibaba helped the 25-year-old company double its sales projections, allowing Timberwolf to expand its product lines, production, and staffing to meet the increasing demand.
Florida businesses generated enough global sales on Alibaba’s online marketplace to add $1.9 billion to Florida’s economy, supporting 15,800 local jobs and $1.1 billion in wages in one year.
"I knew from experience that Alibaba, with over one billion online consumers, was essential to launch our brand in China successfully," said Timberwolf CEO Kam Martin.
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