| | | | |  | | By Kimberly Leonard | |  President Joe Biden delivers remarks during a visit to the southern border, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Brownsville, Texas. | Evan Vucci/AP Photo | Good morning from Tallahassee and welcome to Thursday. Florida’s delegation is gearing up for President Joe Biden’s high-stakes State of the Union Address tonight, with an eye toward the biggest issues shaping the 2024 election. The speech comes just a day after Nikki Haley dropped out of the presidential race, leaving the 2024 contest to a rerun between Biden and Florida man Donald Trump. The former president plans to watch Biden’s speech from Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach and will post commentary on social media, his campaign confirmed to Playbook. Democrats have been eager to show how the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade affects reproductive rights. There’s even a newfound energy on the issue after the Alabama Supreme Court ruled that embryos had the same rights as children, threatening access to infertility treatments. To underscore the need to pass federal IVF protections, Democratic Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz invited Stacey Lieberman, a patient from Hollywood, Florida, who used the procedure multiple times. Democratic Rep. Maxwell Frost of Orlando invited Felipe Sousa-Lazaballet, executive director of the immigration nonprofit Hope CommUnity Center and the son of a Cuban immigrant provided asylum. "It’s important we recognize the critical [role] immigration plays in our communities, especially as MAGA Republicans try to pass cruel legislation to harm migrants,” Frost said in a statement. On the GOP side, Rep. Matt Gaetz is bringing Army Captain and Green Beret John Frankman, one of his constituents who left the military because he opposed Biden’s Covid vaccine mandate for servicemembers. Republican Rep. Anna Paulina Luna is skipping out altogether, calling the State of the Union a “puppet show” in a text to the Washington Examiner. That’s a bipartisan tradition in Florida: Democratic Rep. Frederica Wilson, who’s bringing higher education guests tonight, skipped Trump’s 2018 speech. Florida’s elected officials have a history of inserting themselves into SOTU, which attracts tens of millions of viewers. One of the most pivotal moments for Biden during last year’s State of the Union was when he had a rowdy back and forth with Republicans over Medicare and Social Security. By the end of it he declared he had bipartisan “unanimity!” that the programs wouldn't be touched. The comments actually had roots in Florida. Biden's initial accusations about cuts to the popular programs were aimed at Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.), whose “Rescue America” plan called for reauthorizing all federal programs every five years — which many took to mean Medicare and Social Security. Scott, who's up for reelection this year, insisted it was never intended to extend to those benefits. Though Biden didn't say Scott’s name, his meaning was clear. One area where most of the Florida delegation has been united is on Israel, and that shows in the guest list. GOP Rep. Greg Steube invited the stepmother of a Hamas hostage and GOP Sen. Marco Rubio invited Esther “Etty” Israeli, aunt to hostage Itay Chen, a servicemember stationed near the Hamas attacks. Scott invited Floridian Nathaly Haratz Kaswan, who advocates for Israelis taken hostage. “I will never stop talking about these hostages until they are home, and I urge the president to follow our lead and do the same,” Scott said in a statement. WHERE'S RON? Gov. DeSantis is doing a 10 a.m. press conference in Live Oak with Florida Commerce Secretary Alex Kelly. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for Playbook? Get in touch at: kleonard@politico.com | | | | DON’T MISS POLITICO’S HEALTH CARE SUMMIT: The stakes are high as America's health care community strives to meet the evolving needs of patients and practitioners, adopt new technologies and navigate skeptical public attitudes toward science. Join POLITICO’s annual Health Care Summit on March 13 where we will discuss the future of medicine, including the latest in health tech, new drugs and brain treatments, diagnostics, health equity, workforce strains and more. REGISTER HERE. | | | | | |  | ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... | |
CASH GRAB — Florida Republicans bash Washington. But they sure like its cash, reports POLITICO’s Gary Fineout. Florida lawmakers are making sure they don’t have to return tens of millions of dollars Congress sent to the state.
They're poised this week to approve a new $117.4 billion spending plan for the coming year that includes several key provisions designed to keep money that Washington delivered to Florida as part of the American Rescue Plan — the coronavirus relief plan Congress passed shortly after President Joe Biden was sworn into office three years ago. WILL HE VETO AGAIN? — Home energy rebate money DeSantis vetoed has new life in proposed budget, reports POLITICO’s Bruce Ritchie. The 2024-25 state budget that the House and Senate are expect to approve on Friday includes federal spending authority for home energy rebate programs that DeSantis vetoed last June. DeSantis never stated a reason last year for vetoing the Inflation Reduction Act spending through the state agriculture department. But earlier this year, his 2024-25 state budget request included $1.7 million for administering the grant program through an agency under his direction. The governor's veto last June, as he was running for president, was viewed as a slap against GOP Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson, a former Senate president who has been at odds with DeSantis on a variety of issues in recent years. BALLOT INCOMING — Florida voters to decide whether to end public money for state campaigns, reports POLITICO’s Gary Fineout. Florida may finally stop handing out taxpayer money for political campaigns, a move long opposed by Republican politicians but previously supported by the state’s voters. The Florida Legislature on Wednesday voted to place on this year’s ballot a proposed amendment that would repeal the state’s decadeslong practice of handing out public money to candidates for governor and the three Cabinet spots. DeSantis got more than $7.3 million in taxpayer money for his successful reelection campaign in 2022.
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This photo illustration taken on March 22, 2018 shows a woman looking at Social Networking applications Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Whatsapp, Twitter, Messenger and Linkedin on a smartphone in Kuala Lumpur. | Manan Vatsyayana/AFP via Getty Images | ... NUMEROUS BILLS HEADED TO DESANTIS ... — Florida passes new-look social media legislation after DeSantis’ veto, reports POLITICO’s Andrew Atterbury. Florida lawmakers have hit refresh on their proposal to kick minors off social media after it was struck down by DeSantis. The House and Senate this week both passed a revamped version of the legislation restricting access to social media for minors that — in a notable change — gives parents the power to allow their kids to access the platforms. — Florida passes follow-up to ‘paycheck protection’ union reforms, reports POLITICO’s Andrew Atterbury. The GOP-dominated Florida House passed legislation Wednesday revising the state’s organized labor rules on the heels of a controversial 2023 law that added new restrictions and costs for many worker unions. It creates new carve-outs for certain labor groups and removes a fledgling requirement calling for many to have their finances audited yearly by a certified public accountant. But, at the same time, the bill also puts additional requirements on certain unions like a state-mandated membership form that opponents — including some Republicans — said is “needless.” — Florida passes legislation targeting ‘identity politics’ in teacher training programs, reports POLITICO’s Andrew Atterbury. GOP Florida Senators passed a controversial measure Wednesday expanding “anti-woke” policies pushed by DeSantis by targeting scores of teacher training programs at colleges and local schools across the state. The legislation builds on a 2023 law rebuking diversity, equity and inclusion efforts to dozens of teacher education programs at state universities, colleges and school districts by prohibiting them from “distort[ing] significant historical events” or teaching “identity politics” as they prepare educators and school leaders. — “Florida lawmakers send dialed-back school deregulation bills to DeSantis,” reports the Tampa Bay Times’ Jeffrey S. Solochek. “Senators quickly passed three ambitious bills with several provisions that many observers considered potential game changers. They included proposals to end the use of algebra and language arts tests as high school graduation requirements, allow teachers to again have multi-year contracts and extend the time struggling schools have to implement turnaround plans.” — “Florida lawmakers want communism lessons in all grades. The bill is headed to DeSantis,” reports Ryan Dailey of News Service of Florida. “The state Department of Education could soon be responsible for preparing academic standards about the history of communism to be taught in grades as low as kindergarten ... the curriculum would begin in the 2026-2027 school year and would have to be ‘age appropriate and developmentally appropriate’ for all grade levels.” — House passes bill banning lab-grown meat, preempting EV charging stations, reports POLITICO’s Bruce Ritchie. The Department of Agriculture bill, FL SB1084 (24R), also blocks local governments from regulating electric vehicle charging stations. But most of the House floor debate focused on the sale of lab-grown meat, which Republicans argue hasn't been proven safe. "Cultured meat is not meat. ... It is not even close," Rep. Dean Black, a Republican cattle rancher from Jacksonville, said during House debate. "Cultured meat is made by man. Real meat is made by God himself." — “Florida bill making it easier to demolish historic buildings heads to DeSantis,” reports the Miami Herald’s Aaron Leibowitz and Ana Ceballos. “Legislation giving developers more power to knock down historic buildings near Florida’s coast without interference from local governments is heading to DeSantis’ desk. The Florida House passed the measure on an 86-29 vote on Wednesday, despite objections from city officials and historic preservationists in Miami Beach who said the bill threatens to wipe out some of the city’s iconic Art Deco architecture. Lawmakers from the Tampa Bay area also raised concerns about the impact potential developments would have on vulnerable coastal communities.” — “Florida lawmakers OK ban on hemp products, send bill to DeSantis,” reports News Service of Florida … LEGISLATIVE GRAVEYARD … — “Florida lawmakers shy from voucher spending controls after parents complain,” reports the Tampa Bay Times’ Jeffrey S. Solochek. “When the bill came up for discussion in committees, parents who homeschool their children and receive vouchers came forth to oppose the measure. They said efforts to limit the use of the money to materials directly connected to the basics — language arts, math, science and social studies — would hinder their ability to provide arts, music and physical education for their children.” — “After woman dies in crash, effort to let Florida cities restrict e-bikes collapses,” reports the Miami Herald’s Ana Ceballos — “Legislature dumps China rollback language before passing easement bill,” reports Florida Politics’ Jacob Ogles NEW LEADERSHIP — The Florida Senate Democratic Caucus unanimously elected state Sen. Tracie Davis (D-Jacksonville) to lead the caucus starting in the 2026-2028 term. | | | PENINSULA AND BEYOND | | |
TWO JOBS — New Orange County elections supervisor Glen Gilzean sat down with Nancy Alvarez of WESH this week to discuss his new role, announced Monday. The interview, however, revealed that Gilzean was staying onto his current job with the Central Florida Tourism Oversight district despite indications otherwise from the governor’s office. “He is still leading the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District and making more than $400,000,” per WESH. “The supervisor of elections position pays $205,000. Gilzean said state law allows him to hold both positions simultaneously, and that's what he'll do until the tourism district's board decides on next steps.”
| | | | On the ground in Albany. Get critical policy news and analysis inside New York State. Track how power brokers are driving change across legislation and budget and impacting lobbying efforts. Learn more. | | | | | | | CAMPAIGN MODE | | | | 
Then-Republican Party of Florida Chair Christian Ziegler addresses attendees at the Republican Party of Florida Freedom Summit on Nov. 4, 2023, in Kissimmee, Fla. | Phelan M. Ebenhack/AP |
— Ex-Florida GOP chair Ziegler won’t face criminal charges, reports POLITICO’s Kimberly Leonard. The state attorney’s office in Sarasota will not pursue criminal charges against the former chair of the Republican Party of Florida.
Authorities were investigating the former chair, Christian Ziegler, for allegedly illegally videotaping a woman who accused him of rape, and prosecutor Ed Brodsky determined there wasn’t enough evidence to charge him, according to a memo from the state attorney. Police had already decided against recommending Ziegler face sexual assault charges. OPTING OUT — After meeting Trump in Palm Beach over the weekend, Tesla CEO Elon Musk said he won’t donate to a presidential candidate, reports POLITICO’s Andrew Howard. Musk visited Trump over the weekend, the Times first reported, as the former president looks for financial support as his legal bills continue to rise. The Wall Street Journal confirmed the visit on Wednesday. | | ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN | |
BIRTHDAYS: Former Florida Rep. Joe Geller
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