Florida questions for the debate

Presented by Uber: Kimberly Leonard's must-read briefing on what's hot, crazy or shady about politics in the Sunshine State

Sep 10, 2024 View in browser   By Kimberly Leonard and Kierra Frazier Presented by  Good morning and welcome to Tuesday.  It’s time for the presidential debate. Former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris will face off onstage for the first time in Philadelphia, in a broadcast that will air at 9 p.m. EST on ABC News. (POLITICO’s liveblog will go live roughly an hour before the debate here.) There are certainly plenty of topics for the moderators to cover given just how much the race has changed since Trump and President Joe Biden debated in June. The questions the candidates are likely to face are meant for a broader audience, but certain topics, from health care coverage to policies in Latin America, would be especially relevant to Florida voters. Given this, we’ve assembled a list of questions — some suggested by your fellow Florida Playbook readers — the moderators could ask that would matter here:  … QUESTIONS FOR TRUMP …  — You said this week that you will support Florida’s cannabis amendment. Why did you take the opposite position of Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Republican Party of Florida? — The state where you live has among the highest number of people without health insurance in the U.S., though the Affordable Care Act covers 4.2 million people there. Given that, where do you stand now on repealing the health care law, after failing to do so during your time in office and promising to make the law better earlier this year? — In July, Judge Aileen Cannon in Florida threw out the case against you involving charges of hoarding classified documents at Mar-a-Lago and obstructing their return. The case is being appealed, but given that Judge Cannon oversaw the case against you, would you rule out considering her as a possible appointee to the Supreme Court? — One in five people who live in Florida are seniors. You’ve promised to do away with taxes on Social Security. But those taxes help pay for the program, which is already projected to become unsustainable in 2035 and trigger cuts. How would you resolve that problem? — You’ve said that you think Florida’s abortion law is “too short” because it cuts off legalization at six weeks. Yet you also said you’d vote against a ballot referendum that would make abortion more accessible. How many weeks do you think abortion should be restricted to in your home state? — You live in a state facing rising sea levels, more intense storms and sweltering heat. You’ve called climate change a “hoax” and promised to promote oil and gas drilling. How would you redirect or reshape the Inflation Reduction Act’s climate policies if elected? … QUESTIONS FOR HARRIS …  — Ten states, including Florida, haven’t leveraged the part of the Affordable Care Act that provides Medicaid to low-income people. Would you change the health care law so that those people would get health insurance under your presidency? And why, as vice president, did you and President Biden not pursue the 2020 campaign’s promise to establish a government-run public option insurance plan? — Florida voters in November will consider enshrining abortion rights into the state constitution. Your campaign has said you support allowing abortion up to viability, which is between 22 and 24 weeks. But a bill the Biden administration supported provided broad health exceptions for later abortions. Can you lay out which exceptions for abortion during later pregnancy you would support? — Many migrants in Florida have fled socialist dictatorships. Your runningmate said during a campaign call not long ago that “one person’s socialism is another person’s neighborliness.” Do you agree with that statement, and what would you say to reassure people who might be concerned about that kind of rhetoric? — Florida’s hospitality industry is closely watching a “No Tax on Tips” pitch from Trump. You’ve supported that policy. But the Inflation Reduction Act that you helped pass is set to tax instances in which Americans receive more than $600 from apps like Vemno and PayPal — where many now receive tips because so few people carry cash around. How would you resolve that? — When President Joe Biden was at the top of the ticket your campaign manager, Julie Chavez Rodriguez, declared that Florida was “winnable.” Then campaign chair Jen O’Malley Dillon said Florida wasn’t a battleground. What do you think? — You’ve often traveled to Florida in your time as vice president to criticize the state’s laws on education, diversity, abortion and guns. If the state is so bad, why do you think people keep moving there? … QUESTIONS FOR BOTH HARRIS AND TRUMP …  — Both of your home states have a serious problem with the cost of property insurance, which is putting pressure on housing affordability. In what ways, if any, can the federal government help? — Please lay out how you would handle the current contested election in Venezuela. Who won the election and what sanctions, if any, should the U.S. impose to pressure President Nicolás Maduro? — Haitian migrants have taken the life-threatening journey to Florida by sea to escape gang violence. What do you think is the right response to help Haiti govern itself? — Body footage was released yesterday of police forcefully removing Miami Dolphins star receiver Tyreek Hill from his car, bringing him to the ground and handcuffing him during a traffic stop, while also confronting his teammates who pulled over to help. Was this excessive use of force, and should there be made any nationwide reforms to policing? Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget in the campaign reporting that Playbook should look at? Get in touch at: kleonard@politico.com.   A message from Uber: How does Uber expand transit access in Florida? Every week, Uber helps over 3,000 people get to and from Brightline stations across Florida. On average, riders travel nearly 6 miles to connect to Brightline, extending their reach far beyond the tracks. Learn more about how Uber is working with transit agencies in Florida and across the country.   ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... SPECIAL SESSION TIME? — “DeSantis: Legislators should act soon to fix condo laws,” reports POLITICO’s Gary Fineout. “Gov. Ron DeSantis is putting pressure on the Republican-controlled Florida Legislature to respond more quickly to the state’s condominium crisis, setting up the possibility of a special session between now and the end of the year. DeSantis over the summer brushed aside questions about the impact of new laws passed in the aftermath of the Surfside condominium collapse in 2021, and said it was up to the Legislature to talk to constituents and figure out if any changes were needed. The governor, however, struck a much more urgent tone during a Monday roundtable he held in Miami Lakes to discuss ways to mitigate the prospect of rising assessments that condominium associations are having to impose on unit owners to meet new safety requirements.” PUSHING BACK — “DeSantis defends use of election police in abortion petition probe,” reports the Tampa Bay Times’ Lawrence Mower and Romy Ellenbogen. “Gov. Ron DeSantis defended the use of his election police to question people who signed petitions for an amendment that would overturn the state’s six-week abortion ban, saying it’s part of an investigation that has already uncovered fraud.” ONGOING DISPUTE — “Aetna spat with HCA could leave Florida patients looking for new doctors,” reports Tamp Bay Times’ Christopher O’Donnell. “In a letter sent to customers, Aetna said that HCA hospitals will no longer be considered in-network in Florida and patients could end up having to pay if they continue to get treatment there. The warning is the result of the insurance company, which is owned by pharmacy giant CVS, and HCA failing to agree terms for a new reimbursement contract. The current contract for hospital care expires Sept. 15.” SCOPE OF PRACTICE — “Florida’s physician assistants want to practice primary care independently: What to know about PAs,” by Cindy Krischer Goodman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel. “The Florida Academy of Physician Assistants plans to lobby the Florida Legislature during the next session to allow PAs to independently practice primary care in Florida without a doctor’s supervision." AVERTING A WATER SHORTAGE — “As Florida faces water shortage, watchdog group urges state to use a more long-term planning process,” reports Central Florida Public Media’s Molly Duerig. “Earlier this year, along with the projected water shortage data, Florida’s Office of Economic and Demographic Research shared a cost estimate of $1.7 billion for what the state must spend on critical water projects through 2040. But that’s a conservative estimate, per Florida TaxWatch, which estimates the cost is closer to $2.5 billion.” — “Homeless camps, fentanyl, voyeurism, harsher penalties: These laws go into effect Oct. 1,” reports USA Today Network — Florida’s C.A. Bridges.   A message from Uber:   PENINSULA AND BEYOND Disney CEO Robert Iger attends the premiere of FX's "Feud: Capote Vs. The Swans" at the Museum of Modern Art on Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024, in New York. | Evan Agostini/Invision/AP DEEP DIVE — “The palace coup at the Magic Kingdom,” by The New York Times’ James B. Stewart and Brooks Barnes. Conversations reveal how “Disney’s board and executive ranks were consumed by conflict and drama just as the company was facing historic upheaval in the entertainment industry. When the pandemic hit, right as [Bob] Chapek took over, the company had to temporarily close its highly profitable theme parks. In spring 2022, the streaming bubble burst, causing investors to flee all media stocks, including Disney’s. But inside Disney, much of the focus was on trying to manage the tensions between [Bob] Iger and Chapek.” GO ELSEWHERE — “Stuart city commissioners back out of deal to build a Brightline station downtown,” reports Keith Burbank of Treasure Coast Newspapers. “City commissioners Monday rescinded two agreements with Brightline. The votes, both 3-2, kill the 7½-month effort to build a station in downtown Stuart. ‘It's a bad deal for taxpayers,’ Commissioner Christopher Collins told the audience at the meeting, most of whom wore yellow clothing to support construction of a Stuart station. The original deal was for Brightline to pay its portion of the station, Collins said. When that changed, ‘that's an issue,’ he said.” LAWSUIT — “University union sues state over membership threshold,” reports the Florida Phoenix’s Jay Waagmeester. “The union representing Florida’s public colleges and universities and its FAMU chapter have filed suit against the state, claiming a law requiring 60 percent membership for a union to maintain certification violates the Florida constitution.” MORE INFO COULD COME OUT — “Dorworth drops federal suit against Joel Greenberg, ex-wife, family,” reports Martin E. Comas of the Orlando Sentinel. “Developer and former state legislator Chris Dorworth has dropped a federal lawsuit against his former friend, disgraced Seminole County Tax Collector Joel Greenberg, that claimed Greenberg and his family ruined Dorworth’s reputation. Dorworth on Monday did not give a reason why he pulled the litigation filed in April 2023, but said he will continue with a state lawsuit against the Greenbergs.” ...HURRICANE HOLE... INCOMING RAIN — “Potential Tropical Cyclone 6 to form Tropical Storm Francine. How it will impact Florida,” reports Pensacola News Journal’s Brandon Girod. “The Florida Panhandle can expect between 2 to 4 inches of rain for areas west of Crestview and south of Tallahassee. The rest of the Panhandle will see between 1 to 2 inches of rain. Much of the Panhandle west of Tallahassee has a slight chance of flash flooding.” CAT 1 STORM — “Tropical Storm Francine forms, breaks season dry spell. Two disturbances could follow,” reports Florida Keys News’ Alex Harris. “The National Hurricane Center is … tracking two disturbances in the Atlantic with good chances of forming in the next few days — one at about 60 percent and another newly upped to a 70 percent chance. Forecasters say there’s a solid chance that both disturbances could strengthen into tropical depressions later this week. However, far-out computer forecast models have continued to show the potential tracks of both disturbances as messy and likely to stick within the Atlantic.”   A message from Uber: Expanding transit access in Florida Did you know that every week, Uber helps over 3,000 people get to and from Brightline stations across Florida? Key stat: On average, riders travel nearly 6 miles to reach these stations—extending Brightline’s reach far beyond the tracks. From MiamiCentral to Aventura, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, West Palm Beach, and Orlando, Uber is making it easier for Floridians to access public transit. Learn more about how Uber partners with transit agencies to improve access to public transportation.   CAMPAIGN MODE People hold up signs during a pro-abortion rights rally on the second anniversary of the Supreme Court ruling to overturn Roe v. Wade, in West Palm Beach, Florida, on June 24, 2024. | Marco Bello/AFP via Getty Images JUST OUT — Floridians Protecting Freedom just launched its first TV ad that’ll run statewide to encourage Floridians to approve Amendment 4, which would enshrine abortion rights into the state constitution. The ad, called “Before,” informs voters that they can overturn the state’s six-week abortion limit by voting in favor of the ballot referendum and stresses it’s a “ban where the government decides … not you.” It highlights how early the current restrictions are, a period before many women know they’re pregnant or have seen a doctor. The group didn’t specify the exact buy other than to say it was a multi-million dollar investment. The Republican Party of Florida announced yesterday that it was spending at least $5 million on its counter-messaging campaign. 2026 BALLOT? — “Group behind Medicaid expansion initiative might have to restart petition gathering,” reports Jackie Llanos of the Florida Phoenix. “[Florida Decides Healthcare] said on Monday it received guidance from the [Department of State] in early August that Floridians who signed the petition during the previous attempt couldn’t sign it again unless the group restarts the process with a new petition. TRUMP PROCEEDS TO BACK LEGAL WEED — “Trump throws full support behind Florida pot legalization as DeSantis fights it,” reports POLITICO’s Arek Sarkissian and Mona Zhang. “Trump stopped short of supporting federal decriminalization, but indicated support for reclassifying marijuana under federal law, along with passing banking reform for state-regulated cannabis companies and supporting states’ rights to pass legalization laws.” AFFORDABLE HOUSING  — “With prices high and supply low, can Florida expect help from Harris, Trump housing plans?” by USA Today Network — Florida’s John Kennedy. “Whoever wins the White House in November will likely confront a public expecting immediate change across a wide spectrum of issues. Housing, though, won’t be turned around quickly, experts say.” — “GOP, Dem candidates unite to claim conspiracy in Orange-Osceola State Attorney race,” reports Cristóbal Reyes of the Orlando Sentinel.   Follow us on Twitter Kimberly Leonard @leonardkl   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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