| | | | |  | | By Kimberly Leonard | | Presented by |  | | | |  A resident boards up his windows in Palm Harbor, Florida, ahead of Hurricane Milton's expected mid-week landfall on October 6, 2024. | Bryan R. Smith/AFP via Getty Images | Good morning and welcome to Monday. Florida is staring down another hurricane, less than two weeks after Hurricane Helene made landfall here. Hurricane Milton is expected to strengthen to a Category 4 storm but weaken before making landfall in Florida on Wednesday afternoon, according to the most recent forecast from the National Hurricane Center. Considerable uncertainty remains about the exact path Milton will take, but the area where it does make landfall is expected to face about 10 feet of storm surge. Michael Brennan, director of the National Hurricane Center, said Sunday that areas north of Tampa to Fort Myers were vulnerable to “significant, life-threatening impacts” as early as Tuesday, and projected the hurricane would reach the Atlantic Ocean by Thursday. With Helene, Tampa Bay and other Gulf communities never got a direct hit, but were still devastated because the storm was so large that it carried water onto shore far away from landfall in the Big Bend. Likewise, Milton’s effects are expected to be widespread across Florida far outside the cone, resulting in torrential rain, flooding and power outages. “The entire Peninsula, the entire west coast, has the potential to have major, major impact because of the storm surge,” Gov. Ron DeSantis said Sunday during a press conference in Tallahassee. One of the biggest concerns elected officials are raising for hurricane-weary Florida is the amount of debris still left from Helene — the couches, tables, electronics and other belongings that people couldn’t salvage from their homes and piled onto the street for trash removal, reports POLITICO’s Arek Sarkissian. These piles create a fresh round of hazard for this storm, given that strong winds and water can turn the debris into projectiles launched into homes and businesses. “When water comes in, it just pushes everything — it’s like a wall. So it’s going to be a big problem if the debris doesn’t get picked up,” Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.), a former governor who oversaw the response to several storms while in office, said in a briefing with other elected officials in Tampa. To help prepare, DeSantis on Saturday ordered landfills to stay open for 24 hours and sent in the Florida national and state guards to help clear debris. He also indicated that after the storm more help may need to come from faraway states, given that so many first responders have been deployed to North Carolina and Tennessee. “Some of these other states still have a lot of people without power so there are crews working in some of those other states,” DeSantis said. “That just means it may be a little more challenging getting people here.” The hurricane postponed a townhall former President Donald Trump had booked for Tuesday with Univision in Doral. A Latino summit the campaign has planned at Trump National Doral is still on, as of Monday morning. Rep. Maxwell Frost (D-Fla.), whose district includes Orlando, announced he was pausing all campaign activity to have his staff help with storm preparation and clean up. Civil rights groups on Friday sent a letter to DeSantis and Secretary of State Cord Byrd calling for Florida to extend the voter registration deadline, which is otherwise slated for midnight today. WHERE’S RON? Gov. DeSantis is holding a press conference at 9:30 a.m. at the Emergency Operations Center with Florida Division of Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie. 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. | | | |  | ...HURRICANE HOLE... | | |  FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell speaks during the daily press briefing at the White House on September 26, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Photo by ) | Win McNamee/Getty Images | FED READY — “FEMA ‘prepared to pay every penny’ of Helene flood insurance claims,” by POLITICO’s Jasper Goodman. “FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program has enough financial resources to pay out claims it expects to receive following the devastating flooding brought by Hurricane Helene, the agency said Friday … As of last month, the NFIP’s capacity to pay claims was $14.8 billion without seeking additional assistance from Congress, according to the FEMA spokesperson. It had $4.9 billion of its own funds and $9.9 billion in Treasury borrowing authority.” AFTER THE STORM — “Homeowners hit by Helene are in for an insurance claim shock,” by The Wall Street Journal’s Jean Eaglesham. “Homeowners are rushing to file insurance claims after Hurricane Helene left a trail of destruction across six states. Many of them will likely be left empty-handed. Property insurers in recent years have hollowed out coverage and sharply increased rates to make up for steep underwriting losses driven by natural disasters. Owners of homes and businesses slammed by Helene could be in for a nasty shock when they check the small print of their policies.” SHELTERING OPTIONS — “Airbnb offering free temporary housing to displaced Hurricane Helene survivors,” reports Elena Barrera of the Tallahassee Democrat. “Efforts are coordinated by Airbnb.org, a non-profit organization independent of Airbnb that launched in 2020. The organization works with local non-profits and contact centers to identify the people who are most in need of temporary housing … through donations the organization receives, Airbnb.org provides a credit to families that they can use to pay for an Airbnb of their choice.” — “Hurricane guns: DeSantis orders no suspensions, no limits on gun sales during storm,” by the Orlando Sentinel’s Jeffrey Schweers. — “How FSU, FAMU helped after Helene with rescue and recovery, mental health efforts,” by Tarah Jean of the Tallahassee Democrat.
| | ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... | | IN LIMBO — “Florida's restrictions on trans care will continue after court refuses to reconsider stay,” by Jim Saunders of News Service of Florida. “A federal appeals court Thursday refused to reconsider a decision that allowed Florida to restrict treatments for people with gender dysphoria while a legal battle about the restrictions plays out. A three-judge panel of the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in August granted Florida’s request for a stay of a ruling by U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle that blocked the restrictions. The stay effectively meant the restrictions on treatments such as puberty blockers and hormone therapy could be in effect while the Atlanta-based court considers an underlying appeal of Hinkle’s ruling.” FINANCIAL QUESTIONS — “Paula Stark, an Osceola lawmaker seeking reelection, faces spending questions,” by the Orlando Sentinel’s Jeffrey Schweers. “Stark’s political action committee — raising money for her 2024 campaign — has racked up more than $23,000 in late fines through July. It has also spent money on expenses experts say could violate Florida campaign rules, including a rental house in Tallahassee and travel to the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. The committee is run by her long-time, live-in boyfriend, who former aides also said was involved in day-to-day legislative staff operations.” … Her response … “Stark, who ran the Osceola News Gazette for more than 20 years, blames the office account problems on aides she has since fired and on her effort to balance her new legislative duties with her long-time job running St. Cloud Main Street. She said she is not in charge of her political committee, but experts said as the beneficiary she is responsible for its spending.” FRANK ARTILES CASE — “A fake Florida candidate scheme was broad. Does ex-senator’s conviction end the case?” by the Miami Herald’s Ana Ceballos. “With another election just weeks away, the former Democratic lawmaker hurt by the scheme says the elements that allowed so-called ‘ghost candidates’ to flourish in 2020 remain legal and largely unaddressed by Florida’s Republican-dominated Legislature. And it’s unclear whether investigators intend to continue pulling the threads of an investigation that at different times roped in prominent political consultants, the state’s largest utility and the official campaign committee for Florida’s Republican senators.”
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Florida State Sen. Jason Pizzo is seen during a hearing at the Florida State Capitol in Tallahassee, Fla., Jan. 9, 2024. | Francis Chung/POLITICO via AP Images | AMENDMENT 3 — “Pizzo to file court order against Florida's alleged use of taxpayer dollars in anti-marijuana campaign,” reports Liv Caputo of The Floridian. “Sen. Jason Pizzo, a Democrat firebrand and likely candidate for governor in 2026, will file a court order against the State of Florida for allegedly misusing taxpayer dollars to fund an advertisement opposing a ballot initiative legalizing recreational marijuana. In other words, for supposedly using Floridians’ money to campaign against the citizen-led referendum, called Amendment 3.” NEW QUALITY MEASUREMENT — “Florida looks to improve pre-K quality with new preschool ratings,” by the Orlando Sentinel’s Michael Cuglietta. “For decades, Florida faced criticism for judging the quality of its pre-K program on a ‘readiness’ test given to young students after they started kindergarten. It was a system, critics argued, that penalized preschools serving the kids who struggle the most — often those from low-income families. Now, the state is debuting a new rating system that gives more credit for the progress these fledgling students make over the course of their time in preschool. Advocates and educators say the changes should boost preschools that serve challenging populations, leading to better pre-K education across the board.” REPLICA UP — “200 years in the making: Reimagined log cabin legislature rises in Tallahassee,” by Arianna Otero of the Tallahassee Democrat. “There were months of construction and a hurricane-forced delay but the reimagining of Florida's first Capitol was finally debuted to the public on Friday. A ribbon-cutting ceremony for the structure, built to resemble the log cabin that was the first state government headquarters, was led by Tallahassee Mayor John Dailey at Cascades park. It's part of the celebration for Tallahassee-Leon County's 200th anniversary.” — “‘I solved a problem’: How national conservative pundit [Dan Bongino] got tied to state park golf course,” by Jack Lemnus of Treasure Coast Newspapers.
| | | | A message from Uber:   | | | | | PENINSULA AND BEYOND | | TODAY — The Institute for Pediatric Rare Diseases at FSU Health is hosting a pediatric rare disease symposium, which is aimed at helping to inform state policy. State Rep. Adam Anderson, a Republican, will open the event and give the Institute a $5 million appropriation from the state. OCT 7 — “South Florida Jews mark a dark anniversary. For many, it’s sparked a reawakening of faith,” by the Miami Herald’s Lauren Costantino. “As Jews across South Florida gather this month to celebrate the High Holy Days, the tragedies of a terror attack and escalating war in the Middle East loom over the festivities: There are painful memories of a horrific day but also a stronger sense of unity and, for many, a return to faith.” HUMANITARIAN PAROLE PROGRAM — “Biden won't extend two-year program for Haitian, Cuban, Venezuelan and Nicaraguan migrants,” by Colleen Long of The Associated Press. “The Biden administration will not extend a two-year program that allows migrants from Venezuela, Haiti, Cuba and Nicaragua into the U.S. if they came by plane with sponsorship. The decision has major implications for South Florida, home to the largest Venezuelan, Cuban, Haitian and Nicaraguan communities in the nation.”
| | CAMPAIGN MODE | | FIRST IN PLAYBOOK — Florida Democrats and Harris for Florida just released a memo about where they see the election less than 30 days out. This morning they’re announcing a six-figure investment in paid media and organizing efforts toward the state’s Haitian population. This past weekend, Harris for Florida also opened new campaign offices in Miami, Jacksonville and Pensacola, and sent 82 more staffers to the state. They report that since Vice President Kamala Harris became the nominee they knocked on 1.1 million doors, made 3.7 million phone calls and sent 11 million texts. An estimated 150,000 volunteers are working across the various campaigns when looking from down ballot to the top of the ticket. ‘THE PARTY NEEDS TO SHAPE UP’ — “‘A community in crisis.’ Florida Haitians feel attacked by Trump, overlooked by Harris,” by the Miami Herald’s Max Greenwood and Jacqueline Charles. “The onslaught by [former President Donald] Trump and his campaign has thrust Haitians in Florida and around the country into the national political debate over immigration – an issue that Trump has kept at the core of his political brand since he launched his first presidential campaign in 2015 with a speech deriding Mexican immigrants as ‘rapists’ and criminals. Yet the response from national Democrats — including Trump’s rival in the November election, Vice President Kamala Harris — has been relatively muted. In Florida, which has the largest Haitian population in the U.S., Harris’ campaign has yet to invest in advertising or voter-turnout efforts geared toward mobilizing Haitian-American voters — and prominent members of Florida’s Haitian community have taken notice.” STATE ATTORNEY ELECTION — “Campaign ad attacks, but distorts, Tampa prosecutor’s handling of riots, protests,” by the Tampa Bay Times’ Dan Sullivan. “An ad published this week by the campaign of Hillsborough State Attorney Suzy Lopez creates a damning portrait of her predecessor’s handling of riot cases in the summer of 2020. But the video distorts what ousted State Attorney Andrew Warren did that year, creating the false impression that he refused to prosecute people for riot-related violence, theft and vandalism. It plays on a theme of Lopez’s campaign — that Warren refused to do his job.”
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President Joe Biden greets Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., and others, in Keaton Beach, Fla., Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, during his tour of areas impacted by Hurricane Helene. | Susan Walsh/AP Photo | SENATE RACE — “After Hurricane Helene, election nearing, Rick Scott talks a little louder about climate change,” by John Kennedy of USA Today Network — Florida. “Just weeks before he goes before voters seeking reelection, Sen. Rick Scott edged slightly away from his long-held stance of minimizing the impact of climate change. But what it means to Floridians still reeling from the impact of Hurricane Helene is almost anyone’s guess. Scott’s campaign said his shift may not mean much policy-wise going forward. And environmentalists also expect little change from the Republican senator.” WILL A SENATE DEBATE HAPPEN? — “Mucarsel-Powell calls Rick Scott’s reluctance to debate a ‘dereliction of duty,’” by Mitch Perry of the Florida Phoenix. “Nursing a steady lead in the polls, GOP incumbent Rick Scott seems content to deprive his Democratic rival, former U.S. Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, of the oxygen and exposure her candidacy would get in a setting viewable by voters up and down the state. But she isn’t ready to concede that possibility just yet.” ‘FLORIDA, FLORIDA, FLORIDA’ — “Amid skepticism, DNC chief explains why he thinks party plans election 'surprise' in Florida,” by Antonio Fins of the Palm Beach Post. Democratic National Committee Chair Jaime Harrison “noted the outpouring of volunteers, more than 40,000, who have joined the Harris-Walz campaign since July. Among the demographic groups they are targeting are the 1.1 million Puerto Rican and over 300,000 Haitian-American voters in the state.”
| | | | 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. | | | | | ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN | | BIRTHDAYS: Jim Rosica, news director at the Tallahassee Democrat ... Allen Douglas, executive director Florida Engineering Society. | | | | 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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