| | | | |  | | By Gary Fineout | Presented by CVS Health | Good Friday morning. Message in a bottle — Charlie Crist wants to talk about the economy and pocketbook issues. Will anybody care? Invisible sun — The Democratic congressman and candidate for governor stood on the steps of the old Capitol on Thursday to outline the third part of what he's calling his "Affordable Florida for All" campaign platform. Spirits in the material world — "People are being squeezed," Crist said while announcing ideas that he contends would deal with Florida's rising property rates. (One of the ideas, ironically enough, was pushed by a Republican legislator unsuccessfully a few hours later.) Previous parts of Crist's plan have been aimed at the state's affordable housing crisis and look to upend the current system of how utilities are regulated. Walking in your footsteps — Crist's decision to embrace a form of economic populism — while at the same time spreading a message that Gov. Ron DeSantis is more interested in the 2024 presidential race than issues Floridians care about — is a throwback to his first run as governor (and when he was a Republican). In 2006, Crist focused on rising property taxes and property insurance rates. Demolition man — But the political landscape has changed dramatically since then. Media coverage — even at the state level — has skewed sharply so it's all about partisanship and clickbait and outrage. Issues don't matter as much to many press outlets (and yes, I know many of you will point at this one). Only four reporters — and just one television camera — showed up for Crist's event. He was competing with a Florida Legislature that is now wading deep into the culture wars, and a governor whose clashes with President Joe Biden and response to Covid-19 have made him a rising national GOP star. Don't stand so close to me — Crist acknowledged the combativeness that is now part of politics and wished that everyone would "stop the screaming and yelling at each other." He pivoted to DeSantis and said "every time he gives a press conference the guy looks angry. I don't know what's wrong. That's his style, but it's not mine." But he also contended that Floridians are "frustrated" and "nobody seems to have their back." When the world is running down — Look, there can be little doubt that Florida appears to be stumbling down the same path as California with the cost of living in paradise continues to skew higher. Crist's main Democratic rival — Nikki Fried — has touched on these issues as well but her campaign is more about being a louder critic and antagonist of DeSantis. Bring on the night — The problem for Crist is that DeSantis already has the power of incumbency, a huge campaign fundraising advantage, and will continue to garner widespread national television attention. Crist continues to cross the state, meet with local voters and campaign the old-fashioned way. But unless Crist says something over the top about DeSantis, he'll have a hard time getting earned media to pay attention. — WHERE'S RON? — Gov. DeSantis is holding a press conference with Department of Economic Opportunity Secretary Dane Eagle in Hollywood. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for Playbook? Get in touch: gfineout@politico.com
| | A message from CVS Health: Throughout the pandemic, in communities across the country, CVS Health has been there. We've opened more than 4,800 COVID-19 test sites, administered 41 million tests and given 50 million vaccines. We've expanded access to prenatal and postpartum care via telemedicine, increased remote access to mental health services and invested in affordable housing to help build healthier communities. We've been on the frontlines, making health care easier to access and afford. Learn more. | | | |  | ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... | | INTERRUPTED — " Student activists disrupt Florida 15-week abortion ban hearing," by Tampa Bay Times' Kirby Wilson: "Activists with Students for a Democratic Society staged a protest in the middle of a Florida House committee meeting Thursday as lawmakers were taking up a controversial bill banning abortions after 15 weeks. After less than half an hour of public testimony, Bryan Avila, R-Miami Springs, chairperson of the Health Care Appropriations Subcommittee, said he would have to cut public feedback short in the interest of keeping the meeting to its scheduled two hours. Response — "Students from around Florida, many of whom had already testified against the bill, were outraged. They began chanting, 'Let her speak!' drowning Avila out. With the committee unable to continue its business, the meeting was briefly paused while law enforcement escorted the students from the room." FOR YOUR RADAR — "$1B Cat Fund fight erupts as Florida grapples with property insurance rates," by POLITICO's Matt Dixon: A fight over how to help shore up Florida's ailing property insurance market quickly popped up — then died — Thursday in the Senate's top budget-writing committee, but the multi-billion dollar conflict is going nowhere. Sen. Jeff Brandes (R-St. Petersburg) filed an amendment Wednesday to a sweeping Senate insurance bill (SB 468) sponsored by Keith Perry (R-Gainesville) he said would save Florida homeowners up to $1 billion annually by suspending a surcharge, known as "rapid cash buildup." The surcharge is imposed by the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund, or Cat Fund, to insurance companies who buy reinsurance from the fund. MOUNT TALLAHASSEE — " Senate passes, sends 'ultimate' preemption bills to House," by POLITICO's Bruce Ritchie: The Florida Senate voted Thursday largely along party lines to pass a pair of pro-business bills that are a priority of Senate President Wilton Simpson. The bills, described as the "ultimate" preemption bills by some supporters and opponents, boost challenges to local ordinances that harm businesses. The Florida League of Cities and Florida Association of Counties had opposed the bills but dropped their resistance amid changes. WHAT'S IN YOUR WALLET? — " Florida GOP lawmakers float affordable housing fixes as 2022 midterms approach," by POLITICO's Matt Dixon: Rent is too damn high in Florida, on that everyone agrees. What to do about it, though, is a matter of heated debate — one likely to continue to play out during the 2022 midterms. The Florida Senate is quickly moving Legislation (SB1150) that would offer tax incentives for developers who build affordable housing complexes, but the proposal has gotten little traction in the House and even Democrats who support the measure say it does not go far enough. SERIOUSLY? — " Republicans may prevent Broward's new Democratic lawmaker from participating in annual legislative session after all," by Sun Sentinel's Anthony Man: "Republicans who control most of state government aren't prepared to let newly Broward's newly elected Democratic state representative, Daryl Campbell, take office during the current legislative session. Campbell's Jan. 11 election was certified on Tuesday by the state Elections Canvassing Commission. But Florida Secretary of State Laurel Lee won't send a letter to the Florida House of Representatives declaring Campbell as the winner until at least March 8." DON'T SPEAK— " Florida GOP aims to curtail school lesson on sex, gender," by The Associated Press' Anthony Izaguirre and Lindsay Whitehurst: "Florida Republicans want to forbid discussions of sexual orientation or gender identity in schools with a bill that activists say endangers children and echoes a previous wave of laws that sought to squelch LGBTQ conversations in the classroom. Activists have dubbed the proposal moving through Florida's GOP-controlled statehouse as the 'Don't Say Gay' bill, and it has attracted condemnation on social media and from Chasten Buttigieg, the husband of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg." AND HOW DID THAT WORK OUT? — "Florida may allow school-zone cameras. They work like red-light cameras," by Tampa Bay Times' Anastasia Dawson: "Speeders beware. A bill that would allow Florida school districts to install speed detection cameras in school zones is one step closer to becoming law after breezing through its second state Senate subcommittee hearing Wednesday with unanimous support. Should the bipartisan bill (SB 410) get the green light from state lawmakers, counties and municipalities across the state could begin installing the cameras in and around school zones by this summer." GATOR GROWL— " Wilton Simpson pokes Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo over manners, promises Senate will vote on confirmation," by Florida Politics' Christine Jordan Sexton: "[Senate President Wilton] Simpson last fall criticized [Joseph] Ladapo as 'unprofessional' after he refused to wear a mask during a meeting with Sen. Tina Polsky, a Boca Raton Democrat, in her office. Polsky made the request because she is battling cancer. Simpson repeated his criticism that Ladapo's actions — which he has not apologized for — were wrong. But he also called it a 'rookie mistake' before zinging him over his credentials. 'You know, he went to Harvard, not the University of Florida,' Simpson said. 'And had he went to the University of Florida, he probably would have had better manners. But since he didn't, we give him a pass." — " House panel OKs watered-down Miya's Law, but supporters remain optimistic," by Orlando Sentinel's Skyler Swisher — " Dept. of Education employee spent $90,000 in grant money for 'personal benefit,'" by Florida Politics' Jason Delgado — " Senate decides churches should stay open during future emergencies if businesses are," by News Service of Florida's Jim Turner — " Florida Senate passes strawberry shortcake bill ," by The Associated Press — "'A recipe for corruption': Professors slam presidential search exemption bill at final Senate committee," by Florida Politics Kelly Hayes — "Casey DeSantis highlights governor's $100M proposal for cancer centers during Jacksonville visit ," by News4Jax's Mary Baer — " Cryptocurrency dip doesn't dampen Gov. DeSantis's push to embrace digital money," by Florida Politics' Gray Rohrer — " Hundreds, maybe thousands, of Florida Medicaid kids are at risk of losing care," by Barred Owl Press' Alexandra Glorioso
| | | | JOIN TODAY TO HEAR FROM GOVERNORS ACROSS AMERICA : As we head into the third year of the pandemic, state governors are taking varying approaches to public health measures including vaccine and mask mandates. "The Fifty: America's Governors" is a series of live conversations featuring various governors on the unique challenges they face as they take the lead and command the national spotlight in historic ways. Learn what is working and what is not from the governors on the front lines, REGISTER HERE. | | | | | | | CAMPAIGN MODE | | HOW IT PLAYS OUT — " What will a Supreme Court pick mean for Senate races? Maybe nothing," by POLITICO's Natalie Allison: Some Republicans have already signaled their intention to move toward a [Brett] Kavanaugh-style war footing — Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.), the chair of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, quickly released a statement Wednesday predicting that Biden will nominate a "radical liberal with extremist views," and that party leadership will "force all Democrats to obey and walk the plank in support" of Biden's nominee. — "Brevard woman arrested after voting on behalf of son in 2020 election, deputies say," by Florida Today's Finch Walker — " Florida Rep. Eskamani appears to be considering run for Congress," by The Floridian's Javier Manjarres | | | |   | | | | | DATELINE D.C. | | RUBIO REPORT — Sen. Marco Rubio took to Twitter on Thursday to talk about his legislative successes from 2021 because "most of Florida media ignores what I get done…" Rubio's office noted that the Republican got six bills passed, including one that cracks down on Chinese government's genocide of Uyghur Muslims. Rubio's retort about the Florida media comes even though he frequently appears on many national television networks such as Fox News. From D.C. Playbook — SPOTTED at a surprise celebration for new Congressional Black Caucus Executive Director Vincent Evans on Thursday night, which included a cake in the shape of the Capitol: Cristóbal Alex, Symone Sanders, Michael Collins, John McCarthy, Kamau Marshall, Katie Petrelius, Jotaka Eaddy, Karen Andre, Sharon Weber, Laura Jimenez, Tasha Cole, Michael Reed, Erin Wilson, Trey Baker, Sabrina Singh, Greg Schultz, Allie Panther and a virtual video from Michelle Kwan. Pic TRANSITIONS — Sarah Hodgkins is joining the American Gastroenterological Association as director of government affairs. She previously was a senior legislative assistant for Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart.
| | CORONAVIRUS UPDATES | | The daily rundown — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said there were 28,113 Covid-19 infections reported on Wednesday. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reported that 10,287 hospital beds were being used in the state for Covid-19 patients. — " Florida appeals court says no 'legal right' to force use of ivermectin for COVID patient," by News Service of Florida's Jim Saunders
| | | | STEP INSIDE THE WEST WING: What's really happening in West Wing offices? Find out who's up, who's down, and who really has the president's ear in our West Wing Playbook newsletter, the insider's guide to the Biden White House and Cabinet. For buzzy nuggets and details that you won't find anywhere else, subscribe today. | | | | | | | PENINSULA AND BEYOND | | NO. 1 — " With 2.7 million residents covered, Florida leads nation in 2022 'Obamacare' enrollment," by Florida Politics Christine Jordan Sexton: "Florida once again led the nation in the number of residents who signed up for individual health insurance coverage during the 2022 open enrollment period. Data released Thursday morning shows 2,723,094 Florida residents signed up for, or were re-enrolled in, health insurance through the federal health exchange for 2022. Nationally, about 14.5 million Americans signed up for individual health insurance policies during the open enrollment period, which ran from Nov. 1 through Jan. 15. Data shows that 2.98 million people were new customers." HORRIBLE— " Coast Guard ends migrant search after 5 bodies found, 34 more feared dead off Florida," by FLKeysNews.com's David Goodhue and El Nuevo Herald's Sonia Osoria: The U.S. Coast Guard suspended its search Thursday night for dozens of migrants who disappeared in the ocean after their boat capsized about 40 miles off Fort Pierce Inlet shortly after it left the Bahamas en route to Florida. Five bodies have been recovered since Wednesday and one survivor was rescued. There were 40 migrants on the boat when it capsized. The Coast Guard had said during an afternoon news briefing in Miami Beach that there was little chance any more survivors would be located other than the one man found resting on the bow of the overturned 25-foot vessel." — " Lawyers for J.T. Burnette ask 11th Circuit to overturn conviction on corruption charges," by Tallahassee Democrat's Jeff Burlew — " Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony fires deputy union boss; criminal search warrant issued at agency's office," by Sun Sentinel's Eileen Kelly — " Pensacola inches closer to creating electric utility amid anger toward FPL rate increase," by Pensacola News Journal's Jim Little
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Healthier Happens Together. Learn more. | | | | | ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN | | — "Palm Beach County clerk seeks to punish Post for pursuing Jeffrey Epstein records," by Palm Beach Post's Jane Musgrave: "Despite insisting he wants the public to know why serial molester Jeffrey Epstein escaped serious punishment 15 years ago, Palm Beach County Clerk of Courts Joe Abruzzo wants to punish The Palm Beach Post for trying to open secret records that could do just that. In a motion for sanctions filed last week, Abruzzo is asking Circuit Judge Donald Hafele to make The Post pay the Tampa law firm he hired to successfully fight the newspaper's request to release transcripts of a 2006 grand jury hearing." BIRTHDAYS: Helen Kalla, deputy communications director with the DCCC … Jason Lyons, chairman of Lyons Capital ... Alexandra Thornton … Reginald Darby, senior director of government relations for Humanity Forward … (Saturday) State Rep. Christopher Benjamin … Natalie Kelly, CEO of the Florida Association of Managing Entities … John Bozzo, former staff writer for Daytona Beach News-Journal ... (Sunday) Former state Sen. Perry Thurston … Mario Rubio, regional managing director Department of Children and Families | | | | 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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