| | | | | |  | | By Gary Fineout | Presented by Standing Up For Florida | Good Tuesday morning. Query — As Florida finds itself caught in another wave of Covid-19 cases, Gov. Ron DeSantis and his administration appear unwilling to answer a question: Has the governor gotten a booster shot? Rewind — DeSantis has bolstered his national political reputation among conservatives as he battled with the Biden administration over vaccine and mask mandates. But when the vaccines were first rolled out, he promoted them heavily — pushing ahead with a successful 'seniors first' strategy — and he eventually acknowledged that he gotten the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine. DeSantis didn't do it on camera, but he told the media "we will let you know when I get the jab." 'Whatever I did' — There's a much different approach these days. When asked on Monday, a spokesperson for the governor said: "I am not privy to the governor's private medical decisions and am unable to share information about his booster status." Christina Pushaw added that "Governor DeSantis has consistently said that vaccination (and by extension, boosters) should be a personal choice, and anyone who has questions or concerns should consult with a healthcare provider." DeSantis was asked directly whether he got a booster when he went on Fox News in mid-December. His answer didn't clear anything up: "So, I've done, whatever I did. The normal shot. And that at the end of the day is peoples' individual decisions about what they want to do." Red states — Let's draw a contrast to the way DeSantis is handling it compared to other Republican governors who — like DeSantis — oppose vaccine mandates. Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp last week started out a update on Omicron by stating he was "fully vaccinated" and "fully boosted" and praised the benefits of vaccines while saying it was still a personal decision. Republican governors Kim Reynolds in Iowa and Pete Ricketts in Nebraska have also gotten a booster shot. Reynolds released a video of her getting the booster. And Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey filmed a public service announcement encouraging Arizonans to get one. No is an answer too — Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt told reporters in his state that he has not gotten a booster shot and he has no plans to get one: "I'm perfectly healthy, and my doctor hasn't told me I need to get it," The Oklahoman newspaper reported. Meanwhile — One red state governor who has also not made it clear whether he's gotten a shot is Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, who is running for reelection and must first get through a GOP primary. Abbott tested positive for Covid-19 in August and one media outlet quoted anonymous sources saying he gotten a booster. Maybe it's just a coincidence that both Abbott and DeSantis are among the names bandied about as potential 2024 Republican nominees for president. — WHERE'S RON? — Nothing official announced for Gov. DeSantis. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for Playbook? Get in touch:gfineout@politico.com | | A Message from Standing Up For Florida: Watch out Florida! Out-of-state gambling interests are spending millions to place two measures on the November 2022 election ballot. These amendments have no guarantees for Floridians, would allow out of control gambling across Florida and would send profits out of state. Read on here. | | |
|  | CORONAVIRUS UPDATES | | THE FLORIDA WAY — "DeSantis downplays COVID-19 vaccines, pushes antibody treatment unproven against omicron," by Palm Beach Post's Gerard Albert III and Chris Persaud: "In his first news conference since the omicron variant surged across Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis badmouthed vaccines while pushing for unproven treatments against the mutated pathogen. 'With omicron, you know, the vaccinations are not preventing infection,' DeSantis said Monday at Broward Health Medical Center. But since the beginning of nationwide vaccine rollouts, doctors and scientists have emphasized that although the virus can infect inoculated people, they offer the best protection against severe illness and death, even for those who catch the heavily mutated omicron variant. Those with booster shots are the most protected, authorities say." — "Gov. DeSantis on media criticism he was MIA in December: 'I guess I should have been at the beach in Delaware,'" by Fox News' Cortney O'Brien — "DeSantis jokes about Dems from strict COVID states visiting Florida after AOC spotted maskless in Miami ," by Fox News' Ronn Blitzer | 
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis - joined by State Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo - announces plan to challenge vaccine mandates proposed by the Biden administration | Gary Fineout/POLITICO | IF IT LOOKS LIKE A SURGE — "Florida COVID update: State breaks another case record, and hospitalizations on the rise," by Miami Herald's Michelle Marchante and Devoun Cetoute: "Florida on Monday reported 85,707 cases and 61 new deaths to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, according to Miami Herald calculations of CDC data. This is the largest multi-day increase of newly reported cases since the pandemic began in March 2020. The previous multi-day record was set during the height of the delta wave last summer when 56,036 cases were reported on Aug. 16. The large increase comes from the CDC backlogging cases and deaths for Florida on Mondays and Thursdays, when multiple days in the past had their totals changed." — "St. Petersburg mayor-elect Ken Welch has COVID-19. His inauguration will be virtual," by Tampa Bay Times' Colleen Wright — "'Extremely busy and backed up': COVID testing sites in Tallahassee inundated after the holidays," by Tallahassee Democrat's Jeff Burlew and Christopher Cann — "Man accused of orchestrating $4.2M COVID relief fraud scheme," by The Associated Press — "Joseph Ladapo suggests COVID-19 testing should prioritize the vulnerable," by Florida Politics' Christine Jordan Sexton — "Florida unemployment claims estimated at 3,982 last week, similar to pre-pandemic claims," by News Service of Florida's Jim Turner — "Gov. DeSantis: College students forced to learn online deserve tuition refunds," by Florida Politics' Jason Delgado | | | | BECOME A GLOBAL INSIDER: The world is more connected than ever. It has never been more essential to identify, unpack and analyze important news, trends and decisions shaping our future — and we've got you covered! Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, Global Insider author Ryan Heath navigates the global news maze and connects you to power players and events changing our world. Don't miss out on this influential global community. Subscribe now. | | | | |
| | ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... | | FORMER DESANTIS AIDE JOINS BALLARD — Courtney Coppola , a former deputy chief of staff for Gov. Ron DeSantis, is joining powerhouse lobbying outfit Ballard Partners. Coppola stepped down from her job in the DeSantis administration in November. She had been chief of staff to former state Surgeon General Scott Rivkees before heading to the governor's office in March 2021 and was once director of the Office of Medical Marijuana Use. "Courtney's extensive and exceptional public service in the DeSantis administration will be invaluable to our firm and its clients," said Brian Ballard, president and founder of Ballard Partners. 'WE ARE NOT LETTING THIS STAND' — "Florida judge dismisses 2015 environmental spending lawsuit," by POLITICO's Bruce Ritchie: A state circuit judge in Leon County on Monday dismissed a lawsuit filed by environmental groups in 2015 challenging state spending under a conservation ballot measure passed overwhelmingly by voters a year earlier. Circuit Judge Layne Smith said the lawsuit involving an estimated $20 billion through 2035 for water and land conservation was moot because the money approved by the Legislature in 2015 already had been spent. Appeal coming — The Sierra Club, which joined the lawsuit filed by the Florida Wildlife Federation and other groups, issued a statement disagreeing with the ruling and said it would appeal. "There is no question — we are not letting this stand," Cris Costello, Sierra Club senior organizing manager, told POLITICO. "We haven't fought this long and hard to be repelled by such a ridiculous decision." — "Is Tampa's tree canopy shrinking because of a change in state law ?" by Tampa Bay Times' Charlie Frago | | | | A Message from Standing Up For Florida:   | | |
| | TRUMPLANDIA AND THE SWAMP | | KEEPING TRACK — "Hundreds of crimes, little punishment: Inside the sentences since the Capitol attack," by POLITICO's Nick Niedzwiadek: More than 150 people have pleaded guilty to storming the Capitol on Jan. 6, but relatively few defendants have received prison time for their role in the insurrection. A POLITICO analysis of every sentence to date in the Capitol riot shows that judges have been wary about imposing long prison terms except when violence, or the threat of it, was involved. A little over half of defendants who have pleaded guilty are still awaiting sentencing, and some of the most serious cases of violence against police officers are still awaiting their fate, so the length of prison time for the most serious offenders may change. Additional sentencing hearings are booked for the early months of this year, and many more are expected to be added as defendants reach plea deals with prosecutors or are found guilty at trial. | 
Police with guns drawn face off against rioters trying to break into the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, on Jan. 6, 2021. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) | J. Scott Applewhite/AP Photo | PROSECUTION STRATEGY — "Why DOJ is avoiding domestic terrorism sentences for Jan. 6 defendants," by POLITICO's Josh Gerstein: The storming of the Capitol on Jan. 6 has been denounced by the White House, the FBI and the Justice Department as an act of domestic terrorism, but one year after the insurrection, prosecutors have yet to ask judges to impose the harsher sentences federal law recommends for defendants motivated by politics. Instead, even as some judges have publicly debated whether the charges against Jan. 6 defendants qualify as "crimes of terrorism," prosecutors have repeatedly pulled back on tougher sentences, citing unspecified "facts and circumstances." — " Seeking jail time, prosecutor details First Coast man's role in U.S. Capitol riot," by Florida Times-Union's Steve Patterson — "Modified release for Naples man charged in Jan. 6 insurrection called 'denial' of civil rights," by Naples Daily News' Michael Braun | | PENINSULA AND BEYOND | | MOVING AHEAD — "Federal judge denies University of Florida's attempt to throw out free speech lawsuit," by POLITICO's Andrew Atterbury: A federal judge on Monday refused to throw out a lawsuit brought by University of Florida professors claiming the flagship school has violated their freedom of speech, clearing the way for a court battle to begin later this week in the high-profile case that embroiled the DeSantis administration. Three University of Florida professors originally sued the school in November alleging university leaders committed a "brazen violation" of their First Amendment rights and academic freedoms by blocking them from testifying as experts in a lawsuit challenging a voter rights bill backed by Gov. Ron DeSantis. RISING PROFILE — "Miami Mayor Francis Suarez inaugurated as president of U.S. Conference of Mayors," by Miami Herald's Joey Flechas: "[Francis] Suarez cast himself as a scrappy public servant whose strength was forged in adversity before his moment in the spotlight, which just got a bit brighter. He now holds a leadership role in a nationwide organization of municipal leaders that in 2009 detailed which projects should benefit from a federal stimulus package during the Great Recession. The conference could be seen as the City Hall lobby, working to steer federal sources to local governments, away from partisan fights in Washington. Suarez had another description. 'We are like a mayoral support group,' the mayor said." PAUSE — "New lawyers ask delay in February repeat trial for ex-U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown," by Florida Times-Union's Steve Patterson: "Lawyers for former U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown are asking a federal judge to delay a February repeat trial on fraud charges that originally led to her imprisonment. U.S. Magistrate James Klindt appointed attorneys Richard Komando and Sandra K. Young to represent the 12-term Jacksonville congresswoman Nov. 29, and a motion filed Monday said that the pair 'received voluminous discovery on Dec. 22.' Discovery refers to evidence the opposing side of a court case has assembled for a trial." 'POTENTIAL LIABILITY' — "Airbnb, a flagship of U.S. engagement with Cuba, fined for 'apparent' embargo violations," by El Nuevo Herald's Nora Gamez Torres: "Once the symbol of U.S. economic engagement with Cuba under the Obama administration, vacation rental company Airbnb has been fined by the Treasury Department for apparent violations of the U.S. embargo, the Office of Foreign Assets Control said Monday. OFAC said in a statement that the company agreed to pay $91,172.29 to settle 'its potential civil liability for apparent violations of sanctions against Cuba.' The violations included accepting reservations from guests traveling to the island outside the current 12 authorized categories and failing to keep certain records." — "Broward schools to use metal detectors to combat uptick in weapons," by Sun Sentinel's Scott Travis | | | | 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. | | | | |
| | MEDIA MATTERS | | NEW OWNERS FOR CAPITAL NEWS MAINSTAY — GovExec, an information services company, announced on Monday that it has acquired News Service of Florida, a subscription-based digital news operation that first started in 2008. In a statement, the company said News Service — which includes one of the largest news staffs in Tallahassee — would become part of GovExec's City & State platform that already operates in New York and Pennsylvania. The statement added that News Service would continue to provide coverage but that would also launch City & State Florida. TRANSITIONS — Gregg Birnbaum is joining the University of Florida in January as a journalism instructor on "Fresh Take Florida," a news service run by the College of Journalism and Communications. Birnbaum, an NBC and POLITICO alum, is also an adjunct professor in the department of journalism at CUNY's Baruch College and most recently was acting business editor for the Miami Herald … Victoria Scott has been named an on-air reporter for NBC affiliate WJHG-TV in Panama City Beach. She most recently received her masters in journalism from the University of Miami … Jake Stofan, who worked as a state capital reporter for Capitol News Service for the past five years, has started a new job with Action News Jax, which provides news to two Jacksonville affiliates … Emily Mahoney is now political editor for The Tampa Bay Times. Mahoney had been the real estate reporter for the Times and also worked in the news organization's Tallahassee bureau … Allison Ross, who had been the state accountability reporter for the Tampa Bay Times, started on Monday as the editor of the state government and politics team. | | ...HURRICANE HOLE... | | SIGH — "Early 2022 hurricane forecast: La Niña, the AMO and 'bazillion' caveats are all in play," by Palm Beach Post's Kimberly Miller: "A gluttonous spate of hurricane activity may continue in 2022 with an early review of the atmosphere seeing ingredients for a repeat of tropical tumult. Colorado State University, which issues an annual December discussion looking ahead to the hurricane season that begins June 1, is predicting a 25% chance that it will outdo the average season and a 40% chance it will meet the average benchmark of 14 named storms, including seven hurricanes." | | A Message from Standing Up For Florida: Watch Out Florida
Don't Sign The Gambling Petitions
Out-of-state gambling interests combined have spent over $54 million on petition drives to place two amendments on the Florida ballot.
These outside gambling groups are asking Florida voters to sign gambling petitions to place their two amendments on the ballot. However, the gambling amendments being proposed have no financial guarantees for Florida and would send profits to out-of-state gaming companies instead of keeping them local. The gambling amendments include many misleading promises for education funding, similar to the lottery, and would change our Florida Constitution.
Watch Out Florida – these out-of-state gambling interests will spend, say or do anything to win. Don't sign the gambling petitions. Keep reading here. | | |
| | ODDS, ENDS, AND FLORIDA MEN | | BIRTHDAYS: Peter Schorsch, president of Extensive Enterprises and publisher of Florida Politics … POLITICO's David Kihara
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