| | | | | |  | | By Gary Fineout | Presented by Standing Up For Florida | Good Thursday morning. OK, here's a made-in-Florida piece of drama that folds in the state's largest electric utility, a well-known news organizations (and a veteran reporter), the Republican Senate president seeking higher office, redistricting, and oh, the "ghost candidate" scandal about the 2020 elections. It starts with Florida Power & Light, a powerful political player and donor with a good relationship with the state's Republican leaders. FPL launched a webpage — labeled "Truth Matters" — on Wednesday that lashed out at the Miami Herald, and contends the news organization's Tallahassee bureau chief Mary Ellen Klas is biased against them. The news site Florida Politics was the first to report the creation of the site and its contents. An FPL spokesman acknowledged that this marked the first time the utility "felt the need to do this" but it was angered by a Dec. 20 Herald story on proposed legislation dealing with rooftop solar. That article says that FPL is backing an effort to hamstring the emerging industry. FPL says it offered up an opinion piece challenging the article, only to have it appear in a heavily edited form in the "letters to the editor" section that was never placed online. "We want to have good relations with the media," said David Reuter, chief communications officer with FPL. "It seems like they are trying to hide something from their readers. We think that's unacceptable." FPL's feud with the Herald, however, prompted the utility to file a public records request with the Florida Senate, which turned over a Nov. 22 letter from Senate President Wilton Simpson to Miami Herald executive editor Monica Richardson complaining about Klas for her coverage on redistricting efforts. FPL also got an audio recording of a brief exchange between Klas and state Sen. Randolph Bracy, an Orlando Democrat running for Congress, that was recorded by a top aide to Simpson. In his letter, Simpson, who is running for agriculture commissioner, said that Klas' questioning had "crossed the line of reporting and informing to advocating for organizations that will bring litigation against the Legislature." The Senate had not publicized this letter. But FPL put the letter — and the recording — on the webpage going after Klas and Herald to show what they called her "troubling conduct." Reuter said FPL heard about the letter and exchange "through the grapevine" and decided to ask the Senate for the documents. But it turns out FPL didn't just make a records request for the Herald material. Lawyers for the utility also asked for any documents exchanged between the Senate and three other news organizations: the Orlando Sentinel, The Florida Times-Union and The Tampa Bay Times. Reuter explained that this was part on an internal investigation that was launched in the wake of a series of stories raising questions about whether FPL helped finance a scheme to bolster "ghost" candidates that were used to siphon off votes from Democratic state Senate candidates in 2020. Reuter said that investigation has shown that no one in the company did anything wrong. "As part of those investigations we have not fully understand where all this information is coming from," he said. The Miami Herald shot back at FPL on Wednesday evening. Richardson, the executive editor, said the paper did not print the entire opinion piece by the utility because it went beyond just the article about rooftop solar and net metering and "was an attempt to smear Klas' work and her reputation." Richardson defended Klas' "hard-nosed accountability" reporting and has for years. "At the Herald we're used to criticism, too," she said in a statement. "But this criticism has crossed the line into an unfair attack on the Herald, as well as a personal attack on a well-respected member of the Herald staff." Richardson also defended the questioning Klas did of Bracy about redistricting: "Simpson alleges that comments and questions made by Klas were inappropriate for a journalist. As I told the senator in my written reply, the Herald disagrees. Klas, who covered the last reapportionment process that was a legal quagmire for the Senate, was using her experience in that coverage to inform her work this time around. And her conversation with Bracy reflects that." — WHERE'S RON? — Gov. DeSantis is holding a press conference in West Palm Beach with state Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo. 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. | | |
|  | DRIVING THE DAY | | ANNIVERSARY — "A year after attack, Floridians in Congress reflect on 'fragile' democracy, fallout," by McClatchy D.C.'s Brian Lowry: "One year after rioters attacked the U.S. Capitol in a violent attempt to overturn the 2020 election, Florida Democrats are reflecting on the fragility of democracy and the unfinished fight for accountability. Their Republican colleagues kept their focus on gaps in Capitol security for the somber anniversary rather than the motivations behind the unprecedented attack." Sharp words — "But 147 Republicans voted to block electors from either Arizona and Pennsylvania in the immediate aftermath of the riot. 'There's an unremovable stain on their reputations,' said Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, a former Democratic National Committee chair who represents parts of Broward and Miami-Dade counties." No regrets — "Sen. Rick Scott, a former Florida governor and chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, said he stood by his vote to block Pennsylvania's 20 electors. 'Absolutely,' Scott said. 'Because I believe it.' He did not elaborate further on his rationale for his objection to the state's electors, but he drew a sharp distinction between lawmakers' objections to state's electors and the violence that preceded it." | 
A year after the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol, television cameras and video monitors fill Statuary Hall in preparation for news coverage, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2022. President Joe Biden is prepared to mark the first anniversary of the Capitol insurrection Thursday, gathering with lawmakers to remember the violent attack that has fundamentally changed the Congress and raised global concerns about the future of American democracy. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) | J. Scott Applewhite/AP Photo | COUNTER PROGRAMMING — "GOP mainstream its Jan. 6 fringe," by POLITICO's David Siders: Today's anniversary of the riot will serve as a marker for the GOP's revisionist casting of the event. In Clearwater, Fla., one Republican officeholder, state Rep. Anthony Sabatini, will be among the featured speakers at a "One Year Rally for Our 1/6 Political Prisoners." Sabatini said "99 percent" of protesters at the Capitol last year were "good and decent people who have done nothing wrong." "It's about pushing back against a sick narrative that's been created" by the media, said Sabatini, a conservative lawmaker and central Florida attorney who is running for Congress. And then there's Gaetz — Two Trump loyalists in the House, Reps. Matt Gaetz of Florida and Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, will offer "a Republican response to expose the truth about the January 6, 2021 protests" on Capitol Hill Thursday afternoon. Before that, they'll appear on a special edition of Steve Bannon's podcast. Bannon, the former Trump campaign strategist, has used his "War Room" podcast to amplify Trump's claims that the election was stolen. — "Florida and Jan. 6: Where do we go from here?" by Tampa Bay Times' Kirby Wilson, Romy Ellenbogen and Lawrence Mower — "Volusia County Proud Boys leader Joe Biggs continues fight to be released pending trial," by The Daytona Beach News-Journal's Frank Fernandez | | | | 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. | | | | |
| | CORONAVIRUS UPDATES | | The daily rundown — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that there were 59,487 Covid-19 infections reported on Tuesday. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reported that 7,647 hospital beds were being used in the state for Covid-19 patients. SHOWDOWN — "Pressure mounts for health care providers: Florida threatens for complying with the federal vaccination mandate," by Orlando Sentinel's Caroline Catherman, David Lyons and Kate Santich: "Florida's Agency for Health Care Administration sent an email threatening Florida health care providers with fines if they comply with a federal vaccination mandate. While many experts are advising clients to follow federal law, David Miller, a Miami-based employment attorney at the Bryant Miller Olive law firm, equated the situation faced by many Florida employers as being 'a bone between two dogs,' with the canines being the state and federal governments." — " Mayo Clinic fired about 700 unvaccinated staff. None came from Jacksonville – yet," by Florida Times-Union's Beth Reese Cravey RISING — "Florida COVID hospital admissions highest since summer as omicron spreads," by Tampa Bay Times' Christopher O'Donnell and Ian Hodgson: "The highly infectious omicron variant may be less virulent than previous strains of COVID-19, but Florida hospitals — including those in the Tampa Bay region — are seeing a significant uptick in patients as the variant continues its rapid spread. The number of daily hospital admissions for COVID-19 rose by 290 percent in the past two weeks, with nearly 1,900 patients admitted Tuesday to Florida hospitals. That's still lower than at the peak of the delta surge last summer, but with infections still rising, there's concern that omicron could yet surpass delta numbers and once again burden hospital emergency rooms and intensive care units." — "Florida hospitals' staff shortages strain a depleted, exhausted workforce amid COVID surge," by Miami Herald's Daniel Chang A DIFFERENT P.O.V. — "Public health experts say Florida heading in wrong direction on COVID testing for omicron ," by USA Today Network-Florida's Jeffrey Schweers: "Cutting back on testing at a time when Florida cases are spiking and setting new records every week flies in the face of expert opinion and could have dire consequences, including increased hospitalizations and deaths, public health experts said. 'These policies could be a recipe for disaster in Florida and nearby areas,' said Julie Swann, head of systems engineering at North Carolina State University. 'If my grandparents were still living, I would make sure they left Florida for the winter, to head somewhere safer.'" — "Ron DeSantis says shots won't end pandemic, denies losing faith in vaccine," by Florida Politics' Renzo Downey — "'Political hand grenade': Family sues Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville to allow ivermectin for dying patient," by Florida Times-Union's Katherine Lewin — "COVID-19 cases cut cruise short, cancel other sailings," by The Associated Press — "COVID surge takes toll on Miami-Dade law enforcement. Some 1,400 inmates also isolated," by Miami Herald's Charles Rabin and Douglas Hanks — "Florida tourism officials optimistic despite omicron spread," by News Service of Florida's Jim Turner | | | | A Message from Standing Up For Florida:   | | |
| | ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... | | INCOMING — "Powered by money and politics, Florida's election-year legislative session set to start," by USA Today Network-Florida's John Kennedy: "Florida lawmakers open the two-month legislative session Tuesday ready to spend from a state treasury brimming with budget cash while advancing a host of ideas heavily shaded by election-year politics. Republicans are in command of the Legislature. And Gov. Ron DeSantis has their unswerving loyalty. So what the governor wants, he's likely to get as he also prepares to go before voters in November, seeking a second term as Florida's chief executive." HIS OWN PATH — " Outgoing Florida Sen. Jeff Brandes still chasing a legacy in prison reform," by Tampa Bay Times' Romy Ellenbogen: "Over the next few years, the seemingly arbitrary assignment would change Jeff Brandes. He went from a tourist in Florida's criminal justice world to an authority determined to make sweeping change to what he saw as a crisis. The role pit him, at times, against high-ranking Republican lawmakers and powerful special interests. 'The challenge is some legislators don't know what they believe and want to be told what they believe,' Brandes said. 'It's never hard to step up if you truly believe in something.'" — " Fort Lauderdale to state: Time to let cities ban smoking at beaches," by Sun Sentinel's Susannah Bryan | | CAMPAIGN MODE | | COMING SOON? — "Miami-Dade prosecutors target prominent political consultants in sham candidate case," by Miami Herald's Samantha J. Gross, Ana Ceballos and David Ovalle: "Prosecutors appear to be targeting prominent Republican and Democratic operatives in Florida for potential criminal charges stemming from a 2020 Miami-Dade election scheme marked by sham candidates, court records reveal. Those targets: Alex Alvarado, a Republican consultant; Dan Newman, a prominent Democratic fundraiser; Richard Alexander, the chairman of the dark-money group Grow United; and Let's Preserve the American Dream, a Tallahassee-based nonprofit run by Ryan Tyson, a top GOP pollster in Florida." MARKER — "Charlie Crist says DeSantis, Legislature 'missing in action' on Medicaid expansion," by USA Today Network-Florida's James Call: "Democratic Congressman Charlie Crist promised Wednesday if elected governor he will veto any proposed state budget that does not include an expansion of Medicaid. Crist, a former Republican governor seeking a return to Tallahassee as a Democrat, said the failure to expand Medicaid shows how incumbent GOP Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Legislature 'are missing in action on what's important to most Floridians.'" | | | | 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 | | GONE GATOR — "University of Florida President Fuchs stepping down after 8-year run," by POLITICO's Andrew Atterbury: University of Florida President Kent Fuchs announced on Wednesday that he will step down as the leader of the state's flagship school following the fall 2022 semester. Under the leadership of Fuchs, one of the state's top higher education officials, the institution reached new heights like ranking as a top 5 public university in the nation and drawing in more than $3 billion in fundraising. But his decision to resign after eight years as president also comes as the University of Florida is accused of stifling the academic freedom of professors at the Gainesville school, a development that is playing out in court. 'A FIRM DEADLINE' — "Major 2023 trial set for Florida condo collapse lawsuits," by The Associated Press' Curt Anderson: "A major lawsuit in the collapse of a Florida beachfront condominium building that killed 98 people will go to trial in March 2023, a judge said Wednesday. That's about six months later than Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Michael Hanzman had originally planned, but lawyers in the complex and unusual case said experts need more time to evaluate what caused the 12-story Champlain Towers South building to fall in June 2021. 'That is a firm deadline, ladies and gentlemen,' Hanzman said during a hearing held virtually." | | 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: Former Florida House Speaker Jose Oliva
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