| | | | | |  | | By Gary Fineout | Presented by CVS Health | Good Tuesday morning. Let's go — The 2022 regular session kicks off this morning in the state Capitol. There will be an attempt to return to normalcy after Covid-19 prompted lawmakers to limit public access and impose testing protocols. That's all gone now and we guess it will be a fairly packed house when DeSantis gives his annual State of the State speech. Here are five big questions to ask about the next 60 days: Will Gov. Ron DeSantis continue to get what he wants? After three years of seeing the Republican governor's star ascend nationally, it seems folly to bet against him. Last November, the governor got legislators to hold a special session to curb vaccine mandates. As former GOP state Sen. Tom Lee told POLITICO: "He's become the 1,100-pound gorilla in state government." How will redistricting play out? Lawmakers are supposed to draw new congressional and legislative maps during the session, and so far there is an effort — primarily on the Senate side — to come up with lines that, yes, maintain the GOP advantage but so far haven't been seen as a huge power grab. That said, the House and Senate are not yet on the same page. The question is whether the bargaining goes smoothly, or if the maps wind up being a key part of end-of-session negotiations. What do Simpson and Sprowls want? The two legislative leaders have been relatively silent in the lead up to the regular session — a somewhat strange development but maybe they are bowing to the reality that it's really The DeSantis Show now. Last year, Senate President Wilton Simpson and House Speaker Chris Sprowls had a hefty agenda where many of their major proposals passed. Some of Simpson's education plans, however, got waylaid or curtailed. Simpson also wanted to pass a new gambling deal with the Seminole Tribe of Florida. It did pass, but it's in limbo due to legal challenges. Will state Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo get confirmed? Democrats are unified in their opposition to confirming Ladapo, who was appointed by DeSantis last fall to lead the Department of Health. Ladapo, who has been openly skeptical of both masks and vaccines, created a stir last year when he refused to wear a mask in the office of a Democratic state senator who had been diagnosed with cancer. Simpson, who is running for agriculture commissioner, criticized Ladapo's actions at the time as "unprofessional" and "disappointing." Some Republican senators, however, still expect Ladapo to get confirmed. One way out is to avoid a vote and debate altogether. That would require DeSantis to reappoint him after session. Who's ready for the culture wars? In years past, GOP legislative leaders tried to avoid a lot of contentious measures during an election year. Well, those days are over. Expect plenty of debate and fireworks over bills dealing with abortion and critical race theory. Florida Republicans have signaled they won't endorse a full-blown Texas-styled abortion restrictions bill because of their opposition to the idea of leaving it up to private citizens to enforce the system. But there's a good chance new restrictions will emerge and make it to DeSantis' desk. — WHERE'S RON? — Gov. DeSantis will be at the Florida Capitol where he will give his State of the State speech to the Legislature. 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 ... | | IT STARTS — "When Florida lawmakers gather, watch for stories within the story," by USA Today Network-Florida's John Kennedy: "Gov. Ron DeSantis will open the two-month Florida Legislature with his State of the State address Tuesday — an annual tradition that's a combination highlight reel and wish list for the state's chief executive. With his re-election campaign underway, the Republican governor will use his speech to look back on his term, before pivoting to what he wants this year from the GOP-dominated Legislature. After that, lawmakers mostly take over for the next 59 days. And while approving a state budget for 2022-23 is the only action they're required to do by the Florida Constitution, don't expect them to stop there." 'I'M GOING TO SET THE AGENDA' — "'1,100-pound gorilla in state government': DeSantis starts 2022 session with tight hold on power," by POLITICO's Gary Fineout: With one year left in his first term in office, DeSantis' consolidation of power has become clear: Democrats, who are in the minority, are unable to stop him. And Republicans in the Florida Legislature are enthusiastically carrying out his wishes or are unwilling to buck him. "He's become the 1,100-pound gorilla in state government," said Tom Lee, a Republican and former Senate president who dealt with four different governors during the 18 years he was in the Legislature. Lee's wife is Secretary of State Laurel Lee, a DeSantis appointee, and Tom Lee has been outspoken in the past. "Gov. DeSantis is extremely popular relative to most of his predecessors. With that goes a tremendous amount of power." Another viewpoint — One sitting Republican legislator granted anonymity to speak about the governor offered a more blunt assessment: "They are not going to embarrass Ron DeSantis. Ron DeSantis is essentially the speaker of the House, the president of the Senate and the chief justice of the Supreme Court right now." | 
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis addresses a question from the media as Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo looks on during a news conference in Jacksonville, Fla., on Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2022. | Bob Self/The Florida Times-Union via AP | DRAW THE LINES — "Florida redistricting focus shifts to South Florida," by POLITICO's Matt Dixon: As Florida's redistricting process heats up, all eyes are turning to South Florida. Senate subcommittees on Monday recommended two congressional maps and two Florida Senate maps to be considered next week by the full Senate redistricting committee. In each case, lawmakers mostly focused on issues surrounding how to configure seats in South Florida and left some matters unresolved. The tally — The two congressional maps recommended Monday by the Senate panel include 16 seats that would have been won by former President Donald Trump using 2020 voting tallies, including a newly-drawn congressional seat that resulted from Florida's continued population growth. The maps also included 12 districts won by President Joe Biden. 'WE WILL NOT SIT BACK IN SILENCE' — "Jacksonville activist Ben Frazier, attorney speak out against arrest and demand sit-down with governor ," by Florida Times-Union's Dan Scanlan: "Jacksonville community activist Ben Frazier wants the trespass charge filed against him while trying to attend Gov Ron DeSantis' Jan. 4 news conference dropped and a chance to meet with the governor to discuss the "shoddy job" the state has done to handle the COVID-19 pandemic. If those requests are not granted, then legal action will be filed against the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, governor and anyone else involved in violating his civil and constitutional rights, attorney John Phillips said during a Monday news conference with Frazier." — "Democrats eye 'pocketbook' issues, expect 'culture wars,'" by News Service of Florida's Ryan Dailey — "Legislators advance bill allowing fertilizer rate 'tailoring' by farmers despite Fried opposition," by POLITICO's Bruce Ritchie — "Florida senator files bill to set up permanent statewide resiliency office," by News Service of Florida | | | | 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. | | | | |
| | CAMPAIGN MODE | | SETTING THE STAGE — U.S. Chief District Judge Mark Walker on Monday agreed to a request to conduct a highly-anticipated trial on Florida's voting law remotely. Voting rights and civil rights organizations last year filed four separate legal challenges against the 2021 law that includes new restrictions on mail-in ballots and drop boxes. The cases have been consolidated and the trial is scheduled to start on Jan. 31. Not thrilled — Walker made his decision during a pre-trial hearing but it was clear he was not enthusiastic about holding the trial remotely due to potential logistical and technical problems, calling it a "horrible idea." But he said he was concerned about conducting the trial "safely." He added that he was worried that holding it in person could lead to unexpected delays due to Covid-19. Coming attractions — The trial is expected to last a full two weeks and include testimony from local election supervisors — many of whom spoke in opposition to the law — as well as seven Florida Democratic legislators who voted against the legislation. Groups challenging the law won permission last week from Walker to allow legislators to testify. But attorneys representing the state won their own victory when Walker agreed to let them produce evidence on whether the new law will help prevent voter fraud. MAY THE ODDS BE EVER IN YOUR FAVOR — "Accusations fly in casino initiative legal battle," by News Service of Florida's Dara Kam: "A court battle involving a proposed constitutional amendment that would open the door to casinos in North Florida continued to escalate Monday, with a committee linked to the Seminole Tribe accusing backers of the measure of "engaging in a widespread, election-law conspiracy" in the race to gather enough signatures to place the initiative on the November ballot." BY THE NUMBERS, DESANTIS EDITION — Gov. Ron DeSantis raised more than $4.4 million for his re-election campaign in December between his main campaign account and his political committee according to campaign reports filed on Monday … The new numbers also show that DeSantis had nearly $72 million on hand as he headed into 2022. By the numbers Democrats — Rep. Charlie Crist was the leading fundraiser among the three main Democrats running, according to December campaign reports. Crist pulled in nearly $671,000 in his main campaign account and his political committee … Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried raised nearly $327,000, while state Sen. Annette Taddeo raised slightly more than $60,0000 … Crist had more money in the bank at the end of year with campaign filings showing him holding nearly $3.88 million while Fried has more than $3.37 million. IT'S ELECTION DAY — "In low-key Broward special election, four candidates vie for attention ," by Miami Herald's Bianca Padró Ocasio: "Voters in portions of Broward and Palm Beach counties will head to the polls Tuesday to decide a winner in three state legislative primary races and the general election in Florida's 20th Congressional District. Turnout is expected to be low for an unusual Election Day that's seen controversy and finger-pointing over its timing." — " On eve of special election, congresswoman and elections supervisor scrutinize postal center that processes Broward's mail ballots," by Sun Sentinel's Anthony Man You can watch the tally tonight on POLITICO. Polls close at 7 p.m. TO COURT — " Dark money group seeks to block disclosure of donor names in ghost candidate probe," by Miami Herald's Ana Ceballos and Samantha J. Gross: "Lawyers for a dark money group run by a prominent Republican operative asked a Miami circuit court judge Monday to block the release of bank records that would disclose its donors, arguing that the release of such information would violate donors' constitutional rights and could 'chill speech across the political spectrum.' In a 12-page motion, lawyers for Let's Preserve the American Dream, a Tallahassee-based nonprofit organization run by Ryan Tyson, argued that the bank records must remain secret because they contain privileged information protected by the First Amendment and Florida's criminal procedure rules." — "INFLUENCE Magazine's 2022 class of the Rising Stars of Florida Politics — "State board rebuffs lawmakers' call to audit FPL ties to 'ghost' scandal," by Orlando Sentinel's Jeff Weiner — "DeSantis campaign selling 'Escape to Florida' t-shirts as some top Democrats flock to Sunshine State," by Fox News' Ronn Blitzer | | | | A message from CVS Health:   | | |
| | CORONAVIRUS UPDATES | | The daily rundown — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said there were 49,548 Covid-19 infections reported on Sunday and 77,156 infections on Saturday. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reported that 9,888 hospital beds were being used in the state for Covid-19 patients. FOR YOUR RADAR — "Florida sent scarce COVID-19 therapy to a private Broward clinic before Jackson Memorial," by Miami Herald's Daniel Chang: "Florida shipped a scarce new COVID-19 monoclonal antibody drug to treat the most vulnerable of patients — those with cancer or organ transplants whose immune systems don't respond well to a vaccine — to a private clinic in Broward County before sending the therapeutic to Miami's Jackson Memorial Hospital, which runs the largest solid organ transplant center in the Southeastern United States and provides follow-up care to thousands of immuno-compromised patients." P.O.V. — "Mayo Clinic expert: Unvaccinated people are 'playing Russian roulette' with COVID-19", by Florida Times-Union's Beth Reese Cravey: "'The hair almost stands up on my neck when I hear people say, oh omicron … is mild. Well, it is if you're fully vaccinated and bolstered,' [Dr. Greg Poland] said. 'It might be if you're not. But odds are you're playing Russian roulette. You may not be that lucky. I've seen it over and over again.'" — "AdventHealth, Orlando Health COVID-19 hospitalizations nearly double in a week," by Orlando Sentinel's Caroline Catherman — "Matt Gaetz asks for Ron DeSantis' help in fight against music festival vaccine rule," by Florida Politics' A.G. Gancarski | | | | 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 | | CRACKDOWN — "More than 50 Cubans arrested during the July 11 protests face trials this week," by El Nuevo Herald's Nora Gámez Torres: "More than 50 people who took part in the protests on July 11 will go to trial this week, including minors and young Cubans accused of sedition for protesting against the government. The provincial court in Santa Clara, a city in central Cuba where the trial of 16 protesters started on Monday, was cordoned off by the police. About 50 people, including family members and activists, started gathering on Monday morning in the surroundings, anxious to get information about their loved ones, the sister of one of the detainees told the Miami Herald." THE NEXT STEP? — "Florida high school athletes sue for right to commercial deals," by Sun Sentinel's Rafael Olmeda: "Student athletes should be free to get paid to endorse local and national businesses that are willing to pay for it, according to a lawsuit filed Monday in Miami. Taking the national debate about outside compensation for college athletes to a new level, Miami lawyer John H. Ruiz is suing on behalf of two Miami students who say they've had to turn down endorsement deals because the rules of the Florida High School Athletic Association prohibit them." — " Florida child drownings rise from 69 to 98 in 2021, highest on record, state says," by Tampa Bay Times' Anastasia Dawson — "Former Tampa mayor Bob Buckhorn joins lobbying firm," by Tampa Bay Times' Charlie Frago | | A message from CVS Health: At CVS Health, we're more than 300,000 caring employees ensuring millions of Americans can access health care services.
We're offering COVID-19 vaccines at more than 9,600 CVS Pharmacy locations nationwide.
Nothing should stand in the way of mental health and well-being, so we're increasing remote access to mental health services.
We're supporting safer pregnancies and expanding access to prenatal and postpartum care via telemedicine.
Recognizing the strong connection between housing and health, we're investing in affordable housing to support underserved populations and build healthier communities.
Every day, CVS Health works to bring quality, affordable health care into neighborhoods, homes and hands—so it's never out of reach for anyone.
Healthier Happens Together. Learn more. | | |
| | ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN | | — "Report: Bob Saget found dead lying in hotel bed, no trauma," by The Associated Press' Mike Schneider: "Comedian and actor Bob Saget was found dead lying face up on his bed in a luxury hotel room in Florida with no signs of trauma, according to an sheriff's office report released Monday. There were no signs of foul play, and the room itself was in order, 'with items owned by Mr. Saget on the nightstand, television stand, closet and bathroom,' according to the report from the Orange County Sheriff's Office." WELCOME TO THE WORLD — Rep. Mike Waltz and Julia Nesheiwat, a distinguished fellow at the Atlantic Council, on Friday welcomed baby Armie, who came in at 9 lbs, 5 oz. Pic BIRTHDAYS: Toni Large, president at Large Strategies INC
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