| | | | |  | | By Gary Fineout | Presented by Floridians for Affordable Rx | Good Thursday morning. Politics 101 — It's become a cliché, but former House Speaker John Thrasher summed it succinctly when Republicans first took control of the Florida Legislature: It's all about the base. Addendum — Let's add another cliché into the mix as well: Elections have consequences. Context — The GOP has been in firm control of Florida's government for more than two decades now — and there have been years when those in charge flexed their power to push through long sought-after conservative ideas. Democrats have complained and debated for hours but could do little to stop Republicans. That's history — But every now and then Democrats would score a victory when a bill got bogged down amid GOP hand-wringing as to whether some proposal went too far. Many times, sessions during an election year were designed to avoid contentious partisanship. That's all gone. Marching onward — Whether it's a new 15-week abortion ban or bills dealing with "wokeness" and immigration, Republicans are grinding ahead with little regard to Democratic protests or fervent speeches. Example: A request that the Senate include an exemption for rape and incest in the abortion legislation was soundly rejected on Wednesday. A legal matter — It doesn't matter if some of the bills at hand might have constitutional problems. State Sen. Tina Polsky put it this way in committee this week: "We can't keep passing unconstitutional laws one after another after another." Well, to paraphrase another Republican legislator — yes they can. Track record — Several bills passed last session by legislators got waylaid and bogged down in courts, including the "anti-riot" bill, a cap on donations to citizen initiatives, a ban on vaccine passports and so on. But urged on by Gov. Ron DeSantis — and aware of changes in both the U.S. Supreme Court and state Supreme Court — legislators are at it again this year. Not far enough? — If anything, the complaint from some right-wing Republicans is that the Legislature isn't listening enough to the GOP base and taking up, say, a bill to allow open carry of guns in Florida. But there will be still plenty for Republicans to tout on the campaign trail in the months ahead. — 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 Floridians for Affordable Rx: This legislative session, let's take politics out of prescriptions in Florida. Floridians for Affordable Rx is committed to educating policymakers and the public on proven ways to lower prescription drug costs. We are standing up to special interests, like Big Pharma and the independent pharmacy lobby, that are pushing government mandates that will increase costs to grow their profits while making Florida patients and employers pay more. Learn more. | | | |  | ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... | | CALLING OUT THE MOUSE — " Top state lawmaker claims Disney could run afoul of 'anti-woke' law," by Orlando Sentinel's Katie Rice: "State Rep. Bryan Ávila, a top leader of the Florida House, is claiming that Disney employees' diversity training program includes exercises where employees complete a 'white privilege checklist,' which could put the company in violation of a new law he's sponsoring. Ávila's office did not respond Wednesday when asked for the source of his information, but it appears to come from a conservative magazine that obtained a document and information purportedly from Disney employees in May. Disney has previously said elements of its employee diversity, equity and inclusion program were taken out of context." 'A LITTLE BIT OF GRACE'— "Florida Senate rejects rape and incest exemption for 15-week abortion ban," by POLITICO's Arek Sarkissian: Before the committee advanced the bill, Senate Minority Leader Lauren Book filed an amendment that would have added exceptions for victims of rape, incest and human trafficking. Book said during the meeting that those exemptions would provide women more time to make important decisions as they process trauma. "Until you've walked in our shoes you simply don't understand," said Book, who was sexually assaulted as a child. "All this amendment is asking for is more time to give these women a little bit of grace." Response — State Sen. Kelli Stargel (R-Lakeland), who sponsored the Senate bill, countered by claiming that only a few of the more than 75,000 abortions performed last year in Florida were the result of incest, and only 14 were due to rape. She also claimed that human trafficking victims usually undergo abortions well within the 15-week time frame so they can resume working. "This amendment does nothing to solve all of the problems that we all find awful," Stargel said. SPROWLS DOESN'T WANT TO PLAY BALL — It's not gotten a lot of attention inside the Florida Capitol, but fervent supporters of college football want the state to revamp the new state law over name, image and likeness (NIL) compensation for student athletes. The current law was passed before the NCAA suspended its rules, meaning that Florida now has restrictions not in place in other states. Evening it out — Rep. Chip LaMarca, R-Lighthouse Point, is one of two Republican legislators who filed a bill that would tweak Florida's NIL law. "We're looking to make sure we're on a level playing ground with other states," LaMarca told Playbook last month. LaMarca said he discussed his legislation with the majority of Florida universities before he filed it. Brush back pitch — But LaMarca's bill (HB 939) and the Senate version have gone nowhere during the first month of session. And House Speaker Chris Sprowls suggested on Wednesday it's a low priority and said he was "not super excited about the topic." He said that "to a certain extent it's like a race to bottom in college sports. Like how many sports cars can we put in the hands of 18-year olds?" Response — There was some negative reaction online to Sprowls comments. Dillan Gibbons, who was an offensive lineman with the Florida State University Seminoles last season, asked that Sprowls give him and LaMarca "an opportunity to change your mind." "#HB939 evens the playing field for FL's student athletes, maintains statutory protections for our essential rights, and ensures FL remains on the cutting edge of #NIL nationwide!" Gibbons tweeted. | 
Chris Sprowls. | AP Photo/Steve Cannon |
GRADING ON A CURVE? — "Florida House gets to work on K-12 testing overhaul," by POLITICO's Andrew Atterbury: Similar to the plan moving through the Senate, the House bill pledges to give parents and teachers faster feedback on student performance while reducing how much time students are tested in schools — both priorities of Gov. Ron DeSantis. House members, though, added new wrinkles to their proposal during an education committee Wednesday that could make it harder for schools to earn top performance marks from the state, something that Democrats argued may hurt campuses in the long run.
SPEAKING UP — " Black lawmakers in FL navigate in a largely white Legislature; tensions erupt in committee meetings," by Florida Phoenix's Isaac Morgan: "A coalition of Black lawmakers in Florida continues to grapple with an unsettling climate: Attacks on voting rights, concerns about blocking students from learning historical events and bomb threats on Historically Black Colleges and Universities, including private institutions in Florida. Tensions have erupted from Black legislators over legislation that would limit how students learn about race in America, leading to outbursts in the Florida House from both state Reps. Ramon Alexander and Kevin Chambliss." — " Cubans who arrived through 'Operation Pedro Pan' oppose DeSantis immigration orders," by Miami Herald's Bianca Padro' Ocasio — " Florida House passes bill to make nursing homes more financially transparent," by Tampa Bay Times' Hannah Critchfield and Kirby Wilson — " Florida House OKs bill to protect lottery winners privacy ," by The Associated Press — "DeSantis announces $89 million for workforce education," by Tampa Bay Times' Divya Kumar
| | | | 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. | | | | | | | MAPMAKER, MAPMAKER | | WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS — " House passes redrawn maps as Democrats cry foul, " by POLITICO's Matt Dixon: During the 2012 redistricting process, lawmakers held meetings across the state to get input from residents, a process that did not occur this year, in part, because Republicans said pandemic-prompted delays in the release of census data made the tour difficult. "We did not adequately solicit the input of the citizens of Florida," [Rep. Joe] Geller said. "And with new Zoom technology that would have been easy. It would have been a no brainer." Geller, along with other Democrats, were also upset that Republican majorities would not specify which outside hired attorneys were in the room when "policy decisions" were made when drawing the maps. | | CAMPAIGN MODE | | DAY 3 — " Previously barred UF professor testifies in voting law trial," by POLITICO's Gary Fineout: Two university professors — including one from the University of Florida who initially was blocked from testifying — contended in court on Wednesday that Florida's controversial new voting law was yet another chapter in the Southern state's history of unfairly targeting Black and Latino voters. Judge weighs in — Chief U.S. District Judge Mark Walker, however, questioned how to connect past historical events to why legislators passed the 2021 law. "Why am I going to look at the long arc of history, as opposed to the arc to those who actually made the decision?" said Walker, an appointee of former President Barack Obama who has several times issued blistering rulings against Florida. Walker then suggested the law may have been passed in response to former President Donald Trump's false allegations about widespread voter fraud and not "pernicious racial intent.""Couldn't it be the law was passed to keep the former president happy?" Walker said. MAGIC 8-BALL SAYS — " Could proposed 15-week abortion ban hurt Florida GOP in 2022?" by Tampa Bay Times' Kirby Wilson and Romy Ellenbogen: "Voters don't want to hear elected officials talk about abortion. So says Democratic pollster Molly Murphy. As the calendar inches closer to the 2022 elections, she said in an interview, the electorate has more pressing concerns, such as inflation, the coronavirus and local schools. 'Even just the idea that a politician is focusing on abortion legislation not only puts them on the wrong side of the issue, but it puts them on the wrong side of getting what voters are going through right now,' Murphy said." TARGET — "' Fauci can pound sand': DeSantis takes on Dr. Fauci in reelection messaging," by CNN's Steve Contorno: "Gov. Ron DeSantis has a new message to Dr. Anthony Fauci for Republicans to spread across Florida's beaches. 'Fauci Can Pound Sand,' it says on the soles of sandals now available for purchase on DeSantis' campaign website. While shopping, DeSantis supporters can also buy "Don't Fauci My Florida" beer koozies. Perhaps they were directed to his site from a recent DeSantis campaign email, subject line: 'Fauci for Prison.' In the absence of a clear political opponent at the onset of his campaign for reelection, DeSantis seems to have created one out of the 81-year-old doctor from Brooklyn and Biden chief medical adviser."
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Graeme Jennings/Getty Images |
CAMPAIGN ROUNDUP — Maggie's List, a political action committee that backs "fiscally conservative women," is endorsing Jeanette Nuñez for lieutenant governor in 2022. "Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez is a bright, shining light among conservative women," Maggie's List chair Sandra Mortham said in a statement …. DMFI PAC announced this week that is endorsing state Sen. Randolph Bracy, D-Orlando, in the race for Florida's 10th Congressional District. The group said that candidates it endorsed were "committed to strengthening the U.S.-Israel relationship" and they support U.S. military assistance to Israel without additional conditions and reject the BDS movement … Audrey Henson , a Pinellas County businesswoman and Republican candidate for Florida's 13th Congressional District, launched two digital ads on Wednesday that focused on immigration and social security.
— " Poll shows Charlie Crist leading Democratic gubernatorial primary," by Florida Politics' Scott Powers
| | | | A message from Floridians for Affordable Rx:   | | | | | DATELINE D.C. | | HAVING IT BOTH WAYS — "Sen. Rick Scott, carrying on a tradition, takes credit for infrastructure funding he opposed," by Politifact's Madison Czopek: "It's a political tradition for lawmakers to boast about their votes in Congress that help bring money home to their constituents. But Scott didn't vote for the law that's funding the Everglades project. Neither did Sen. Marco Rubio, the Florida colleague he shared the credit with. That makes Scott part of another growing political tradition: lawmakers claiming credit for things made possible by legislation they opposed." TUNED IN — " Gloria Estefan: Congress should turn the beat around on royalties ," by Roll Call's Chris Cioffi: "Grammy-winning musician and Miami Sound Machine lead singer Gloria Estefan had a performance in a very different kind of venue Wednesday — she gave testimony in front of the House Judiciary Committee. Estefan appeared at the virtual hearing in support of a bill that would compensate musicians on terrestrial radio similar to how they are compensated on streaming platforms. 'This loophole has been around since performers were performing live on radio,' she said. 'Singers that don't write music haven't made a penny for their songs being played.' The legislation from the bipartisan duo of Reps. Ted Deutch and Darrell Issa, dubbed the "American Music Fairness Act," was unveiled this summer." — ' Lives continue to be in danger': Lawmakers want FL migrant detention center to close," by El Nuevo Herald's Syra Ortiz-Blanes — " Unlikely allies AOC, Matt Gaetz agree that Facebook needs to be stopped," by Newsweek's Jake Thomas — " Rep. Stephanie Murphy requests Fort Benning be renamed in honor of Sgt. Alwyn Cashe," by WFTV's Sarah Wilson
| | | | 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. | | | | | | | CORONAVIRUS UPDATES | | The daily rundown — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said there were 16,883 Covid-19 infections reported on Tuesday. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reported that 8,643 hospital beds were being used in the state for Covid-19 patients. | | PENINSULA AND BEYOND | | 'DESIGNED TO MAKE PEOPLE AFRAID' — " HBCU bomb threat caller described elaborate plot: police," by The Associated Press's Jeff Martin and Michael Balsamo: "A caller who threatened to blow up a historically Black university in Florida — one of numerous threats made against schools across the nation — described an elaborate plot involving seven bombs hidden in duffel bags and backpacks around the school's perimeter, a Florida police chief said. In a 20-minute phone call, the caller said the bombs containing C-4 explosives would be detonated at Bethune-Cookman University on Monday, Daytona Beach Police Chief Jakari Young said at a news conference. The caller also said a gunman would open fire on the campus around lunchtime the same day, Young said." FOR YOUR RADAR — " Immigrant IDs to be issued in Florida's Miami-Dade county ," by The Associated Press: "Commissioners in Florida's Miami-Dade County have given a nonprofit the green light to issue IDs for immigrants who are in the country illegally and others who don't have identification. The plan proposed by Mayor Daniella Levine Cava passed by a 7-2 vote Tuesday. Supporters note that immigrants often struggle to gain access to their children's schools or to coronavirus tests and vaccines. They say the IDs also will enable them to use library resources, local recreation facilities and storm shelters, and provide them with the necessary identification to return to their homes after evacuating during hurricanes or fires." AWFUL — " Manatees still starving to death, despite desperate rescue efforts," by Sun Sentinel's David Fleshler: A catastrophic die-off of manatees has continued this winter, despite the unprecedented intervention of state and federal wildlife agencies to save one of Florida's most beloved animals. The bodies of 85 manatees were recovered last month on Florida's Atlantic coast, most dead of starvation in the area of the Indian River Lagoon, officials said Wednesday in an online news conference. On Friday alone, wildlife officers recovered 16 carcasses, most in Brevard County. — " Parkland Florida school shooter's trial delayed again," by The Associated Press' Terry Spencer
| | A message from Floridians for Affordable Rx: The Florida independent pharmacy lobby claims that pharmacies are struggling, but, 1 in 3 pharmacies in Florida is an independent pharmacy and, while thousands of businesses shuttered due to the pandemic, 20 new independent pharmacies were added in 2020. Despite this growth, their lobbyists are pushing an agenda that will make it harder for small businesses to provide affordable prescription drug coverage.
Florida lawmakers need to reject the costly and harmful special interest agenda of the independent pharmacy lobby and support a more competitive marketplace that will reduce prescription drug costs. That means supporting patient advocates like pharmacy benefit managers, PBMs, that negotiate with drug companies and pharmacies to reduce prescription drug costs for patients. Tell your legislators it is time to put the health and safety of Florida families first. Learn more. | | | | | ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN | | — " Will cities declare peacocks fowl non grata as Miami-Dade loosens bird protections?" by Miami Herald's Douglas Hanks: The county's 20-year-old law against harming or capturing peacocks remains on the books, but the County Commission on Tuesday agreed to a modification allowing cities to opt out of the rules if they present an appropriate plan for humanely removing peacocks from properties where they're not wanted. "Mating season is when we get the most complaints. They get very aggressive," said sponsor Raquel Regalado, whose District 7 boundaries include parts of Coral Gables and Miami where peacocks roam the sidewalks. "They lay their eggs, they build their nests, they peck the cars." BIRTHDAYS: Former state Sen. Arthenia Joyner … Tom Gallagher, former Florida chief financial officer and insurance commissioner | | | | 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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