| | | | |  | | By Gary Fineout | Presented by Floridians for Affordable Rx | Good Tuesday morning. Disconnect — While the Florida Legislature pushes ahead with a culture war agenda ahead of the 2022 elections, a new poll shows that the priorities of Republican legislators are out of touch with many Floridians. On abortion — The poll released this morning by the University of North Florida Public Opinion Research Lab found, for example, that roughly 55 percent oppose a proposed ban on abortions after 15 weeks. That opposition rises to 60 percent when respondents are told that there's no exception for rape or incest. The bill is expected to head to Gov. Ron DeSantis' desk shortly. Sexual orientation — Other findings include that 49 percent of those polled oppose a bill restricting discussion of sexual orientation or gender in elementary schools versus 40 percent who support it. The poll also found that another priority of GOP legislators — having partisan school board elections — is only supported by 32 percent while 49 percent oppose it. Pot — Meanwhile, an item that is going nowhere in the Legislature but backed by leading Democratic candidates for governor — legalization of recreational marijuana — has overwhelming support. Some 76 percent said they were in favor of letting adults possess small amounts of cannabis for their own use. Vaccines — There was one question on the Covid-19 front and 58 percent said that politicians and elected officials should not have to disclose their vaccination status. (DeSantis has sidestepped questions on whether he took a booster while former President Donald Trump has said politicians who avoid answering the question are "gutless.") Here's an important caveat — This poll, which has a margin of error of plus/minus 3.74 percent, is a snapshot in time of where overall Floridians are on such issues but it surveyed an even split between Republicans and Democrats. That makeup is not necessarily reflective of who is going to be voting this fall. GOP legislators are pushing ahead with bills that will animate their base in 2022, while Democrats grapple with the prospect that their voters may be dispirited and demoralized in a state that keeps trending rightward. — WHERE'S RON? — Gov. DeSantis is expected to be in Tallahassee. 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 D.C. | | SCOTT'S BIG PLANS — "Rick Scott pushes own GOP agenda as McConnell holds off," by POLITICO's Burgess Everett: Senate Republican leaders have no plans to release an alternative agenda as they try to win back the majority this fall. So Rick Scott is pursuing his own plan. The Florida Republican senator is devising a conservative blueprint for Republicans to enact should they win Senate and House majorities this fall. Among Scott's priorities: completing the border wall and naming it after former President Donald Trump, declaring "there are two genders," ending any reference to ethnicity on government forms and limiting most federal government workers — including members of Congress — to 12 years of service. Hmm — But Scott said the 31-page GOP agenda he's crafted is separate from his work chairing the party's campaign arm, adding that it's "important to tell people what we're gonna do." It's a clear break from Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, who has declined to release a GOP agenda heading into the midterms. "Hopefully, by doing this, we'll have more of a conversation about what Republicans are going to get done. Because when we get the majority, I want to get something done," Scott said in an interview. Future aspirations? — It's the type of move that ambitious politicians might make as they mull a presidential run. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), for example, pitched a number of policy prescriptions as he prepared to seek the presidency in 2016. Scott was emphatic that he is not setting up a presidential run with his agenda: "I'm not. So, I'm doing it because I'm a business guy and I believe in plans." Scott's term is up in 2024.
| | ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... | | THE NEXT STEP — "Latest proposed change to Florida's 'don't say gay' bill riles Democrats," by Tampa Bay Times' Jeffrey S. Solochek: "The proposal by bill sponsor Rep. Joe Harding would alter a section of the legislation that initially offered protections to students who confide personal information to school employees, and who might face "abuse, abandonment or neglect" if their parents were to find out. He would add language requiring staff who withhold any such information from parents to disclose it within six weeks of that decision. Harding, R-Williston, did not respond to calls or text messages seeking comment." MAKING IT RAIN — " Someone in the Florida Senate wants to give Avis $5 million ," by Seeking Rents' Jason Garcia: "Rental-car giant Avis Budget Group Inc. just had the best year in company history, turning a record profit of $1.3 billion. Now, somebody in the Florida Senate wants to give Avis an extra $5 million. The Senate has drafted a corporate tax break that would save one or two big rental car companies $5 million each. The companies wouldn't even have to do anything to qualify for the break – it is the functional equivalent of simply handing them $5 million in cash." — "Here's what the tough new rules for Florida shelters that house migrant youth would do," by Miami Herald's Syra Ortiz-Blanes — "Senate panel advances Gov. DeSantis immigration priority cracking down on midnight flights ," by Florida Politics' Renzo Downey — "Florida Senate ready to consider 15-week abortion ban," by News Service of Florida — " Lawmakers want shake up Florida's virtual school system," by Tampa Bay Times' Jeffrey S. Solochek — "Ashley Moody, Wilton Simpson take opposing positions on North Florida casino issue," by Florida Politics' Scott Powers — "Hotly debated solar energy rules changes moves forward in Legislature," by News Service of Florida's Jim Saunders — "DCCC seeks redistricting records from Gov. DeSantis's office, GOP lawmakers," by Florida Politics' Jason Delgado
| | | | JOIN THURSDAY TO HEAR FROM MAYORS ACROSS AMERICA: The Fifty: America's Mayors will convene mayors from across the country to discuss their policy agendas, including the enforcement of Covid measures such as vaccine and mask mandates. We'll also discuss how mayors are dealing with the fallout of the pandemic on their local economies and workforce, affordable housing and homelessness, and criminal justice reforms. REGISTER HERE. | | | | | | | CAMPAIGN MODE | | GATHERING TOGETHER — The stars of the conservative political world and the Trump movement — including plenty of Florida men and women — will be featured again at this year's Conservative Political Action Committee in Orlando. Both Gov. Ron DeSantis and former President Donald Trump are on the agenda. DeSantis is scheduled to speak on Thursday afternoon, Sen. Marco Rubio on Friday morning, and Sen. Rick Scott on Saturday afternoon while Trump will have the spotlight to himself on Saturday night. Rep. Byron Donalds is also slated to give a stand-alone speech while Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody, Rep. Matt Gaetz, Rep. Kat Cammack and former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi are panel participants. | 
Carolyn Kaster/AP Photo | — " The top 10 GOP presidential candidates for 2024, ranked," by Washington Post's Aaron Blake DONE DEAL? — "Can Democrats beat DeSantis next fall? A look at the odds, and what it would take," by Sun Sentinel's Anthony Man: "Six months before the Aug. 23 primary in which Democratic voters will choose a nominee to go up against DeSantis and nine months before mail voting and in-person early voting will be underway for the Nov. 8 general election, their assessment is far different: The Republican governor's re-election is all-but-certain. Not only are Democrats facing a formidable Republican incumbent, they are running into powerful headwinds that make victory much harder for them to reach. 'DeSantis is ahead, and he has every advantage in the world,' said Democratic strategist Sean Phillippi, who has worked for many political campaigns, in South Florida and statewide. 'I would be surprised if the trajectory of the race changed to any point where DeSantis was in trouble.'" TRANSITIONS — Delanie Bomar is joining Gov. Ron DeSantis' reelection campaign as deputy press secretary. She previously was press secretary for Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.). (From D.C. Playbook) — "Sarasota congressional candidate allegedly threatened to 'end' cop's career during traffic stop ," by Sarasota Herald-Tribune's Zac Anderson — "Ron DeSantis wades into Jacksonville special election with robocall, endorsement," by Florida Politics' A.G. Gancarski — " Mills, Republican legislators slam Sabatini over missed votes, voting against wounded veterans," by The Floridian's Javier Manjarres
| | | | A message from Floridians for Affordable Rx:   | | | | | TRUMPLANDIA AND THE SWAMP | | BRINGING IT HOME — "National Archives: Trump took classified items to Mar-a-Lago," by Associated Press' Farnoush Amiri: Classified information was found in the 15 boxes of White House records that were stored at former President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence, the National Archives and Records Administration said in a letter that confirmed the matter has been sent to the Justice Department. The Friday letter from the agency follows numerous reports around Trump's handling of sensitive and even classified information during his time as president and after he left the White House. FLORIDA MAN — " Feds want 90-day prison term for Jan. 6 rioter photographed with Pelosi's lectern," by NBC News' Ryan J. Reilly: "A Jan. 6 defendant who bragged that he 'broke the internet' and was 'finally famous' when a photo of him carrying House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's lectern during the Capitol attack went viral should spend 90 days in federal prison, Justice Department prosecutors argued ahead of his sentencing. Adam Johnson, a Florida stay-at-home dad of five boys ranging from 6 to 14, was photographed carrying Pelosi's lectern in the Capitol rotunda during the Jan. 6 attack. He's scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Reggie B. Walton on Friday morning."
| | CORONAVIRUS UPDATES | | TREND LINES — "COVID: Florida out of Top 10 list where virus spreads fastest, reports 42,373 cases and 1,330 deaths," by USA Today's Mike Stucka and USA Today-Network Florida's Jennifer Sangalang: "Florida reported far fewer coronavirus cases in the week ending Sunday, Feb. 20, adding 42,373 new cases. That's down 65.4% from the previous week's tally of 122,428 new cases of the virus that causes COVID-19. The state also had 1,330 newly reported deaths this week. Florida ranked 32nd among the states where coronavirus was spreading the fastest on a per-person basis, a USA TODAY Network analysis of Johns Hopkins University data shows. The week before, the state reappeared in the Top 10 list, ranking No. 8." — " Judge in Tampa grants 2 military officers religious exemption from vaccine," by Tampa Bay Times' Dennis Joyce
| | | | 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 | | JOLTIN JOE HAS LEFT AND GONE AWAY — "MLB lockout talks resume in Florida; players, owners on hand," by The Associated Press' Ronald Blum: "With perhaps a week left to salvage opening day, union head Tony Clark attended negotiations on Monday for the first time since Major League Baseball's lockout began, accompanied by New York Mets stars Max Scherzer, Francisco Lindor and Brandon Nimmo. The Cardinals' Paul Goldschmidt, the Yankees' Jameson Taillon, the Reds' Sonny Gray, the Royals' Whit Merrifield, the Twins' Taylor Rogers and the Brewers' Brent Suter also were among the players who arrived for the bargaining session at Roger Dean Stadium, the vacant spring training home of St. Louis and the Miami Marlins." FLA BECOMING CALI? — "Rents reach 'insane' levels across U.S. with no end in sight," by The Associated Press' R.J. Rico: "'But [Krystal] Guerra was fine with the apartment's shortcomings. It was all part of being a 32-year-old graduate student in South Florida, she reasoned, and she was happy to live there for a few more years as she finished her marketing degree. That was until a new owner bought the property and told her he was raising the rent from $1,550 to $1,950, a 26% increase that Guerra said meant her rent would account for the majority of her take-home pay from the University of Miami." Up, up and away — "And nowhere was the jump bigger than in the Miami metro area, where the median rent exploded to $2,850, 49.8% higher than the previous year. Other cities across Florida — Tampa, Orlando and Jacksonville — and the Sun Belt destinations of San Diego, Las Vegas, Austin, Texas, and Memphis, Tennessee, all saw spikes of more than 25% during that time period." R.I.P. — "Florida environmentalist, Janet Reno's sister dies at 81 ," by The Associated Press: "Maggy Hurchalla, an environmentalist who fought to protect Florida's wetlands and was a staunch supporter of her sister Janet Reno, the former U.S. attorney general, has died. She passed away Saturday at age 81. The nonprofit group Friends of the Everglades confirmed Hurchalla's death, calling her a legend. 'Maggy's impact on Florida's conservation movement cannot be overstated,' the group posted on its website, adding her granddaughter Kym Hurchalla is part of its staff. 'Her advocacy was fueled by a deep love for Florida's wilderness.'" — "Experts differ on cop-killer Markeith Loyd's competence for sentencing," by Orlando Sentinel's Monivette Cordeiro and Lisa Maria Garza — " Miami Herald journalists among George Polk Award winners for 'Birth & Betrayal' series," by Miami Herald's Devoun Cetoute | | THE GUNSHINE STATE | | A DECADE LATER — "Trayvon Martin's legacy: Push for social, criminal justice reform lives on 10 years after 17-year-old's death," by Palm Beach Post's Wayne Washington: "There is nothing near the light brown and gold block buildings of The Retreat at Twin Lakes to note that this is where Trayvon Martin was killed a decade ago. On a late afternoon in mid-December, children walk and laugh along a sun-brightened sidewalk on the outer edge of the townhouse complex. An elementary school sits across the street, and a park is not far from it. The area has a hint of affluence – or, at least, of comfort." — "Despite 'startling' racial statistics, controversial 'stand your ground' laws withstand scrutiny ," by Northwest Florida Daily News Tom McLaughlin
| | 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 | | — "Manta rays establish shadowy presence in South Florida, as global population threatened," by Sun Sentinel's David Fleshler: "A juvenile population of giant manta rays has been discovered in South Florida, and it's being studied as the federal government draws up plans for protecting the species. While the main threats to manta rays lie in the Pacific Ocean, where they're targeted for use in traditional Chinese medicine, advocates say that peril just increases the significance of the U.S. population. 'This area is super important to protect because it can be a refuge for manta populations around the world,' said Jessica Pate, research scientist with the Marine Megafauna Foundation, who pioneered the study of the South Florida population." Welcome to the world — Franco Ripple of BCW Global and Ashley Ligas of Avenir Law Group announced that Jackson Ellis Ligas Ripple was born last Friday. Here's a pic. BIRTHDAYS: Courtney Veatch, associate director of federal affairs at the Alzheimer's Association ... JoAnn Carrin ... Robby Cunningham … The Associated Press' Michael Biesecker | | | | 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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