Hello and good Wednesday morning.
It’s you again— It’s been a little while since they directly clashed, but the red state v. blue state battle between Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and California Gov. Gavin Newsom opened up a new front on Tuesday.
Golden State dig— DeSantis dinged Newsom and California with a Covid-19 legislative proposal that will include a part designed to protect the “freedom of speech” of medical professionals even if they rail against the “preferred narrative of the medical community.”
A different approach— The legislation — which was considered last year by Florida legislators but did not ultimately pass — is the direct antithesis to a measure signed by Newsom last year that would let medical boards take disciplinary action against doctors who spread false information about Covid-19.
Flipped— Florida would go the opposite direction and shield physicians and health care providers. Last year’s legislation would have applied to comments made by health care practitioners on social media platforms such as Twitter.
Recruiting pitch— “If a high quality physician is driven out of California, this is going to be the first place people are going to want to go,” DeSantis said at a Panama City Beach event where he announced his latest batch of Covid-19 proposals that also includes making bans on vaccine and mask mandates previously adopted by legislators permanent.
Rivals— Newsom and DeSantis have been on a collision course and exchanged a few rhetorical jabs last year, including over immigration and their handling of Covid-19. Last summer, Newsom dropped money into a Fox News ad that tweaked DeSantis. But while DeSantis continues to move closer to a likely 2024 presidential bid, it appears Newsom will have to wait as President Joe Biden appears poised to mount a reelection effort.
Response — House Minority Leader Fentrice Driskell called DeSantis’ latest Covid-19 proposal an example of where he’s “punching above his weight. He loves to mention either California and Joe Biden every third word he says.” This latest proposal, she said, is “political angling and posturing.”
Check — DeSantis has become a rising conservative star, however, because of his anti-lockdown, anti-mandate stances on Covid-19 that now includes a lot of vaccine skepticism. Expect the Florida Legislature to shepherd his latest proposal to passage, giving DeSantis another talking point ahead of an highly anticipated presidential announcement later this spring.
— WHERE’S RON? — Gov. DeSantis is scheduled to be in Tallahassee for a meeting of the Board of Executive Clemency. DeSantis is also expected to head to the central Florida Atlantic Coast later in the day for an announcement on hurricane disaster relief.
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HAND-DELIVERED REQUEST— Top Michigan Republicans move to draft DeSantis for 2024, by POLITICO’s Alex Isenstadt: A group of prominent Michigan Republicans are encouraging Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to jump into the 2024 presidential race — a significant and thinly veiled shot at the only announced Republican candidate: former President Donald Trump. Last month, Bryan Posthumus, the Republican floor leader in the Michigan state House, flew to Florida and hand-delivered DeSantis a letter encouraging him to run for president.
The letter — which was signed by 18 Republican members of the state House, one quarter of party’s caucus — called DeSantis “uniquely and exceptionally qualified to provide the leadership and competence that is, unfortunately, missing” in the White House under President Joe Biden, according to excerpts provided by a Posthumus spokesperson.
THE AGENDA— DeSantis pushes to make Covid-19 changes permanent, by POLITICO’s Matt Dixon: At an event that featured a dermatologist who spreads Covid-19 vaccine conspiracy theories, Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday said he will push Florida’s Republican-controlled Legislature to make permanent many of his pandemic-era policies that have made him a star with many in the GOP and a potential 2024 presidential candidate. The proposal, announced during a press conference in Panama City, would put into state law many of the policies DeSantis implemented through executive order or were temporarily passed during a 2021 special legislative session.
— “DeSantis appoints a private school staffer to the Miami-Dade School Board,” by Miami Herald’s Sommer Brugal
FOLLOWING THE MONEY — Florida investment board approves anti-ESG investment guidelines, by POLITICO’s Matt Dixon: Florida’s top investment advisory board on Tuesday approved changes no longer allowing key state investment arms to consider things like “social, political or ideological interests” when making investment decisions. The vote by the State Board of Administration, which includes Gov. Ron DeSantis, CFO Jimmy Patronis and Attorney General Ashley Moody, all Republicans, is one of the first material steps taken in what is expected to be a push back this year against so-called ESG, which stands for environmental, social and governance issues.
Details — The change specifically requires investment decisions to be based on “pecuniary factors,” which are based only on potential risk and return, rather than any outside factors. “This is pretty straight forward focus on financial returns,” said Jacksonville-based attorney Jon McGowan, who has spoken and written extensively on ESG issues. “Not only does it prevent investing because of the ‘woke’ agenda, it also prevents pulling investments from ‘woke’ companies or funds if they are comparatively profitable.”
CUSTIN SEEKS PARDON— David Custin, a well-known lobbyist and political consultant from Miami whose clients have included top political figures such as Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez and former Senate President Bill Galvano, is asking for a pardon this morning from DeSantis and the other Cabinet members on the Board of Executive Clemency. Custin explained that he got arrested in 1996 in Tallahassee on a domestic battery charge following a fight with his brother. Custin pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor charge but said that has prevented him from being able to purchase a gun under federal law. He said he first applied for a pardon in 2009 and it’s taken until now for his case to reach the board. The clemency board staff have recommended that the pardon be granted.
— “Day 6 of federal trial: UCLA prof says college survey “asks students to tattletale’ on instructors,” by Florida Phoenix’s Danielle J. Brown
— “DeSantis announces new head of Florida State Guard,” by Tampa Bay Times’ Romy Ellenbogen and Lawrence Mower
— “Florida Cabinet OKs DeSantis pick for FDLE commissioner,” by News Service of Florida
— “New appellate court up and running, but faces hiring, facility issues,” by Florida Politics’ Gray Rohrer
— “FL prisons have ‘significant vacancies’ in staff positions; lack money for key inmate programs,” by Florida Phoenix’s Mitch Perry
— “Personnel note: The Southern Group names Diane Moulton as chief administrative officer,” by Florida Politics’ Peter Schorsch
CALLS FOR PRIMARY CHALLENGE — “Republicans turn on one of their own over immigration remark,” by Newsweek’s Katherine Fung: “Republicans attacked one of their own, GOP Representative Maria Salazar, on Tuesday after the Florida congresswoman urged the nation to treat undocumented immigrants already living in the U.S. with ‘dignity.’ Speaking as part of a bipartisan panel at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on Tuesday, Salazar said after closing off America’s borders, the U.S. should then offer ‘dignity’ to the tens of millions of people living in the country without citizenship.”
DROPPING THE F BOMB— “Feeling the Vern,” by PUCK’S Tara Palmeri: “Well, a source on the House floor during the vote told me that while [House Speaker Kevin] McCarthy was gaveling down the votes, [Florida Rep. Vern] Buchanan walked up to McCarthy and said, “You fucked me, I know it was you, you whipped against me.” He then proceeded to chew out McCarthy’s deputy chief of staff for floor operations, John Leganski. It was shocking to see such fury from Buchanan, who’s known for being mild mannered.”
MOVING AHEAD? — “Trump’s former lawyer meets with prosecutors about hush money,” by The New York Times’ Ben Protess and William K. Rashbaum: “The Manhattan district attorney’s office on Tuesday took a significant step forward in its investigation of Donald J. Trump, meeting with his former personal lawyer about hush money paid to a porn star who said she had an affair with Mr. Trump, according to people with knowledge of the matter. The questioning of the lawyer, Michael D. Cohen, offered the clearest sign yet that the district attorney’s office was ramping up its investigation into Mr. Trump’s role in the $130,000 hush money deal.”
BY THE NUMBERS — “Tampa airport in top 10 for most firearms found at security checkpoints, TSA says,” by Tampa Bay Times’ Matt Cohen: “Tampa International Airport was one of 10 airports in the U.S. to have the most firearms confiscated from carry-on bags at security checkpoints in 2022, according to the Transportation Security Administration. Tampa was 10th in the nation last year, with 131 firearms found, according to TSA data posted on Twitter. Two other Florida airports were also in the top 10, with 162 firearms found at Orlando International Airport and 134 at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.”
THE DESANTIS WAY— “Puzzled by new law, Hillsborough eyes cutting the term ‘institutional racism’ from school policy,” by Tampa Bay Times’ Marlene Sokol: “Superintendent Addison Davis said he has tried several times to get state leaders to clarify their concerns, but they have not. Nevertheless, board attorney Jim Porter warned members that after being chastised in the past over masking requirements during COVID-19 and the attempted closing of four charter schools, the district is safest to do what state leaders seem to want. ‘We can push back,’ Porter said. ‘But we have seen how the Department of Education, and more importantly the governor, has acted when they feel like they are thwarted.’”
DROPPED — “Judge dismisses lawsuit against Leon schools that helped inspire ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill,” by Tallahassee Democrat’s Ana Goñi-Lessan: “A federal judge dismissed a lawsuit against Leon County Schools that alleged the district spoke to a teen about gender identity without the parents’ permission ― a requirement under Florida’s controversial parental rights in education law. In his order to dismiss, U.S. District Judge Mark Walker of the Northern District of Florida wrote a state court, not federal, is the best venue, as the suit’s claims do not meet the high standard that federal case law requires.”
DOUBLE VISION — “Wait, was that two state attorneys throwing beads at Tampa’s MLK Day parade” by Tampa Bay Times Sue Carlton: “Toward the front of the parade was Andrew Warren, Hillsborough’s twice-elected state attorney, suspended by Gov. Ron DeSantis last year and now suing to get his job back. He walked the streets in a navy T-shirt proclaiming ‘Andrew Warren, State Attorney’ with no mention of his employment status. A pickup truck ferrying supporters carried a similar banner. ‘I’m the elected state attorney and we’re celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. Day,’ he told a reporter. King fought for things including democracy, Warren said, and ‘that’s what we’re fighting for as well. And it’s a beautiful day.’”
RECOMMENDATIONS — “Former state Rep. Grieco should have law license temporarily suspended, report says,” by Miami Herald’s Aaron Leibowitz and Nicholas Nehamas: “A judge tasked with investigating a campaign finance scandal involving former state representative and Miami Beach commissioner Michael Grieco is recommending a 90-day suspension of Grieco’s law license, according to a report released Tuesday. The report, issued by Miami-Dade Circuit Court Judge George Sarduy as part of a Florida Bar case, calls on the Florida Supreme Court to find Grieco guilty of violating the state’s rules for lawyers related to conduct involving dishonesty or a ‘criminal act that reflects adversely’ on the attorney.”
— “Disney, Universal report heart issues, falls on attractions,” by Orlando Sentinel’s Katie Rice
— “Puerto Rico on its way to privatizing power generation despite widespread skepticism,” by NBC News’ Nicole Acevedo
— “Orlando eyes downtown club moratorium, new permits; bars call proposals ‘excessive,’” by Orlando Sentinel’s Ryan Gillespie
— “Duval GOP wants grand jury to investigate JEA sale attempt,” by Florida Politics’ A.G. Gancarski
— “Surfside candidate who lost election bid is now in jail on murder charges in Broward,” by Miami Herald’s Grethel Aguila: “A political hopeful who ran in Surfside’s 2022 election is now behind bars in Broward. Shannon Gallagher, 52, was arrested in Chicago after being indicted for a March 21 killing, according to court records. She was transported to Florida and booked into a Broward jail Friday on charges of first-degree murder with a firearm. Gallagher, a California licensed attorney in good standing, ran for a seat on the Surfside town commission. The election, which she lost, was held days before the alleged killing occurred.”
BIRTHDAYS: Former Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell … Stacey Rubenfeld, chief advancement officer at Jewish Federation of Broward … Former Florida House Speaker Larry Cretul
