Good Monday morning.
Trying by means of the wreckage — Throughout the frantic closing moments of a legislative session, it might probably get complicated about what lawmakers achieved — and what they handed over — throughout their 60-day session. These stakes are just starting to sink in on a number of fronts. Exhibit A: CBS Miami’s Jim DeFede, for instance, had a prolonged interview with Rep. Daniel Perez this weekend over the Legislature’s failure to enact reforms within the aftermath of the Surfside condominium catastrophe.
Left untouched — One other factor they didn’t sort out — and it is going to be attention-grabbing to see if this positive aspects better publicity within the weeks and months forward — was addressing Florida’s company earnings tax fee, which, properly, relying in your standpoint, is both rising, resetting, or returning to regular.
The way it obtained right here — There’s an extended, jumbled historical past to this involving tax cuts accepted whereas Donald Trump was in workplace, however suffice to say legislators beforehand accepted laws that allowed Florida’s company earnings tax fee to briefly go down (together with massive refunds on high of that). The speed fell from 5.5 p.c to 4.458 p.c in 2019 and 2020 and all the best way down to three.535 p.c in 2021. However as of Jan. 1 of this 12 months the speed is again as much as 5.5 p.c.
Comply with the cash — Now, just a small fraction of Florida companies pay company incomes taxes however it nonetheless generates billions of {dollars} yearly for the state’s coffers (which is why an effort by then-Gov. Rick Scott to eliminate the tax fully by no means gained traction). Organizations that symbolize the state’s enterprise group pushed through the 2022 session to maintain the company earnings tax fee because it had been the previous three years. They stated to disregard this is able to imply that Florida companies can be hit with a $1.2 billion tax hike. (That’s roughly how way more Florida’s company earnings tax is anticipated to internet in 2022-23 vs. the earlier 12 months.)
A proof (kind of) — When requested in regards to the company earnings tax and whether or not taxes have been going up, Home Speaker Chris Sprowls final week stated “no” after which rapidly pivoted. He identified that legislators had accepted a large lower in taxes final 12 months for companies (by authorizing taxes on on-line gross sales to assist offset taxes owed for the state’s unemployment belief fund).
Audience — And Sprowls stated that this 12 months’s tax-slicing effort had a distinct goal in thoughts: “We wished to focus this tax package deal on households. All people is aware of households are struggling. …This was a tremendous tax package deal for households.” The invoice handed by legislators included an extended line of tax breaks, together with a one-12 months gross sales tax exemption for diapers and power environment friendly home equipment and a just-in-time-for-the-election one-month break on the state’s fuel tax in October. The query stays whether or not others will contend that the Republican-managed Legislature additionally signed off on a big tax hike.
— WHERE’S RON? — Gov. DeSantis will maintain a press convention in Wellington with Schooling Commissioner Richard Corcoran.
THE COUNT: It’s been 17 days for the reason that Florida Legislature accepted a brand new congressional map however it nonetheless hasn’t been despatched to Gov. Ron DeSantis. DeSantis has promised to veto the map.
Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or every other nugget for Playbook? Get in contact:[email protected]
HOW NIKKI FRIED SPENT HER WEEKEND — Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried and her marketing campaign misplaced entry to Fried’s essential political Twitter account — @NikkiFried — for near a day after hackers have been in a position to achieve entry to it. The marketing campaign despatched out a launch Saturday night time that acknowledged it had been the goal of a “fishing” assault. (Sure, that’s the way it was spelled within the assertion.) Throughout the time that Fried’s account was “compromised,” the identify was modified to “Nikki.eth” and the account retweeted adverts for non-fungible tokens. On Sunday, the account had been restored with Fried tweeting out “In hindsight, possibly I shouldn’t have taken that phishing journey.”
SEARCHING FOR A PATHWAY — “Florida’s feuding Democratic factions maintain historic assembly amid ‘existential’ risk,” by POLITICO’s Matt Dixon: Florida Democrats are mounting what may very well be their final stand. Practically 100 get together leaders, donors and consultants from totally different, typically feuding factions of the get together quietly met in Miami final week to plot a path again to relevance within the state, which has handed them a multi-decade lengthy string of gutting political losses.
‘In the identical room’ — It was one of many largest strategic gatherings of Florida Democrats in latest reminiscence, a nod to the determined state of affairs they discover themselves in, with Republicans more and more consolidating their maintain on one of many largest battleground states. “It has by no means occurred the place this variety of teams and people and applications have been all in the identical room,” stated Sean Shaw, a former Democratic state consultant and member of the Florida Alliance, a set of progressive teams that organized the assembly.
That sinking feeling — The a long time of despair have left nationwide Democratic teams starting to close off the money spigot. “There’s a insecurity in Florida, and whereas I’d take severe problem with writing Florida off — I believe it’s strategically wrongheaded — the progressive motion does must look inward and ask what we’re doing,” stated Ray Paultre, the Florida Alliance’s govt director. “The quantity of nationwide assets that come right into a state are decided by like 50 folks throughout the nation. They must be instilled with confidence that we’re doing the precise factor.” Paultre replied “sure” when requested if the 2022 midterm cycle is the primary time Democrats in Florida are actually seeing nationwide donor teams shrink back from Florida, which traditionally has been a part of most nationwide group’s applications. “We’re on this place as a result of now we have no energy,” Paultre stated.
‘THAT ESCALATED QUICKLY’ — “DeSantis vs. Disney showdown bolsters Florida governor’s standing in GOP,” by CNN’s Steve Contorno: “An increasing number of, Republicans, as soon as loath to criticize huge enterprise, have adopted former President Donald Trump’s strategy of calling out firms whose stances on sizzling-button points they disagree with. One longtime Republican guide in Florida, who requested to not be named in an effort to converse freely about DeSantis and Disney, informed CNN it was ‘a distinct day for the company-loving GOP in Florida.’ ‘This factor with Disney, that is his modus operandi,’ the guide stated of DeSantis. ‘There is no playbook anymore for companies. You just must take your lumps.’”.
— “‘It’s select your fighter time’: Rep. Matt Gaetz pronounces reelection marketing campaign,” by Northwest Florida Every day Information’ Sierra Rains
— “‘Ghost’ candidate scandal operative linked to Orange property appraiser election,” by Orlando Sentinel’s Annie Martin
— “59 sheriffs endorse Wilton Simpson for State Commissioner of Agriculture,” by Florida Politics’ Anne Geggis
REJECTED — “Fentanyl check strips might cut back overdoses, deaths. Florida Legislature stated no to legalizing them,” by Solar Sentinel’s Anthony Man: “With overdoses and deaths brought on by fentanyl surging a number of of South Florida’s most outstanding elected officers sought a change in state regulation to legalize cheap check strips that may detect its presence, a step they stated might save hundreds of lives. Dave Aronberg, the Palm Seashore County state lawyer; Congressman Ted Deutch, who represents Broward and Palm Seashore counties, and state Sen. Shevrin Jones, from South Broward and northern Miami-Dade counties — all Democrats — pushed for the change. They failed.”
CRISIS, WHAT CRISIS?— “Florida’s GOP-led Legislature steers away from local weather change — once more,” by POLITICO’s Bruce Ritchie: Florida’s elected leaders are praising themselves for taking motion to deal with the consequences of sea stage rise however as soon as once more prevented taking over laws to deal with local weather change. The Legislature will likely be sending Gov. Ron DeSantis a invoice that will set up the Statewide Workplace of Resilience and direct state freeway officers to create an motion plan to guard roads in danger from flooding. And lawmakers included $200 million in federal coronavirus reduction funding for the Resilient Florida grant program after the Legislature supplied greater than $700 million final 12 months to create this system.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS — “Now what? Lawmakers’ failure to go rental security invoice leaves residents, patrons in limbo,” by Solar Sentinel’s David Lyons: “Hours after the catastrophic partial collapse of the Champlain Towers South condominium in Surfside, shocked members of rental communities alongside the South Florida coast predicted the catastrophe would set off an enormous ripple impact of residents scrambling for methods to make sure that tragedy wouldn’t strike their properties.
It didn’t occur — “However the seriousness of the episode was not compelling sufficient for a majority of lawmakers in Tallahassee to behave. The 2022 state Legislature didn’t agree on a package deal of security reforms that will have required inspections of older buildings, mandated monetary reserves for rental associations and supplied extra public transparency for upkeep and inspection reviews.”
WEIGHING IN — “US schooling secretary to Florida LGBTQ children: Bought your again,” by The Related Press’ Brendan Farrington: “In one other conflict between President Joe Biden’s administration and Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, U.S. Schooling Secretary Miguel Cardona spoke with LGBTQ college students to say the federal authorities helps them even when the governor doesn’t. Cardona’s name Thursday with college students, mother and father and lecturers was a response to Florida laws opponents name the ‘don’t say homosexual’ invoice, which forbids instruction on sexual orientation and gender identification in kindergarten by means of third grade. The Legislature handed the invoice and DeSantis is anticipated to signal it.”
— “Academics get caught in the midst of Florida’s tradition battle payments,” by Orlando Sentinel’s Jeffrey Schweers
WILL IT HAPPEN A THIRD TIME? — “‘First Wives’ urge DeSantis to veto reform that lets rich ex-husbands undo alimony pledges,” by Florida Phoenix’s Laura Cassels: “They name themselves the ‘First Wives’ membership, however not like their Hollywood counterparts, they are saying they’re those within the crosshairs. Camille Fiveash of Pensacola stated she was pushed and shoved within the halls of the Florida Capitol, stalked, and tormented with dying threats. She and different girls, whose ex-husbands wish to relieve themselves of typically a long time-outdated divorce settlements, say they’ve been harassed on social media, described as ‘alimony leeches’ and publicly fats-shamed.”
SHOULD I STAY OR GO? — “Cities transfer to sever ‘Sister Metropolis’ ties with Russian governments,” by New York Occasions’ Sophie Kasakove: “Some sister metropolis partnerships are standing agency. In a March 7 letter to the mayor of Tallahassee, Fla., Mayor Lauren Poe of Gainesville, Fla., emphasised his dedication to sustaining a sister metropolis relationship with the town of Novorossiysk in Russia, and urged the town of Tallahassee, ‘within the strongest phrases attainable,’ to do the identical with its sister metropolis of Krasnodar. ‘We should not maintain the households of our sister cities liable for the actions of a nationalist tyrant,’ Mr. Poe wrote. ‘Slightly, we have to strengthen our resolve to construct on particular person-to-particular person management and have fun citizen diplomacy.’ The Metropolis [Commission] of Tallahassee voted unanimously two days later to sever its ties with Krasnodar.”
— “Ukrainians in Orlando say they’ll hold protesting till the battle ends,” by Orlando Sentinel’s Natalia Jaramillo
— “Congressman Michael Waltz: Biden’s actions to help Ukraine have been ‘heartless,’” by The Daytona Seashore Information-Journal’s Mark Harper
LET THE HEARINGS BEGIN— “Supreme Courtroom hearings put highlight on Jackson — and 2024 presidential hopefuls,” by McClatchy D.C.’s Francesca Chambers: “Republicans know they’re not more likely to hold Decide Ketanji Brown Jackson off the Supreme Courtroom — however that received’t cease 2024 presidential hopefuls who sit on the Senate’s judiciary panel from making an attempt to create advert-worthy moments for themselves this week at her affirmation listening to. A few of the most possible presidential or vice presidential candidates within the subsequent election sit on the committee, and Jackson’s listening to will give them ample alternative to boost their political profiles.”
INFRASTRUCTURE WEEK — “Home Speaker Nancy Pelosi visits a damaged Delray Seashore drawbridge. It helps present what billions in new funds will repair,” by Solar Sentinel’s Chris Perkins: “A damaged drawbridge has been within the upright place for the previous two weeks in Delray Seashore and can keep caught that approach for no less than six extra weeks — posing an enormous headache for pissed off neighbors and commuters. The George Bush bridge on Saturday drew a go to from Home Speaker Nancy Pelosi and different officers, who used it as an emblem for example what may very well be fastened or improved by means of the $19 billion that Florida is about to obtain from the $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Funding and Jobs Act, often called the infrastructure invoice.”
‘WE NEED EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM’ — “The South’s well being care system is crumbling underneath Covid-19. Enter Tennessee,” by POLITICO’s Daniel Payne: In Florida, the place there have been fewer closures, Tallahassee Memorial Well being was in a position to alleviate the crowding brought on by Covid-19 by coaching employees at smaller hospitals to deal with circumstances that will often require a better stage of care. Close by rural hospitals proved to be the important thing to treating sufferers by means of the pandemic. “We’d like each single considered one of them,” Lauren Faison-Clark, administrator for regional improvement, inhabitants well being and telemedicine at Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare, stated of rural hospitals. “We don’t need all people coming to Tallahassee for well being care.”
WHY DID STATE OFFICIALS FIGHT TO KEEP THIS SECRET? — “Secrecy, beatings and lies: the laborious life, pointless dying of 1-12 months-outdated Rashid Bryant,” by Miami Herald’s Carol Marbin Miller: “In recent times, [The Department of Children and Families] has routinely withheld particulars of kid deaths by saying they’ve but to make a willpower whether or not the kid died as the results of neglect or abuse. No willpower of abuse means no obligation to reveal. Rashid’s dying offers the most recent instance. However on this case, DCF went to new extremes, preventing the Miami Herald and different information retailers for over a 12 months in court docket to maintain the info underneath wraps — till a choose this month rebuked the company, saying it was an apparent case of lethal abuse and DCF knew it. Launch the data — now — Miami-Dade Circuit Decide Barbara Areces ordered.”
YUCK — “Florida tops checklist for essentially the most polluted lakes within the US, research finds,” by WLRN’s Jenny Staletovich: “Florida has climbed to the highest of one other ignominious checklist, due to its a whole bunch of hundreds of acres of soiled lakes. The state’s waters have lengthy been fouled by soiled stormwater and algae blooms fed by fertilizer run off from farms. Now a brand new research analyzing water high quality throughout the U.S. reveals Florida rating first for the best whole acres of lakes too polluted for swimming or wholesome aquatic life. Meaning water can have excessive ranges of fecal matter and different micro organism that may sicken folks , or have low ranges of oxygen or different air pollution that may hurt fish and different aquatic life.”
— “April Four jury choice set for Florida faculty shooter case,” by The Related Press’s Freida Frisaro
— “Disney ‘regrets’ efficiency by visiting faculty drill workforce,” by The Related Press: “Officers at Walt Disney World stated Friday {that a} efficiency by a visiting Texas highschool drill workforce that used American Indian stereotypes, together with chants of ‘scalp them,’ doesn’t replicate the Florida resort’s values. The efficiency this week within the Magic Kingdom by the ‘Indianettes’ drill workforce from Port Neches-Grove Excessive College ‘didn’t replicate our core values, and we remorse it occurred,’ Disney spokeswoman Jacquee Wahler stated in an emailed assertion.”
BIRTHDAYS: State Rep. Paul Renner … Julie Hauserman, writer and former journalist
