| | | | |  | | By Kimberly Leonard and Siena Duncan | |  President Joe Biden speaks at Prince William Forest Park on Monday, April 22, 2024. | Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP | Good morning and welcome to Tuesday. President Joe Biden is descending on Tampa today for two campaign events, roughly a week before a six-week abortion ban is set to take effect. Last time Biden was in the state, he was raking in cash and didn’t do any public appearances. This time the president plans to give a speech focused on abortion, birth control and IVF. It’s part of his plan to highlight policies in Florida that his campaign branded as a “toxic and losing agenda.” In a call with reporters yesterday, his team referenced not only abortion bans but looser gun laws and book removals from school libraries. The campaign is also calling out the fact that Florida has a high number of people without health insurance and has become a much more expensive place to live. There’s a chain reaction at play with today’s visit. Then-President Donald Trump once helped propel Gov. Ron DeSantis to Florida’s governor’s mansion. Then, DeSantis authorized conservative policies in a bid to run to the right of Trump during the GOP presidential primary. Now, Biden’s using DeSantis’ policies against Trump, saying he made them possible. “So much of the issues that are happening here in the state of Florida lie solely on the shoulders of Donald Trump and the MAGA extremism in the Republican Party of Florida,” Democratic chair Nikki Fried said, referring to Trump’s Supreme Court justice appointments and how he endorsed DeSantis for governor in 2018. Polling shows Trump is favored in Florida, but Biden can still use the state to get his message out to swing-state voters in more competitive states. Miami-based Democratic pollster Fernand Amandi said Florida could act as a bellwether for where the U.S. was headed under the GOP. “The recent polls suggest that Florida is still not competitive by any objective metric,” he said. “But still it's smart politics for President Biden to come to MAGA headquarters — which is what Florida now is, it's kind of the heart of the MAGA movement — and poke a finger in their eye on their most vulnerable issue, which even Donald Trump is having a hell of a time trying to explain.” DeSantis has welcomed contrasting national policies to Florida, especially on the economy and immigration, and any efforts by other states to copy them. He often cites the high numbers of people that keep moving here from blue states. Roughly a month ago, he said he didn’t view Florida as competitive at the presidential level, given the huge voter registration advantages for the GOP that could reach 1 million by Election Day. Republican Party of Florida chair Evan Power said the party welcomed Biden “to learn from the successes that have made Florida a beacon of freedom for the rest of the country,” and the party has unapologetically supported the governor’s abortion laws. Sen. Rick Scott’s campaign spokesperson Will Hampson called Biden “instrumental in Florida turning red,” given voters' concerns about inflation and illegal immigration. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for Playbook? Get in touch at: kleonard@politico.com. And a big thanks to Florida-based Siena Duncan, who helped write today Playbook's and can be reached at sduncan@politico.com.
| | | | THE GOLD STANDARD OF POLICY REPORTING & INTELLIGENCE: POLITICO has more than 500 journalists delivering unrivaled reporting and illuminating the policy and regulatory landscape for those who need to know what’s next. Throughout the election and the legislative and regulatory pushes that will follow, POLITICO Pro is indispensable to those who need to make informed decisions fast. The Pro platform dives deeper into critical and quickly evolving sectors and industries—finance, defense, technology, healthcare, energy—equipping policymakers and those who shape legislation and regulation with essential news and intelligence from the world’s best politics and policy journalists.
Our newsroom is deeper, more experienced, and better sourced than any other—with teams embedded in the world’s most active legislative and regulatory power centers. From Brussels to Washington, New York to London, Sacramento to Paris, we bring subscribers inside the conversations that determine policy outcomes and the future of industries, providing insight that cannot be found anywhere else. Get the premier news and policy intelligence service, SUBSCRIBE TO POLITICO PRO TODAY. | | | | | |  | ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... | | | 
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis waves as he leaves a news conference at Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, Dec. 1, 2022, on Key Biscayne, Fla. | Lynne Sladky/AP Photo | ON EARTH DAY — “Florida plans $850 million in Everglades restoration projects in next year,” reports the South Florida Sun Sentinel’s Anthony Man and Abigail Hasebroock. “When he acts on the state budget, [Gov. Ron] DeSantis said he would approve the Legislature’s appropriation of $1.5 billion for ‘really meaningful’ Everglades restoration and water-quality improvements. That includes about $850 million for Everglades restoration projects, including $614 million to support the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan and the Everglades Agricultural Area Reservoir. Also included is $100 million for the second phase of the C-51 Reservoir, which will support the water needs of Palm Beach and Broward counties while also reducing freshwater discharges to the Lake Worth Lagoon.” MIGRANT FLIGHTS FOLLOW UP — “Some migrants flown by DeSantis to Martha’s Vineyard qualify for victim visas, feds say,” by Ana Ceballos of the Miami Herald. “Some of the 49 migrants flown to Martha’s Vineyard by the state of Florida are now able to legally work in the United States and have temporary protections from deportation — because they are considered victims of a potential crime, their attorney says… Those visas are ‘set aside for victims of certain crimes who have suffered mental or physical abuse and are helpful to law enforcement or government officials in the investigation or prosecution of criminal activity,’ according to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. They can eventually lead to permanent lawful status in the United States.” IN COURT — “Mixed results so far for felons accused of illegally voting in 2020,” by Rafael Olmeda of the South Florida Sun Sentinel. “Whether they prevail or not, the prosecutions have already had a political impact. The arrests were part of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ announcement that his administration had created a new Office of Election Crimes and Security, and according to that agency’s annual report, the identified voters have been removed from voter rolls. Attorneys for the offenders made nearly identical arguments in their court cases — they sincerely believed they were eligible after Florida voters approved a 2018 amendment restoring the rights of many convicted felons.” — “'Lauren's Kids' in Tallahassee elementary school for lesson on staying safe,” by the Tallahasse Democrat’s Alaijah Brown.
| | PENINSULA AND BEYOND | |
VENEZUELAN EXODUS — “More Venezuelans to leave country after July elections, predicts South Florida exile activist,” reports WLRN’s Tim Padgett, Helen Acevedo and Sergio R. Bustos. “Venezuela President Nicolás Maduro’s regime is growing ‘more fierce’ in protecting its power and the decade-long exodus of Venezuelans will likely intensify following upcoming July elections, says Beatriz Olavarria, a longtime Venezuelan exile activist in South Florida … The UN Refugee Agency estimates that 7.7 million Venezuelans — about 20 percent of the population — have left the country since 2014, representing the largest exodus in Latin America’s recent history.”
STORY IN PICTURES — “Miami-Dade County’s urban tree project unable to shade residents from record heat,” reports the Miami Herald’s Alyssa Johnson. “The canopy in the Miami area is far below the county’s 30 percent target level, set more than a decade ago to help combat South Florida’s blistering conditions. Despite various planting programs, a recent county report shows little improvement in overall canopy cover. And residents pay the price … In Miami, lower-income areas and communities of color tend to have fewer trees, leading to complaints of elevated electricity bills and a higher risk of heat-related health complications for those residents.” — “Despite GOP outcry, Sarasota 211 made no referrals to Planned Parenthood last year,” by Christian Casale of the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. TAILORING FOR STUDENTS — “With DEI cut from UF, Gainesville mayor considers stepping up to meet students’ needs,” by Nora O’Neill of the Gainesville Sun. “The city’s Office of Equity & Inclusion is baked into Gainesville’s charter ... It has resources and services that UF students may benefit from, especially now that UF won’t provide them, he said. These services may include investigating discrimination complaints and simply having a place where DEI issues may be discussed, [Mayor Harvey] Ward said.” — “A health provider in South Florida believes better building design can help patients heal,” reports WLRN’s Veronica Zaragovia.
| | | | POLITICO IS BACK AT THE 2024 MILKEN INSTITUTE GLOBAL CONFERENCE: POLITICO will again be your eyes and ears at the 27th Annual Milken Institute Global Conference in Los Angeles from May 5-8 with exclusive, daily, reporting in our Global Playbook newsletter. Suzanne Lynch will be on the ground covering the biggest moments, behind-the-scenes buzz and on-stage insights from global leaders in health, finance, tech, philanthropy and beyond. Get a front-row seat to where the most interesting minds and top global leaders confront the world’s most pressing and complex challenges — subscribe today. | | | | | | | CAMPAIGN MODE | | | | 
| TODAY — The Scott Senate campaign is trolling its likely Democratic challenger, former Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, on the topic of illegal immigration with mobile billboards that will be driving around Tampa today during the Biden campaign events. Mucarsel-Powell is set to appear at the event and the ads in both English and Spanish draw attention to the death of Laken Riley, a Georgia nursing student whose alleged murderer was an undocumented immigrant. TOMORROW — “Arizona GOP Senate candidate Kari Lake to host event in north Florida this week,” reports Owen Girard of Florida Voice. “Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., promoted the event on social media, encouraging people to attend.” MAKING IT OFFICIAL — Candidates for Congress began officially qualifying for the ballot on Monday, which includes all 28 House seats and Scott’s Senate seat. Mucarsel-Powell has been considered the likely Democratic challenger to Scott, but she will first have to defeat several Democrats in the Aug. 20 primary. Stanley Campbell, a businessman and former Navy pilot and brother of famed 2 Live Crew rapper Luther Campbell, was one of three Democrats who qualified on Monday. Brian Rush, a former state legislator and lawyer, also officially qualified.Scott will also have to go through a primary battle as well after 2 GOP challengers qualified. In House races, 23 of 28 current incumbents qualified for the ballot including GOP Rep. Laurel Lee. Lee, who served as Florida’s secretary of state under DeSantis, is expected to draw a primary challenge for Florida’s 15th congressional district after former President Donald Trump asked someone to in against her. Lee was the only Republican member of the Florida delegation who endorsed DeSantis over Trump for president. So far no one has officially qualified to run against Lee, although that is expected to change. James Judge, the owner of a Tampa marketing and public relations firm, had initially filed to run against Rep. Gus Bilirakis in Florida’s 13th congressional district but Federal Election Commission records show he transferred to run against Lee earlier this month. Eleven House members currently have drawn opponents. Qualifying runs until Friday at noon. — Gary Fineout INFIGHTING — “Billy Corben blasts Miami-Dade Dems leadership for refusing to move Chair vote from Passover Shabbat,” reports Jesse Scheckner of Florida Politics. “Documentarian Billy Corben is calling out leadership within the Miami-Dade Democratic Party for refusing to reschedule its Special Election for a new Chair so it doesn’t conflict with a Jewish high holiday. Corben, who is seeking the Chair post, says the party’s unwillingness to budge is yet another example of why it is overdue an overhaul. Miami Gardens Sen. Shevrin Jones, who is running with support from the acting Chair, is less critical of the party but supported changing the election date. Miami-Dade College Democrats member Manuel Fernandez and mediator Bernard Jennings are also candidates.” BRIDGING THE GAP — “Cookie Kennedy to attend private fundraiser Tuesday as the GOP threatens a long-held Democratic seat,” by Florida Politics’ Janelle Irwin Taylor. “The Indian Rocks Beach Mayor faces Republican Chris Scherer ... Scherer has raised more than $200,000 for the race between his campaign and political committee, Friends of Chris Scherer. Kennedy has raised $95,208.” | | | DATELINE D.C. | | |
— “How often does a sitting US president visit Tampa Bay? You’d be surprised,” by Tampa Bay Times’ Jay Cridlin.
HOMELESS BAN — “Supreme Court weighs bans on sleeping outdoors as Florida, other states await decision,” reports News4Jax’s Brianna Andrews. “The case is considered the most significant to come before the high court in decades on homelessness, which is reaching record levels in the United States. States across the country, including Florida, have enacted bans against sleeping outside, which effectively bans encampment for those who are homeless. Gov. Ron DeSantis recently signed a law making it illegal for people to camp out on streets, sidewalks and parks.” CONGRESSIONAL BACKLASH — “‘Antisemitic, unconscionable, and dangerous’: White House responds to chaos at Columbia,” reports POLITICO’s Kelly Garrity. Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.) offered to walk with Jewish students on Columbia’s campus and spoke to them Monday. “If the university won’t protect them, Congress will!” he posted on X. | | ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN | | — A rescue dog the DeSantises featured on their social media pages has found his fur-ever home. — “How Miami-Dade students are feeding astronauts. Inside NASA-funded program at Fairchild,”by Jimena Tavel of the Miami Herald. — “Juliet, one of the oldest known manatees, dies at ZooTampa,”by Kirby Wilson of the Tampa Bay Times. BIRTHDAY: Former state Sen. Randolph Bracy. | | | | 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 | | | | |
