| | | | |  | | By Kimberly Leonard | | Presented by |  | | | |  MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 05: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks during a news conference on February 05, 2024 in Miami Beach, Florida. Among other topics, he addressed the upcoming influx of spring breakers and assured the public that law enforcement officials and resources were available to maintain order if needed. (Photo by | Joe Raedle/Getty Images | Good morning and welcome to Thursday. Gov. Ron DeSantis has the cannabis legalization referendum on his mind. “Your life will be impacted by this,” he said Wednesday at a bill signing at the Hialeah Gardens Museum. “It will change the quality of life in our communities. You will smell it when you’re walking down a lot of these streets.” But DeSantis wasn’t in Hialeah to discuss marijuana. He brought up his complaints unprompted, when he was asked about the abortion referendum. DeSantis urged voters to select “no” on any ballot language that was confusing to them before raising his concerns about cannabis and calling it “the broadest amendment yet.” DeSantis keeps talking about cannabis, and it turns out he won't be the only one. Republican Party of Florida Chair Evan Power told Playbook that the party will take up the topic during its quarterly meeting on the first weekend in May, when the 40-member executive committee will vote on taking a formal position on the cannabis referendum as well as the other topics on the ballot. (The GOP voted in February that it will oppose the abortion referendum.) DeSantis, who won his 2022 reelection by almost 20 points, would have sway in persuading the party to oppose the cannabis measure. The governor has supported expanded access to marijuana in the past. When he came into office, he advanced smokeable medical cannabis that had been overwhelmingly approved by voters, even though his predecessor, now-Sen. Rick Scott, tried to block it. DeSantis readily acknowledged his history on the issue during Wednesday’s press conference, though he added that some people who get cards for medicinal use don’t actually have debilitating illnesses. Florida has more than 871,000 patients registered with the state Department of Health to access medical marijuana, POLITICO’s Arek Sarkissian reported. But the new proposal is too far for him. “I see these stores in all parts of the state,” DeSantis said. “Do we really need to have 10 times more of that than we do? No we don’t.” High profile Orlando attorney John Morgan, a prominent Democratic fundraiser who bankrolled Florida’s medical marijuana ballot measure and worked with DeSantis on smokable pot, told Playbook via text that he thought the governor’s stance on the issue was motivated by donors, including from the pharmaceutical and alcohol industries. “Ron is not for the people he is for Ron … He is simply transactional and I had such high hopes,” wrote Morgan, who's considering a run for governor. One of DeSantis’ main concerns appears to be about the recreational pot referendum preventing lawmakers from placing restrictions on where the drug could be consumed and sold. Steve Vancore, spokesperson for Smart & Safe Florida, the campaign behind the ballot push, pointed to language in the amendment’s full text and said the Legislature would still have the power to regulate when and where people use cannabis, just as they do for cigarettes and alcohol. “We have laws regulating time, place and manner,” Vancore said. “It will be the exact same thing for cannabis. We agree with the governor: We don't want Florida to become the stinky state … So the Legislature can say no smoking on school grounds. No selling near schools — and we would support that.” WHERE'S RON? Gov. DeSantis is holding a 10 a.m. press conference in Kissimmee. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for Playbook? Get in touch at: kleonard@politico.com
| | A message from Alibaba: Every day, American businesses generate big global sales on Alibaba's online marketplace – to the tune of $66B in one year alone. These sales are having a bigger impact on communities back home. Florida companies like Timberwolf Pet Foods and DS Laboratories sell to over one billion consumers in China through Alibaba, supporting 15,800 local jobs and contributing $1.9B to Florida's GDP. Learn more about how Alibaba positively impacts Florida's economy. | | | |  | ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... | | |  The late Florida Gov. and Senator, Bob Graham, and his wife, Adele. | Wilfredo Lee/AP | — “Who is Bob Graham? Here’s what to know about the former Florida governor and senator,” by C.A. Bridges of USA Today Network — Florida … “DeSantis orders flags at half staff to honor late Florida Gov. and U.S. Sen. Bob Graham,” reports James L. Rosica of the Tallahassee Democrat. BOOK REMOVALS — “Florida says school principals could be penalized over book restrictions,” reports Ana Ceballos of the Miami Herald. “Florida education officials on Wednesday voted to put the onus on school principals to ensure students have access to ‘appropriate’ reading materials in classrooms and libraries, saying such a step is needed to prevent the politicization of the state’s book challenge process … In response to that directive, the State Board of Education unanimously voted to punish school principals who direct school personnel to prevent students from accessing reading materials that have not been determined to be inappropriate by state law or a school district policy.” GET TO KNOW — “The obscure but powerful politicians who control Florida’s energy,” by the Tampa Bay Times’ Emily L. Mahoney. “The five people who make up the [Florida Public Service Commission] decide how much utility companies are allowed to charge the public for electricity, a powerful role when Floridians have no alternative choices. Whichever company is the provider for the area where you live has a monopoly for that part of the state, which is a reason why they’re subject to state regulation.” SIGNED — “All Florida K-12 students to learn about ‘atrocities’ of communism,” reports Ana Ceballos of the Miami Herald. “The lessons will be required to be ‘age appropriate and developmentally appropriate’ for each grade and will be developed by the Florida Department of Education. Among the required instruction, which would begin in the 2026-27 school year: lessons on the history of communism in the United States, the ‘increasing threat of communism in the United States’ and the ‘atrocities committed in foreign countries under the guidance of communism.’” RENOVATION RELOCATION — “Capitol makeover moves Gov. DeSantis administration to temporary digs,” reports Gray Rohrer of Florida Politics. “The move took place two weeks ago. The renovations on the Governor’s wing of the Plaza Level, the entrance floor of the Capitol, aren’t expected to be completed until the end of the year, a DeSantis spokesman confirmed. At the latest, employees will return before the start of the next Regular Session, which begins March 4, 2025.” — “Endangered sawfish deaths climb to 40 as rescued fish appears to be recuperating,” reports WLRN’s Jenny Staletovich. — “'Tiger King' star Carole Baskin seeks help from Florida Supreme Court after defamation suit,” reports Douglas Soule of USA Today Network Florida.
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REIMBURSEMENT COMING — “Florida officials optimistic over Broward deal to pay back charter schools,” reports POLITICO’s Andrew Atterbury. “Broward County Public Schools agreed to pay back an estimated $80 million to dozens of charter schools over the next three years through a plan that appears to have eased some of the state scrutiny facing the district. While the state Board of Education was scheduled to consider punishing Broward on Wednesday, the issue was put off until July when the first payment is scheduled.”
HOLD IT — “This Florida airport wants to expand — but just ran into a big problem with the FAA,” by James A. Jones Jr. of the Miami Herald. “Federal government officials may have thrown a wrench into Sarasota Bradenton International Airport’s long-term expansion plans. In a recent letter to airport leaders, the Federal Aviation Administration said it does not approve of a sale agreement between SRQ and New College [the college overhauled by Gov. Ron DeSantis] … New College began leasing the property for $108,000 a year in 1957 as part of a 99-year lease agreement. The rent arrangement is also well below the current market price.”
| | | | A message from Alibaba:   | | | | | CAMPAIGN MODE | | |  Florida Democratic Senate candidate Debbie Mucarsel-Powell speaks during a campaign event held at the United Teachers of Dade headquarters building on February 22, 2024 in Miami, Florida. | Joe Raedle/Getty Images | ABORTION MESSAGING HEATING UP — “Democrat Mucarsel-Powell takes aim at Rick Scott’s changing abortion views,” reports Steven Lemongello of the Orlando Sentinel. “Last week, Republican U.S. Sen. Rick Scott said he would have signed Florida’s 6-week abortion ban if he still were governor. This week, he said he preferred a 15-week ban. And on Monday, within hours, he and his office gave two answers on whether he would consider voting for a federal abortion ban.” … Scott in this week’s Spectrum Bay News 9 Interview: “If I was the sitting governor, and the 6-week abortion ban came in front of me, I would sign it,” Scott said. “I’ve always said I would sign it. But here’s what I really think we ought to be doing: What’s the consensus?” Scott then said the consensus around Florida might be a 15-week ban with exceptions for “rape, incest and life of the mother” and said it was important to make adoption easier. HELP WANTED — Florida Democrats are taking to the streets to try to find candidates to jump into currently uncontested elections. The Florida Democratic Party announced Wednesday that it is rolling out billboards and digital ads in Polk, Madison, Miami-Dade and Seminole counties to encourage people to mount campaigns for Congress, as well as the Legislature and local office. The billboard text reads, “You’re already a leader. Run for office.” Florida Democratic Party chair Nikki Fried said that there “are 27 uncontested House seats with no Democrat running and it is up to us to change that. We are already competing in more races compared to 2022 but it is our goal to field candidates in every seat across the state and give Republicans a run for their money. As we get closer to qualifying deadlines, candidate recruitment is a top priority.” Republican leaders were dismissive of the effort. Republican Party of Florida chair Evan Power said on his social media account: “I could think of a bigger waste of money…oh wait I can’t.” Republicans currently hold a supermajority in the Legislature, control the governor’s mansion, both U.S. Senate seats and the three Cabinet posts. Democrats don't have a lot of time left. Qualifying for congressional seats starts next Monday and ends April 26. Legislative qualifying runs from June 10 to June 14. — Gary Fineout
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DECISION DAY — “Biden moves to reimpose oil sanctions on Venezuela,” reports POLITICO’s Michael Stratford and Eric Bazail-Eimil. “The Treasury Department will allow temporary sanctions relief for the South American country’s oil and gas sector to expire this week and won’t seek a renewal, senior administration officials said Wednesday ... State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said that despite some progress under the deal the U.S. was 'concerned that Maduro and his representatives prevented the democratic opposition from registering the candidate of their choice, harassed and intimidated political opponents, and unjustly detained numerous political actors and members of civil society.'"
… Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried praised the decision in a statement. "The Venezuelan dictatorship has repeatedly demonstrated a failure to hold up their end of the deal and undermined the will of the people after millions of Venezuelans, including thousands from the Venezuelan community in Florida voted for opposition candidate, Maria Corina Machado to challenge Maduro in the upcoming elections." — “Sen. Rick Scott says he’s a China hawk. But he’s made lots of money with China-related investments,” reports David Corn of Mother Jones.
| | A message from Alibaba: Timberwolf Pet Food, a family-owned company based in Windermere, Florida, achieved an impressive 7-figure growth after launching on Alibaba's online marketplace, which reaches over one billion consumers in China. Partnering with Alibaba helped the 25-year-old company double its sales projections, allowing Timberwolf to expand its product lines, production, and staffing to meet the increasing demand.
Florida businesses generated enough global sales on Alibaba’s online marketplace to add $1.9 billion to Florida’s economy, supporting 15,800 local jobs and $1.1 billion in wages in one year.
"I knew from experience that Alibaba, with over one billion online consumers, was essential to launch our brand in China successfully," said Timberwolf CEO Kam Martin.
Learn more about how Alibaba positively impacts Florida's economy. | | | | | ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN | |
CATCHING ON — “A Taylor Swift course is coming to USF Tampa,” per the Tampa Bay Times. “Students will gather twice a week for discussions on Swift’s impact and lectures comparing her music to Shakespeare, Emily Dickinson and Lord Byron.”
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