| | | | |  | | By Kimberly Leonard | |  Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. | Brandon Bell/Getty Images | Good morning and welcome to Thursday. Gov. Ron DeSantis likes to compare Florida to other states. And the handling of pro-Palestinian protests on college campuses is no different. DeSantis held a public appearance yesterday on the University of Florida’s campus in Gainesville to boast about Florida’s actions on the issue. He described campuses in other states as being “overrun with encampments,” of showing disrespect and of vandalizing buildings with graffiti. “That is not happening here in the state of Florida,” he said, as protest chants could be heard in the background on a video recording his comments. “You are going to behave appropriately and if not you’re going to be shown the door.” Police have arrested more than three dozen protesters in Florida, per the Tampa Bay Times, which also reported officers used tear gas at a demonstration at USF in Tampa. Left-leaning nonprofit organizations criticized Florida’s “unnecessary use of force” and more than 2,100 protesters have been arrested nationwide, per the Associated Press. UF President Ben Sasse stressed during the event with DeSantis that he wanted to protect speech and assembly rights, but also ensure students were safe. Protesters want universities to divest from weapons manufacturers and other corporations they view as helping Israel. Some colleges have worked to accommodate students' demands — but not in Florida. Ray Rodrigues, chancellor of the State University of Florida, said during yesterday’s event that Florida wouldn’t be negotiating with demonstrators. DeSantis’ comments and actions in Florida are similar to those of other prominent Republicans, who argue that their party is more willing to impose “law and order.” Ever since the demonstrations broke out weeks ago, the Trump campaign and other Republicans have cast Joe Biden as a president unable to control the chaos around him. Biden last week spoke out against protests that had turned violent. But the GOP had already begun harnessing messaging on the issue because the White House initially dismissed the demonstrations as isolated incidents. Making matters more difficult politically for Biden is that the protests have divided the party, and outcry followed after Biden said last night that the U.S. would no longer supply weapons to Israel if it invades Rafah. DeSantis holding public events on the issue — and broadcasting it over his social media channels — helps him maintain a national megaphone and also indirectly helps Donald Trump, his former rival whom he recently promised to help with fundraising. It furthermore gives DeSantis a way to keep hammering his accomplishments to supporters, such as the executive order he mentioned yesterday that allows Jewish students to transfer to Florida public universities more easily to escape antisemitism. Finally, it gives DeSantis an opening to preview state dollars heading to different causes. At various bill signings and public events in recent weeks, DeSantis has sprinkled in his intentions to authorize certain parts of the budget the Legislature sent him. Yesterday he said he would approve security funding for public schools and Jewish Day Schools, for historically Black colleges and universities, and for construction of a UF Jacksonville campus. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for Playbook? Get in touch at: kleonard@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.
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SUMMER IS COMING — “No shade, no water, no breaks: DeSantis' new law threatens Florida outdoor worker health,” reports USA Today Network — Florida. “Neither the federal government nor Florida has a heat standard that requires breaks at certain temperatures or sun exposure; advocates say the language is frustratingly vague. Federal workplace safety agency OSHA instead requires breaks ‘long enough for workers to recover from the heat.’ And while OSHA requires employers to provide water for workers, it doesn’t require that employers give their workers time to drink the water.”
NEW VOLUNTARY OPTION — “New Florida law can help make police aware of drivers with disabilities,” reports Adrian Andrews of WFSU. “The law will be part of the motor vehicle registration process. Sponsors say it will make officers mindful of possible medical conditions of someone in the vehicle who may not respond to commands as expected.” NEWS FLORIDIANS CAN USE — “Hurricane Preparedness Week gives Floridians time to prepare for 'active' hurricane season,” by Brandon Girod of the Pensacola News Journal. “During the weeklong event, officials hope that people will use the time to restock their disaster supply kits, review and update emergency plans and make sure they know how to stay updated on the latest weather info.” THE SQUEEZE — “Free orange juice will stay at Florida welcome centers, despite budget slice,” by Jim Turner of the News Service of Florida. “Free orange juice will continue to flow at Florida interstate welcome centers while state citrus officials adjust to a pending 10 percent legislative budget cut for promotions. The Florida Citrus Commission on Thursday will be asked to approve a $225,000 contract with Visit Florida about the welcome-center refreshment, a reduction of $25,000 from the past.”
| | PENINSULA AND BEYOND | |
REJECTED — “Sarasota’s GOP-leaning school board refuses federal Title IX revisions,” reports POLITICO’s Andrew Atterbury. “School leaders in Sarasota County, led by Moms for Liberty cofounder Bridget Ziegler, on Tuesday rejected a new federal Title IX rule creating protections for transgender and nonbinary students. By a 4-1 vote, Sarasota’s school board, which has a majority of members backed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, passed a resolution ordering school staff to refrain from making any policy changes as a court challenge plays out over the Biden administration guidance.”
HAITI COUNCIL — “Trying to avert crisis, Haiti’s presidential council makes concessions to minority bloc,” reports the Miami Herald’s Jacqueline Charles. “The majority of the council’s seven-voting members has agreed to invalidate the choice of Edgard Leblanc Fils as president of the council, and institute, instead a rotating presidency among four of them, several people with knowledge of the council’s workings have told the Miami Herald.” SPECIAL MEETING — “FAMU Board of Trustees calls special meeting amid questions over $237 million donation,” reports Tarah Jean of the Tallahassee Democrat. “Florida A&M University’s Board of Trustees Chair Kristin Harper has called a special board meeting regarding a controversial $237 million donation that was recently gifted to FAMU by Batterson Farms Corporation CEO Gregory Gerami. The call comes after days of swirling skepticism and mounting questions. On Tuesday, Board of Trustees Vice Chair Deveron Gibbons urged FAMU President Larry Robinson and Harper to convene an ‘emergency’ meeting for more ‘transparency’ about the sizable donation that was announced Saturday.” LEGAL BATTLE — “One of the most iconic landmarks in Key West may actually belong to the Cuban government,” reports Nora Gámez Torres of the Miami Herald. “A lawsuit in Miami-Dade court, which claims Cuba is the San Carlos’ sole owner, seeks the sale of the institute, and the proceeds turned over as compensation to the family of a man killed by Fidel Castro’s forces in 1959.” | | | CAMPAIGN MODE | | |
FIRST IN PLAYBOOK — Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.) just endorsed Whitney Fox, a former public transit official who is running for the Democratic nomination to unseat GOP Rep. Anna Paulina Luna. The endorsement is the third from the Florida delegation for Fox.
“Like me, she believes in protecting women's reproductive freedoms, safeguarding the environment, and ensuring that our families, seniors and service members receive the support they deserve,” Wasserman Schultz said in a statement. DELEGATION LEADERSHIP SET — The Republican Party of Florida finalized its delegate list and select chair and committee assignments. The list, obtained by Playbook, shows the following: Eric Trump is delegation chair, Miami Commissioner Kevin Cabrera and Kimberly Guilfoyle are on the platform committee, and RPOF Chair Evan Power and national committeewoman Kathleen King are on the rules committee. On the credential committee are state Sens. Joe Gruters and Debbie Mayfield and on the permanent organization committee are Amb. Carlos Trujillo and state Rep. Jessica Baker. JOINING POLITICS FOR THE FIRST TIME — Barron Trump. The Republican Party of Florida on Wednesday night picked the 18-year-old youngest son of former President Donald Trump as one of the state’s at-large delegates to the Republican National Convention, per a copy of the results viewed by POLITICO. Donald Trump Jr. and Tiffany Boulos, formerly Trump, and her husband Michael Boulos as other at-large delegates.
|  Donald Trump returns to the White House with his son Baron after a weekend in Bedminster on August 16, 2020, in Washington. | Eric Baradat/AFP via Getty Images | ELECTIONS PREP — “What you need to know about Florida’s Amendment 5, the property-tax ballot question,” by Alyssa Johnson of the Miami Herald. “Amendment 5, placed on the ballot by Florida lawmakers, would in most years increase the value of a tax break known as the homestead property tax exemption by adjusting its value to match inflation. In other words, as the cost of living increases, so would the tax break afforded to those eligible for homestead exemptions: residents who own and live in their own homes.” STAFFING UP — “New chair of Miami-Dade Democrats will go to 'uncommon places' to grow party numbers,” reports WLRN’s Ammy Sanchez. “Miami-Dade’s newly elected Democratic chairman Shevrin ‘Shev’ Jones wants to try a new approach to engaging voters this election cycle. Jones says he has seen a lot of people at the county, state and national levels who are sick of hearing about politics. That’s why he says the Miami-Dade Democratic Party is going to hire three new regional directors and between 20-30 organizers to help with voter registration — specifically, to go to uncommon places or where people don’t often get to talk to politicians.” | | | | DON’T MISS POLITICO’S ENERGY SUMMIT: The future of energy faces a crossroads in 2024 as policymakers and industry leaders shape new rules, investments and technologies. Join POLITICO’s Energy Summit on June 5 as we convene top voices to examine the shifting global policy environment in a year of major elections in the U.S. and around the world. POLITICO will examine how governments are writing and rewriting new rules for the energy future and America’s own role as a major exporter. REGISTER HERE. | | | | | | | DATELINE D.C. | |
HEADED TO NEW YORK — Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) meeting with former President Donald Trump at Trump Tower this morning and will accompany him to the courthouse, as well as part of the trial. During an interview with Fox & Friends this morning Scott said, "I support my friend, I support Donald Trump." Scott also compared Trump's legal issues to his own. "This happened to me — I fought Hillary care ... and justice came after me and attacked me and my company."
NOT MOVING ON — “McCarthy vs. Gaetz: The GOP’s never-ending feud,” by POLITICO’s Olivia Beavers. “Kevin McCarthy is escalating his revenge campaign against Rep. Matt Gaetz. In an interview with POLITICO, McCarthy backed Gaetz’s new Florida GOP primary challenger; a top McCarthy adviser also acknowledged playing a role in vetting that opponent, Aaron Dimmock. And McCarthy delivered a slashing attack on Gaetz, who led the effort to overthrow him as speaker last fall.” | | TRANSITION TIME | |
APPOINTMENT — “Carson Good tapped for State University System board,” reports the Orlando Sentinel’s Dewayne Bevil. “Good is the chairman of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority. He was appointed to the authority by DeSantis in 2019. Good also serves on the board of Alpine Income Property Trust. He has been president of Good Capital Group, a private real estate investment company based in Winter Park, since 1989.”
— Rachel Stutler is joining Athos PR as an account executive. She most recently was media relations coordinator for the Florida Department of Corrections. | | | ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN | | | — “The Package King of Miami ,” by New York Magazine’s Ezra Marcus. BIRTHDAYS: Bill Herrle, NFIB’s executive director in Florida … Journalist Renzo Downey. | | | | 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 | | | | |
