| | | | |  | | By Kimberly Leonard | |  Senator Rick Scott, R-Fla., speaks outside Manhattan criminal court, May 9, 2024, in New York. Scott attended former President Donald Trump's criminal trial Thursday. | Joseph Frederick/AP | Good morning and happy Friday. Staffers who’ve worked for Sen. Rick Scott over the years say that he often stresses to them that they should call people on their worst days, because no one else will. The former governor and health care executive took that mantra a step further yesterday, when he became the first member of Congress to attend Trump’s criminal trial with him. And it was probably a smart move politically, too, at a time when Scott is facing reelection in a state where Trump is polling roughly 10 points ahead of President Joe Biden. Scott was invited to the trial by Susie Wiles, senior adviser for Trump’s campaign who also managed Scott’s first gubernatorial run, he told POLITICO’s Mia McCarthy during a brief interview on Capitol Hill. He also suggested he might return to Manhattan to be with Trump again. His visit on Thursday, smack-dab in the front row of the courtroom, came as Trump faced some especially salacious testimony from porn star Stormy Daniels, who took the stand and appeared to enrage the former president when she told the jury about their alleged sexual encounter. Scott made the press rounds yesterday, homing in on several key points to help the presumptive 2024 nominee. He first stressed that he attended Trump’s trial as a friend, then he amplified Trump’s comments asserting that the public should be skeptical of the prosecutors in the case. (Trump re-shared one of the clips on Truth Social, though he edited out Scott’s comments that would violate his own gag order.) Scott also said he thought the indictments were politically motivated and likened it to when he opposed Hillary Clinton’s health care reform proposal in the 1990s. He claimed the Justice Department went after the hospital chain he led at the time, Columbia/HCA Healthcare Corp., as an act of retribution. The remarks show an evolution on how Scott portrays that period in his life. Scott left the company in 1997 while it was under a federal investigation that ultimately led to a record $1.7 billion in fines for Medicare fraud. While Scott has maintained his innocence over the years, he did say during his 2010 gubernatorial run that he took responsibility and learned from the experience. Of course, Scott’s Manhattan cameo won’t be so popular with voters who view Trump unfavorably. And Florida Democrats were quick to accuse him of “kissing up” to Trump while reminding voters of Scott’s own run-ins with the law. Former Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, who’s likely to be Scott’s Democratic challenger in November, slammed Scott for missing a procedural vote to reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration. Scott did vote for the bill’s final passage later in the day. “Rick Scott spent his day sucking up to a defendant found liable for sexual abuse,” Mucarsel Powell said in a statement. “It should come as no surprise that the man who oversaw one of the largest Medicare frauds in history would put himself and his own extreme agenda before the people he was elected to represent.” Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for Playbook? Get in touch at: kleonard@politico.com. |  | ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... | |
NEW EDUCATION LAWS — Gov. Ron DeSantis quietly signed a key slate of five education bills into law Thursday night that includes the Legislature’s attempt to “deregulate” certain aspects of public education. The Republican governor was widely expected to sign the measures touching on a range of policies, including a program to launch AI programs in local schools and creating new timelines in hopes of getting students their state-funded K-12 scholarships faster. Stay tuned for more on Friday for POLITICO Florida subscribers.
— Andrew Atterbury MOVING ALONG — “DeSantis clears some ethics cases after 2 years, but others still languish,” by the Orlando Sentinel’s Skyler Swisher. “DeSantis quietly signed 17 orders in October and November imposing fines and penalties for violations of the state’s ethics code, shortly after an Orlando Sentinel report highlighted dozens of cases awaiting his signature … The governor’s action list included former Orange County Commissioner Betsy VanderLey, ex-Broward County Mayor Dale Holness and two ‘ghost’ candidates in the 2020 state Senate election. Those politicians will now need to pay fines. The ethics commission is responsible for investigating allegations of unethical conduct and recommending penalties, but the governor plays a crucial last step in the process. His signature is needed for penalties to be imposed on many elected officials, candidates and public employees who violate the state’s code of ethics.” PAYOUT — “Florida levies $1M fine to insurer over Hurricane Ian claims,” reports POLITICO’s Gary Fineout. “A Florida property insurer that has been a substantial donor to Florida Republicans has agreed to pay a $1 million fine over how it handled claims from Hurricane Ian, the massive storm that ripped into the state nearly two years ago. State regulators found Heritage Property & Casualty Insurance violated Florida's insurance code, including failing to pay or deny claims within a required 90-day period and failing to acknowledge it received communications about claims.” — “Hurricane center watching blip in Atlantic. No threat but hints at busy season ahead,” by the Miami Herald’s Alex Harris. DRILLS — “Florida’s major power company prepares for hurricanes by dealing with a fake one,” reports Terry Spencer of The Associated Press. “Florida Power & Light is conducting its annual mock hurricane drill this week, simulating how it would respond if a hurricane struck the state and devastated the power grid. Hurricane Benito, with 135 mph winds, did not really hit on Wednesday, but it was imagined to be even stronger than real hurricanes Idalia and Ian, which seriously damaged portions of the state over the past two years.”
|  In an aerial view, boats are piled on top of each other after Hurricane Ian passed through the area on September 29, 2022 in Fort Myers Beach, Florida. | Joe Raedle/Getty Images | AG CASE— “Did Ashley Moody overstep authority in $3.1B opioid settlement? Appellate court considers the case,” by Florida Politics’ Christine Jordan Sexton. “An appeals court panel — in particular one Judge — is sharply questioning the authority of Attorney General Ashley Moody in a case involving the state’s $3.1 billion settlement with opioid manufacturers and distributors. Moody’s Office sought to block several hospital districts, including Halifax Health and Broward Health, as well as the Miami-Dade School Board, from pursuing their own lawsuits against those involved in the opioid crisis even though those School Boards and districts were not part of the settlement reached by the state.” REDO — “After state judge abdicates, Commission on Ethics to give ‘MAGA Warrior’ rare do-over hearing,” by the Florida Bulldog’s Dan Christensen. “In a highly unusual move, Florida’s Commission on Ethics will reconsider charges against controversial Republican State Rep. Randy Fine that it previously found probable cause to believe were true: that he abused and misused his elected office. A state administrative law judge who was scheduled to hold a public hearing/trial in the politically sensitive case starting May 14 instead has relinquished control and shipped it back to the ethics commission for a do-over. The judge was assigned the case last July.” — “DeSantis, First Lady distribute more than $100,000 to faith-based and nonprofits groups,” reports Florida Phoenix’s Mitch Perry. | | | | 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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PAUSE — “Florida HBCU backs away from dubious $237M donation,” reports POLITICO’s Andrew Atterbury. “Florida A&M University is putting an announced $237 million donation from a Texas hemp farming executive ‘on hold,’ as the media and school leaders raise questions about the value and source of the gift. President Larry Robinson announced the decision at an emergency meeting Thursday of FAMU’s fundraising foundation. Board members expressed grave reservations about the donation, which drew national attention as one of the largest ever for one of the country’s historically Black colleges and universities.”
FOOTAGE EVIDENCE — “Deputy fatally shot Black airman seconds after opening door, video shows,” by the Washington Post’s Alex Horton, Lori Rozsa and Kelsey Ables. “A Black Air Force airman was killed by a Florida deputy almost immediately after opening his door to the officer, a body-camera video released Thursday shows. An unnamed male Okaloosa County sheriff’s deputy fatally shot Senior Airman Roger Fortson, 23, last week. The video shows how rapidly a 911 call on a Friday afternoon at a quiet apartment complex in Fort Walton Beach unraveled and ended with Fortson writhing on the floor after having been shot six times.” BUDGET REQUEST — “Gilzean wants additional $1M for Orange voter outreach, election security,” reports the Orlando Sentinel’s Steven Lemongello. “Newly appointed Orange County elections supervisor Glen Gilzean … did not say whether part of his voter outreach would be boosting vote-by-mail sign-ups. Because of a law signed in 2021 by Gov. Ron DeSantis, Florida voters now must request ballots by mail every two years instead of four. That means the nearly 129,000 Orange voters who used them in the 2022 midterm election, as well as an additional 77,000 who had signed up to receive a ballot but did not return it, had their requests expire in January 2023.” ARRESTED — “Treasurer for Winter Park commissioner accused of paying minors to steal opponent’s signs,” by the Orlando Sentinel’s Ryan Gillespie. “Christopher Hoats was charged with misdemeanor charges of petit theft, and two counts of contributing to the delinquency or dependency of a minor, records show. He served as the treasurer for Craig Russell, who last month won a seat on the Winter Park City Commission, according to public campaign filings.” GROWN — “A Florida university is a leader in kratom research, but questions remain,” by Daylina Miller of WUSF. “A bill that would have further regulated kratom failed to pass in the Legislature as its use continues to grow. Meanwhile, UF continues to lead much of the research surrounding the herb.” | | | | 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. | | | | | | | CAMPAIGN MODE | |
VOTER TURNOUT — “Rick Scott says Florida Hispanics will choose him over a Latina. He may be right,” by the Miami Herald’s Max Greenwood. “For a politician that has a history of winning races by ultra-narrow margins, a victory among Florida Hispanics could prove vital for Scott, who’s seeking a second term in Washington after defeating former U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson six years ago by just 10,000 votes. Such a win could also pull Florida further out of reach for Democrats, who have struggled in recent years to win over a Hispanic electorate that has increasingly sided with Republicans.”
DRAWING CONTRASTS — “Moskowitz uses taxpayer-funded mailer to distance himself from unpopular Biden border policies,” reports the South Florida Sun Sentinel’s Anthony Man. “It seems like typical campaign advertising. The mailer describes an elected official as ‘securing our border’ and as someone who has ‘voted to disapprove’ of the Biden administration’s border policies, which are widely unpopular with the public. It is, however, somewhat unusual. The mailer looks as if it could have come from a Republican — which is notable, since it was sent out by U.S. Rep. Jared Moskowitz who, like President Joe Biden, is a Democrat. It also was sent as ‘official business,’ with the cost covered by the taxpayers. In it, the Broward-Palm Beach County congressman says he has ‘worked across the aisle and supported policies to stop the flow of illegal immigration.’” | | DATELINE D.C. | |
BACKLASH AFTER ISRAEL COMMENTS — “House GOP drafting Biden impeachment articles over Israel aid cutoff threat,” reports Elizabeth Elkind of Fox News. “Rep. Cory Mills, R-Fla., is preparing impeachment articles against President Biden over his threat to halt U.S. offensive aid to Israel, the first-term lawmaker told Fox News Digital on Thursday. Mills accused Biden of forcing Israel into a ‘quid pro quo’ situation by leveraging U.S. dollars against the Israeli government's actions in Gaza, drawing parallels to Democrats' first impeachment of former President Trump over his handling of Ukraine aid.”
| | TRUMPLANDIA AND THE SWAMP | |
INSIDE STORY — “RNC lawyer Charlie Spies was ousted after sustained lobbying from MAGA influencers,” by NBC News’ Matt Dixon, Dasha Burns, Olympia Sonnier and Abigail Brooks. “In a statement first reported Saturday night by NBC News, Spies’ exit was framed as his voluntarily stepping aside after just two months. But in reality, the move came after weeks of fighting between the more seasoned Trump-aligned political operatives who vouched for Spies and a collection of vocal right-wing influencers who have sway over Trump’s thinking, according to four sources familiar with the process.”
| | ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN | |
BIRTHDAYS: Stephen M. Ross, principal owner of the Miami Dolphins … Reporter Forrest Saunders for the E.W. Scripps Company … USA Today’s Zac Anderson … The Associated Press’ Bobby Caina Calvan … (Saturday) Ryan Dailey of News Service of Florida ... state Rep. John Paul Temple … (Sunday) Former Florida Supreme Court Justice Alan Lawson … Leslie Dughi with Metz, Husband & Daughton.
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