| | | | |  | | By Kimberly Leonard | TODAY — “Six years after the Parkland school massacre, the bloodstained building will finally be demolished,” by The Associated Press’ Terry Spencer. “The three-story building where 17 people died in the 2018 mass shooting at Parkland’s Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School looms over campus behind a screened fence, a horrific and constant reminder to students, teachers, the victims’ families and passersby. But now after serving as evidence at the murderer’s trial, the building’s destruction starts Thursday as crews begin bringing it down piece by piece — implosion would have damaged nearby structures.”
|  Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis gives his State of the State address during a joint session of the Senate and House of Representatives in Tallahassee, Fla., Jan. 9, 2024. | Gary McCullough, File/AP | Good morning and welcome to Thursday. Florida Republican lawmakers who supported Donald Trump over Ron DeSantis for president made it out of the budget veto process relatively unscathed. While DeSantis did veto many hometown projects, lawmakers who’d endorsed Trump previously told POLITICO they’d been concerned they’d especially pay the price for taking the former president's side during a bitter primary contest. But yesterday’s budget signing put many of those fears to rest. “He was very fair with the budget,” said state Rep. Kevin Steele, a Trump loyalist of Dade City. “As a very conservative Republican, I'm happy with his approach.” State Rep. Jessica Baker of Jacksonville said DeSantis approved her funding requests for safety funds for a school for students with autism and for a mobile investigative command vehicle. Rep. Paula Stark, who represents parts of Orange and Osceola Counties, said two of her projects were vetoed but others were approved and that she felt “pretty good about the outcome.” Over in Miami, State Rep. Juan Carlos Porras said only one of his projects got vetoed, which would have funded a pro-bono condo law clinic with the Cuban American Bar Association. DeSantis otherwise authorized two much larger projects, he said, including for the University of Miami Stroke Center. “I am pleased with the overall list of vetoes,” said Porras, who supported Trump especially early on. He added that he looked forward to working with the governor’s office on giving the vetoed project another shot next session. Not everyone was as lucky. DeSantis did veto 19 items from State Sen. Ana Maria Rodriguez of Monroe County, whose district includes the Keys, though she appeared to be an exception and not the norm. She added that many of her projects did get the green light and that dollar-wise they may have been more substantial. Among the vetoes were a health clinic building project and a program for youth homelessness. “I would like to think my support for President Trump was not tied in any way to the list of items he chose to veto,” Rodriguez said. “Every single appropriation project I sponsored has a direct benefit to not only my constituents, but his as well. While I am pleased overall, I do believe the Legislature presented him with a very good budget to begin with which did not require many vetoes, but I respect his decision.” The budget lawmakers passed in March was roughly $3 billion higher than what DeSantis requested. Ultimately, the governor vetoed nearly $1 billion even though the Legislature has been a willing ally to him for the last couple of years. “I’m glad we’ve been able to meet the needs, but also to keep spending under control," the governor said at his signing event in Tampa yesterday. "The people in Washington could learn a thing or two about that from us here in Florida." DeSantis did, however, veto a $57 million fund that helps operate the Legislature, POLITICO’s Gary Fineout found. In trying to target an aspect of the fund that would pay for a study on credit card fees, the governor wound up also tossing out money that pays for joint legislative committees, legislative auditors, state economists and information technology operations. It’s not clear what, if anything, lawmakers will need to do to restore the fund less than three weeks before the new fiscal year begins. Though the vast majority of Florida lawmakers backed DeSantis in the Republican primary, 14 sided with Trump. During one particularly jaw-dropping moment, Trump called lawmakers who switched from DeSantis to him to stand up onstage in front of a huge audience at the Republican Party of Florida’s “Freedom Summit” in Kissimmee. They’re all moving past that time, it seems. “We are all now a united party,” said state Rep. Alina Garcia, who’s running for Miami-Dade supervisor of elections. She said the governor authorized 10 of her 16 projects. “We did well,” she added. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget in the budget that Playbook should look at? 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.
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 ... | | … BUDGET DEEP DIVE … — “DeSantis vetoes nearly $1 billion, including money for Legislature,” reports POLITICO’s Gary Fineout. “Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis used his veto pen in a seemingly scattershot approach on Wednesday, targeting some hometown projects pushed by legislators while also potentially jeopardizing money used to help operate the Republican-controlled Legislature. DeSantis in the end cut nearly $1 billion in overall state spending, which was enough for the governor to say that the state's total spending was less than last year.” — “DeSantis vetoes a slew of water projects, leaves other big environmental spending untouched,” reports POLITICO’s Bruce Ritchie. “Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday … vetoed 162 of 281 water projects, or $208.6 million of the total $410.4 million proposed in the budget, according to Frank Bernardino, a water sector lobbyist. DeSantis said Wednesday in Tampa during a news conference that he expects legislation setting aside revenue from a Seminole Tribe gambling deal to provide at least $500 million each year for such wastewater projects … He vetoed $12 million in the state agriculture department budget for the State Fair Authority, but left untouched the two projects backed by Senate President Kathleen Passidomo that some environmentalists had wanted vetoed.” — “What's in, and what's out, for Florida education in DeSantis' budget,” by POLITICO’s Andrew Atterbury. “Gov. Ron DeSantis approved spending a state record $28.4 billion on K-12 education Wednesday, as the Republican also vetoed more than $200 million in projects for colleges, universities and local schools. Among the cuts leveled by DeSantis are a $30 million program offering more tutoring to students across the state and $6.7 million for grants so schools can provide free menstrual hygiene products.” CLOSELY WATCHED LEGAL BATTLE — “Appeals court rejects DeSantis push for executive privilege,” reports POLITICO’s Gary Fineout. “A Florida appeals court on Wednesday refused to go along with Gov. Ron DeSantis’ argument that he can shield public records due to executive privilege — a right that had not been recognized previously under state law that could have drastically expanded the governor’s ability to keep records from the public. The decision by the three-judge panel of the 1st District Court of Appeal was a stinging setback for both DeSantis and Attorney General Ashley Moody, who insisted that the governor’s office has the constitutional authority to shield records about internal discussions and deliberations.” BLAME GAME — “Who do voters blame for high cost of insurance in Florida: DeSantis, Biden or insurance companies?” by the South Florida Sun Sentinel’s Anthony Man. “The high cost of insurance is a constant cause for concern among Floridians. Voters aren’t sure who deserves the most blame, but many identify Gov. Ron DeSantis as the top culprit. A Florida Atlantic University poll released Wednesday found 34 percent of voters said they hold DeSantis, governor since January 2017, responsible for the high cost of insurance in Florida. In addition: 27 percent blamed insurance companies, 26 percent said they hold President Joe Biden and/or the federal government most responsible.” — “Florida appeals ruling on abortion ballot ‘financial impact statement,’” by News Service of Florida’s Jim Saunders.
| | PENINSULA AND BEYOND | | IN MEMORIAM — “‘Together, we’ll remember’: Pulse bell ceremony honors victims 8 years after mass shooting,” by the Orlando Sentinel’s Lauren Brensel. “Eight years to the day since the mass shooting at the Pulse nightclub, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer gathered for the solemn bell-ringing ceremony that is an annual tradition. About 80 people attended Wednesday afternoon’s gathering at First United Methodist Church of Orlando.” DISNEY EXPANSION SET — “DeSantis appointees bury the hatchet with Disney by approving new development deal,” reports Mike Schneider of The Associated Press. “The five DeSantis-appointed board members to the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District unanimously voted to approve a 15-year development deal in which the district committed to making infrastructure improvements in exchange for Disney investing up to $17 billion into Disney World over the next two decades.” RECORDS REQUEST — “Emails about hemp farmer’s $237M gift to FAMU reveal ominous bank letter. What else?” by the Sun News’ David Weissman. “Before Florida A&M announced a questionable $237 million donation, the university received a striking email from the donor’s bank, raising a red flag that the historic gift may not be legitimate. Internal emails recently released by the university to The Sun News show that weeks before donor Gregory Gerami presented an oversized check at FAMU’s graduation ceremony, a Raymond James Financial Services executive told FAMU officials that previous assurances they provided of Gerami’s account balance were not accurate.” GILZEAN DEADLINE — “Is Orange County’s rural boundary ballot initiative in jeopardy?” by the Orlando Sentinel’s Stephen Hudak. “Advocates for rural development boundaries in Orange County are outraged the governor-appointed elections supervisor wants ballot language by Friday — a deadline county commissioners almost certainly can’t meet — or he’ll keep the issue from voters. They argue the measure, if approved by voters, would keep suburban sprawl from spreading into rural areas while developers and other critics call it ill-advised, insisting it infringes on property rights.”
| | CAMPAIGN MODE | | | |  People visit the Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., April 18, 2022. | Ted Shaffrey, File/AP | | BACK TO BUSINESS AS USUAL — “Disney opens up wallet again, including to GOP who backed ‘don’t say gay’ law,” reports the Orlando Sentinel’s Steven Lemongello. “Walt Disney Parks and Resorts is listed as providing more than $87,000 in in-kind contributions to political committees, most of which are affiliated with a lawmaker … The company’s largest single in-kind contribution was $28,487 to Daley for Florida, the committee backing state Rep. Dan Daley, D-Coral Springs.” BACKLASH — “Glen Gilzean gets rough reception at Winter Park candidate forum,” by the Orlando Sentinel’s Steven Lemongello. “A candidate forum for the Orange County elections supervisor race turned contentious on Wednesday, and most of the criticism was aimed not at anyone on the panel but instead at Glen Gilzean, the embattled Orange elections chief sitting silently in the audience. Gilzean, a Republican appointed to the job in March by Gov. Ron DeSantis, was not a listed candidate at the time of the event, but has until noon Friday to file to run for a full term.” TARGETS — “DeSantis mentions state attorney races when asked about new political committee,” reports Florida Phoenix’s Mitch Perry. DeSantis mentioned “the campaigns of the two Democratic state attorneys he has suspended over the past two years: Andrew Warren in Hillsborough County and Monique Worrell in Orange and Osceola counties. Both are running for re-election for those positions.” NEW SURVEY — “FAU poll has Trump leading Biden in Florida, tightening US Senate race for Rick Scott,” by the South Florida Sun Sentinel’s Anthony Fins. “A new Florida Atlantic University-Mainstreet Research poll of Sunshine State voters released Wednesday … finds former President Trump leading President Joe Biden by just four points, 46 percent to 42 percent. However, that lead grew to six points among those identifying as ‘likely’ voters … Just as tight is the contest for the U.S. Senate seat, with Republican incumbent Scott topping potential Democratic challenger Debbie Mucarsel-Powell by just four percentage points, 46 percent to 42 percent, with 10 percent of those asked saying they were uncertain.”
| | ...HURRICANE HOLE... | | RAIN DELUGE — “Florida Gov. DeSantis declares state of emergency after South Florida flooding,” by Jim Rosica of USA Today Network — Florida. “Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday declared a ‘major state of emergency’ for Broward, Collier, Lee, Miami-Dade and Sarasota counties after heavy rains swamped much of the southern part of the state, causing significant flooding.” — “Heavy rainfall brings flash flood emergency to Miami-Dade and Broward; hundreds of delays, cancellations at MIA and FLL,” by 7News. ONGOING — “What’s ahead? More downpours, flooding possible for the rest of the week,” by the South Florida Sun Sentinel’s Shira Moolten. “The downpour that left roads flooded and growing numbers of people stranded throughout Broward and Miami-Dade counties on Wednesday may continue through the work week, forecasters warned. Though the rain may taper off slightly overnight, ‘there is potential we could see this amount again tomorrow and again Friday,’ Barry Baxter, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service Miami, said Wednesday evening.”
| | DATELINE D.C. | | TAG TEAMING — “Rick Scott, Elizabeth Warren excoriate Federal Reserve Board’s ethics policy as ‘farce,’” by Florida Phoenix’s Mitch Perry. “Florida GOP U.S. Sen. Rick Scott and Massachusetts Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren are chastising Federal Reserve Board Chair Jerome Powell, telling him in a letter that the central bank’s recently announced policy to address illicit trading by Federal Reserve Bank officials is simply ‘a farce.’ The lawmakers have pressed the Federal Reserve to come up with a new policy to clean up the agency after reports about alleged insider trading surfaced among Fed officials in 2020.”
| | | | SUBSCRIBE TO GLOBAL PLAYBOOK: Don’t miss out on POLITICO’s Global Playbook, our newsletter taking you inside pivotal discussions at the most influential gatherings in the world. Suzanne Lynch delivers the world's elite and influential moments directly to you. Stay in the global loop. SUBSCRIBE NOW. | | | | | | | ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN | | URINE FOR A SURPRISE — “What’s the secret surprising power of lobster pee? It can protect Florida’s coral reefs,” by the Miami Herald’s Claire Grunewald. “The spotted lobster doesn’t just live on coral reefs, it also protects them – including in one peculiar way. Spotted lobster pee appears to act like a repellent to coral predators, creating what a new study by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission describes as ‘a landscape of fear.’” — “The rise and fall of a $600 million strip-mall tycoon,” by Bloomberg’s Patrick Clark. BIRTHDAY: Former State Sen. David Simmons. | | | | 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 | | | | |
