| | | | |  | | By Kimberly Leonard | |  Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis. | Phil Sears/AP | Good morning and happy Friday. Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis has a job he's thinking about for the future. And he isn't waiting to talk about it. Patronis told News Service of Florida’s Dara Kam on her forthcoming “Deeper Dive” podcast episode that he’d “love” to one day be governor. “My wife wants me to do it,” he said. “I spent my whole life being a public servant. I love fixing people's problems.” He added that there was still “a lot of time” but that, “I tell people all the time: Whenever I make my mind up to do something, nobody will outwork me.” (The podcast will be posted in full at 9 a.m. Sunday.) People close to Patronis, 52, have already let on that he’d be interested in the job, but this is the first time he’s acknowledged it in a place where the public can hear it for themselves. These kinds of comments typically indicate politicians are throwing their names out there to generate interest among donors, and encourage others to acknowledge they’re considering running as well. It’s still early, with more than 2.5 years to go, but it is top of mind given that Donald Trump has already made it clear he’s thinking about who he will support. Patronis, who’s a partner in his family’s Panama City seafood restaurant, has been in government for a while now. He was in the Florida House for eight years before then-Gov. Rick Scott appointed him to the Public Service Commission and then to the job of chief financial officer. He ran to keep his seat twice and won. He waited until Gov. Ron DeSantis dropped out to endorse Trump, and stayed neutral before then. Patronis has indicated in several ways that he’s interested in becoming governor. He’s made some national attention-grabbing moves by going after new taxes set to be imposed on money transactions on apps like Venmo beginning this year, and he’s gone down to the U.S.-Mexico border to meet with security officials. He even tried to endorse a plan to have the state pay $5 million toward Trump’s legal bills — a bill DeSantis quickly shut down. And the chess pieces have already started moving around. Trump-endorsed state Sen. Joe Gruters (R-Sarasota) plans to run in 2026 to replace Patronis when he’s term-limited out. Gruters even signed the paperwork to run, POLITICO’s Gary Fineout reported earlier this month. The perch now occupied by a term-limited DeSantis seems to have no shortage of hopefuls on the Republican side. Trump name dropped Rep. Byron Donalds at a donor event in New York. Rep. Matt Gaetz got a good deal of interest when he led former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s ouster — and created buzz by showing up at the Capitol in Tallahassee this session. Rep. Mike Waltz is another member of Congress being talked about for the role. Statewide, there’s also Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson, Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez and Attorney General Ashley Moody. Finally, Florida First Lady Casey DeSantis continues to lead in the polls, even though the governor has said she has “zero” interest in running for office. But it shows that the rest of the crowd has a lot further to go when it comes to establishing the same type of name recognition she’d generate. 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. PROGRAMMING NOTE: Kimberly Leonard will be out June 14-21. POLITICO’s Gary Fineout will be anchoring Playbook that week, and you can reach him at gfineout@politico.com.
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Florida State House Speaker Paul Renner speaks during a press conference outside the Florida State Capitol Jan. 11, 2024. | Francis Chung/POLITICO via AP Images | FIGURING IT OUT — Florida’s legislative leaders are promising that they will find a way to save hundreds of jobs in the Florida Legislature that were put at risk by Gov. Ron DeSantis’ decision to veto nearly $57 million from the Legislature’s budget. DeSantis vetoed the money for House and Senate legislative support services in order to eliminate a proposed legislative study on credit card fees charged to merchants. But his veto not only wiped out funding for the study, but money used to pay for joint legislative committees, legislative auditors, tech workers and state economists. Senate President Kathleen Passidomo and House Speaker Paul Renner on Thursday sent a memo that acknowledged that the governor’s veto was aimed at the study on what are known as interchange fees. But they insisted they will find a solution for staff, even though the state’s new fiscal year starts on July 1. “Unfortunately, there are unintended consequences that impact the Legislature’s budget,” Renner and Passidomo wrote. “We want to assure the hundreds of hardworking, dedicated legislative employees who serve our joint offices that they do not need to worry. We will work this out.” The memo does not spell out in detail the procedural moves the Legislature will undertake to restore the funding. The memo is also silent on how lawmakers could sidestep constitutional mandates on how to override vetoed appropriations. One solution that has been floated is to tap into reserve accounts that are apparently maintained by the Legislature and which are not contained in the annual budget. A source familiar with the thinking in the governor’s office — but not authorized to discuss the matter publicly — said that “the interchange fee study was mistakenly incorporated in this funding by the Legislature, and the governor could not in good conscience approve those funds with that in there. The EOG is in discussion with the legislature about fixing this in the fall.” — Gary Fineout OVER AND OUT — “With development plan approved, Disney drops federal lawsuit against Florida,” reports Skyler Swisher of the Orlando Sentinel. “The Walt Disney Co. is ending its last major court fight with Gov. Ron DeSantis and his allies now that a new development agreement is in place, closing a chapter in a two-year political drama that started over what critics called the ‘don’t say gay’ law. The entertainment giant dropped its appeal in a federal lawsuit on Thursday, a day after DeSantis appointees green-lighted a plan that officials say will result in up to $17 billion in investment into Walt Disney World over the next 10 to 20 years.” JUNE 20 HEARING— “Activists request hearing on state renewable energy rule repeal,” by POLITICO’s Bruce Ritchie. “The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services announced Thursday that it will hold a June 20 public hearing on its proposal to repeal a 2022 renewable energy rule. FDACS announced the hearing in response to a request by Our Children's Trust, a nonprofit climate law group based in Oregon." SCOTUS RULING — “What does the abortion pill case mean for Florida access?” by the Tampa Bay Times’ Romy Ellenbogen. “The [Supreme Court’s] decision means that mifepristone access won’t be inhibited or rolled back for now — and that doctors can continue to prescribe it as they have been doing. In Florida, limitations do exist, though, on when and how the pill can be prescribed. Since May, Florida has banned abortions after six weeks of pregnancy in almost all cases, meaning surgical and medication abortions past that point are illegal. There are exceptions for when the health of the mother is at serious risk or when the pregnancy is the result of rape, incest or human trafficking, but that exception is only available up to 15 weeks of pregnancy.” More on the decision from POLITICO. AXED — “DeSantis vetoes arts and museum money, shocks Florida cultural organizations,” by John Kennedy of USA Today Network — Florida. “Gov. Ron DeSantis’ veto of $32 million in cultural and museum grants and related funding rattled hundreds of organizations across Florida, with critics saying the move damages an almost $3 billion engine of the state’s tourist-powered economy … it also has left some of the 577 arts programs and 33 facilities around the state who lost anticipated dollars scrambling to plug holes.”
| | PENINSULA AND BEYOND | | ‘NESTING PLACE’ — “Historically Black Coconut Grove in Miami nurtured young athletes. Now that legacy is under threat,” by The Associated Press’ Alanis Thames. “West Coconut Grove … was a vital majority-Black neighborhood hidden among some of the most affluent areas in Miami that boomed with family businesses, local hangouts and sporting events. Some call it West Grove, Black Grove or Little Bahamas in a nod to its roots. Most just call it The Grove — a place steeped in cultural history transformed by the decades … Today, few remnants of that proud Black heritage exist. Years of economic neglect followed by recent gentrification have wiped out much of the neighborhood’s cultural backbone. Robust youth leagues and sports programs have dwindled. Now, the community that once created an environment for young athletes to succeed — a trusted neighbor watching out for a young football player on his walk to practice, a respected coach instilling discipline and persistence in a future track star — is at risk of extinction.” — “Jeffrey Epstein: Palm Beach Post takes next step to get 2006 grand jury transcripts released,” by the Palm Beach Post’s Holly Baltz. SNOWBIRD ALERT — “JetBlue announces new nonstop flights between Long Island, New York, and these 3 Florida cities,” reports C.A. Bridges of USA Today Network — Florida. “One-way trips (from NY to here) will be just $49 for a limited time … The New-York-based airline will begin daily nonstop service from Long Island MacArthur Airport (ISP) to Orlando and four-time weekly service to Fort Lauderdale and Palm Beach.”
| | CAMPAIGN MODE | | TODAY — Politicians who want to run for the state House and Senate have until noon to qualify. FIRST IN PLAYBOOK — Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) is out with a new ad showing his support for in vitro fertilization. This is the second on this topic as part of a seven-figure buy that’ll run statewide, and it features Scott, his wife and their grandchildren. The incumbent also personalizes the issue by sharing how one of his daughters is receiving IVF to expand her family. The ad comes as Democrats have been attacking Republicans over the issue ever since the Alabama Supreme Court issued a decision that blocked access to the procedure, before the Legislature there restored it. On Thursday, the Democratic-controlled Senate forced a vote on a bill to guarantee access to IVF that will help them put vulnerable Republicans on the spot over the issue ahead of the election. “Most Republicans said they opposed Democrats’ legislation either because it threatened religious liberty and states rights or because they felt it was unnecessary,” reports POLITICO’s Alice Ollstein. “And several GOP senators instead offered a separate bill, which Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) tried to bring up under unanimous consent on Wednesday. Democrats blocked that effort, saying it amounted to mostly symbolic protections.” Florida Democrats attacked Scott after the vote, saying he was trying to “cover up” his record, and predicting it would “cost him his Senate seat.” VEEPSTAKES — “‘The Apprentice on steroids’: Vance, Burgum, Rubio rise to the top of Trump’s VP shortlist,” by The Bulwark’s Marc Caputo. “Donald Trump has an unofficial checklist of qualities he wants in a running mate: loyalty, political acumen, debate skills, fundraising ability, and personal chemistry. But in conversations with others about his possible picks, one factor stands out among all others. ‘Does he look good on television?’ Trump frequently asks. ‘Who’s the best on TV?’” EYES EMOJI — Former President Donald Trump, in a show of unity, endorsed Rep. Laurel Lee (R-Fla.) after initially calling for someone to primary her because she’d backed Gov. Ron DeSantis over him. In a Truth Social post, Trump called Lee “an incredible representative” and praised her support on several issues, including border security and the military. — “Another poll shows Ron DeSantis is still a VP favorite,” by Florida Politics’ A.G. Gancarski. SO LONG — Trump also said he was supporting Rep. Daniel Webster (R-Fla.), leading to former state Rep. Anthony Sabatini ending his primary challlenge. "I don’t always agree with Donald Trump’s endorsements, but I understand the political reality of what they are," he wrote. "District 11 will have to wait for another day."
| | ...HURRICANE HOLE... | | | | 
A woman walks through a flooded street in Northeast Miami-Dade County, Fla., Thursday, June 13, 2024. | Wilfredo Lee/AP | HISTORIC FLOODING — “City of Sarasota and county issue emergency declarations after flooding, seek aid,” by Christian Casale of the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. “The declarations allow for more flexibility to authorize public funds for the storm damage and receive state and federal assistance for their respective local governments.” — “After flash floods, here’s what to know if you need to file a claim,” by the South Florida Sun Sentinel’s Juan Ortega and Ron Hurtibise. STAYING IN PLACE — “What water data from this Florida city tells us about who evacuates hurricanes,” by Max Chesnes of the Tampa Bay Times. “Thousands across Pinellas … have defied mandatory evacuation orders in recent years as hurricanes churn within striking distance. Local government officials are targeting this populace to combat what they say is growing complacency ahead of what could be one of the busiest hurricane seasons on record. It’s difficult for emergency managers to pinpoint exactly how many people flee ahead of a storm — and where to find those who remain — but city and county officials say they get a clearer picture with each passing hurricane season.”
| | DATELINE D.C. | | OVERVIEW — “Russian ships near Florida? A brief history of military conflicts here,” by the Tampa Bay Times’ Gabrielle Calise. “After Moscow deployed several ships and a nuclear-powered submarine for naval exercises less than 30 miles from South Florida’s coast, the U.S. Navy has responded by sending aircraft and warships of their own. While U.S. officials say the Russian vessels have not ‘posed a direct threat,’ the American vessels have been tasked with monitoring the whereabouts of the Russian fleet.”
| | TRUMPLANDIA AND THE SWAMP | | TODAY — Donald Trump is marking his 78th birthday by speaking in front of the Club 47 fan club, a group that represents his most devoted base. The Palm Beach event is sold out. LIVE FROM MAR-A-LAGO? — “Republican National Committee prepares for a convention Trump may not attend,” by NBC News’ Matt Dixon. “Donald Trump is preparing for a scenario in which he will be unable to attend the Republican National Convention, a decision influenced in part by the possibility that he could be sentenced to home confinement after his historic conviction late last month. Preparations are being made at both Mar-a-Lago, his home in Florida, and in Milwaukee, the host city for the convention next month, should Trump either choose to make appearances from afar or be unable to attend, according to two sources familiar with the planning.”
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