| | | | |  | | By Kimberly Leonard | | Presented by |  | | | |  Gov. Ron DeSantis delivers remarks and answers questions at a news conference in Orlando, Florida, on Sept. 16, 2024. | John Raoux/AP | Good morning and welcome to Wednesday. Gov. RON DESANTIS spent the last four years going in the opposite direction of President JOE BIDEN in almost every way. Call it a period of “resistance” or “Biden-proofing.” When the Biden administration wanted to require Covid vaccines for as many as 100 million Americans, DeSantis blocked local governments from having them in Florida and said schools had to stay open and couldn’t force masking. DeSantis criticized the Biden administration over its border policy, signing a state bill into law limiting social services and work options for unauthorized immigrants and flew Venezuelan migrants to Martha’s Vineyard. While Biden signed an executive order to advance diversity, equity and inclusion in the federal government, DeSantis tried to ban such practices in Florida schools and workplaces. Florida sued the Biden administration over its attempt to prohibit discrimination against transgender students and banned transgender students from playing in sports that match their gender identity. When liberal cities banned gas stoves — something the White House said Biden didn’t support federally — DeSantis made them tax exempt in Florida while his political operation turned the dust-up into merch. The list goes on. DeSantis often drew attention to the contrasts, referring to Florida in his second inaugural address as the “refuge of sanity” and the “citadel of freedom.” Likewise, the White House often welcomed the contrast with Florida, a place whose gun laws it saw as overly permissive and whose abortion laws and school library book standards it saw as overly restrictive. The actions helped make DeSantis a household name who, by the end of 2022, polled ahead of DONALD TRUMP in a hypothetical Republican primary, building the case for him to mount a presidential run. Tons of people migrated to Florida from other states, and Florida was a key bright red spot in an otherwise underwhelming 2022 midterms for Republicans nationally. But now Trump is back and seemingly stronger than ever, and the White House contrasting element that made DeSantis a GOP star won’t be what it was under Biden. In fact, Trump adopted many of DeSantis’ positions. The two leaders have been getting along — there’s even the possibility that DeSantis might work for Trump — and the governor has been voicing support for Trump’s nominees. Even if DeSantis doesn’t join the Trump administration, it’ll likely mean settling back into a more supportive posture, one he already showed during Trump’s first term. When DeSantis was in Congress, he introduced the “Drain the Swamp” Act to create congressional term limits and frequently defended Trump on Fox News. Then as governor during Trump’s first term, DeSantis teamed up with the White House on prescription drug importation, education and reducing fentanyl deaths. Areas of disagreement with Trump may still emerge, of course. For instance, DeSantis made his Covid policies a key contrasting element against Trump when he entered the presidential race. And DeSantis also can keep finding ways to make news as governor — just as rival Democratic Gov. GAVIN NEWSOM of California did during Biden’s presidency — including by drawing policy contrasts with blue states. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget that Playbook should look at? Get in touch at: kleonard@politico.com.
| | | | A message from Instagram: Instagram Teen Accounts: automatic protections for teens
Parents want safer online experiences for their teens. That's why Instagram is introducing Teen Accounts, with automatic protections for who can contact teens and the content they can see.
A key factor: Only parents can approve safety setting changes for teens under 16.
Learn more. | | | |  | ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... | | WHAT TO WATCH — The big spending days are gone for Florida legislators. That’s the message that was reinforced Tuesday by state Sen. ED HOOPER, the new chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, at a presentation on the state’s long-range financial outlook and the process for requesting money for local projects. Hooper told senators several times that they would be “rightsizing” the state budget in 2025 now that Florida has spent the billions in one-time “stimulus” money that came in from the federal government due to the Covid pandemic. Florida also saw a significant spike in state tax dollars during the same time period. Hooper said the state would shift to “traditional” levels of funding. And he cautioned that if legislators submitted multiple projects without prioritizing them, “you will be grossly disappointed.” — Gary Fineout LEGISLATION ROUNDUP — Republican state Sen. RANDY FINE, who is running for Congress in FL-06, has introduced a bill that would roll back the minimum gun-buying age from 21 to 18, a limit that originally passed in the wake of the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. GOP state Sen. ILLEANA GARCIA has a bill to let long-term care residents install recording devices in their rooms, reports Christine Sexton of the Florida Phoenix. Democratic state Rep. JERVONTE EDMONDS has introduced a bill to prevent colleges and universities from denying in-state tuition to people who’ve been incarcerated, reports Jay Waagmeester of the Florida Phoenix. Democratic state Rep. MICHAEL GOTTLIEB has filed legislation to require employers to provide shade and drinking water to outdoor workers — on the heels of a law that prohibits localities from setting heat protections, reports Jackie Llanos of the Florida Phoenix. Another bill from Gottlieb would set in motion a constitutional convention to back the election of a president by popular vote rather than by the Electoral College.
| | | | REGISTER NOW: As the 118th Congress ends, major decisions loom, including healthcare appropriations. Key focus: site neutrality. Can aligning hospital and clinic costs cut federal spending, reflect physician costs, and lower patient expenses? Join policymakers and providers to discuss. | | | | | |  Flags fly over the Florida Capitol. | Phil Sears/AP | BEACH BILL BINGO — State Rep. JOEL RUDMAN, a Republican from Navarre who is running for a vacant Panhandle congressional seat in FL-01, filed a bill Tuesday that would repeal a controversial 2018 state beach access law. Rudman said the law has restricted beach access and threatened the tourism economy in Walton County, where disputes among beachgoers and waterfront property owners gave rise to the 2018 legislation. "We are going to try to get things back in the hands of Walton County," Rudman told POLITICO. "These decisions shouldn't be made by bureaucrats back in Tallahassee who have never visited the area." Legislation supporters, including GOP Sen. KATHLEEN PASSIDOMO of Naples, said at the time that the 2018 legislation would protect private property rights while empowering local governments to establish public beaches through a legal review process. — Bruce Ritchie PUBLIC COMMENT — “Florida hemp companies air concerns over newly proposed safety restrictions for kids,” reports POLITICO’s Arek Sarkissian. “Florida hemp companies pushed back on a proposed rule from a state regulator on Tuesday that would ban hemp products from appearing attractive to children, amid growing concern over the use of slang language in marketing products. “The rules, which were proposed by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services in September, would place new prohibitions on consumable hemp products, such as candies, sodas and vapes, from looking attractive to kids — including by limiting what the products could be called.” SPRINGS RULE — The Florida Department of Environmental Protection on Tuesday proposed a new state rule to protect springs from groundwater overpumping. DEP proposed the rule as required by 2016 legislation after the Florida Springs Council sued the state in November. The council said Tuesday in an email newsletter that it is still reviewing the rule and will request an agency public hearing that would be held in January. "Proposing the rule does not fulfill the law. Now, FDEP must actually adopt rules that prevent harmful water user permits to fulfill the requirements of law," the Springs Council said. DEP didn't immediately respond Tuesday to a request for comment. In November, a department spokesperson said DEP doesn't comment on pending litigation. — Bruce Ritchie MAJOR TOPIC IN 2024 ELECTIONS — “New Florida prison policy on trans health care ‘like conversion therapy,’” reports Beth Schwartzapfel of the Marshall Project. “The Department of Corrections stated that the prisons will only provide those with gender dysphoria with psychotherapy — and not cross-gender hormones — except ‘in rare instances … if necessary to comply with the U.S. Constitution or a court decision.’ The policy argues that ‘unaddressed psychiatric issues and unaddressed childhood trauma could lead to a misdiagnosis of gender dysphoria,’ and that cross-gender hormones ‘may be requested by persons experiencing short-termed delusions or beliefs which may later be changed and reversed.’” UPENDED — “‘A broken market’: Florida’s childcare system is failing. What can be done about it?” by the Miami Herald’s Max Klaver. “Parents struggle to pay for childcare. Businesses struggle to stay afloat. Many are barely able to pay their staff livable wages, causing rampant turnover and a scarcity of educators, further worsening educational outcomes.” — “Medical board revokes Florida doctor’s license for plastic surgery death,” reports Christine Sexton of the Florida Phoenix. TOURISM FIGURES ARE IN — Tourists spent $131 billion in Florida in 2023, a record that marks an increase of 5 percent from 2022, the governor’s office announced. It came with nearly $37 billion in tax revenue. HAPPY HOLIDAYS — DeSantis announced on Tuesday that he’s giving state workers additional days off, including Dec. 23, 24 and Dec. 31, in addition to Christmas Day and New Years Day.
| | | | A message from Instagram:   | | | | | PENINSULA AND BEYOND | | TODAY — The World Strategic Forum is taking place in Coral Gables, Florida. (The agenda is here.) FALLBACK OPTION — “After marijuana measure’s failure, Florida’s hemp shops stand to benefit,” reports Shauna Muckle of the Tampa Bay Times. “But business owners wonder how long the freewheeling industry will escape federal or state regulations that could threaten their livelihoods. And health experts wonder about consequences for consumers, who can easily purchase marijuana-like products — without the same safety regulations imposed on medical marijuana companies.”
| | TRUMPLANDIA AND THE SWAMP | | ORIGIN STORY? — “The possible Donald Trump connection to the Florida state parks scandal,” by Emily L. Mahoney and Max Chesnes of the Tampa Bay Times. “In video footage released in 2020, Trump can be heard chatting with Jack Nicklaus III, the grandson of famed golfer Jack Nicklaus who would later play a part in the now-dashed plans to build a golf course in Florida’s Jonathan Dickinson State Park. Around the dinner table, Trump and the grandson discussed how the elder Nicklaus was barred from designing courses for five years because of a non-compete clause with his former company. … The grandson’s remarks in the footage implied that he viewed charitable partnerships as a way for Nicklaus to work around his prohibitive clause.”
| | DATELINE D.C. | | COMING UP — The House GOP’s retreat will be at Trump Doral near Miami Jan. 27-29, Jake Sherman of Punchbowl News first reported. OAN GAETZ THE MAGA PROVOCATEUR — Former Rep. MATT GAETZ (R-Fla.) will be hosting his own show on the hard-right One America News Network. The former lawmaker from Florida's Panhandle and MAGA provocateur will soon host his own hourlong political talk show on OAN, which heavily supports Trump. OAN promoted the show in a series of graphics on Tuesday and called Gaetz a "powerhouse" in an announcement, describing the hire as a "mega MAGA investment" that will air weeknights at 9 p.m. SPEAKING OF GAETZ — House Speaker MIKE JOHNSON said that anyone who leaked details of the ethics report on Gaetz should face consequences, per Axios’ Juliegrace Brufke and Andrew Solender. — “Rick Scott condemns garlic from China as a ‘major threat’ to U.S. security and food safety,” reports Anthony Man of the South Florida Sun Sentinel.
| | | | Billions in spending. Critical foreign aid. Immigration reform. The final weeks of 2024 could bring major policy changes. Inside Congress provides daily insights into how Congressional leaders are navigating these high-stakes issues. Subscribe today. | | | | | | | TRANSITION TIME | | — Palm Beach Post Executive Editor RICK CHRISTIE is moving to the role of Florida state opinion group editor, the publication announced. According to USA TODAY Network: “As the state continues to emerge as a national thought and cultural leader, the USA TODAY Network expects this role will be pivotal in fostering a culture of shared resources, expertise, and a commitment to producing timely, relevant, and hyper-local content that resonates with our audience.”
| | ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN | | — Sharks in the Caribbean have been approaching scuba divers with their mouths open, apparently thinking they’re food, reports the Tribune News Service. BIRTHDAY: Leon County Commissioner Nick Maddox.
| | | | A message from Instagram: Instagram Teen Accounts: a protected experience for teens, guided by parents
Instagram Teen Accounts are designed to address parents’ biggest concerns, providing automatic protections for who can contact their teens and the content they can see.
The impact: Built-in limits give parents more peace of mind when it comes to protecting their teens.
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