Florida’s raucous session ends as 2024 watch begins

Hello and welcome to Friday.

The End — In a few hours, it will be over, but the reverberations of the 2023 session of the Florida Legislature will live onward — in the courts, on the presidential campaign trail, in next year’s elections, in the schools, in the colleges, in doctor offices, on social media, at a certain central Florida theme park and on and on.

Riders On The Storm — It was a session that had its bipartisan moments (a ban on TikTok in schools, the expansion of Florida Kidcare) but it also had moments of rage. Protesters getting arrested near and in the Capitol. People so angry that they threw actual underwear at lawmakers from the House gallery. One legislator lashed out at transgender opponents as “demons” and “imps.” Another legislator said on the House floor that “our terrorist enemies hate homosexuals more than we do.”

Strange Days — Republicans — including Gov. Ron DeSantis — contend that the energized GOP supermajority’s actions on abortion, guns, LGBTQ issues, schools and Disney over the past 60 days are fulfilling campaign promises. But they also realize this is an unusual moment in time, when DeSantis’ expected presidential campaign has fueled a long list of legislative action that is unrivaled in recent Florida history.

Break On Through — DeSantis himself said on Thursday that he and Republicans did not want to “waste the opportunity” and that they needed to “seize the moment.” He added that “we’ve been able to go on a historic run that has never been seen before in this state’s history.”

Take It As It Comes — A few weeks ago, one Republican legislator predicted that DeSantis would get 95 percent of what he wanted. That turned out to be a fairly accurate prognostication. A defamation bill died. And parts of the immigration package were less than he wanted. A year-long tax break on certain household goods to battle “inflation” was rejected. But the misses for the governor were few.

Waiting For The Sun — Of course, all of this is done with the expectation that DeSantis will soon use the long line of accomplishments as he goes into a GOP primary battle against former President Donald Trump. In fact, it would be shocking if DeSantis does not run at this point.

Light My Fire — “I believe it would be political malpractice if he does not run for president,” said state Rep. Spencer Roach, a North Fort Myers Republican. “He has to capitalize on this moment.”

— WHERE’S RON? — Gov. DeSantis is scheduled to be in Tallahassee.

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... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ...

GOING HOME — “Gillum not guilty of lying to FBI as jury deadlocks on other charges,” by Tallahassee Democrat’s Jeff Burlew: “After five days of behind-the-scenes drama and deliberations, jurors found former Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum not guilty of lying to the FBI about a “Hamilton” ticket and other gifts he got from undercover FBI agents in New York. They deadlocked on the most serious charges against Gillum, the 2018 Democratic nominee for governor, and his co-defendant, Sharon Lettman-Hicks, involving the misuse of campaign funds.”

What could come next — “U.S. District Judge Allen Winsor declared a mistrial on the counts that ended with no verdict reached. Assistant U.S. Attorney Gary Milligan II said the government will retry Gillum and Lettman-Hicks on the conspiracy and wire fraud charges.”

COLLEGE DAZE — New College scores millions in Florida’s budget amid DeSantis revamp, by POLITICO’s Andrew Atterbury: Florida GOP lawmakers this week supported the drastic changes Gov. Ron DeSantis is seeking to transform New College of Florida into a conservative-leaning school by agreeing to send more than $34 million to the school and backing a slate of controversial trustees who are now leading it. The money is meant to provide scholarships for enticing potential students, help with building repairs and bolster school operations. The DeSantis-picked trustees, meanwhile, were confirmed by Republican state senators to run the school and have already made a noticeable impact on the Sarasota campus to the dismay of students, faculty and Democrats.

ANOTHER DESANTIS PRIORITY — Florida Legislature votes to ban gender-affirming care for minors, by POLITICO’s Arek Sarkissian: The GOP-controlled Florida Legislature passed a bill Thursday that bans transgender minors from receiving gender-affirming care such as puberty blockers, sending to Gov. Ron DeSantis a measure that opponents say will further marginalize vulnerable kids. The bill, which DeSantis requested, also prohibits universities, local governments and other agencies that access the state’s Medicaid programs from using public dollars to cover such treatments for anyone in Florida.


‘THIS IS A MARATHON’ — Proposed budget includes more than $1B for land as environmentalists push for continued spending, by POLITICO’s Bruce Ritchie: Legislative leaders this week proposed spending more than $1 billion in the 2023-24 state budget on land conservation — far more than in any year in the past decade. While environmentalists are cheering the proposal, they also say continued spending will be needed through at least the next decade to ensure wildlife habitat is protected. “This is a marathon and not a sprint,” Mallory Dimmitt, CEO of the Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation, told POLITICO this week. The Legislature is expected to vote on the $117 billion budget on Friday.

POWER PLAY — Senate sends to governor bill providing for state takeover of Gainesville utility, by POLITICO’s Bruce Ritchie: The Florida Senate without debate voted to send to Gov. Ron DeSantis a bill providing for a state takeover of Gainesville Regional Utilities. The Senate read and voted on the House bill, FL H.B. 1645 (23R), as part of a package of more than 20 local bills. Lawmakers were not allowed to debate the measures. The bill creates a state board appointed by the governor to lead the utility, which has 93,000 customers and offers water, wastewater, gas and telecommunications services. Gainesville Mayor Harvey Ward told POLITICO after the vote that the city will be seeking a veto. “I’m disappointed but not surprised,” Ward said.

MOUSE TRAP — “Lawmakers OK bill to void Disney’s Reedy Creek deal,” by the Orlando Sentinel’s Jeffrey Schweers: “The Republican-controlled Florida Senate took one last swipe at Disney on Thursday, voting to give the new Central Florida Tourism Oversight Board the power to cancel development agreements approved by the previous board controlled by the entertainment giant. The bill now goes to Gov. Ron DeSantis, who called for the measure as part of his ongoing feud with the state’s largest single-site employer.”

TOSSED — “Lovers of historic Florida buildings can relax. Bill that threatened them is dead,” by Miami Herald’s Mary Ellen Klas: “After warnings that a bill to end local control of historic preservation could lead to the bulldozing of buildings in iconic communities like Miami Beach, the House sponsor of the measure has abandoned the legislation but vowed to bring it back next year. Rep. Spencer Roach, a North Fort Myers Republican, said he filed HB 1317 ‘to defend private property rights, which are under constant attack by local governments.’ The measure quietly moved through committees, receiving bi-partisan support but after preservationists sounded the alarm across the state last week, Roach admitted it is dead for the session, which ends Friday.”

— “Florida Kidcare expansion clears Legislature with unanimous support,” by Florida Politics’ Christine Jordan Sexton

— “Hillsborough’s $570 million sales tax refund dead for this year,” by Tampa Bay Times’ C.T. Bowen and Lawrence Mower

— “Will future of the Deauville site go back to voters? A Florida bill may not allow it,” by Miami Herald’s Aaron Leibowitz

— “Legislature gives surgeons relief from pending Brazilian butt lift rules,” by Florida Politics’ Christine Jordan Sexton

CAMPAIGN MODE

COMING SOON — Abortion rights groups take on DeSantis and his six week ban, by POLITICO’s Sally Goldenberg and Megan Messerly: Planned Parenthood is launching an effort to put abortion on the Florida ballot next year — setting the stage for a high-profile battle with Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis as he prepares to run for president. The move comes three weeks after DeSantis pleased up-for-grabs evangelical Republicans by signing a six-week abortion ban into law. The multi-million-dollar initiative, the details of which were confirmed to POLITICO ahead of an announcement next week, would roll back one of DeSantis’ signature policies by allowing abortion until a fetus is viable at about 24 weeks of pregnancy.

WAITING — Wall Street primary wide open as DeSantis stumbles,” by POLITICO’s Sam Sutton and Ben White: Wall Street is firmly in the Never Trump camp. Finding a Republican who can make “never” happen is another question. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis had been seen as the top pick to lock down the support of financial titans who have already pumped millions into his state campaigns. But as he stumbles through gaffes over everything from his personal demeanor and stance on Ukraine to his snacking habits, Wall Street donors are keeping the door open to his competitors, according to more than a dozen bankers, attorneys and political consultants interviewed for this story.

— “Ron DeSantis dominates Florida legislative session ahead of expected presidential run,” by Wall Street Journal’s Alex Leary

DESANTISLAND

DAIRYLAND DILEMMA — “DeSantis draws big crowd for Wisconsin event — including pro-Trump protesters,” by NBC News’ Natasha Korecki: “A local group of Trump supporters are planning counterprogramming outside of DeSantis’ appearance at the Marathon County GOP’s Lincoln Day Dinner event on Saturday, according to an email shared with NBC News and a Facebook posting, which called it a ‘patriotic rally.’ ‘Tell Ron DeSantis that Wisconsin is Trump Country,’ read the email, which encouraged attendees to show up outside the DeSantis-headlined dinner wearing their Trump gear.”

THE DESANTIS WAY — “DeSantis hasn’t fostered deep political relationships. Will it matter?” by Tampa Bay Times’ Kirby Wilson: “His run for the White House may come down to a choice: Change styles, or double down on the notion that traditional politics are overrated. So far, it’s unclear which path [Gov. Ron] DeSantis is choosing. Anecdotes about DeSantis shaking hands and kissing babies are somewhat hard to come by. A Tampa Bay Times story on DeSantis published when he was in Congress in 2018 said his D.C. colleagues saw him as ‘aloof and a bit of a know-it-all.’ Supporters have privately described interactions where he checks his phone during conversations or appears absorbed in his own thoughts among donors.”

— “DeSantis celebrates wins at end of busy legislative session,” by The Associated Press’ Steve Peoples and Anthony Izaguirre

— “DeSantis gets a leg up from the Florida Legislature,” by Washington Post’s Olivier Knox

— “New Hampshire House majority leader endorses DeSantis,” by The Hill’s Max Greenwood

— “Peter Thiel says Ron DeSantis would ‘make a terrific president,’” by Insider’s Cheryl Teh

TRUMPLANDIA AND THE SWAMP


FLORIDA MAN — Proud Boys leader found guilty of seditious conspiracy for driving Jan. 6 attack, by POLITICO’s Kyle Cheney: A jury on Thursday convicted Enrique Tarrio, the former leader of the Proud Boys, and three allies of a seditious conspiracy to derail the transfer of power from Donald Trump to Joe Biden, a historic verdict following the most significant trial to emerge from the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol. Jurors also convicted the four men — Tarrio, Ethan Nordean, Joseph Biggs and Zachary Rehl — of conspiring to obstruct Congress’ proceedings on Jan. 6 and destroying government property. The jury acquitted a fifth defendant, Dominic Pezzola, of seditious conspiracy but convicted him of obstructing Congress’ Jan. 6 proceedings as well as several other felony charges.


— Jury in rape trial hears from Trump — but not in person, by POLITICO’s Erica Orden

— “Justice Department intensifying efforts to determine if Trump hid documents,” by The New York Times’ Maggie Haberman, Adam Goldman, Alan Feuer, Ben Protess and Michael S. Schmidt

PENINSULA AND BEYOND

HMM — “Top SBA official oversaw PPP, then did work for one of its worst offenders,” by McClatchy D.C.’s Ben Wieder: “After his exit from the agency in January 2021, [William] Manger went on to do work for a company identified by congressional investigators as one of the worst offenders, a technology firm called Womply. Womply was not itself a lender, but created an online portal for prospective PPP applicants to submit their information and then funneled applicants to various banks and lenders the company partnered with. The company’s partners, including Coral Gables lender Benworth Capital and Orlando-area lender Fountainhead, would eventually come to have little faith in the services the company provided, as they became convinced that Womply had facilitated extensive fraud.”

WHAT’S IN YOUR WALLET? — “Flood insurance costs soar in South Florida. New rates to double, even triple for many,” by Miami Herald’s Nicolas Rivero: “Brace for a few years of flood insurance rate hikes, South Florida. And they’re going to be steep — doubling, even tripling for thousands of homeowners. FEMA has changed the way it calculates flood insurance prices. Instead of relying on old flood zone maps covering broad areas, it’s now basing premium prices on a wider range of factors, like an individual property’s distance from the ocean, rainfall levels and the cost to rebuild a home.”

— “U.S. Education secretary highlights Miami mentor program, slams Florida education bills,” by Miami Herald’s Sommer Brugal

— “Former Orange commissioner, state legislator Fred Brummer dies,” by Orlando Sentinel’s Stephen Hudak

— “Does firebrand Randy Fine want to lead FAU? He won’t say. Others worry he’s not a good fit,” by Palm Beach Post’s Stephany Matat

ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN

BIRTHDAYS: Former Rep. Craig T. James … Jim Magill with Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney and former legislative affairs director for Gov. Jeb Bush … Paul Flemming, director of public information office for the Supreme Court of Florida ... political consultant Max Goodman

(Saturday) State Sen. Tracie Davis … state Rep. Toby Overdorf … McKinley Lewis, communications director for Sen. Rick Scott … Brandon Larrabee

(Sunday) Rep. Matt Gaetz … former Rep. Ted Deutch … Former state Sen. Lisa Carlton