Latest news with #RONDESANTIS
Politico
06-08-2025
- Politics
- Politico
Democratic pushback bubbles up
Good morning and welcome to Wednesday. Gov. RON DESANTIS waged years of fights against the Biden administration, 'wokeness' from Walt Disney World, and progressive-driven policies on education, the environment, race and gender identity. But this year, many of his biggest fights have come from inside his own party. While he often recasts such disagreement as leftist creep inside the GOP, recent Democratic pushback has been minimal and infrequent. Blue-leaning Orange County appears poised to give it a shot. Local elected officials are doing so as Democrats have struggled to find their footing against Republicans running institutions and implementing policy. A couple of weeks ago, Orange County officials stood up to DeSantis and state Attorney General JAMES UTHMEIER by refusing to sign an agreement with ICE to transport undocumented immigrants to detention facilities, citing staffing shortages and their interpretation that the agreement was optional. Days later — including during a commission meeting on Tuesday — they caved. It's a clear initial win for the governor, who threatened to consider suspending commissioners from office if they didn't get in line. But it's not the end of the story. Commissioners and Orange County Mayor JERRY DEMINGS stressed they were merely voting to ratify the agreement because they wouldn't be able to continue the fight if they were thrown out of office and replaced by the governor's 'minions.' Demings predicted there would be a slim chance the county would even be asked to transport ICE detainees anywhere. And he said if they were, it would be the start of a conversation with ICE in which they could share concerns about having officers leave their posts. 'We look very strategically at how we fight,' Demings said during Tuesday's meeting, emphasizing that by staying in office, they were in a 'better position to win the fight in the future.' 'I prefer to fight from the vantage point of where I'm sitting today,' Demings said. 'If we are all removed and others are sitting here, I don't think the fight would be the same fight.' Then Demings, who's weighing a run for higher office, added: 'Until the courts rule that something is unconstitutional it is the law. So we have to change the people who make the laws. That's a whole other strategic conversation.' The next step, Demings said, was to consider possible lawsuits. The commission and mayor are expected to meet again publicly with the county attorney to receive a presentation about what some possible complaints might be, he said. Some items in the hearing provided clues. For instance, County Attorney JEFFREY NEWTON pointed to language in Florida's immigration law saying local governments had to use their 'best efforts' to assist with immigration enforcement. 'It is deliberately — I believe — ambiguous,' Newton said of the phrasing. It's possible other local governments might join in, creating a larger wall of defiance. It's also possible it may wind up landing flat with voters who want to see strict actions against illegal immigration. Additionally, it may not be enough to satisfy the Democratic base. During the public comment period Tuesday, several attendees referred to DeSantis as a 'fascist' and pushed the commission to vote down the agreement. 'Doing the right thing might come with political risk,' AARON QUEN-PEREZ of the Farmworker Association of Florida said during the meeting. 'But people far less fortunate than you have sacrificed so much more just to survive to be seen and just to be heard.' Asked about the comments on litigation, governor's office spokesperson MOLLY BEST said DeSantis had 'consistently stated that local entities must participate in federal immigration enforcement.' 'Florida has enacted legislation that requires full compliance and localities are expected to follow the law,' she added. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget that Playbook should look at? Get in touch at: kleonard@ and @leonardkl. ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... TODAY — US District Judge KATHLEEN WILLIAMS will hold a hearing in Miami this morning over the environmental lawsuit against the 'Alligator Alcatraz' detention center. The Center for Biological Diversity and Friends of the Everglades want Williams to quickly halt the facility's development, alleging it is violating federal environmental laws by failing to get proper feedback or assessing ecological impacts. They've raised concerns about lights harming endangered species, such as the Florida panther and the Florida bonneted bat. The Miccosukee Tribe of Indians also has intervened in the challenge, saying the center threatens religious and ceremonial sites, and that it was not consulted despite legal requirements and precedents recognizing the cultural and historical significance of the land. SECOND DETENTION CENTER FORMING — 'Florida is preparing a second immigration detention center, which is already being labeled in public records as the 'North Detention Facility,'' reports Ana Goñi-Lessan of USA Today Network — Florida. 'The Florida Department of Emergency Management, the state agency in charge of the South Florida Detention Facility in the Everglades, is purchasing a WeatherSTEM and two lightning sirens for the facility, according to a state contract, for $39,490.' FLORIDA SUES PORN SITES — Florida is suing pornography companies that the state claims are 'flagrantly' breaking a high-profile law requiring age verification to view adult websites. State Attorney General James Uthmeier sued several pornography website operators based in the Czech Republic on Monday, alleging that online venues including XVideos, XNXX and BangBros are flaunting Florida's age verification rules. The lawsuit, filed in Sarasota County Circuit Court, marks a significant effort by Florida to enforce a policy recently reinforced by the U.S. Supreme Court as several states push adult content restrictions. — Andrew Atterbury MIAMI-DADE TO GET SCRUTINIZED NEXT — 'The administration of Gov. Ron DeSantis this week warned Miami-Dade to expect a site visit from the state's 'DOGE' team that is reviewing local spending decisions and priorities,' reports Douglas Hanks of the Miami Herald. 'In a letter that singled out green-energy efforts and the county's spending to encourage racial diversity in hiring and contracting, state administrators said they were concerned that Miami-Dade is facing budget strain after years of growth in property-tax revenue.' — 'Pinellas to send 'thousands upon thousands' of pages to Florida DOGE,' reports Lizzy Alspach of the Tampa Bay Times. — 'Advocates blast the nearly $10 billion rate hike sought by Florida Power & Light,' reports Mitch Perry of the Florida Phoenix. DATELINE D.C. ANOTHER FLORIDIAN GOES NATIONAL — State Sen. Joe Gruters, who already has President Donald Trump's endorsement, is on a glide path to become the next chair of the Republican National Committee. Michael Whatley, the current RNC chair, is stepping down to run for the North Carolina U.S. Senate seat currently held by retiring GOP Sen. Thom Tillis. The deadline for those seeking to succeed Whatley came and went on Tuesday and Gruters will run for the job unopposed. The formal vote will occur on Aug. 22 at the RNC summer meeting in Atlanta. — Gary Fineout FIELD IS SET — Seven candidates will be seeking two open seats in the Florida Legislature after qualifying closed Tuesday. Two Republicans and one Democrat qualified for Senate District 11, the seat that had been held by BLAISE INGOGLIA before DeSantis appointed him chief financial officer. Former state Rep. RALPH MASSULLO, a dermatologist, will square off against ANTHONY BRICE in the Sept. 30 primary. Brice is a veteran who has been in the ranching business for the past 15 years. The winner on Dec. 9 will face Democrat ASH MARWAH, a retired engineer who previously ran for the state House. Massullo has already picked up key endorsements from DeSantis and other top Republicans. Four candidates qualified to run for State House 90, the seat that had been held by Democratic state Rep. JOE CASELLO. Casello died last month after suffering a heart attack. Republicans BILL REICHERTER and MARIA ZACK will run against each other in the Sept. 30 primary. The winner of the primary will face Democrat ROB LONG and KAREN YEH, who is running without a party affiliation, in the Dec. 9 general election. Long, a Delay Beach city commissioner and an engineer, is considered the front-runner for the seat. — Gary Fineout TRUMPLANDIA AND THE SWAMP FLORIDA SUPREME COURT ASK — Lawyers for President Donald Trump are calling on the Florida Supreme Court to stay out of his legal dispute with the board that hands out Pulitzer Prizes. Trump sued board members for defamation after the board rejected his request to revoke Pulitzer Prizes awarded to The New York Times and Washington Post for stories regarding Russian interference in the 2016 election. Last month, attorneys for nearly two dozen board members asked the state Supreme Court to put the lawsuit on hold until he is no longer president. They argued it would violate due process to allow him to stay some cases because he was president but not afford that right to others. In a Tuesday court filing, Trump's attorneys fired back, saying the state's highest court lacks jurisdiction to even review the case at this point and adding there is 'simply no reason' for the court to get involved. — Gary Fineout DATELINE D.C. MILLS ACCUSATIONS — A woman who said she had been in a relationship with Rep. Cory Mills has accused the Republican member of Congress from Florida of threatening to release nude videos of her after she broke off their relationship, according to a police report. Lindsey Langston, a Florida Republican state committee member and 2024 winner of the Miss United States beauty pageant, told authorities on July 14 that Mills also threatened to harm any of her future romantic partners, according to a report she made to the Columbia County Sheriff's Department that was obtained Tuesday by POLITICO. Response from Mills: He has not been charged and told POLITICO in a statement that he was unaware of the police report. 'We have not been made aware of any report or allegations from law enforcement or the alleged complainant,' Mills said. 'These claims are false and misrepresent the nature of my interactions. I have always conducted myself with integrity, both personally and in service to Florida's 7th District.' — POLITICO's Aaron Pellish, Gary Fineout and Mia McCarthy EPSTEIN LATEST — Trump's ex-Labor Secretary, ALEX ACOSTA, wasn't on the list of subpoenas the House Oversight Committee issued Tuesday on JEFFREY EPSTEIN, report Herb Scribner and Avery Lotz of Axios. Acosta was a federal prosecutor in South Florida when Epstein arranged a deal for a minimum sentence. MORE RECORDS — The Trump administration is considering making transcripts public from the DOJ interview in Tallahassee with GHISLAINE MAXWELL, write CNN's Alayna Treene, Paula Reid and Kristen Holmes. TRANSITION TIME — DeSantis appointed BOB ASZTALOS, the deputy executive director of the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs, as director of the Agency for Persons with Disabilities. Asztalos, a Navy and Navy Reserve veteran, has previously been chief lobbyist for the Florida Health Care Association and government relations consultant for Easter Seals Florida. — New College of Florida named conservative author and right-wing influencer WILL WITT as chief social media officer, reports Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics. — CAROLINA GARTENBERG is now head of global marketing and comms at Kobre & Kim. She most recently was SVP and general manager for Miami at 5W Public Relations. ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN BIRTHDAYS: State Sen. Tom Leek … Arlene DiBenigno, president and CEO of Conversa Co. ... Sergio Bustos, vice president for news at WLRN public radio and television.
Politico
11-07-2025
- Business
- Politico
Campaign filings provide 2026 crystal ball
Good morning and happy Friday. Gov. RON DESANTIS has made it clear he has policy and personnel picks coming soon, all part of his efforts to leave a long-lasting mark on Florida. And campaign filings due before midnight on Thursday give more insight into what kinds of interests are joining him in that effort. The governor is amassing his war chest via the Freedom Fund — the same state political committee he used to defeat amendments on pot and abortion, especially with the help of his bully pulpit in the governor's mansion. The account now has just less than $5 million cash on hand. Records show DeSantis raised $1.3 million from the start of April to the end of June this year. The largest contribution was from a rerun: $300,000 from United Again, LLC, a Florida-based company linked to BodyArmor co-founder MICHAEL REPOLE that has served as a vehicle for political contributions — including to the pro-DeSantis super PAC Never Back Down. Another $100,000 came from regenerative medicine company Biostem Technologies. Members of the thoroughbred industry gave generously (as the Legislature considered a measure to decouple horse racing from gaming) and several contributions came from Florida Keys construction company Charley Toppino & Sons. The governor has said he plans to get hyper-involved in pushing a property tax cut, assuming the Legislature agrees on a plan to put before voters next session. He could also use the funds to help promote his picks for whomever he sees as the best person to succeed him in 2026, and for Cabinet members including his forthcoming pick for chief financial officer and for state Attorney General JAMES UTHMEIER to keep his seat. (Uthmeier himself raised $781,000 last quarter between his campaign and political committee.) The funds also can be used on down-ballot races — including if DeSantis wants to challenge Republicans in the Legislature in a primary. Recall he threatened to do this at the height of the immigration bill battle. Though DeSantis has shown himself to be a formidable fundraiser in the past, setting a record for a governor in 2022, the amount he raised to his political committee is eclipsed by the frontrunner to be his successor. It was already known that Rep. BYRON DONALDS raised $10 million last quarter, as Axios reported, but the latest filings show who's contributing. So far, the only legislator on there is state Rep. MEG WEINBERGER, nicknamed 'MAGA Meg' for her closeness to that world. She gave the Donalds campaign $3,000, after already contributing to Donalds' political committee last quarter. Lawmakers don't typically donate toward each other's political campaigns — though some have — but with DeSantis many of them showed their support by hauling it up to freezing Iowa to knock on doors during the primary. And a lot of the people who worked for him did contribute to his campaign. So one thing to watch for now that the session is over, with the budget signed and bills addressed, is how many state lawmakers will issue full-throated endorsements for Donalds in the weeks ahead. Looking into the third quarter: Much of the next three months, falling in the dog days of summer in an off-election year, is widely viewed as the hardest for individual politicians to fundraise because many wealthy types escape to their homes up north. So it would be surprising to see any major statewide candidates announce during this period, as they'd want to post a strong fundraising haul to kick things off. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget that Playbook should look at? Get in touch at: kleonard@ CAMPAIGN MODE UTHMEIER WORKS TO WOO TRUMP — He said President DONALD TRUMP was wrong on Covid-19. He criticized him on abortion. And he mocked his understanding of transgender issues. Now, JAMES UTHMEIER — DeSantis' 2024 campaign manager and handpicked Florida attorney general — is betting his political future on Trump's forgiveness. And he's putting forward 'Alligator Alcatraz,' the detention center quickly constructed in the Everglades to help the president carry out his mass deportation plans, as his boldest gesture yet. There are signs it may be working: The president is now praising Florida's new attorney general for his role as one of the main architects of the detention center. 'The guy's got a future,' Trump said when he visited the facility this month. The path forward for the 37-year-old Republican now may hinge on whether he can turn accolades from Trump into an endorsement for 2026, mitigating his past criticism of the president and his alliance with the governor. More than a dozen Republican operatives, consultants and lobbyists detailed his efforts to secure a potential endorsement from Trump.' Among the overtures has been US Middle East envoy STEVE WITKOFF talking Uthmeier up to the president and a courtside basketball game with DeSantis foe state Sen. JOE GRUTERS. — Gary Fineout and Kimberly Leonard TOMORROW — Miami-Dade Republicans are hosting a breakfast where they'll hear from Donalds about his bid for governor. The congressman is then doing a meet-and-greet not far from Florida International University. Over in Tampa, the young conservative voters organization Turning Point USA is holding its Student Action Summit this weekend. Donalds will be there, too. Other speakers from Florida include DONALD TRUMP JR., BEN CARSON, Uthmeier and Rep. ANNA PAULINA LUNA. (Follow along on Rumble.) MORE TALLIES AND TIDBITS FROM CAMPAIGN FINANCE REPORTS: — The Republican Party of Florida raised $1.9 million — with the political committee for state Rep. JENNIFER CANADY (R-Lakeland) contributing half a million dollars. The total is less than half of what the state party raised last quarter, though much of that haul came from Trump's inauguration events in DC. The party has its second-biggest fundraising event coming up in Orlando in August, called the Florida Freedom Summit. — The Florida Democratic Party raised over $606,000, which included their Leadership Blue fundraiser at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in June. RPOF Chair EVAN POWER boasted about the differences between the two in a statement, proclaiming Democrats 'dead in Florida' and promising the GOP would 'continue to outwork, outregister and outraise our opponents.' — Former Democratic Rep. GWEN GRAHAM and longtime Tallahassee operative MAC STIPANOVICH, a former Republican turned independent, are among those who donated to Democrat DAVID JOLLY's gubernatorial campaign. — WILTON SIMPSON, who can run for a reelection as Agriculture commissioner, has about $10 million more cash on hand than Donalds. His four political committees raised nearly $641,000 combined last quarter. — Gruters raised more than $139,000 between his campaign and two political committees in his bid for chief financial officer. — Witkoff's son, ALEX WITKOFF, donated $50,000 toward Uthmeier's political committee. ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... TOMORROW — Members of Congress and the Florida Legislature are heading to 'Alligator Alcatraz' for a guided, scheduled tour of the immigration detention facility. State House Democratic Leader FENTRICE DRISKELL and state Rep. CARLOS GUILLERMO SMITH can be added to the list of RSVPs Playbook reported in Thursday's newsletter. MET WITH A GATOR GROWL — Five state legislators denied entry into 'Alligator Alcatraz' last week have sued DeSantis and his administration. Guillermo Smith, Jones, State Reps. ANNA ESKAMANI, ANGIE NIXON and MICHELE RAYNER took their case to the state Supreme Court where they contend the governor and the Division of Emergency Management didn't have the authority to block the legislators from the detention center. State law allows legislators to visit state correctional facilities and local jails. Two days after Trump visited 'Alligator Alcatraz,' the legislators were told they couldn't enter due to 'safety reasons.' In a joint statement, they said the refusal 'wasn't some bureaucratic misstep. It was a deliberate obstruction meant to hide what's really happening behind those gates. There is no statute that permits the governor to overrule the Legislature's oversight authority.' Despite the visit scheduled for Saturday, the state lawmakers suing maintain they are allowed to visit the center whenever they want. 'The law is unambiguous: we have the right to inspect detention facilities at any time, without prior notice. Oversight cannot be choreographed.' DeSantis spokesperson BRYAN GRIFFIN noted the invitation to legislators and called the lawsuit 'frivolous.' 'The state is looking forward to quickly dispensing with this dumb lawsuit,' he said in an email. — Gary Fineout LET THERE BE DARK — The lights coming off 'Alligator Alcatraz' at night could harm nocturnal wildlife in the Everglades that rely on pitch-black conditions, reports Max Chesnes of the Tampa Bay Times. Photographers have taken pictures that show light emitted from the facility to the surrounding area for a dozen miles. REBUTTAL TESTIMONY — 'Florida Power & Light Co. said it welcomes electricity-hungry data centers despite claims from developers that the company's proposed new rate structure could leave the state behind economically,' reports POLITICO's Bruce Ritchie. 'FPL, which serves more than half the state's population, filed responses Wednesday to testimony from groups challenging the company's $2.5 billion rate request pending before state regulators. The Florida Energy for Innovation Association, which represents potential data center developers, said last month that FPL's request, including new rates for 'large load' customers, threatens to undermine state economic development efforts.' TAKE A LOOK — Florida Politics is out with its latest edition of INFLUENCE Magazine. PENINSULA AND BEYOND HITTING HOME — 'The wife and daughter of William G. Hardin III, dean of the College of Business at Florida International University, are among the dozens of presumed dead after catastrophic flooding swept through Central Texas in the predawn hours of July 4,' reports the Miami Herald's Milena Malaver. TRUMPLANDIA AND THE SWAMP WHAT HAPPENED IN COURT — Accused attempted Trump assassin RYAN ROUTH told US District Judge AILEEN CANNON on Thursday that he wanted to fire his attorneys, who are public defenders, and represent himself, reports David Fischer of The Associated Press. Routh waited for hours outside Trump's golf course in West Palm Beach, and wrote a letter stating his intentions, according to the indictment. DATELINE D.C. COPYCAT — It's been quite a week for Trump administration policy emulating Florida. First, Agriculture Secretary BROOKE ROLLINS and other Cabinet members brought attention to Chinese ownership of US land, especially around military bases. Then, GOP Sen. JOSH HAWLEY of Missouri introduced legislation to ban such purchases. Over at the of Environmental Protection Agency, Administrator LEE ZELDIN had the agency post fact pages about contrails and geoengineering, per Kevin Bogardus and Ellie Borst of POLITICO's E&E News. Why is all that familiar? A 2023 law in Florida blocks some Chinese citizens and other foreigners from owning land in the state. The 11th Circuit blocked its implementation against two individuals who sued, as POLITICO's Bruce Ritchie reported at the time, but no other action has been taken. And as far as weather modification goes, Florida prohibited it this past session. ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN BIRTHDAYS: State Rep. Leonard Spencer … former state Reps. Fred Hawkins, Ron Reagan and Cynthia Stafford … (Saturday) state Rep. Jon Albert … former Rep. and Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum … Erin Gaetz, executive producer and creative director … former state Rep. Franklin Sands … former state Sen. John Grant ... Craig Varn, vice president and general counsel at Verano … Bob Rackleff, Big Bend Voting Rights Project and former presidential speechwriter … (Sunday) Rep. Cory Mills …. former US Ambassador to Singapore Kirk Wagar … Sun Sentinel's Dan Sweeney … Barbara Foley of UnitedHealth Group.
Politico
03-07-2025
- Business
- Politico
Peeking inside the finances of top pols
Good morning and welcome to Thursday. New financial documents due July 1 give some insight into the lives of those angling or running for top jobs in state government. Under Florida law, elected officials must post paperwork with the Commission on Ethics detailing their net worth, stock holdings, real estate and debt. Many top pols are tardy, a Playbook review found. But others got their documents in ahead of the Fourth of July weekend, as Gov. RON DESANTIS gears up afterwards to announce his choices for state chief financial officer and lieutenant governor. The person widely viewed as the frontrunner for CFO, for instance, state Sen. BLAISE INGOGLIA (R-Spring Hill), filed his financial report early. It shows he has a net worth of $28 million — twice as much as what he listed the year before. Asked about the increase, Ingoglia, a homebuilder, told Playbook he had a piece of property he bought about eight years ago that he'd previously listed on his disclosure at its purchase price. Ahead of filing the latest form, he had several interested buyers and had the property appraised, so he updated the listing to reflect its current value. Much of Ingoglia's other assets are in property, and he also has an E-Trade account that shows holdings in companies like Amazon and Apple. Another elected official who hopes to be CFO after the 2026 election is state Sen. JOE GRUTERS (R-Sarasota), who has President DONALD TRUMP's endorsement, but he hadn't filed his disclosures as of this morning and told Playbook it would be released 'soon.' The job of Florida chief financial officer pays just less than $140,000 annually, while state lawmakers make under $30,000 because they usually hold down other jobs. Disclosure requirements ask elected officials to record what their financial situation was on December 31, 2024, meaning circumstances may have changed in the last seven months. The law does not require them to disclose a spouse's finances. Those who don't file by Sept. 1 start to incur late fines. State Attorney General JAMES UTHMEIER is among those who haven't yet filed his disclosure. It's already known he took a pay cut when he left his job as DeSantis' chief of staff this year to become AG. DeSantis tends to pay top aides between $180,000 and just more than $200,000, while the AG job pays just under $140,000. The form for state Sen. JAY COLLINS — who's considered to be a top candidate DeSantis is considering for lieutenant governor — wasn't immediately available as portions are being redacted for security reasons. State Agriculture Commissioner WILTON SIMPSON, who'll be eligible to run for another term for his current office if he chooses, has a net worth of nearly $20 million. The former Florida Senate president and egg farmer makes just under $140,000 from his elected office. These documents could also shed light on future 2026 gubernatorial candidates, though those currently not in elected office — such as former Rep. DAVID JOLLY — don't have to disclose their finances until they quality for the ballot. GOP Rep. BYRON DONALDS will file a disclosure with the House later this year, but it won't require him to state his net worth because federal ethics rules differ from Florida rules. State Sen. JASON PIZZO of Sunny Isles Beach hasn't yet filed his state-required documents, telling Playbook he would post them 'soon,' but his net worth from last year was $59 million, mostly from an inheritance he received when his father passed away. Pizzo told POLITICO that he'd told Democrats before he left the party that he planned to spend at least $25 million of his personal wealth on a campaign. He still plans to run for governor, but as an independent. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget that Playbook should look at? Get in touch at: kleonard@ Programming note: We'll be off this Friday but will be back in your inboxes on July 7. ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... IN OPERATION — 'The first detainees were expected to arrive at Alligator Alcatraz late Wednesday night, even as the immigration detention facility in the Florida Everglades has already faced some operational issues with security and water intrusion,' report Ana Ceballos, Syra Ortiz Blanes, Alex Harris and David Goodhue of the Miami Herald. 'On Wednesday evening, the gates of the facility were bustling with traffic. Three white vans escorted by sedans drove into the compound. The vans looked like those previously used by immigration authorities to transport migrants, although it's unclear who was in them.' POURING RAIN — 'Alligator Alcatraz opened Tuesday without a water view. Then it rained. Shortly after President Donald Trump left the brand new detention facility to hold immigrants in the middle of the Everglades, a garden-variety South Florida summer rainstorm started. The water seeped into the site — the one that earlier in day the state's top emergency chief had boasted was ready to withstand the winds of a 'high-end' Category 2 hurricane — and streamed all over electrical cables on the floor,' report Syra Ortiz Blanes, Ana Ceballos and Alex Harris of the Miami Herald. Florida division of emergency management response: 'Overnight, the vendors went back and tightened any seams at the base of the structures that allowed water intrusion during the heavy storm, which was minimal,' said spokesperson STEPHANIE HARTMAN, per Spectrum News 13's Jason Delgado. — 'Florida Rep. Angie Nixon calls immigrant detention centers 'concentration camps' on CNN,' reports David Bauerlein of the Jacksonville Florida Times-Union. PRONOUN RULING — 'A federal appeals court narrowly sided with the state of Florida, ruling that a state law doesn't violate a transgender public school teacher's First Amendment rights by preventing her from telling students her preferred pronouns,' reports Stephany Matat of USA Today Network — Florida. 'The 2-1 opinion by a panel of the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals shot down a preliminary injunction granted last year, in which a lower court judge said that Hillsborough County high school teacher Katie Wood's right to free speech was infringed.' NEW STATUE — 'DeSantis [on Wednesday] unveiled a Thomas Jefferson statue that will be on display in the Jefferson County courthouse leading up to the state's celebration of America's 250th birthday next year,' reports Gabrielle Russon of Florida Politics. PENINSULA AND BEYOND MARGARITAVILLE WARNING — Uthmeier sent a letter to Key West commissioners Wednesday warning them that they are obligated to have local law enforcement assist with federal illegal immigration enforcement. If they don't reverse their decision to opt out, he warned, then the governor may remove certain elected officials from office. The commissioners voted Monday to end the agreement, even though Uthmeier has said that under state law all local governments have to participate and that breaking the agreement was illegal. In his Wednesday letter, Uthmeier accused commissioners of turning Key West into a 'sanctuary city' and noted instances of arrest in Key West this year, including of undocumented immigrants who'd been convicted of sex offenses. — 'Coral Gables Commission rejects repeal of city election shift, censures sponsoring member,' by Jesse Scheckner of Florida Politics. ...HURRICANE HOLE... STORM WATCH — 'The National Hurricane Center continued Wednesday to keep track of a weather system that could form off one of Florida's coasts this weekend that could develop into the season's next tropical depression or storm,' reports Richard Tribou of the Orlando Sentinel. 'In its 8 p.m. tropical advisory, the NHC said an area of low pressure was forecast to develop either off of Florida's Gulf Coast or in the Atlantic along a weakening frontal boundary. The latest NHC outlook shows the potential system shifting more north-northeast than in earlier forecasts.' CAMPAIGN MODE MOSKOWITZ FACING POTENTIAL CHALLENGER — 'Scott Singer, the term-limited mayor of Boca Raton, may run for Congress,' reports Anthony Man of the South Florida Sun Sentinel. 'Singer said he hasn't made a decision, despite speculation among some Republicans this week that he was on the verge of entering the race in the Broward-Palm Beach County 23rd Congressional District. He didn't foreclose the possibility. 'I love public service and haven't ruled out any opportunities to continue to serve our community,' Singer said in a phone interview.' — 'Anna Eskamani raises nearly $100K in 2 weeks for Orlando Mayor bid,' reports Gabrielle Russon of Florida Politics. DATELINE D.C. THIS MORNING — 'House Republican leaders said early Thursday morning they have made a breakthrough with the megabill holdouts and are preparing to advance the legislation in the coming hours,' reports POLITICO's Calen Razor and Mia McCarthy. 'Speaker Mike Johnson, heading onto the House floor around 2 a.m., said he had secured the votes to proceed and that final passage of the GOP's domestic policy bill will follow later in the morning. A vote on the procedural measure setting up final consideration remains open after several hours of voting.' WILL FLORIDA FINALLY GET A COMMITTEE CHAIR? 'Rep. Carlos Gimenez (R-Fla.) has formally launched a bid to become chair of the House Homeland Security Committee, according to a letter of intent obtained by POLITICO. Gimenez's office confirmed that he has notified the Steering Committee of his intention to run,' reports POLITICO's Bethany Irvine and Ali Bianco. A Gimenez spokesperson told POLITICO of Gimenez's career in public office: 'The reason why he's served for 25 years and hasn't lost an election is because he's a straight shooter, people trust him.' DEMOCRATIC OPPOSITION TO 'ALLIGATOR ALCATRAZ' — Rep. DEBBIE WASSERMAN SCHULTZ on Wednesday led a letter from all members of Florida's Democratic delegation to demand DeSantis reverse course on building the 'Alligator Alcatraz' detention center. 'We are seriously concerned about the future treatment of immigrants at this facility,' members wrote. 'It is also important that we uplift grave concerns over the environmental and tribal impacts of your decision.' All Democrats from the delegation signed on to the letter, ending it with: 'Florida's River of Grass is no place for a prison.' INSIDE RUBIO'S NSC — 'Since [Secretary of State Marco] Rubio took over the NSC, he has shrunk its staff by more than half,' reports POLITICO's Nahal Toosi. 'It now has fewer than 100 people, according to a person familiar with the NSC process. Arguably more importantly, Rubio has imposed changes to what's called 'the interagency process' — a key function of the NSC that involves coordinating policy and messaging across government agencies and departments. 'That process, two people told me, is now one in which important meetings aren't held, career staffers are often in the dark about what's expected of them and some people or their institutions try to take advantage of power vacuums.' — 'DOJ overruled prosecutors to get deal for Trump-linked governor,' by Ben Penn of Bloomberg Law. ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN BIRTHDAYS: (Friday) State Rep. Tiffany Esposito ... state Rep. Randy Maggard … (Saturday) state Rep. Michelle Salzman … Randy Hanna, dean and CEO of Florida State University Panama City … (Sunday) state Sen. Joe Gruters … former state Rep. MaryLynn Magar.
Politico
02-07-2025
- Business
- Politico
DeSantis tops $2M net worth
Good morning and welcome to Wednesday. Gov. RON DESANTIS is now worth nearly $2.1 million, thanks in large part to a $625,500 payment from his book publisher. The seven-figure bottom line was listed in his financial disclosure posted Tuesday on the state's ethics commission website. Among the other revelations: The governor still doesn't own any property or stocks, and he has continued to pay off his student loans with just more than $15,000 left to go. Last year, he still owed $17,000 from his Ivy league education at Yale University and Harvard Law School. The governor's finances are far more straightforward than many other elected officials, and he comes from a family of modest means. Many members of the Legislature, for instance, tend to hold down full-time jobs in addition to their public service and list inheritances, businesses or properties that they have stakes in. Some also list credit card debt, car payments, crypto or gambling winnings. DeSantis has stated for years that he thinks it's improper for elected officials to own stocks because the public might think it influences their decision-making. Three years ago, DeSantis had just $319,000 to his name. At a salary of $141,400 a year, he makes less money than many of his deputies in the executive office. DeSantis' salary is also lower than the $174,000 he was making when he was in Congress. 'The Courage to Be Free,' the book DeSantis wrote about his life and policy accomplishments ahead of launching his presidential campaign, made him a good deal richer than he used to be. And the latest financial disclosure shows he continued to earn cash from it last year, though it doesn't specify whether the payment was from royalties, part of a split advance from publisher HarperCollins or both. He received a $1.25 million advance from the company in 2022. The disclosure reflects the amount of money DeSantis had at the end of 2024, as is required under state law. That means if he had purchased property in 2025, it wouldn't show up until he posts his final disclosure in July 2026. The governor will be term-limited out of office after the 2026 election, and it's not clear where his political career will take him next. Even at a higher net worth, Florida has become a great deal more expensive since DeSantis moved into the governor's mansion in 2019, due to higher property insurance rates, a flood of people moving into the state, inflation that includes higher building costs and higher property taxes that come from increasing property values (something DeSantis is pushing the Legislature and voters to fix). But if Florida first lady CASEY DESANTIS were to run for governor and win, then the DeSantises would not need to move out of the governor's mansion come January 2027. Personal financial disclosure laws don't require elected officials to post their spouses' earnings and net worth, but the federal disclosure DeSantis had to submit in August 2023 when he was running for president required it, and showed Florida's first lady didn't have any income or stock holdings. Some DeSantis allies hope he still has a future in the Trump administration, especially after a friendly event the president held with him Tuesday in Florida, where the president told DeSantis the two of them have 'blood that seems to match pretty well.' Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget that Playbook should look at? Get in touch at: kleonard@ ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... FUTURE SPEAKER — Republican state Rep. MIKE REDONDO was just elected by his House colleagues to be the chamber's speaker after the 2030 elections, reports Jesse Scheckner of Florida Politics. The vote took place in Tampa as members met together over a meal. Redondo told Florida Politics it was 'the honor of a lifetime to have the confidence and trust of such a talented and accomplished group of leaders who are champions for their communities.' 'It's truly a special group,' he added. 'I'm excited for us to work together over the coming years to keep Florida on the right track.' ALLIES AT 'ALLIGATOR ALCATRAZ' — Trump praised DeSantis on Tuesday as he toured 'Alligator Alcatraz,' telling the public their battles during the 2024 presidential primary were long behind them. He even joked DeSantis would make a strong replacement for JEROME POWELL, the chair of the Federal Reserve whose term ends next year. 'You're my friend and you'll always be my friend,' Trump said to DeSantis as he kicked off a roundtable after taking a tour of the detention facility. Asked by reporters about the relationship, Trump joked that he 'didn't notice' the battles they fought during the last presidential primary. He described the relationship with the governor as 'a 10 — maybe a 9.9 because there might be a couple of little wounds. I think we have a 10. We get along great.' … AND LOVE FOR AG — Trump also praised state Attorney General JAMES UTHMEIER for coming up with the 'Alligator Alcatraz' idea. While Uthmeier didn't join the president for a tour of the facility, he did sit at the front of the room for the roundtable and got an effusive acknowledgement from the president — which is encouraging to his campaign to keep his role in 2026. 'You do a very good job,' Trump told Uthmeier. 'I hear good things about you from Ron, too. He's even a good looking guy. The guy's got a future.' BACKLASH OVER HARMING FRAGILE ECOSYSTEM — 'Environmentalists on Tuesday pushed back on President Donald Trump's praise and Florida officials' defense of choosing a site in the Everglades for an immigration detention facility,' reports POLITICO's Bruce Ritchie. DESANTIS GETS APPROVAL FOR KEY PRIORITY — 'Trump on Tuesday said he would approve Florida's plan to expedite deportations by having qualified National Guard members work as immigration judges,' reports Romy Ellenbogen of the Tampa Bay Times and Ana Ceballlos of the Miami Herald. 'For months now, DeSantis has sought the approval of the federal government to deputize Florida National Guard Judge Advocate General Corps. officers to act as immigration judges.' TAKING A CLOSER LOOK — Several disaster relief contractors working on 'Alligator Alcatraz' don't have detention experience but have made significant contributions to DeSantis' political operations, per Michael Smith, Sophie Alexander and Rachel Adams-Heard of Bloomberg News as well as Andrew Perez and Nikki McCann Ramirez of Rolling Stone. NEXT FACILITY COMING SOON — After the Fourth of July weekend, the state will begin building the second immigration detention center in Camp Blanding in Clay County, where the Florida National Guard's primary training base is located, reports Ana Goñi-Lessan of USA Today Network — Florida. RETALIATION? Some lawmakers who'd been critical of DeSantis found a huge swath of their projects vetoed by DeSantis in the budget, report Lawrence Mower and Romy Ellenbogen of the Tampa Bay Times. A couple of targets: 'Fourteen projects in Republican Rep. Alex Andrade's Pensacola district were cut after he spent much of the legislative session investigating one of DeSantis' top priorities, Hope Florida … Rep. Vicki Lopez, a Miami Republican who was outspoken against some of DeSantis' executive agency heads, saw more than half of her proposed projects vetoed, including $100,000 for a local boater safety program and $445,000 for a food access program.' MORE MOVES ON BUDGET AND LAWS — 'DeSantis vetoed a far-reaching bill Tuesday that would have imposed new restrictions on state workers and appointees of the governor, a response by state legislators after contentious hearings and probes into actions by DeSantis,' reports POLITICO's Gary Fineout. 'The veto is not a surprise since DeSantis railed against an earlier version of the measure as 'asinine' and an attempt to force out high-ranking agency heads such as state Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo. 'In his veto message, DeSantis contended a portion of the bill placing new requirements on university boards and the board that oversees the state university system was unconstitutional.' — 'Black history, minority teacher scholarships, Black Men feel brunt of Gov. DeSantis' veto pen,' reports Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics. — 'DeSantis slashes public TV and radio funding,' reports Stephany Matat of USA Today Network — Florida. — 'Florida's Boater Freedom Act could harm fisheries, impede conservation, critics say,' by Jack Prator of the Tampa Bay Times. NINTH DEATH WARRANT — 'In what could be a record ninth execution this year in Florida, DeSantis on Tuesday signed a death warrant for a man convicted of using a crowbar and a machete to murder his wife and two children in 1994 in Okaloosa County,' reports Jim Saunders of News Service of Florida. 'Edward Zakrzewski, 60, is slated to be executed July 31 at Florida State Prison. He received three death sentences in the murders of his wife, Sylvia, his 7-year-old son Edward and his 5-year-old daughter Anna, according to documents posted Tuesday evening on the Florida Supreme Court website.' PENINSULA AND BEYOND WORST HOUSING MARKET IN AMERICA — 'Home prices for Cape Coral-Fort Myers have tumbled 11 percent in the two years through May, the most of any major metro area, according to an analysis for The Wall Street Journal by the listing site reports WSJ's Deborah Acosta. CUTTING IT OFF — Key West commissioners voted this week to end an agreement that allows local officials to help with federal immigration enforcement, reports David Dwork of WPLG Local 10 News. Uthmeier has said all local governments need to participate in the agreement under state law, and issued a warning shot over X imploring them to choose 'the easy way, not the hard way.' ...HURRICANE HOLE... SOGGY STARS AND STRIPES — 'A tropical system could take shape over Florida over the next several days, forecasters said,' reports Bill Kearney of the South Florida Sun Sentinel. 'South Florida's July Fourth weekend will likely have 'plentiful rainfall' regardless of whether the tropical system forms or not. The week will see between a 30 percent and 60 percent chance of rain most days. Those odds will rise to 70 percent on Saturday.' CAMPAIGN MODE ANOTHER CANDIDATE FOR GOV? 'In speaking to The Floridian Reporter Liv Caputo, Commissioner Simpson stated that he was focused on fulfilling his commitment or job as AG commissioner, but left his option to run for governor open. Simpson said, 'We'll see about that next year' when as if he would run for governor in 2026. DATELINE D.C. TAX AND SPENDING CUTS PASS — Senate Republicans on Tuesday narrowly passed their version of the 'One Big Beautiful Bill' Act after working through the night, reports POLITICO's Jordain Carney. Sens. RICK SCOTT and ASHLEY MOODY of Florida both supported the legislation, with Moody touting provisions she pushed for including funding for more tax credits that help pay for students to use vouchers and money that will allow states to get more expenses reimbursed when they help the federal government with immigration enforcement activities. An amendment from Scott that would have reduced how much the federal government pays for Medicaid expansion (which isn't offered in Florida) did not end up getting a vote amid GOP opposition, Jordain and POLITICO's Robert King report. Scott in a statement encouraged his colleagues to 'keep fighting to fully ensure Medicaid funding goes to poor children, the disabled, and those with chronic illnesses,' saying it was unfair the government only matched as little as 50 percent of costs for the original Medicaid population but 90 percent for the expanded population — a group that qualifies based on income rather than disability, pregnancy status or whether someone works. About the passed legislation: 'In addition to extending the president's 2017 tax cuts, the bill includes scaled-down versions of his campaign priorities, such as 'no tax on tips,' while overhauling social safety-net programs, and providing new border and military spending. It also hikes the federal debt ceiling by $5 trillion,' Jordain writes. What's next: 'The package still needs to get through the House, which is expected to start voting as soon as Wednesday, driving Republicans right down to the wire on their self-imposed July 4 deadline.' TRANSITION TIME — KAILYN MCBRIDE is now communications director for Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-Fla.). She most recently was digital director/press secretary for Rep. Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.). ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN BIRTHDAY: Chuck Nadd, Army veteran and former Florida agriculture commissioner candidate.
Politico
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Politico
Democrats' Hollywood bash
Good morning and happy Friday. State Democrats are descending on Hollywood (the Broward County version) this weekend for their annual 'Leadership Blue' meeting and fundraiser. It all takes place at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino — the same spot where Gov. RON DESANTIS and the Republican Party of Florida often hold events. Not everyone in the party was happy to turn to a host who's given so generously to the GOP. But off to the electric guitar-shaped venue they'll go. NORA VIÑAS, the state party's new communications director, said more than 1,000 Democrats are attending, and that they can expect musical performances on top of the regular program of training and panels. The Florida Democratic Party will also preview their 2025 game plan, which they said involves a 'multimillion-dollar investment to hire local organizers, expand vote-by-mail, register new Democrats and recruit candidates.' The bash kicks off this afternoon with a welcome reception and a live podcast taping with Gen Zers SAM SCHWARTZ, an advocate against gun violence, and AARON PARNAS, a lawyer and TikTok political commentator. This particular part of the program showcases Democrats' own efforts to focus on platforms Republicans successfully used for outreach in 2024. Florida Democrats have struggled in recent cycles. They've fallen behind by 1.3 million active voter registrations, hold no statewide positions and are battling a GOP supermajority in the Legislature. But Viñas said they're feeling encouraged by their overperformance in the pair of special elections from April. 'Democrats showed up and it mattered,' she said. (To be clear: Despite the overperformance, Republicans won both seats.) This weekend, party leaders are hoping to take some lessons from Gov. ANDY BESHEAR of Kentucky, one of the gala's speakers, who knows a little something about winning in a red state as a Democrat. Incidentally, he's also someone who's considering running for president in 2028. Also speaking is Democratic Sen. CORY BOOKER of New Jersey, who caught nationwide attention when he gave a 25-hour, five-minute speech on the Senate floor in protest of the Trump administration. A karaoke after party will follow the VIP reception. Two candidates to watch this weekend are the Democrats who've already announced they're running statewide: former Rep. DAVID JOLLY and teacher JOSH WEIL (more on him below). The two are far apart on the political spectrum; Jolly was once a Republican and Weil is an unapologetic progressive. Still, they've already done events together as they geared up to run. 'We have to build back into every corner of the state and be a party for every Floridian,' Weil said when asked how he felt about the state of the party ahead of the weekend's events. 'And I think [Florida Democratic Party chair NIKKI FRIED] is the right person for the job, and I think she has a great message.' But others heading into town are feeling decidedly more … well, blue. 'No amount of cheerleading on Saturday will overcome the 1.3 million voter registration lead the GOP has in the state,' said one party organizer, granted anonymity to speak candidly. Playbook will be on the ground Saturday reporting on the happenings. Reach out to say hello at kleonard@ WHERE'S RON? Gov. DeSantis held a press conference this morning at Tampa International Airport, after greeting a flight arriving from Israel. Fox News has more: '1,500 Jewish Americans evacuated from Israel as DeSantis sponsors rescue flights to Tampa.' ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... FLORIDA RIVER RESTORATION — 'A Republican state senator who represents north central Florida is already asking Gov. Ron DeSantis to veto millions approved by the Legislature to begin the eventual restoration of the Ocklawaha River,' reports POLITICO's Gary Fineout. 'Christina Johnson, a spokesperson for state Sen. Tom Leek (R-Ormond Beach), confirmed Wednesday that Leek has been communicating with DeSantis' office to 'express his objections against this project, including asking for a veto.' 'In a move that would have been unthinkable a few years ago, the new state budget includes $6.25 million to draw up a plan to remove a section of a dam that now blocks the Ocklawaha River, a tributary of the St. Johns River with a rich history. At one point in time, steamboats would traverse the river and take visitors to Silver Springs.' THREE NEW UNIVERSITY PRESIDENTS, FINALLY — 'State university leaders granted final approval Wednesday to three new presidents with connections to the DeSantis administration: former Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez at Florida International University, Marva Johnson at Florida A&M University and Education Commissioner Manny Diaz Jr. as the University of West Florida's interim leader,' reports POLITICO's Andrew Atterbury. 'The confirmation votes from the Board of Governors came without heavy deliberations, even as alumni opposition swells surrounding Johnson's hire and contract, which required special legislation to remedy. These approvals marked a sharp contrast with the state board rejecting former University of Michigan president Santa Ono earlier this month as the University of Florida's prospective president after grilling him for three hours.' SPEAKING OF PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES — 'The Board of Governors, which oversees the state's university system, voted Wednesday to allow Florida public universities to increase a fee out-of-state students pay,' reports Danielle Prieur of Central Florida Public Media. 'Out-of-state students in Florida don't just pay higher tuition, but also a special fee. It's the first time in over a decade these fees are being increased. With the Board of Governors vote, Florida's public universities will be allowed to increase that fee up to 10 percent this fall, and up to 15 percent by the fall of 2026.' RESHUFFLING MILLIONS TOWARD COLLEGE ATHLETICS — 'State leaders opened a new revenue stream Wednesday for Florida universities to reshuffle millions of dollars toward athletics in response to the landmark House v. NCAA settlement,' reports POLITICO's Andrew Atterbury. 'An emergency rule approved by the university system Board of Governors allows schools to use up to $22.5 million generated by auxiliaries like housing and bookstores for paying student athletes as part of the landscape-altering, revenue-sharing model about to reshape college sports. The policy is meant to be a short-term bridge for Florida universities to get ahead of the anticipated July 1 start date and stay competitive with high-powered rivals.' CONSERVATION FUNDS SEE BIG CUT — 'Despite the vast display of bipartisan support for Florida's wild places, lawmakers on Monday night approved budget cuts to the state's flagship conservation land acquisition program that helps grow and create new state parks,' reports Max Chesnes of the Tampa Bay Times. 'The Florida Forever program is slated to receive $18 million in the upcoming budget year, compared to at least $100 million in funding every year since 2021, according to state documents. The land-buying money falls well short of the additional $100 million DeSantis recommended for the new budget.' — 'Not just a swamp: Everglades worth $31.5 billion to local economy each year, study finds,' by Denise Hruby of the Miami Herald. BIG PRIORITY ULTIMATELY IGNORED THIS SESSION — 'Florida's legislative leaders ushered in this year's session vowing to investigate insurance company profits and holding the industry accountable if it wasn't paying claims,' reports Lawrence Mower of the Tampa Bay Times. 'A House committee held rare hearings to grill the state's current and former insurance regulators. Republicans and regulators proposed several pro-consumer bills. But 105 days later, it didn't amount to much.' One insurer recently asked for a big hike: 'Trusted Resource Underwriters Exchange, which goes by the acronym TRUE, asked state regulators at a June 17 rate hearing to allow the insurer to jack rates up by 31 percent for its multiperil homeowners' insurance for tens of thousands of policyholders when they renew this year,' reports Anne Geggis of the Palm Beach Post. JOB TRAINING CASH INFLUX — 'Five state colleges in Central Florida will receive nearly $10 million after Gov. Ron DeSantis recently handed out grants allowing them to expand career and technical training programs,' reports Gray Rohrer of USA Today Network — Florida. 'The money will go to Eastern Florida State College, Indian River State College, Polk State College, Valencia College and Seminole State College.' — 'How Florida's attempt to let teens sleep longer fell apart,' by Ted Alcorn and Patricia Mazzei of The New York Times. IN DEPTH LOOK AT LIVE LOCAL ACT — Many officials in Florida 'contend there are loopholes in the Live Local Act that enable developers to take advantage of the property-tax breaks and more flexible zoning rules that are part of the legislation — without doing enough to help low-to-moderate-income Floridians find a truly affordable place to live,' report Dave Berman Laura Layden of USA Today Network — Florida. AG PITCH — 'Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier wants to set up an immigration detention center in the Florida Everglades he is calling 'Alligator Alcatraz,'' reports Skyler Swisher of the Orlando Sentinel. 'Uthmeier touted his proposal for a 1,000-bed facility as 'the one-stop shop to carry out President Trump's mass deportation agenda.' It would be positioned on a 'virtually abandoned' airstrip surrounded by wetlands, he said.' — '16 indicted for illegal reentry after sweeping Florida immigration crackdown,' reports Ana Goñi-Lessan of USA Today Network — Florida. — 'Florida contractor cuts nursing care for 100 medically fragile children,' reports Christopher O'Donnell of the Tampa Bay Times. PENINSULA AND BEYOND — 'South Florida Jews face changing plans as they try to leave Israel for U.S.,' by David Lyons of the South Florida Sun Sentinel. ...HURRICANE HOLE... NEVER THE SAME — 'Panama City [Florida] and Paradise stand as vivid examples of an emerging cycle in this era of more-extreme weather in America: Communities struck by disasters often grow richer and more exclusive,' report of Arian Campo-Flores, Cameron McWhirter and Paul Overberg of The Wall Street Journal. '... Poor residents have a tougher time navigating bureaucratic procedures for disaster aid and weathering job losses. Renters often get evicted from damaged properties and face spiraling rents as the supply of units shrinks. Low-income homeowners frequently struggle to pay for repairs that must comply with stricter building codes and to buy sufficient insurance coverage.' CAMPAIGN MODE ICYMI: WEIL CHALLENGING MOODY — Florida Democrat JOSH WEIL, the once little-known progressive teacher who stunned the political world in March by raising nearly $14 million for a failed congressional special election bid, is now running to become the Sunshine State's next senator. Weil is the first major Democratic candidate to file for the 2026 Senate race to challenge incumbent Sen. ASHLEY MOODY. 'I'll be everywhere,' Weil said of his planned campaign tour across the state, which kicked off Wednesday at a veterans' center in conservative Clay County. DATELINE D.C. IMPLICATIONS FOR FLORIDA'S LAW — 'The Supreme Court has upheld a Tennessee law that bans gender-affirming medical care for transgender minors,' reports POLITICO's Josh Gerstein. 'In a 6-3 ruling Wednesday, the court's conservative majority rejected a challenge from transgender adolescents and their families who argued that the ban violates the Constitution's guarantee of equal protection.' — 'Rick Scott, Byron Donalds, Greg Steube demand more transparency in next UF President pick,' reports Gabrielle Russon of Florida Politics. — 'The price you pay for an Obamacare plan could surge next year in Florida,' reports Daniel Chang of the Orlando Sentinel. — 'Trump's 'Big Beautiful Bill' would kick nearly 8K rural Floridians off Medicaid,' reports Brandon Girod of the Pensacola News Journal. TRANSITION TIME — Blake Nolan has been promoted to be chief of staff for Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-Fla.). — 'Former Middle District of Florida U.S. Attorney Roger Handberg has joined GrayRobinson as a shareholder in its Litigation practice,' per Florida Politics. — 'Matt Newton is rejoining Shumaker as a Partner in its Real Estate, Construction & Development Service Line,' per Florida Politics. ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN — 'Better the second time around: South Florida celebrates Panthers' Stanley Cup encore victory,' by Ben Crandell and Rafael Olmeda of the South Florida Sun Sentinel. BIRTHDAYS: Brad Howard of the Corcoran Street Group … Ed Miyagishima … (Saturday) state Rep. Linda Chaney … former state Rep. Chuck Clemons … former Rep. Jim Bacchus … (Sunday) Florida Supreme Court Justice Charles Canady … state House Speaker Daniel Perez ... Drew Weatherford, partner at Weatherford Capital and Florida State University trustee.
