Good Monday morning.
Susie Wiles is now co-chair of the worldwide public technique agency Mercury.
The veteran GOP strategist is greatest identified for masterminding former President Donald Trump’s two electoral wins in the Sunshine State. She additionally managed now-U.S. Sen. Rick Scott’s first gubernatorial marketing campaign when he a digital unknown in state politics.
She was additionally key in serving to Ron DeSantis overcome deficits in polling and momentum in his profitable 2018 marketing campaign for Governor.
In addition to her marketing campaign work, Wiles has lobbied on behalf of corporations starting from native companies to multinational companies on the state and federal ranges.
“I am excited to join the bipartisan team of experts and established public strategists at Mercury,” Wiles mentioned. “I look forward to working hard to provide successful outcomes on behalf of our world-class roster of clients in both Florida and D.C.”
In her new function, Wiles will function co-chair of the agency’s Florida and Washington places of work. Wiles may even launch Public Strategy Advisors, a brand new firm targeted on electing Republicans nationwide.
“Susie is a veteran campaign strategist with an expert ability to put her finger on the pulse of any issue and effectively use her insight and perception to yield winning results,” mentioned Ashley Walker, a associate at Mercury. “We are thrilled for Susie to join the Mercury family, as she will undoubtedly be an invaluable leader to those working alongside her at the firm and will elevate the work we deliver to our clients.”
Mercury CEO Kieran Mahoney added, “Susie, and her ability to successfully navigate any political landscape, is an extraordinary addition to our team.”
— SITUATIONAL AWARENESS —
—@AnnieGrayerCNN: Former Chief of Staff to Mike Pence, Marc Short, who was on the Capitol on Jan. 6: “from my front-row seat, I did not see a lot of legitimate political discourse.”
—@GovRonDeSantis: Floridians mustn’t have their information utilized by Big Tech with out offering affirmative consent, and I urge the Legislature to guard the info privateness of all Floridians.
—@JeanetteNunez: The similar @gofundme that supported Antifa, BLM, and CHAZ/CHOP simply shut down fundraisers for the Canadian truckers protesting in opposition to vaccine mandate. Florida stands with the Freedom Convoy.
—@MattRinaldiTX: What @gofundme is doing now, your financial institution will likely be doing in 5 years.
—@SatinRussell: My nephew insists on sporting his masks, irrespective of the place he’s — even after we guarantee him that the household is secure. He’s 4 and might hardly keep in mind a time when he didn’t masks round individuals he doesn’t dwell with.
—@AnnaforFlorida: Not solely is ebook banning only a harmful observe, however there’s a lot irony amongst those that make enjoyable of “cancel culture” as they attempt to cancel issues
Tweet, tweet:
Winning the annual Cuban Club bocce match in the guts of #YborCity was each particular and sudden. #LFG pic.twitter.com/EV2ZH81RuP
— Mike Griffin (@mikegriffinFL) February 5, 2022
—@BSFarrington: I used to be this near giving up Twitter, and a Republican legislator known as me and mentioned, “You may not know it, but your message of kindness makes a difference.” I made a decision then I wouldn’t be silenced by hate. I’ll hold talking about love and kindness, even when it topics me to hate.
—@MDixon55: People who will wait in these quarter-mile lengthy @Starbucks strains that spill out into the road are wild, man.
— DAYS UNTIL —
Super Bowl LVI — 6; Will Smith‘s ‘Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’ reboot premieres — 6; Discover Boating Miami International Boat Show begins — 9; season 4 of “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel’ begins — 9; Spring Training report dates start — 10; Synapse Florida tech summit begins — 10; ‘The Walking Dead’ closing season half two begins — 13; Daytona 500 — 13; Special Election for Jacksonville City Council At-Large Group 3 — 16; Suits For Session — 16; CPAC begins — 17; St. Pete Grand Prix — 18; Joe Biden to offer the State of the Union deal with — 22; ‘The Batman’ premieres — 25; Miami Film Festival begins — 25; the 2022 Players begins — 29; Sarasota County votes to resume the particular 1-mill property tax for the varsity district — 29; the third season of ‘Atlanta’ begins — 44; season two of ‘Bridgerton’ begins — 46; The Oscars — 48; Macbeth with Daniel Craig and Ruth Negga start performances on Broadway — 50; Grammys rescheduled in Las Vegas — 55; Magic Johnson’s Apple TV+ docuseries ‘They Call Me Magic’ begins — 74; ‘The Godfather’ TV collection ‘The Offer’ premieres — 80; federal pupil mortgage funds will resume — 83; ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ premieres — 88; ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ premieres — 109; ‘Platinum Jubilee’ for Queen Elizabeth II — 115; ‘Thor: Love and Thunder’ premieres — 152; San Diego Comic-Con 2022 — 165; Michael Mann and Meg Gardiner novel ‘Heat 2’ publishes — 183; ‘The Lord of the Rings’ premieres on Amazon Prime — 207; ‘Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse’ sequel premieres — 242; ‘Black Panther 2’ premieres — 277; ‘The Flash’ premieres — 280; ‘Avatar 2′ premieres — 312; ‘Captain Marvel 2′ premieres — 375; ‘John Wick: Chapter 4’ premieres — 410; ‘Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania’ premieres — 536; ‘Dune: Part Two’ premieres — 620; Opening Ceremony of the 2024 Olympic Games — 900.
—TOP STORY —
Great schism — The Republican National Committee’s choice to censure U.S. Reps. Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger and denounce the House investigation into Jan. 6 has spawned an internecine battle inside the GOP, with trad conservatives blasting the choice and Trumpists sticking to the road that the Capitol assault was merely a protest, not a riot or an revolt.
United entrance? — Much of the controversy stems from the assertion going out on RNC letterhead. Law-and-order Republicans say it reads a tacit endorsement of the Jan. 6 rioters, that are described as “ordinary citizens engaged in legitimate political discourse.”
Half and half — Still, some high GOP officers are taking part in each side of the difficulty. Count Sen. Joe Gruters amongst them. The Republican Party of Florida Chair co-sponsored the decision and gave it a yay vote in absentia however insists he believes all who broke the regulation must be held accountable.
Care to elucidate? — “I was in Session in Tallahassee so did not vote in person but gave my proxy to Florida (National Committeewoman) Kathleen King. Prior to the meeting, I discussed with both the Florida NCW and (National Committeeman Peter Feaman), and we all signed on as co-sponsors to the resolution.”
Muddy waters — Florida Politics requested him point-blank whether or not he thought the occasions of Jan. 6 have been “legitimate political discourse.” His reply: “I perceive why individuals have been so upset, however there is no such thing as a justification for breaking the regulation, particularly those that injury property or assault regulation enforcement officers. Justice ought to prevail, and people who dedicated these acts must be held accountable. Many extra individuals got here to D.C. to peacefully protest what they thought was an injustice. Those peculiar residents shouldn’t be harassed or focused in any manner. “
Broken file — When requested to make clear why he co-sponsored the decision, he caught to the script: “There is no justification for breaking the law, especially those who damage property or attack law enforcement officers. Justice should prevail, and people that committed these acts should be held accountable. Many people came to D.C. to peacefully protest what they thought was an injustice. Those ordinary citizens should not be harassed or targeted in any way.”
— DATELINE TALLY —
“House budgets $105.3 billion in spending plan” by way of Renzo Downey of Florida Politics — The Florida House unveiled its proposed spending plan for the approaching fiscal 12 months on Friday, clocking in at $105.3 billion. While the quantity is about $4 billion bigger than what the state is spending in the present fiscal 12 months, the quantity falls shy of the $108.6 billion price range plan the Senate revealed earlier Friday. Together, each are north of DeSantis‘ $99.7 billion proposal, but DeSantis’ whole greenback quantity is close to the House’s high determine when contemplating the federal spending that helped balloon the Legislature’s price range past previous marks. In a press release, House Speaker Chris Sprowls mentioned the House’s price range proposal builds on final 12 months’s plan by investing state {dollars} in a “strategic, intentional way.”
“Senate unveils $108.6 billion budget with pay hikes for state workers” by way of Gray Rohrer of Florida Politics — Low-paid state staff would see raises and Okay-12 colleges would get a funding enhance, as would practically each portion of the state price range underneath a spending plan launched Friday by the Senate. The $108.6 billion proposal could be a greater than $7 billion improve on the present 12 months’s price range, thanks largely to an infusion of federal stimulus {dollars} given to states to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic. Senate President Wilton Simpson has pushed to extend the pay for low-paid state staff by elevating the minimal wage to $15. A constitutional modification handed by voters in 2020 will push the minimal wage for all staff to $15 by 2026, however Simpson says the early improve is required to recruit and retain staff in wanted areas.
“Senate, House snub Ron DeSantis’ push to increase cancer research to $100 million” by way of Christine Jordan Sexton of Florida Politics — There are lots of variations between the proposed $47 billion-plus well being care spending proposals the Senate and House rolled out this week. But the chambers are in lockstep in deciding to not embody a further $37 million to extend most cancers analysis and therapy, as advocated by DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis. The Governor and the First Lady have already seen the snub, each of whom took to social media after the House launched its proposed spending plan late Thursday afternoon. “Cancer is the second-leading cause of death in Florida. I have recommended to the Legislature $100 million for cancer research so we can fight this terrible disease,” DeSantis mentioned in a Twitter put up.
“Senate pitches cash for new state planes” by way of Jason Delgado of Florida Politics — The Senate unveiled plans this week so as to add two new planes to the state’s aviation fleet. The purchase would price taxpayers $26.5 million and fill a void left by former Republican Gov. Scott. Scott in 2011 offered off two state planes as half of a marketing campaign promise to restrict abuses by authorities officers. A multimillionaire, he as a substitute traveled aboard his personal jet. While the sale made good on the marketing campaign promise, it left future Governors and cupboard members with out wings. Sen. Ben Albritton mentioned the purchase is a transfer to replenish the fleet. He serves as chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Environment and General Government.
“Is DeSantis getting what he wants in Florida’s early budget proposals?” by way of Kirby Wilson and Lawrence Mower of the Tampa Bay Times — DeSantis and high Republican leaders in the House and Senate have put their playing cards on the desk. This week, legislators unveiled the primary spherical of proposed House and Senate budgets. The Governor included practically $310 million to hospitals that serve probably the most Medicaid sufferers. Neither the House nor the Senate included that cash in their preliminary well being care budgets this week. One of DeSantis’ latest speaking factors has been his proposal to chop the fuel tax for a number of months this 12 months. This concept isn’t included in the Senate’s price range.
Meanwhile … “Seminole Tribe says its gaming rights, Florida’s revenue payments are at risk again” by way of Scott Powers of Florida Politics — The Seminole Tribe of Florida has charged in a court docket submitting that if a decide breathes new life right into a North Florida on line casino initiative, and it will get on the poll and wins approval, that might infringe on the Tribe’s unique rights. If that occurs, the Tribe cautioned, then the Seminoles’ a whole lot of thousands and thousands of {dollars} of income sharing funds to Florida, solely not too long ago resumed after a three-year dispute, might be disrupted once more. Based on these arguments, Leon County Circuit Judge John Cooper accepted the Tribe and its political committee, Standing Up For Florida, as interveners in a lawsuit filed earlier this week by Florida Voters In Charge, which is making an attempt to resurrect its North Florida on line casino marketing campaign.—TALLY 2 —
“‘A recipe for disaster’? Florida GOP wants to add new requirements to vote by mail” by way of Skyler Swisher of the Orlando Sentinel — A GOP-led voting overhaul would add new necessities for casting a mail poll that one Central Florida election supervisor is warning might be a “recipe for disaster.” Starting in 2024, voters must present the final 4 digits of their driver’s license or state ID quantity on their poll. If they don’t have a state ID, the final 4 digits of their Social Security quantity might be submitted. Ballots received’t be counted if these figuring out digits aren’t supplied or don’t match the numbers on file with the elections workplace. Election supervisors should contact individuals whose ballots aren’t appropriately accomplished and permit them to repair issues. The deadline to finish that course of, identified in political jargon as “curing” a poll, is 2 days after Election Day.
“Nursing homes struggle with staffing; Legislature considers loosening standard of care” by way of Hannah Critchfield and Kirby Wilson of Florida Politics — A invoice to loosen staffing requirements at Florida nursing houses was initially drafted with the assistance of one of the state’s strongest long-term care lobbying pursuits. Under the measure, Senate Bill 804, nursing houses that fail to fulfill state-mandated workers necessities would not be barred from admitting new residents. It would additionally broaden which varieties of staff might be counted in these obligatory staffing minimums meant to maintain residents secure.
—“Bill changing Florida nursing home standards was written by the industry, emails show” by way of Hannah Critchfield and Kirby Wilson of the Tampa Bay Times
Senate property insurance coverage package deal takes intention at Carlos Beruff — A Senate property insurance coverage invoice (SB 1728) would change the {qualifications} to serve on the board of state-backed Citizens Property Insurance Corp., doubtlessly making present Chair Beruff ineligible for reappointment. Matt Dixon of POLITICO Florida reported that the language would require board members to have no less than 10 years of expertise in the insurance coverage business. The present necessities require members to have insurance coverage expertise, however there is no such thing as a specific definition for the way a lot or what variety of expertise. The change comes after Beruff proposed promoting insurance policies on to shoppers to keep away from paying commissions to insurance coverage brokers.
House digital faculty plan riles selection advocates — The House Okay-12 price range proposal would block faculty districts from contracting with Florida Virtual School for on-line schooling and forestall digital constitution colleges from enrolling out-of-county college students. As reported by Andrew Atterbury of POLITICO Florida, opponents of the plan say it’s counteractive to highschool selection. About half of Florida’s 103,000 on-line Okay-12 college students are presently enrolled in FLVS, and a few fifth are enrolled in FLVS franchises, the place district lecturers help college students in working via FLVS curricula. About 40 districts function FLVS franchises and faculty selection advocates say it’s a good possibility for folks who need their kids to have entry to golf equipment and counseling that aren’t accessible with a purely on-line faculty.
“Senate passes bills on addiction, child hearing loss” by way of Brendan Farrington of The Associated Press — While Democratic and Republican lawmakers have had a contentious debate on points like abortion and immigration this 12 months, the 2 sides got here collectively Thursday to go 20 payments rapidly, nearly all unanimously. The laws included approving new state legislative districts, authorizing colleges to inventory and use medicines to counteract an opioid overdose and requiring insurance coverage corporations to supply listening to assist protection for kids. Democrats and Republicans praised a invoice that may increase the use of overdose-reversing medication, together with permitting colleges to inventory naloxone, which might be administered by workers skilled to acknowledge an opioid overdose.
“Jason Shoaf backs bill to end concealed weapons licensure” by way of David Adlerstein of The Apalachicola Times — A invoice in the Florida House that may get rid of Florida’s hid weapons allowing course of has the robust help of State Rep. Shoaf, and whereas a companion invoice in the Florida Senate has but to be filed, State Sen. Loranne Ausley doesn’t share his enthusiasm. House Bill 103, a measure filed because it has in years previous by Rep. Anthony Sabatini, would take away legal guidelines that require a concealed-weapons allow in Florida. Since the top product has but to be marked up in committee, it’s as but unclear the extent to which the invoice would enable the general public show of firearms, with no restrictions, and Shoaf has some reservations about unfettered open carry.
“Sizzling housing market in Florida hurts many, but help slow to come from Legislature” by way of John Kennedy of the Tallahassee Democrat — Florida’s white-hot housing market is setting new pricing information nearly day by day, however hundreds of owners and renters are being scorched, unable to search out something they will afford. Now, discuss of the unfolding disaster is coursing via the Florida Legislature, with requires lawmakers to do one thing. “The bottom line is the American dream is slipping away for more and more people every day,” Sen. Gary Farmer mentioned. A scarcity of residence provide, much less land accessible for brand spanking new building, and pandemic-driven adjustments just like the arrival of distant staff from even costlier states have powered up the value of accessible houses and leases.
“Florida Chamber political tool identifies swing seats on latest legislative maps” by way of Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics — The Florida Chamber of Commerce unveiled its unique 2022 Florida Partisan Performance Index map throughout a particular webcast to its members Friday. Applying the instruments to Florida’s just-approved redrawn legislative maps, Chamber analysts mentioned there are few swing seats however lots of drama in retailer this 12 months. The Chamber software research precinct-level information on voter efficiency primarily based on the previous 5 years. That contains how voters in the district solid ballots in the final two presidential elections and the 2018 gubernatorial race. In this case, the brand new district got here out as R+1, nearer, truly, and it’s trended extra purple over time. Overall, the brand new maps consequence in fewer swing districts the place each Democrats and Republicans can play. Based on Chamber election evaluation, the brand new House map has 15 true swing districts; the Senate map (S 8058) has simply three.
—MORE TALLY —
“Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo is unfit to serve” by way of Lauren Book for the Orlando Sentinel — I can assume of no extra vital time than throughout a multi-year pandemic for our state to be guided by a doctor who not solely understands pandemic science however is prepared and capable of clarify his plan for retaining all of us as secure as attainable. Sadly, Dr. Ladapo shouldn’t be that particular person. When Dr. Ladapo was requested clear questions on his division’s function in addressing the pandemic, he supplied non-answers, obfuscations and demonstrations of verbal jiu-jitsu. For starters, he has supported and had publicly promoted “widely debunked theories” of tips on how to take care of this virus. This is unacceptable and disrespectful to the establishment of the Florida Senate and to the individuals of this nice state.
“Rocky Hanna blasts GOP lawmaker as ‘bully’ for retaliatory state budget item after masks fight” by way of Ana Goñi-Lessan of the Tallahassee Democrat — Leon County Schools Superintendent Hanna is as soon as once more at odds with the state’s Republican leaders who, with a brand new proposed line merchandise in the subsequent state price range, are concentrating on faculty districts who defied the Governor’s ban of masks mandates final 12 months. House Republicans launched laws this week that may slash salaries from faculty districts, of which Leon was one, that applied obligatory masks guidelines after DeSantis prohibited them in colleges. In a Okay-12 Appropriations Subcommittee assembly, state Rep. Randy Fine proposed a line merchandise in the price range that may take away $200 million from a dozen faculty districts that defied the Governor’s emergency rule that banned masks mandates and provides that cash to different districts.
“Before even passing, the ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill is already hurting Florida’s children” by way of Fabiola Santiago of the Miami Herald — Oh, Florida legislators, the hurt you do out of your ivory tower up there in Tallahassee. Elaine Acosta González, a involved father or mother who reached out to me after studying my column in regards to the wrong-headed “Don’t Say Gay” invoice shifting via the Legislature, says her 15-year-old daughter has been speaking in regards to the subject at dwelling. The invoice would silence homosexual kids, their lecturers and schooling advocates by banning the dialogue of sexuality and gender identification in Florida’s public colleges. Indeed, youth ought to have a outstanding voice in the dialogue of the invoice and so ought to the science- and data-oriented consultants who know the place of sexuality in schooling. Like mother and father, these consultants are also involved in regards to the injury lawmakers who launched the invoice already are doing to set again the lives of homosexual and trans kids in Florida.
“Why put more limits on public petition campaigns?” by way of Bill Cotterell of the Tallahassee Democrat — There’s a proposal prepared for a vote in the Florida House (HJR 1127) that may restrict the subject material of petition campaigns to procedural issues, the construction of state authorities and the Constitution itself. A companion measure in the Senate hasn’t moved, on the halfway level of the Legislative Session, however possibly Republicans who run each chambers are simply ready for the House model to cross the rotunda.
“Keith Truenow defends bill disbanding Lake County Water Authority” by way of Drew Wilson of Florida Politics — Rep. Truenow responded to a latest article criticizing his invoice (HB 1105) to disband the Lake County Water Authority, pitching it as an try to eradicate “duplicitous government.” The Feb. 4 article by Kevin Spear, casts the Lake County Water Authority as a “venerable and independent guardian of Central Florida waters” and asserts that Truenow’s invoice is motivated by “contentious dealings” he has had with the water authority. Truenow and the Lake County Water Authority usually sparred over “pollution flowing from ditches at Truenow’s large, turf-grass growing operation north of Lake Apopka.”
“Food fight: Time to scrape Florida’s strawberry shortcake bill down the garbage disposal” by way of Brian Burgess of The Capitolist — Sen. Danny Burgess desires to have his cake and eat it too. Burgess represents Plant City, the guts of Florida’s strawberry business. So, he can’t be blamed for sponsoring a invoice that may promote contemporary, Florida-grown strawberries, however he should bear duty for making an attempt to make strawberry shortcake, which is barely a dessert in any respect, the official state dessert when higher choices may have been chosen. The Legislature’s need to acknowledge Florida’s strong strawberry business is admirable. But selecting strawberry shortcake as the tactic for doing so shouldn’t be. Lawmakers may have simply as simply nominated Florida-based Publix model strawberry shortcake ice cream because the official dessert.
— SKED —
Happening at the moment — BioFlorida Day on the Capitol, to reveal the energy of the state’s life sciences and advocate for funding and insurance policies essential to facilitate continued development; the two-day occasion begins at 7 a.m., Room 110 of the Senate Office Building. BioFlorida Day reception begins at 5 p.m. Register right here.
Happening at the moment — House Minority Leader Evan Jenne will host a media availability, 10 a.m. Zoom hyperlink right here.
— The House Health Care Appropriations Subcommittee meets to think about HB 7047, from Rep. Sam Garrison, to enact adjustments in the state’s Medicaid managed-care program, together with consolidating 11 areas into eight, 11 a.m., Morris Hall of the House Office Building.
— The House Public Integrity and Elections Committee meets to think about constitutional modification (HJR 663), from Rep. Jayer Williamson, to permit the recall of County Commissioners and county officers, 11 a.m., Room 404 of the House Office Building.
— The House Agriculture and Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee meets to think about HB 1233, from Rep. Fine, to permit particular on-line coaching for personal safety officers, 1:30 p.m., Morris Hall of the House Office Building.
— The House Early Learning and Elementary Education Subcommittee meets for an replace on the New Worlds Reading Initiative, which lawmakers handed final 12 months, 1:30 p.m., Reed Hall of the House Office Building.
— The House Local Administration and Veterans Affairs Subcommittee meets to think about HJR 1 and HB 1563, from Rep. Josie Tomkow, to extend homestead property-tax exemptions to classroom lecturers, regulation enforcement officers, correctional officers, firefighters, child-welfare providers professionals and folks in the U.S. armed forces or the Florida National Guard, 1:30 p.m., Room 404 of the House Office Building.
— The Senate Commerce and Tourism Committee meets to think about SB 1316, from Chair Ed Hooper, to revamp a regulation coping with the resale of tickets, 2:30 p.m., Room 110 of the Senate Office Building.
— The Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee meets to think about SB 224, from Sen. Gruters, to permit native governments to limit smoking on seashores and in public parks, 2:30 p.m., Room 37 of the Senate Office Building.
— The Senate Judiciary Committee meets to think about SB 796, from Sen. Jennifer Bradley, to extend prison penalties for proof tampering in capital circumstances or circumstances involving deaths, 2:30 p.m., Room 412 of the Knott Building.
— The House Infrastructure and Tourism Appropriations Subcommittee meets to think about HB 907, from Rep. Bobby Payne, to start the method of establishing a port alongside the St. Johns River in Putnam County, 4 p.m., Reed Hall of the House Office Building.
— The House Insurance and Banking Subcommittee meets to think about HB 425, from Rep. Jason Fischer, to increase post-traumatic stress dysfunction advantages in the employees’ compensation insurance coverage system to correctional officers, 4 p.m., Morris Hall of the House Office Building.
— The House Secondary Education and Career Development Subcommittee meets to think about HB 1115, from Rep. Demi Busatta Cabrera, to require highschool college students to earn a half-credit in monetary literacy and cash administration to graduate, 4 p.m., Room 212 of the Knott Building.
— The House Civil Justice and Property Rights Subcommittee meets to think about HB 1525, from Rep. Grall, to repeal the state’s no-fault auto insurance coverage system and the requirement that motorists carry personal-injury safety, or PIP, protection, 4 p.m., Room 404 of the House Office Building.
— The Senate Special Order Calendar Group will set a special-order calendar, quarter-hour after the Senate committee conferences, Room 401 of the Senate Office Building.
Assignment editors — U.S. Reps. Darren Soto and Frederica Wilson will take part in a Committee on House Administration dialogue about election misinformation campaigns in Spanish-speaking communities. Also readily available will likely be former Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, 9 a.m., Miami Dade College, Wolfson Campus, 300 N.E. Second Ave., Miami.
Assignment editors — NBA legend Magic Johnson and Agency for Health Care Administration Secretary Simone Marstiller will be a part of a dialogue about HIV and AIDS prevention and care, hosted by Clear Health Alliance, 11:30 a.m., Jacksonville River City Downtown Hotel, 245 Water St., Jacksonville.
— STATEWIDE —
“Voting fraud conspiracy group has pipeline to Governor as election changes considered” by way of Zac Anderson of the Sarasota Herald-Tribune — Started by the Lakewood Ranch chief of a pro-Trump ladies’s group, Defend Florida has mobilized a military of volunteers to gather “affidavits” that elevate questions on whether or not voters solid authorized 2020 ballots. The group has collected greater than 5,000 affidavits in 34 counties, implying every is a attainable occasion of voter fraud. The claims look like getting critical consideration from GOP officers. Defend Florida co-founder Caroline Wetherington mentioned the group met with DeSantis’ high workers on six events whereas additionally securing conferences with Secretary of State Laurel Lee and high GOP legislators. However, native elections and regulation enforcement officers have dismissed Defend Florida’s claims. Despite being rebuffed by native authorities, Defend Florida nonetheless is extremely lively.
“‘Truck Yeah’ slogan keeps rolling for DeSantis” by way of A.G. Gancarski of Florida Politics — DeSantis continues to calibrate messaging round business drivers, closing out the week with a marketing campaign electronic mail predicated round a slogan his coverage staff broke out two weeks in the past. The similar “Truck Yeah” slogan seen on indicators at a January information convention in Bowling Green resurfaced in an electronic mail Friday from his re-election marketing campaign to political supporters. In the e-mail, DeSantis’ issues have been considerably extra international than the business driver’s license coaching cash doled out to state schools in January. “People across the world are finally standing up and fighting back,” DeSantis asserted.
“‘Possibly illegal behavior’: Ashley Moody blasts GoFundMe after Freedom Convoy flip-flop” by way of A.G. Gancarski of Florida Politics — Moody stood with supporters of the Canadian anti-vax “Freedom Convoy” in opposition to the GoFundMe service, suggesting that what the fundraising platform contemplated this weekend may have been unlawful. Moody advised a Fox News viewers that she and DeSantis is not going to tolerate threats, equivalent to that made by GoFundMe, to not distribute funds to causes it doesn’t help, such because the “Freedom Convoy,” a bunch of Canadian truckers protesting the nation’s COVID-19 vaccination necessities. The service threatened to redistribute the donations made to the truckers, freezing them on Friday, earlier than deciding Saturday to reverse course and refund all contributions. Moody was incensed Sunday regardless.
“Joel Greenberg wants federal judge to delay his sentencing again” by way of Jeff Weiner of the Orlando Sentinel — Greenberg plans to ask once more to delay his sentencing for intercourse trafficking and different crimes, regardless of a federal decide having beforehand mentioned his present sentencing date was closing. Greenberg’s sentencing is presently slated for March 29. In May, he pleaded responsible to 6 federal crimes and was initially scheduled to face sentencing in August, earlier than twice being granted delays. The newest delay request, which Greenberg’s protection legal professional, Fritz Scheller, mentioned shouldn’t be opposed by the federal government, will embody “confidential information” about Greenberg’s work with federal authorities “as well as the nature and extent of Mr. Greenberg’s cooperation,” the protection legal professional’s Friday court docket submitting states.
“Daniella Levine Cava asks for probe after voters say party registrations were changed to GOP” by way of Martin Vassolo of the Miami Herald editorial board — Levine Cava is asking prosecutors to research claims of “voter fraud” after aged residents in Little Havana mentioned their occasion affiliations have been modified with out their information. A county spokeswoman wrote in an electronic mail late Friday that Levine Cava “sent an official request to the State Attorney to investigate recent reports of voter registration fraud to ensure the integrity of the elections process.” Levine Cava, who made the request in an electronic mail to State Attorney Katherine Fernandez-Rundle, joined different Florida Democrats in calling for an investigation following complaints from residents of Haley Sofge Towers, a county-managed public housing complicated in Little Havana. State Sen. Annette Taddeo and Nikki Fried additionally known as for an investigation.
“Jacksonville attorney tied to FPL consultants billed JEA for privatization work” by way of Nate Monroe of The Florida Times-Union — A Jacksonville legal professional at Foley & Lardner who suggested consultants to Florida Power & Light, whereas these consultants have been devising methods to hide the utility’s marketing campaign contributions, was additionally among the many agency’s attorneys who billed JEA ratepayers in the course of the contentious privatization marketing campaign that very same 12 months. The Times-Union beforehand reported that Erika Alba, Foley’s director of public affairs, had been advising staff at Matrix LLC, an Alabama consulting agency that was working with FPL in 2019, on the similar time that Alba’s Jacksonville colleagues at Foley have been billing a whole lot of hours serving to JEA executives promote the town company to a non-public operator. A evaluation of Foley’s billing information exhibits that Alba herself billed JEA ratepayers for work associated to the privatization course of on two events.
“Florida assessing damage to crops caused by January freeze” by way of The Associated Press — The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity is assessing the impression latest freezing temperatures had on the state’s agricultural business. According to a information launch, the company activated a survey on Friday to collect information and consider assets that affected companies might have to get well from the freeze that occurred over the past weekend in January. “The agriculture business in Florida is an integral part of the state’s economy, and we are going to do everything we can to help the farmers who were impacted by freezing temperatures this past weekend,” DeSantis mentioned in a information launch.
— CORONA FLORIDA —
“DeSantis touts Florida COVID-19 response, criticizes justices without ‘backbone’” by way of Mark Harper of The Daytona Beach News-Journal — DeSantis spoke to a pleasant crowd, touting his “default” pandemic place, freedom, throughout an look at a conference of the conservative authorized advocacy group the Federalist Society. In what was dubbed a “fireside chat” and not using a fireplace, DeSantis sat with former White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany, additionally a Floridian, and introduced his file as Florida Governor, all of the whereas punching upward at Biden. DeSantis adopted Pence. Both males are thought of top-tier attainable Republican nominees for President in 2024, particularly if Trump decides in opposition to working once more. The Governor additionally faces his personal re-election marketing campaign later this 12 months.
“Ladapo fires back at former UCLA supervisor who refused recommendation” by way of Arek Sarkissian of POLITICO — Ladapo mentioned that criticism from his former UCLA supervisor was an indication that differing scientific opinions have was private assaults. Ladapo mentioned in a cellphone interview that good science requires respect for all views. “It’s OK to disagree, and I’ve had no problem with disagreement, but what has been really disappointing is how disagreement has become a ticket or a passport to activate personal attacks,” Ladapo mentioned. The unidentified supervisor supplied his evaluation as half of a routine background test carried out by the Senate throughout a affirmation course of.
“Florida reports 1,324 deaths, 132,622 cases this week” by way of Caroline Catherman of the Orlando Sentinel — The Florida Department of Health reported 132,622 new coronavirus circumstances this week amongst Florida residents to carry the cumulative whole to five,610,370. With 1,324 extra fatalities on file, 66,279 Florida residents have died. This week’s 1,324 deaths replicate a rise from the 1,192 reported final week, however deaths can take a number of days or even weeks to be reported. The majority of the newly reported deaths are individuals who died earlier than this week. The loss of life depend had not reached wherever close to September ranges when practically 2,500 new deaths have been reported a number of weeks in a row.
“Four ‘stealth omicron’ cases found in Florida” by way of Chris Persaud of The Palm Beach Post — At least 4 circumstances of the so-called “stealth omicron” variant have been found in Florida because the state’s loss of life toll elevated by 1,000 for the second time in as many weeks. Two individuals’s take a look at outcomes in Miami-Dade County confirmed the presence of a brand new mutation of omicron. The lab didn’t instantly present extra details about the contaminated individuals. Helix Laboratories confirmed two circumstances earlier this week found in Florida. Two individuals, a 69-year-old girl and a 32-year-old man, caught the mutation in January, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reported Tuesday.
—“The weekly number of COVID-19 cases in Alachua County is declining, as is the positivity rate” by way of Gershon Harrell of The Gainesville Sun
“Florida’s fourth COVID-19 surge came fast and strong. Here’s what the omicron wave tells us about what’s ahead.” by way of Cindy Krischer Goodman of the Orlando Sentinel — By now, scientists anticipated the omicron surge in Florida to be practically over. The new forecast tasks about 4 extra weeks earlier than the omicron wave diminishes to offer Floridians a respite. Most consultants see hope in the a lot bigger immune inhabitants in the state. Between those that caught the virus in the course of the omicron surge and the rising quantity of vaccinated and boosted individuals, a lot of Florida ought to have some safety in opposition to future variants. “We won’t know the exact toll of omicron for several weeks,” notes Scott Herr, a pc scientist who tracks COVID-19 in Florida. “My guesstimate would be somewhere between 7,000 and 10,000 deaths, possibly more. The biggest unknown is how long the ‘tail’ will be from the peak until the wave ends.”
“USF, Tampa General studies ivermectin, other drugs to treat COVID-19” by way of Rose Wong of the Tampa Bay Times — Tampa Bay is a component of a nationwide examine to look at the efficacy of three medication to deal with COVID-19, together with ivermectin, the antiparasitic remedy that some imagine can treatment the virus. Instead, it despatched individuals to the emergency room. The University of South Florida and Tampa General Hospital are taking part in the National Institutes of Health’s Accelerating COVID-19 Therapeutic Intervention and Vaccines public-private partnership, which brings collectively organizations and corporations to check new COVID-19 therapies and variants. The double-blind examine expects to enroll 15,000 individuals nationwide.
— 2022 —
“Brady Duke says CD 7 voters are ‘hungry’ for his candidacy” by way of Scott Powers of Florida Politics — Duke, a former Navy SEAL, close-combat advisor and Christian ministry adviser, believes the voters in Florida’s seventh Congressional District are itching for a Republican like him to characterize them. “I see a lot of people that are hungry for fair and honest representation. I have talked to a number of people who are happy to have seen the announcement that (Democratic U.S. Rep.) Stephanie Murphy is not running for re-election,” Duke mentioned. The political newcomer has his platform formed by his convictions as a battlefield veteran, a conservative Christian searching for to finish abortion, a passionate believer in the necessity for border safety, and a staunch defender of capitalism searching for to oppose and rollback tax hikes.
“Matt Gaetz is in a safe GOP seat, but can he keep it?” by way of Jim Little of the USA Today Network-Florida — Gaetz’s potential authorized troubles are shifting what’s attainable in Northwest Florida. Gaetz might be going through his greatest re-election battle since he first received the seat. In the final month, stress from the investigation has intensified as information shops reported extra witnesses agreeing to testify in the case., together with an ex-girlfriend of Gaetz. Jacob Shively, a professor on the University of West Florida’s Askew Department of Government, mentioned that Gaetz’s outspoken help of Trump in earlier election cycles gave Democratic challengers a lift.
“Challenger nearly matches Scott Franklin’s contributions” by way of Gary White of The Ledger — U.S. Rep. Franklin, a Lakeland Republican, reported marketing campaign contributions of $58,876 in the fourth quarter of 2021, about $7,000 greater than a Democratic challenger. Franklin’s high Democratic challenger, Eddie Geller of Brandon, reported $51,800 from October via December. Geller, a former comic and political activist who entered the race in August, has collected $183,400 in whole contributions and carries $96,300 in marketing campaign money. The Legislature is creating new congressional boundaries, and proposed maps present Polk County being faraway from District 15. Geller is prone to stay in the District 15 race.
“GOP Senate leaders quickly line up behind Erin Grall’s SD 29 campaign” by way of Scott Powers of Florida Politics — Rep. Grall’s early clear path into the proposed Senate District 29 election simply obtained assist from Republican Senate leaders to make sure that path stays unimpeded. Senate President Simpson, President-designate Kathleen Passidomo and Sen. Ben Albritton have endorsed Grall in that race. The transfer comes in the future after Grall, a three-term lawmaker from Vero Beach, introduced she was submitting to run in the brand new SD 29 this 12 months. Grall is the primary to file to run in the proposed SD 29, carved in present redistricting efforts out of a number of different Senate districts, together with Albritton’s. Grall, a managing associate of the Grall Law Group, chairs the House Judiciary Committee and has been a very highly effective drive on spiritual conservatism points.
“Kevin Steele enters race for newly redrawn HD 53” by way of Drew Wilson of Florida Politics — Steele entered the race for the brand new House District 53 on Thursday. The new HD 53 will cowl parts of Hernando and Pasco counties and is separate from the present HD 53, which covers half of Brevard County and is represented by Rep. Randy Fine. Fine now resides in the brand new House District 33. In a information launch, the Republican candidate mentioned he was on board with “the Governor’s vision for Florida.” “I’ve always believed in the power of commitment and a strong work ethic in accomplishing your goals and objectives. Whether it’s family, business, or campaigns, there’s no replacement for good, honest, hard work and I intend to apply that same attitude to win this race,” he mentioned.
— CORONA NATION —
“Joe Biden marks 900,000 COVID-19 deaths and urges: ‘Get vaccinated, get your kids vaccinated’” by way of Annabelle Timsit of The Washington Post — Biden on Friday urged all Americans to get vaccinated, as he marked one other “tragic milestone” in the coronavirus pandemic. “900,000 American lives have been lost to COVID-19,” he mentioned in a late-night assertion issued Friday. The loss of life toll would have been greater with out coronavirus vaccines, Biden mentioned, estimating that they had “saved more than 1 million American lives,” as he urged unvaccinated Americans to “get vaccinated, get your kids vaccinated, and get your booster shot if you are eligible.” Less than two months in the past, the White House marked 800,000 COVID-19 deaths in the United States.
— CORONA ECONOMICS —
“Biden administration tells Congress that key coronavirus funds are dwindling” by way of Tony Romm and Jeff Stein — Nearly all of the cash in a key federal program to spice up coronavirus testing, therapeutics, and vaccines seems to have been dedicated or already shelled out, elevating the potential that the Biden administration might should ask Congress to approve further assist. The dwindling funds replicate an uptick in spending because the White House in latest months has labored aggressively to battle again the rise of the omicron variant. While high officers say they’re assured in their skill to climate the most recent surge, they’ve began exploring whether or not more cash could be wanted to guard the general public in opposition to future variants.
“Despite omicron surge, businesses desperate to find and keep workers” by way of Abha Bhattarai of The Washington Post — Omicron was speculated to wreak havoc on the labor market. But it didn’t. The leap in January hiring has underscored the economic system’s rising capability to climate renewed waves of surging coronavirus circumstances, suggesting a good job market is forcing corporations to retain staff now that hiring new ones has develop into costlier and tougher. Unlike earlier waves of the virus, when companies have been fast to pause operations and lay off staff, many are actually going to larger lengths to hold on to their staff. Overall, U.S. employers added 467,000 jobs in January, with a lot of these positive aspects concentrated in motels, eating places, retailers and different providers.
— MORE CORONA —
“The world is likely sicker than it has been in 100 years” by way of David Luhnow, Joanna Sugden and Rajesh Roy of The Wall Street Journal — The world resides via a singular second: In the previous 5 – 6 weeks, the omicron coronavirus variant has doubtless gotten extra individuals sick than any comparable interval because the 1918-1919 flu pandemic, in accordance with a worldwide well being knowledgeable. While omicron infections have peaked in many locations, February is prone to see comparable caseloads because the variant continues to unfold earlier than it flames out, inflicting employee shortages from hospitals to factories and spurring debate about COVID-19 restrictions, primarily since omicron seems to be inflicting much less critical sickness.
“Omicron infections may not protect well against future spread” by way of Caitlin Owens of Axios — The extent to which omicron’s speedy unfold leaves the world higher off in its combat in opposition to COVID-19 depends upon just a few large questions, together with how lengthy infection-induced immunity truly lasts. Vaccinations and infections at excessive sufficient ranges can kind an immunity wall in opposition to the longer term unfold of the virus. But if omicron infections finally don’t contribute a lot to this wall, that leaves a lot of the world nonetheless susceptible. When the coronavirus first emerged, nobody had any immune safety. In the 2 years since, that’s modified drastically, as a whole lot of thousands and thousands of individuals worldwide have develop into contaminated and billions have been vaccinated.
“Blood supplies run low as omicron limits donations” by way of Renée Onque of The Wall Street Journal — Blood is in quick provide in the U.S., with donation drives stalled amid COVID-19 and demand rising as individuals resume medical care they delay earlier in the pandemic. The quantity of individuals donating blood every month was 10% decrease on the finish of final 12 months than earlier than the pandemic started in February 2020. Blood drives at colleges and schools have decreased by 62% throughout the identical time. Public-health consultants say that shortages may go away hospitals unprepared for emergencies equivalent to automobile accidents or pure disasters that may require so much of blood for transfusions and pressing surgical procedures.
“After weathering the omicron crush, CVS and Walgreens removed their limits on buying at-home tests.” by way of Esha Ray of The New York Times — For the previous few months, these Americans who had been fortunate sufficient to search out at-home coronavirus checks in shops had been saved from shopping for quite a lot of at a time in order that shops may sustain with the surging demand. But that’s altering at practically all CVS and Walgreens places nationwide as of this week. A CVS spokesman, Matthew Blanchette, confirmed on Saturday that the pharmacy chain had elevated its stock of over-the-counter speedy take a look at kits and eliminated all limits “on those products at CVS Pharmacy locations nationwide and on CVS.com.” A Walgreens consultant additionally mentioned on Saturday that as a result of of “improved in-stock conditions,” the corporate had eliminated its buy restrict of at-home checks at nearly all its places.
— PRESIDENTIAL —
“Biden inches back toward Michelle Obama’s school nutrition standards” by way of Helena Bottemiller Evich of POLITICO — The Biden administration at the moment is issuing a brand new rule asking colleges to quickly begin assembly diet requirements that have been strengthened on the urging of Obama, however have been suspended in the course of the pandemic as colleges struggled to acquire extra nutritious choices. The stricter diet requirements, which reduce sodium, require extra entire grains and mandate extra vegatables and fruits, have been additionally partially relaxed in the course of the Trump administration. One of former Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue’s first strikes was to “Make School Meals Great Again” by loosening guidelines for entire grains, sodium and flavored milk.
“Democrats’ big dilemma: Avoid Biden or embrace him?” by way of Sean Sullivan and Marianna Sotomayor of The Washington Post — As Democrats gear up for a tough midterm marketing campaign, one of the most important variables is Biden’s recognition, which has fallen sharply amid his struggles to comprise the pandemic, rising costs and overseas coverage crises. Clear majorities now disapprove of the job Biden is doing, triggering uncomfortable conversations in the occasion about how a lot to include him into their campaigns and prompting a spread of early responses from Democrats in laborious races. Midterm elections are influenced strongly by how voters really feel in regards to the sitting President, and plenty of Democrats try to inoculate themselves by forging their very own manufacturers and even criticizing some of Biden’s actions.
— D.C. MATTERS —
“Marco Rubio condemns ‘evil, genocidal’ Chinese government as Olympics kicks off Opening Ceremony” by way of Jesse Scheckner of Florida Politics — On the day of the 2022 Winter Olympics opening ceremony in Beijing, Sen. Rubio once more known as out the systemic oppression of ethnic and non secular minorities by the Chinese authorities, particularly of the Uyghur individuals. The Winter Olympic Games, Rubio mentioned, will likely be remembered for the atrocities dedicated by the Chinese Communist Party slightly than for the accomplishments of the taking part athletes. Last month, Rubio and Sen. James Lankford launched a decision calling the International Olympic Committee to relocate the Winter Olympic Games from Beijing.
“Charlie Crist announces support for COMPETES Act to fight inflation, help Florida marine life” by way of Kelly Hayes of Florida Politics — U.S. Rep. Crist has introduced his help of the America COMPETES Act, laws aimed toward boosting business domestically. The invoice, Crist mentioned, hopes to combat inflation by selling home innovation and manufacturing. The invoice additionally hopes to keep up American international competitiveness, create good-paying jobs, enhance provide chains, beat China and fight the local weather disaster. In asserting his help for the plan, Crist additionally outlined provisions inside the laws that deal with points impacting Florida. The state would obtain one other $3 billion to spice up home photo voltaic power manufacturing to assist fight the local weather disaster with out counting on foreign-made supplies. The act additionally works to help the state’s marine life, together with the file quantity of manatee deaths in Florida over the past 12 months.
“Citing Brian Flores case, Debbie Wasserman Schultz says Congress must investigate ‘egregious lack of representation and opportunity for Black leaders in the NFL’” by way of Anthony Man of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel — Wasserman Schultz, citing the case of the fired Miami Dolphins coach, mentioned Thursday that Congress should examine. “Money and power is what rules the NFL, and unless somebody steps in and holds them accountable, nothing will change. They will continue business as usual,” the Broward/Miami-Dade County Democrat mentioned in the course of the listening to. Flores, in a lawsuit, alleged pervasive racist hiring practices for NFL coaches and basic managers.
Assignment editors — U.S. Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar will maintain a press name forward of the introduction of her Dignity Act, a top-to-bottom immigration reform invoice, 10 a.m., dial-in info supplied upon RSVP to [email protected]
What Brian Ballard is studying — “U.S. fills board that’ll dish out $250M for Israel-Palestine peace-building projects” by way of Jacob Magid of The Times of Israel — The U.S. Agency for International Development introduced the appointment of an advisory board for recommending tips on how to distribute $250 million in U.S. funding for Israeli-Palestinian dialogue applications and Palestinian enterprise improvement. The filling of the board permits the Biden administration to maneuver ahead in supporting people-to-people tasks on the bottom after the funds have been allotted via the Nita M. Lowey Middle East Partnership for Peace Act (MEPPA) handed by Congress in 2020. The board presently contains 12 members appointed by management from each homes of Congress. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi appointed former Congressman Robert Wexler, a former candidate to function Biden’s ambassador to Israel and presently head of the S. Daniel Abraham Center for Middle East Peace.
— CRISIS —
“Mike Pence says ‘Donald Trump is wrong’ to say then-Vice President had the right to overturn 2020 election” by way of Steve Contorno and Eric Bradner of CNN Politics — Pence known as out his former boss by identify on Friday, saying that “President Trump is wrong” in claiming that Pence had the suitable to overturn the 2020 election on Jan. 6, 2021. Speaking on the Federalist Society Florida Chapters convention close to Orlando, Pence delivered his strongest response but to Trump’s ongoing efforts to relitigate the 2020 Presidential Election, calling it “un-American” to recommend one particular person may have determined the result. Pence warned in opposition to conservatives who insist that the Vice President can alter an election and mentioned it might be a problematic place for Republicans in the subsequent presidential contest.
“Newly obtained records show Trump and Jim Jordan spoke at length on morning of Jan. 6” by way of Ryan Nobles, Annie Grayer and Zachary Cohen of CNN — The House choose committee investigating the Capitol revolt is now in possession of White House information that present new particulars a few cellphone name Trump made to Rep. Jordan on Jan. 6, 2021, because the investigation drills down on the previous President’s communications that day and questions have lengthy swirled round calls between him and lawmakers. Two sources reviewed name information that Trump spoke on the cellphone on the White House residence with Jordan for 10 minutes on the morning of Jan. 6.
“In censure of Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger, RNC calls events of Jan. 6 ‘legitimate political discourse’” by way of Gabby Orr of CNN — In a decision formally censuring GOP Reps. Cheney and Kinzinger, the Republican National Committee on Friday described the occasions surrounding the Jan. 6, 2021 revolt, which have been on the middle of a House probe, as “legitimate political discourse.” A replica of the decision obtained by CNN claimed that the 2 lawmakers have been “participating in a Democrat-led persecution of ordinary citizens engaged in legitimate political discourse” from their perches on the House choose committee.
“A Jan. 6 suspect died. Now the FBI has to prep for conspiracies.” by way of Ryan J. Reilly of NBC News — A person featured on the FBI’s web site, wished for assaulting police on the Capitol in the course of the Jan. 6 assault, died months in the past. In the 12 months because the Jan. 6 investigation started, the FBI has posted photos of greater than 500 people on its U.S. Capitol Violence webpage. More than 350 of these included on the web page nonetheless haven’t been arrested, together with dozens who’ve been efficiently recognized by on-line sleuths. Removing his picture from the web site now may spark further conspiracy theories that might solely be resolved via public identification, which might set off a contemporary spherical of ache for a household nonetheless recovering from its loss. His elimination from the listing with out being charged has prompted rampant conspiracy theories that he was performing as a plant to stoke the group.
— EPILOGUE TRUMP —
“This was the week when Trump revealed all” by way of Dan Balz of The Washington Post — Trump has advised some large lies through the years. One of the most important, it now could be clear, got here on Jan. 7, 2021, the day after his supporters assaulted the U.S. Capitol. On Jan. 6, as regulation enforcement officers fought valiantly in opposition to an armed mob of rioters attacking the Capitol, Trump remained in the White House, silent in the face of repeated efforts by advisers, relations and allies who pleaded with him to attempt to name a halt to the violence. The subsequent day, in a videotaped deal with, he mentioned, lastly, that he was “outraged” by the “heinous attack” on the Capitol. He didn’t imply it, as he made clear final weekend.
“The extreme ideas floating around Trump on how to overturn the election” by way of Amber Phillips of The Washington Post — As Trump tried to hold on to energy after his election loss, he surrounded himself with advisers, attorneys, and seemingly random individuals who have been prepared to offer him concepts. We continue to learn simply how drastic some of these concepts have been. The President appeared to take some extra critically than others, however it appears clear that Trump and/or his high aides no less than entertained the thought of seizing voting machines. A memo was circulated amongst Trump allies suggesting that the NSA might be used to attempt to show a baseless declare about fraud. And that’s simply what’s been revealed in reporting and from the congressional Jan. 6 investigation.
“Trump and allies try to redefine racism by casting White men as victims” by way of Cleve R. Wootson Jr. of The Washington Post — Holding court docket at a political rally in Texas final week, Trump implied that he, a rich White man who was elected to an workplace nearly solely held by White males, was additionally a sufferer of racism. Trump’s declare referenced what he mentioned have been three “radical vicious, racist prosecutors,” one in Georgia, one in New York, one in Washington, all of them Black, who’re investigating his function in the Jan. 6 revolt and inspecting his enterprise group’s funds. But his feedback made him the most recent in a line of conservatives claiming, loudly and regularly, that White males are additionally victims of racism.
“How Trump’s political style smothered the last substance left in the GOP” by way of Carlos Lozada of The Washington Post — Jeremy Peters’s “Insurgency” shouldn’t be the primary try to take an extended view of how the occasion of Lincoln grew to become the occasion of Trump. “Insurgency” is persuasive in suggesting that the long-term transformation of the Republican Party is one in which a method of politics has overpowered after which suffocated any remnant of its substance. The Trump period in American politics can really feel uniquely disruptive, however Peters highlights earlier episodes that, put collectively, go away Trump wanting like an inevitable end result slightly than an unlikely outlier.
“Javanka in exile” by way of Bob Norman of the Washingtonian — Ivanka Trump’s world has definitely reduced in size. She’s out of politics for the time being, out of her former govt job on the Trump Organization, out of the womenswear model that bore her identify, out of excessive society in New York, and solid out of Washington, too. Ivanka by no means did discover her footing in the White House or D.C. society; Jan. 6 was the ultimate rupture. Now the Kushners have sought refuge in Surfside, a city that beforehand managed to remain off most individuals’s radar. Which was simply high quality with lots of residents. Javanka aren’t solely the city’s most well-known inhabitants — they’re additionally amongst its most invisible. Still, Surfside hasn’t utterly sheltered them from the bitter political storm they helped create.
“Michael Flynn is still at war” by way of Robert Draper of The New York Times — Two days after Thanksgiving, Flynn spoke with the Worldview Weekend Broadcast Network. Claiming that the 2020 election concerned “probably the greatest fraud that our country has ever experienced in our history,” … China was “not going to allow 2020 to happen, and so now what we have is this theft with mail-in ballots.” He insisted {that a} legit counting of the ballots would have resulted in a Trump landslide. Flynn was starting to examine a navy function. “It’s not unprecedented,” Flynn insisted to Newsmax host Greg Kelly on Dec. 17. “I mean, these people out there talking about martial law, like it’s something that we’ve never done,” he mentioned, including, “I’m not calling for that.” Flynn was, in reality, calling for sending the navy to the contested states.
—LOCAL NOTES —
“Two men in Miami stole 192 ventilators, worth $3 million, the authorities say.” by way of Eduardo Medina of The New York Times — Two males in Miami have every been sentenced to 41 months in jail for stealing medical ventilators certain for a COVID-19 care facility in El Salvador as half of a U.S. assist program. The crime occurred in August 2020, in accordance with a information launch issued after the sentencing of the second of the 2 males. The males, Yoelvis Denis Hernandez and Luis Urra Montero, stole a tractor-trailer from a parking zone in South Florida that was loaded with 192 ventilators, value about $3 million, that have been certain for Miami International Airport for transport to El Salvador by the U.S. Agency for International Development.
“Nicaraguan doctor’s quest for political asylum remains in limbo years after escape to Central Florida” by way of Lisa Maria Garza of the Orlando Sentinel — More than three years after he fled Nicaragua searching for political asylum, Dr. Luis Rodolfo Ibarra remains to be ready for a listening to in Orlando immigration court docket. Ibarra, 35, mentioned he desires a decide to know that he put his oath as a physician above authorities orders in 2018 when he handled wounded civilian protesters who sought to dismantle President Daniel Ortega’s regime. A listening to for Ibarra’s asylum case was set for July in Orlando, then abruptly canceled as a result of of COVID-19 issues, his lawyer Rusten Hurd mentioned. Online court docket information present there aren’t any future hearings scheduled for Ibarra’s case, which has been consolidated together with his spouse and daughter’s requests for asylum.
“Rising antisemitism in South Florida and beyond fuels concern and determination in Jewish community” by way of Anthony Man of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel — Drivers on Interstate 4 in Orlando final Sunday have been confronted with a Nazi flag displayed on an overpass, together with a banner proclaiming “Vax the Jews” and itemizing the identical web site because the earlier weekend’s flyers. The incidents are half of what Jewish neighborhood leaders and others mentioned is a disturbing pattern: a rise in the quantity of antisemitic incidents, some violent, others aimed toward instilling concern. “Both locally and nationally, we have seen steady increases in antisemitism and all forms of bigotry over the past few years,” mentioned Lonny Wilk, interim regional director of the Anti-Defamation League in Florida.
“State of the city: West Palm mayor talks about boom times, crime, expensive housing and water problem” by way of Wayne Washington of The Palm Beach Post — Basking in West Palm Beach’s financial increase instances, Mayor Keith James declared that “the state of our city today is strong, our economy is sound, and our state of mind is sturdy.” The mayor touted the brand new workplace buildings sprouting up in the town, talked up partnerships with the University of Florida and Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, famous what he described as a drop in crime, and introduced that he’s rising his aim for the development of inexpensive housing items. While James mentioned he’s proud of the town’s accomplishments over the previous 12 months, he’s pushing his administration to do extra. Housing, he mentioned, remains to be too costly for a lot of. The metropolis has been “chipping away” at homelessness however desires to do extra on that entrance.
“Will Sheriff Gregory Tony face any penalty after investigation into his lies? What we know and don’t know” by way of Lisa Huriash of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel — DeSantis says he’ll determine whether or not to take any motion in opposition to Tony after a state investigation concluded Broward County’s high cop lied on quite a few types about his homicide arrest and different key elements of his previous. Many outcomes may happen in the approaching days: The Governor quickly may act to droop Tony from workplace. He may await a state ethics panel to suggest whether or not any self-discipline or penalty is warranted — and delegate that activity to the ethics panel. Or he may determine to do nothing in any respect. Tony’s case could be a difficult matter to determine, mentioned legal professional Burnadette Norris-Weeks. The choice to take away an elected official from workplace might be subjective, Norris-Weeks mentioned. “Legal standards, quite frankly, can be a little blurry sometimes.”
“‘A bad look’: Walton residents call for crackdown on teenage spring breakers” by way of Jim Thompson of the Northwest Florida Daily News — With a few month to go earlier than the primary Spring Break crowds arrive alongside the seashores of Walton County, residents and different stakeholders are urgent county regulation enforcement, seaside security and code enforcement personnel to take a troublesome stand in opposition to teenage guests. Clearly pissed off by what highschool spring breakers carry to the county, residents known as for the county to institute a spring break curfew and be extra seen and proactive in addressing lawbreaking, notably underage consuming. Last 12 months, Walton County Commissioner Tony Anderson, whose district contains most of the county’s 26 miles of private and non-private seashores, requested for consideration of a Spring Break curfew
— TOP OPINION —
“Stan Lockhart: Before any ban, Florida should first look at Utah’s successful ranked choice voting” by way of Florida Politics — Ranked selection voting (RCV) has an extended historical past in Utah for state and county Republican Party elections going again to 2002. Starting in 2019, Utah cities have had the choice to make use of RCV for his or her nonpartisan elections. RCV is a sooner, cheaper, and higher option to run our native elections in Utah. Traditionally, Utah’s native elections embody a Preliminary Election in August to slim down the sector, after which a General Election in November between the highest candidates. With RCV, cities can substitute two elections with one — shortening the marketing campaign season and lowering the fee to taxpayers. Instead of going to the polls twice (which information exhibits drastically reduces turnout), voters solely should go as soon as!
— OPINIONS —
“RNC should take a lesson from Pence” by way of National Review editorial board — There isn’t any conceivable political profit to the Republican Party or its members, aside from Trump, in trying to defend or decrease Jan. 6 slightly than merely transfer on. The American individuals are by no means itching to listen to a protection of rioters. But the voters have additionally proven little curiosity in the Democrats’ obsession over the occasion. Republicans who did nothing to encourage the mob, and there are numerous such Republicans, needn’t put on a hair shirt over Jan. 6, however once they select to speak about it, they need to inform the unsparing reality. We commend the instance of Pence.
“Pence gives bombshell speech that Trump was ‘wrong.’ But now comes the hard part” by way of the Miami Herald editorial board — Pence lastly, lastly, lastly mentioned what wanted to be mentioned. “President Trump is wrong. I had no right to overturn the election.” Well, hallelujah. It’s a 12 months late, and it’s not underneath oath. But he mentioned it, and to a Florida gathering of the Federalist Society, a conservative authorized group. If Pence actually desires to treatment any of the injury to this nation, he ought to now encourage different Republicans to drop the masks of falsity so many have willingly worn for a 12 months, too fearful of Trump to cease mouthing his Big Lie. For Pence, it’d prove that his speech was the simple half. But at the moment, in this one second, listening to a high Republican say the plain and easy reality provides us a flicker of reduction, a momentary cessation of ache, like a nationwide headache that instantly stops hurting.
“Will Florida’s ‘election police’ be afraid of ‘ghosts?’ Lawmakers, dump this idea” by way of the Miami Herald editorial board — The Frank Artiles “ghost” candidate scandal has known as into query the outcomes of one Miami Senate race and possibly two others, one in Miami and one other in Seminole County, all received by Republicans. It’s turning into one of the worst abuses of our election system in latest instances. That has us pondering: Maybe we have been too hasty after we mentioned DeSantis’ proposed election safety workplace was a waste of time and tax cash. Surely this sort of potential misconduct could be its motive for current. Nope. Sen. Travis Hutson, sponsor of the Senate invoice that may create an election safety workplace, mentioned this week that the particular investigative unit that DeSantis has known as for would solely take care of “election fraud — not candidacy fraud,” in accordance with the Orlando Sentinel.
“If Democrats don’t ask questions, nobody will” by way of Steve Bousquet of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel — The Senate Ethics and Elections Committee mentioned a controversial and hasty 45-page rewrite of a invoice that features a scaled-back model of DeSantis’ new elections police drive (Senate Bill 524). That’s Tallahassee-speak for stopping debate and calling for a vote so the minority Democrats can’t run out the clock by asking questions. None of the 5 Republicans requested probing questions. Senators have to hold asking questions on these elections cops, and the potential for partisan witch hunts, and each different proposed change to voting legal guidelines. But they realized Friday they’ll have one much less likelihood to take action. Fewer hearings imply fewer questions, and SB 524 was rerouted by the Senate President’s workplace to at least one fewer committee.
“Legislation poses a real risk to our state’s children” by way of Dr. Deborah Day for the Tallahassee Democrat — There is an existential risk to kids in laws presently being thought of by the Florida House. If handed, House Bill 1395 would codify a presumption of 50/50 timesharing between divorced mother and father. While this will sound honest and affordable on its face, it’s not; it poses an actual threat to our state’s kids and, I imagine, it should be stopped. As a recurrently appointed social investigator in household regulation circumstances, I work nearly solely with households going via a divorce and are in battle over the timesharing of their kids. So, it’s with this in depth firsthand expertise that I converse out in opposition to this presumption of the 50/50 timesharing provision in HB 1395.
“Bob Lotane: Randy Fine’s ‘Dirty Dozen,’ GOP discomfort and hypocrisy” by way of Florida Politics — Fine hammered the 12 faculty districts that defied DeSantis’ ban on masks mandates — pushing price range language to strip $200M from the “Dirty Dozen” and redistribute it to districts that complied. Leon Schools Superintendent Hanna known as Fine “a childish, immature bully.” Political observers could be tempted so as to add one other adjective: Hypocrite. Fine launched laws to require the educating and different remembrances of the 1920 Ocoee Election Day Riots and the Holocaust. It handed in March 2020, and DeSantis fortunately signed it. Fast-forward one 12 months, and there was Fine accusing Brevard Schools of utilizing important race concept (CRT). What modified? How did these two go from passing and signing laws assailing racism and antisemitism to develop into cheerleaders for a motion aimed toward sanitizing America’s shameful racial historical past?
“One bill’s answer to corruption: More secrecy” by way of the Orlando Sentinel editorial board — There is one invoice that’s extra harmful than any pro-secrecy laws we’ve seen in a very long time. If it passes, HB 1547/SB 1848 may tunnel new and secretive channels in Florida’s already corrupt marketing campaign finance system by hiding the names of big-money donors. Well, if these payments go, lawmakers could have finished one thing: They could have made the scenario a lot, a lot worse, by wrapping a cloak of secrecy across the names and different figuring out info of these big-money donors.
“Holier-than-thou book banners in Florida ought to start with the Bible” by way of Frank Cerabino of The Palm Beach Post — We might should ban the Bible from Florida’s public colleges. Book banning is beginning to take off in Florida, and so long as it’s, we shouldn’t go away the Bible out of the dialogue. A nationwide group known as The County Citizens Defending Freedom has fashioned in Polk County to take away books from public faculty libraries deemed dangerous to kids underneath the age of 18. OK, so if we have to scrub the general public library cabinets from books that promote the “socialist mentality” and/or comprise “narrative accounts of sexual excitement or sexual conduct,” it’s time to spherical up all of the Bibles and lock them away from the kids. For starters, Jesus was principally Bernie Sanders in open-toed sandals. If you’re into extra graphic sexual passages, the Old Testament has so much to supply.
—TODAY’S SUNRISE —
How did Florida’s Governor develop into concerned in a trucker vaccine protest in Canada? By concentrating on GoFundMe’s choice to droop a fundraiser for the “Freedom Convoy” and return the cash to contributors.
Also, on at the moment’s Sunrise:
— Attorney General Moody says GoFundMe’s therapy of the “Freedom Convoy” could also be unlawful and might be discriminatory.
— House and Senate budgets are in and head to full appropriations committees.
— Bills shifting via the House and Senate may make a distinction in reducing veteran suicides. Rep. Ben Diamond explains.
To pay attention, click on on the picture beneath:
— OLYMPICS —
“Why Americans are turned off by the Olympics” by way of David Nather and Margaret Talev of Axios — Americans’ issues in regards to the Chinese authorities’s human rights abuses, surveillance and worldwide competitiveness, and fears of one other COVID-19 outbreak are driving down enthusiasm about this 12 months’s Winter Olympics. Seven in 10 survey respondents disapprove of permitting China to host these Olympics, however half plan to tune in anyhow. Just 7% say they’re extra smitten by this 12 months’s video games than the 2018 video games in South Korea, whereas 47% say they’re much less enthusiastic. Fewer than half of Americans say the Olympics ought to go forward whereas the omicron variant is spreading, whereas the remaining say The Games must be postponed (34%) or canceled (16%).
“Hilary Knight: Four-time Olympian, full-time disrupter” by way of Roman Stubbs of The Washington Post — Knight was an elite athlete in her prime in 2012 when her mom advised her she wanted to get a job. Ostensibly, Knight was an expert hockey participant, however that didn’t pay a livable wage, so she additionally taught skating classes. While coaching with Team USA because it readies to defend its gold medal win over Canada 4 years in the past in Pyeongchang, Knight has continued her work with the Professional Women’s Hockey Players Association, which was fashioned to advertise a viable skilled league in North America. The group has supplied round 200 of the world’s high gamers an alternative choice to the Premier Hockey Federation, the continent’s solely skilled ladies’s league, which Knight and her teammates have mentioned shouldn’t be sustainable.
“U.S. forward Abby Roque is a first-time Olympian and a pioneer for Indigenous people” by way of Barry Svrluga of The Washington Post — The gamers skated round Tuesday afternoon at Wukesong Sports Center with out their helmets and, briefly, mercifully with out their masks, stopping and smiling for the digicam that may seize the official staff portrait of the 2022 U.S. Olympic ladies’s hockey staff, to not point out their very own digicam telephones that have been tucked underneath pads on their hips or their shoulders. After the massive group photograph got here the subsets: first-time Olympians in one shot, the goalies in one other; University of Minnesota gamers adopted by these from the University of Wisconsin, rivals in on a regular basis life, teammates right here.
“Mikaela Shiffrin’s Olympic prep has included covid, isolation, tears — and relief” by way of Barry Svrluga of The Washington Post — The Olympics have been solely 5 weeks away, and probably the most outstanding Team USA athlete was sequestered in a lodge room in Austria, lowered to doing pullups on her mattress body and lunges with a single 15-kilogram plate. This shouldn’t be how a two-time gold medalist is meant to arrange for successful extra gold medals. But COVID-19 doesn’t care if the Olympics are afoot, so right here was Shiffrin, coughing and with a sore throat, in isolation when she ought to have been ski racing. With the Opening Ceremonies of the Beijing Winter Games on Friday, Shiffrin is over COVID-19, out of isolation and again on the mountain. She has even received once more on the World Cup circuit in circumstances that caused an unprecedented outpouring of emotion, which we’ll get to.
— ALOE —
“A man in a ‘Star Wars’ costume gives free masks to travelers. Meet ‘The Maskalorian.’” by way of Hannah Sampson of The Washington Post — Even in these unusual instances, the sight is uncommon sufficient to show heads: a helmeted determine in a jumpsuit and cape with a tiny inexperienced creature strapped to his chest. Both seem to return from a galaxy far, far-off. Both put on disposable masks over their mouths. Masks, it seems, are your entire level of their mission. Inspired by the hit Star Wars present “The Mandalorian” on Disney+, the character is the brainchild of Matt Adams, a 43-year-old filmmaker and improv performer. And that little inexperienced man sporting a GoProfessional on his chest would possibly look so much like Grogu, aka the Child, aka Baby Yoda. But his identify is Masku. Together, they’ve given away roughly 1,000 masks.
To watch The Maskolarian in motion, click on on the picture beneath:
“SeaWorld ramps up care for threatened Florida manatees” by way of Curt Anderson of The Associated Press — The SeaWorld theme park in Orlando is opening new swimming pools to take care of Florida manatees which are dying from hunger because of poor water high quality in their regular habitat. The lovable, round-tailed marine mammals had their worst die-off final 12 months, greater than 1,100 of them, and there are federal and state efforts ongoing to avoid wasting the threatened creatures. One of these efforts is to have a spot like SeaWorld, with the marine belongings it has, present rehabilitation to these that may be rescued. SeaWorld introduced Friday that it had added 5 40-foot (12-meter) swimming pools to accommodate as much as 20 manatees inside two weeks. The theme park is one of 5 services in the U.S. taking care of sick and injured manatees. It had 28 manatees in its care as of Friday.
“It’s official: UFC 273 is coming April 9 to Jacksonville’s VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena” by way of Clayton Freeman of The Florida Times-Union — It’s official: For the third time, UFC is packing a punch on the First Coast. Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry confirmed the worldwide combined martial arts collection is formally returning to VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena on April 9 for UFC 273. UFC formally introduced the fights throughout Saturday night time’s Fight Night broadcast between Jack Hermansson and Sean Strickland. The featured bout on the cardboard pits Australia’s Alexander Volkanovski in opposition to Chan Sung Jung, identified in UFC because the Korean Zombie, for Volkanovski’s featherweight title belt. Also scheduled to combat for the bantamweight title are Aljamain Sterling and Petr Yan, designated because the co-main occasion.
What Michelle Schorsch is studying — “The long, slow death of the hotel minibar” by way of Hannah Sampson of The Washington Post — The Atlantic piece reported {that a} German firm invented the minibar in the early Sixties. The first one to develop into well-known was on the Madison Hotel in D.C. Hilton claims to have “popularized” the in-room idea in 1974 in Hong Kong. The heyday that adopted for minibars is essentially over. Large lodge chains have been cutting down their use for a number of years. The Wall Street Journal reported in 2011 that Hyatt Hotels & Resorts was eradicating stocked minibars from some conference motels, and Hilton and Omni have been making comparable strikes. Popular new manufacturers emphasize a communal environment, with wine hour in the foyer or a market close to the entrance desk.
— HAPPY BIRTHDAY —
Celebrating at the moment are two North Florida politicos: state Rep. Brad Drake and Dr. Rachel Pienta. Happy birthday to our buddy Josh Burgin. Belated blissful birthday needs to INFLUENCE 100’er Fred Karlinsky, former Rep. Clay Ingram, high fundraiser Christina Diamond, and Rep. Clay Yarborough.
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Sunburn is authored and assembled by Peter Schorsch, Phil Ammann, Daniel Dean, Renzo Downey, Jacob Ogles, and Drew Wilson.
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