Whats up and welcome to Tuesday.
Tick, tick, growth — Within the subsequent 48 hours, Florida’s Republican-controlled Legislature will possible take up a brand new congressional map for the state proposed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, muscle it by way of over the loud opposition of Democrats, and return house.
Right here’s your hat, what’s your hurry? — The session schedule has lawmakers coming in at midday at present and doubtlessly working till Friday. However do not count on them to hold round that lengthy. As an alternative it is going to be a drive-by second of legislating the place the Senate shall be able to take up DeSantis’ map by late afternoon after which place it in a posture to have each chambers go it someday on Wednesday and legislators will then head to the exits. (Price noting: Legislators operating in nonfederal races can’t settle for marketing campaign donations so long as they’re in session.)
Sharp criticism — Black Democrats on Monday decried the proposed map — which fully dismantles the seat held by Rep. Al Lawson, a Black Democrat, and modifications the demographic make-up of the one now held by Rep. Val Demings — with state Sen. Shevrin Jones calling it a “racist tactic.” Protesters are scheduled to carry a rally on the Capitol steps this morning the place they may blast the governor, who contends that current court docket selections justify his proposal to attract up what he calls “race impartial” boundaries.
You will have one minute to remark — The timeline laid out implies that there shall be restricted time for the general public to weigh in on the maps. And it most likely implies that the governor’s employees received’t must spend an excessive amount of time explaining unanswered questions on who helped them draw it up and whether or not it was performed for partisan achieve. Florida’s structure says legislators can’t draw maps designed to favor one get together, but the DeSantis map would create a situation the place Republicans choose up 4 seats this fall.
Lawyer up — As soon as the entire finger-pointing and arguing is over there’ll possible be a race to the courthouse door. However looming deadlines for this yr’s election implies that the map handed within the subsequent two days will most likely be the one that’s locked in place for 2022. Supposedly, legislative leaders wished to keep away from the knockdown authorized battles of the final decade that resulted in earlier GOP legislators acknowledging they violated the structure. However that’s all gone now.
How we bought right here — The explanation Florida legislators are at this second is as a result of DeSantis vetoed the final map that was despatched to him. So this time round GOP leaders corresponding to Home Speaker Chris Sprowls and Senate President Wilton Simpson threw within the towel and determined to defer to the governor. Certain, there could also be a second of discomfort or two for Republicans over the following two days as they attempt to clarify how this newest map is abruptly authorized when just a few weeks in the past it was a “novel authorized concept.” Republicans will most likely additionally simply shrug as Democrats name them “sheep” or that they’ve abdicated all energy to DeSantis.
Flashback — Simply keep in mind this January quote from a present Republican legislator who was granted anonymity: “They aren’t going to embarrass Ron DeSantis. Ron DeSantis is actually the speaker of the Home, the president of the Senate and the chief justice of the Supreme Courtroom proper now.”
— WHERE’S RON? — Gov. DeSantis will maintain a press convention in The Villages with Schooling Commissioner Richard Corcoran, Senate President Wilton Simpson and Home Speaker Chris Sprowls.
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‘WE WILL SEE HIM’ — “Black lawmakers name DeSantis for ‘racist’ actions in redrawn congressional map,” by Miami Herald’s C. Isaiah Smalls II: “State Sen. Shevrin Jones stated that the framing of Florida’s final legislative session as “tradition wars” masked what was actually taking place. ‘We’re utilizing tradition wars as a pleasant method to name out what’s really taking place,’ Jones stated. ‘Let’s be clear and name it what it’s: It’s racist.’ In an e-mail response, DeSantis spokesperson Christina Pushaw wrote that they ‘received’t be responding to unsubstantiated allegations from partisan critics.’”
— “Two various maps for Florida congressional districts submitted to federal court docket,” by Florida Politics’ Jacob Ogles
THE NEW MATH — “DeSantis defends math textbook rejection as Dems search proof of important race concept classess,” by POLITICO’s Andrew Atterbury: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday defended the state’s choice to disqualify dozens of proposed math textbooks for broaching important race concept and different “impermissible” matters whereas heading off calls for from Democrats to launch examples of allegedly “indoctrinating” data. “We wish children to study to suppose in order that they get the proper reply,” DeSantis informed reporters Monday at an occasion in Jacksonville.
X+Y = ? — The Florida Schooling Affiliation, the state’s largest academics union, joined Democrats in calling for extra transparency over the textbook selections. “The state has an obligation to make sure that each little one is getting the maths instruction they want with the best high quality supplies,” FEA president Andrew Spar stated in an announcement. DeSantis stated he can be open to the state making public examples of the textbooks, however maintained that the content material is taken into account “proprietary data” as publishers weigh potential appeals to the rejections. “I would really like it to be launched, however I additionally respect the method,” DeSantis informed reporters Monday.
MEANWHILE — “College districts ‘bowled over’ over state’s banning of math books,” by Orlando Sentinel’s Leslie Postal: “Each Central Florida faculty district lately chosen new elementary faculty math textbooks, then discovered Friday their selections had been rejected by the state, which accused publishers of attempting to “indoctrinate” college students by mixing “important race concept” and different objectionable content material into math classes. The announcement from the Florida Division of Schooling shocked educators who chosen textbooks from a state record and labored for months to overview the assorted publishers’ choices to select ones they thought finest met Florida’s new math requirements.”
— “South Florida faculties face chaos as state bans math books with ‘prohibited matters,’” by Solar Sentinel’s Scott Travis, Brooke Baitinger and Leslie Postal
REAP THE WILD WIND — “DeSantis requires Might property insurance coverage particular session,” by POLITICO’s Gary Fineout: “Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis abruptly introduced on Monday that he’ll name state legislators again to Tallahassee in Might for a particular session to cope with the state’s ongoing property insurance coverage disaster. DeSantis’ transfer comes as householders’ insurance coverage charges are spiking within the state as some suppliers are teetering amid a number of issues, together with ongoing lawsuits and troubles acquiring reasonably priced backup insurance coverage. Lawmakers did not give you a legislative answer through the common session as a result of Republicans have been at odds over what steps to take — and whether or not to require customers to bear extra prices as a part of the answer.”
SUSPENDED — “TSA received’t implement masks mandate for journey, following Florida ruling,” by POLITICO’s Alex Daugherty and Erin Banco: The administration stated Monday night that it’ll cease implementing the federal masks mandate for journey — for now — after a federal choose in Florida earlier within the day struck down the CDC’s masks requirement for planes and trains, ruling that the company overstepped its statutory authority. An administration official stated the federal authorities remains to be figuring out the way it will reply to the ruling, however that the CDC masking order, which is enforced by the TSA, “will not be in impact presently.”
Response — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis praised the ruling minutes after it was introduced. The state of Florida has sued the federal authorities over numerous Covid-related restrictions all through the pandemic, however Monday’s ruling was based mostly on a lawsuit by the Well being Freedom Protection Fund, a nonprofit that has introduced authorized challenges to Covid restrictions throughout the nation, and two ladies in Florida who stated the masks mandate led to nervousness and medical points. “Nice to see a federal choose in Florida comply with the regulation and reject the Biden transportation masks mandate,” DeSantis tweeted. “Each airline workers and passengers need to have this distress finish.”
MAKING THE GRADE — A lot is driving on the 2022 midterm elections: the destiny of President Joe Biden’s agenda, management in state capitals throughout the nation and a possible 2024 comeback by former President Donald Trump.
Within the Home, Democrats’ five-seat majority is very endangered. Within the Senate, Democratic management of the 50-50 chamber hinges on Vice President Kamala Harris’ tie-breaking vote.
Use our Election Forecast to see which races you want to watch this yr — and who we predict will win every one.
For Florida, the forecast has each the governor’s race and Senate race as “possible Republican.” There are not any forecasts for Home races as a result of there’s nonetheless not a last congressional map. POLITICO’s Steve Shepard lays out why he thinks Gov. Ron DeSantis and Sen. Marco Rubio will win this fall.
CAMPAIGN ROUNDUP — Maxwell Alejandro Frost, a Democratic candidate for Florida’s tenth Congressional District, has picked up a number of endorsements for his marketing campaign together with from California Rep. Ro Khanna, State Sen. Victor Torres, the Black Lives Matter PAC, Florida Younger Dems, Orange County Younger Dems and the Florida Immigration Coalition. … People for Prosperity Motion Florida introduced it was endorsing a listing of 13 Republican legislative candidates together with Rep. Paul Renner, the following Home speaker.
WHAT’S IN YOUR WALLET? — POLITICO Affect delved into what lobbyists are giving cash to Republicans within the operating for the extremely coveted spot as Methods and Imply chair, ought to the GOP regain management of the Home. POLITICO’s Caitlin Oprysko stories that Florida Rep. Vern Buchanan, who has seniority over the Smiths on the panel and is seen because the frontrunner, pulled in $1.1 million within the first three months of the yr, filings present, in comparison with $439,000 throughout the identical interval in 2020. The haul included contributions from greater than three dozen registered lobbyists seeking to get — or keep — in Buchanan’s good graces. A number of lobbyists contributed the utmost quantity of $2,900 however Buchanan additionally acquired money from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s political motion committee.
SCREEN TIME — Courageous New Movies is partnering with a number of voting teams, together with Equal Floor, Florida Rising, All Voting is Native, the League of Ladies Voters of Florida, For Our Future FL, Hispanic Federation, Black Voters Matter and Poder Latinx to display screen a brand new documentary known as “Suppressed and Sabotaged 2022” on Wednesday evening. It is centered on what the filmmaker calls “voter suppression” efforts in Florida and different states. After the movie there shall be a panel dialogue that includes those that sued to problem Florida’s election final handed final yr. The movie shall be launched to the general public in June. Right here’s a clip from the movie about Florida. These within the screening can register right here.
— “Financial institution information make clear dark-money group in ‘ghost’ candidate scandal,” by Orlando Sentinel’s Jeff Weiner and Annie Martin
— “Republican Shawn Harrison recordsdata to run in opposition to incumbent Janet Cruz for SD 14,” by Florida Politics’ Kelly Hayes
SOCIAL DISTANCE — “Extra Dem Senate hopefuls cut up with Biden on border,” by POLITICO’s Burgess Everett and Holly Otterbein: 5 extra Democratic Senate candidates informed POLITICO they disagree with the way in which the Biden administration is phasing out Title 42, the most recent signal that Biden’s coverage place is an enormous loser amongst purple-state Democrats going through powerful elections. And an growing variety of Democrats say the entire thing must be paused.
Among the many group — Rep. Val Demings of Florida, who’s difficult Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), appeared to defend the Biden administration’s transfer earlier this month, however her marketing campaign stated on Monday that till there’s “a plan to place extra boots on the bottom and help our regulation enforcement officers on the border, Chief Demings doesn’t help lifting Title 42.”
SCHOOL DAZE — “GOP governors demand modifications to Biden administration constitution faculty plan,” by POLITICO’s Juan Perez Jr.: Conservative state governors on Monday opened a brand new line of assault in opposition to an Schooling Division proposal to additional regulate how constitution faculties apply for and spend a whole lot of hundreds of thousands of {dollars} in federal grants. Eighteen Republicans — together with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp — demanded that Schooling Secretary Miguel Cardona’s administration scrap deliberate necessities for the federal Constitution College Applications which have whipped up fury from an array of constitution supporters, and delay any proposed modifications till the following fiscal yr.
NEW CHARGES — “Feds say Jan. 6 defendant held previous secret army paperwork,” by Tampa Bay Instances’ Dan Sullivan: “A retired U.S. Army Special Forces soldier who’s amongst these accused within the Jan. 6, 2021, riots on the U.S. Capitol faces new expenses that he held onto secret nationwide protection paperwork from his time within the service. A federal grand jury in Tampa final week returned an indictment alleging that Jeremy Brown had unauthorized possession of the paperwork, which relate to army actions that occurred in 2004 and 2005. The brand new expenses accompany earlier allegations that Brown illegally possessed two weapons and a set of hand grenades, which federal brokers discovered once they executed a search warrant final yr at his Tampa house.”
UP, UP AND AWAY — “Astronaut slated to turn out to be first Black lady to remain long-term on house station,” by Orlando Sentinel’s Richard Tribou: “A few house rookies are becoming a member of a few veterans on a visit to the Worldwide Area Station this week, however one among them will open a brand new door of variety as the primary Black lady assigned for long-term obligation on board. Jessica Watkins, 33, is heading the ISS for her first journey to house as a part of the Crew-4 mission set to launch on a brand new SpaceX Crew Dragon named Freedom. Liftoff from Kennedy Area Heart’s Launch Pad 39-A is about for Saturday at 5:26 a.m.”
— “Sensors have been adjusted on journey the place teen fell to demise,” by Related Press’ Mike Schneider
— “Begin of Parkland killer’s penalty part trial moved to June, choose guidelines,” by Solar Sentinel’s Angie DiMichele and Rafael Olmeda
— “Florida man skipped lavatory breaks to realize ‘Spider-Man: No Means House’ viewing document,” by NBC News’ Kalhan Rosenblatt: “A Florida man set a Guinness World File for many cinema productions attended of the identical movie after seeing the most recent ‘Spider-Man’ installment in theaters a whopping 292 occasions — sans lavatory breaks. Ramiro Alanis sat by way of ‘Spider-Man: No Means House’ roughly 5 occasions per day between the movie’s launch in December till March. With the intention to obtain the document, Alanis watched the movie with out interruptions — which means whereas the film was enjoying, he couldn’t do issues like use his telephone, take a nap or use the restroom.”
— “Police: Man cuts arm, makes use of personal blood to deface Holocaust memorial,” by WPLG’s Rosh Lowe and Michelle Solomon: “It’s a place the place folks come to pay their respects to the six million Jews who have been murdered within the Holocaust. However, based on an arrest report, 44-year-old Christopher Inexperienced, defaced a Holocaust memorial in Miami Seaside. In keeping with police, a number of folks witnessed Inexperienced on the memorial as he started to dig into his left forearm to make his arm bleed. ‘The defendant then used his blood to smear it in opposition to the Holocaust museum wall. The defendant wrote quite a few letters of the alphabet in his blood. The letters he wrote didn’t spell something readable,’ based on an arrest kind.”
BIRTHDAYS: State Rep. Colleen Burton … state Rep. Twine Byrd … Towson Fraser of Fraser Options
