Good morning and welcome to Wednesday.St. Augustine residents want Florida’s first-ever statewide museum of Black history to be built in their backyard.Droves of supporters talked up the city’s historical significance during a Tuesday hearing: It’s the site of Fort Mose, the first free Black settlement in the U.S., and the first place where a Black baby was born free. They shared pamphlets about St. Johns County featuring a list of community letters supporting the location, along with an image of what one of the buildings might look like. They promised to do everything they could to help the museum succeed.“It is more than just land,” said HORACE HORD, chairman of the Florida Memorial University Foundation Inc. “It is sacred ground for telling the full, rich and often overlooked history of Black Floridians.”The pleas came as some lawmakers are pushing to have the museum built in Eatonville or Opa-locka instead. The bill that received a hearing and enthusiastic support from lawmakers Tuesday came from state Sen. TOM LEEK (R-Ormond Beach), who did so at the recommendation of a task force lawmakers created in 2021. The bill would create a governing board to kick off planning for the museum to be built in West Augustine, on what was once the site of Florida Memorial University.All but one person who testified supported Leek’s bill.MICHAEL DOBSON, a business developer and consultant from Central Florida, called himself the “oddball” as he reached the lectern because he supported the Eatonville location. “We are having a pretty interesting food fight here,” he added.He recommended the Legislature request a study to see which location would help the museum succeed in the long run, noting Eatonville’s proximity to Orlando, a top tourist destination globally. St. Augustine Commissioner CYNTHIA GARRIS took the lectern next, countering with: “We don’t get Disney visitors because people want knowledge. They want to know the history.”Dobson told Playbook after the hearing that “you really can’t compare” the foot traffic between St. Augustine and Orange County. He called St. Johns “not the best location for a variety of reasons, particularly if we’re thinking about making a wise investment with state tax dollars.”State Rep.BRUCE ANTONE (D-Orlando), who introduced the Eatonville bill, told Playbook after the hearing that he was “disappointed” and that he had “a lot of work to do” to get support for his proposal. He said he wished senators had asked about museum exhibits, size and how many people might visit, though he said he’d support the idea of building several museums, which was raised in the hearing.The location question could take on renewed significance following the death of the late Sen. GERALDINE THOMPSON (D-Orlando), a state civil rights leader who’d wanted the museum in Eatonville.State Sen.SHEVRIN JONES (D-Miami Gardens), who missed a portion of the hearing because one of his bills was up in another room, said he mainly wants people to be “excited this is a discussion and even happening.” But he also agrees with studying each location to make sure the museum will be financially sustainable, so lawmakers don’t “find ourselves trying to do everything possible to maintain and keep the site” years later. He said Thompson, too, often used to stress making sure “we are doing things the right way.”State Sen.BARBARA SHARIEF (D-Miramar) told Playbook after the hearing she knew about Thompson’s wish to have the museum in Eatonville but she voted a “resounding yes,” saying the state could have multiple Black history museums and it was unnecessary to prolong the disagreement when they could start breaking ground.“We have to at some point start to realize that when we have opportunities like this, we really need to seize those,” she said, “and I just think this is one of those moments.”Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget that Playbook should look at? Get in touch at:.
DOGE-ING DESANTIS — “Gov. Ron DeSantis has constantly praised Elon Musk and his efforts to find waste in federal government spending. He’s repeated how Florida was ‘DOGE before DOGE was cool’ — a reference to the Department of Government Efficiency led by the billionaire,” reports POLITICO’s Gary Fineout.“But key Florida House Republicans are now calling out the DeSantis administration on spending and hiring decisions, including letting agency secretaries work remotely even though their main headquarters are in Tallahassee. They criticized one agency because it can’t tell legislators how many cars the state owns. And a House panel discovered one agency spent tens of thousands of dollars on travel expenses for four state employees who aren’t living in Florida.”STRICTER CELLPHONE BAN — “Students across Florida could be required to put their cellphones away for essentially the entire school day — not just during instruction time — under a new bill introduced Tuesday,” reports POLITICO’s Andrew Atterbury.“The legislation, FL HB949 (25R), would build on Florida’s 2023 law that was the first in the nation to curb student cellphone use by outlawing the devices while teachers are leading lessons, unless used for educational purposes. This measure would take that further by calling on school districts to ban cellphones from bell-to-bell, outside of specific designated areas on campus.”PREEMPTING LOCAL GOVERNMENTS — “A state House bill that would prohibit local governments from banning plastic and foam containers cleared its first step toward passage Tuesday. But state Rep. Omar Blanco says he doesn’t know whether his legislation has a better chance of passing this year than it did before — or whether it will pass at all,” reports POLITICO’s Bruce Ritchie.EXPANDING FERTILITY COVERAGE — “Florida lawmakers are acting to expand state worker healthcare benefits to allow men and women undergoing chemotherapy — treatment that could make them sterile — to store their sperm and eggs for up to three years,” reports Jeffrey Schweers of the Orlando Sentinel. “Similar bills were approved with unanimous, bipartisan support in both House and Senate committees Tuesday.”
GRANNY FLATS BILL MOVING THROUGH — “A Senate committee Tuesday approved a bill (SB 184) that would require cities and counties to allow adding what are technically known as accessory dwelling units — but are often known as granny flats — in single-family residential areas,” reports Jim Saunders of News Service of Florida. “Granny flats are independent living spaces added to homes or properties. Current law says local governments can allow granny flats, but the new legislation would require them to do so.”ALSO MOVING THROUGH COMMITTEES — A repeal of bans on school early start times cleared its second state Senate committee, reports Danielle Prieur of Central Florida Public Media. … A state House condo bill that would prohibit Citizens Property Insurance Corp. from covering buildings with incomplete state-mandated building safety inspections cleared its first committee, reports Jackie Llanos of the Florida Phoenix. … Three different panels advanced bills that would have school materials and state laws change the name “Gulf of Mexico” to “Gulf of America,” reports Jim Turner of News Service of Florida.LEGISLATION ROUNDUP — Rep. JASON SHOAF (R-Port St. Joe) filed a bill to ban drilling and exploration within 10 miles of a National Estuarine Research Reserve, reports James Call of the Tallahassee Democrat. … State Sen. TOM LEEK (R-Ormond Beach) filed a bill that would create a public animal abuser registry animal shelters and rescue organizations could access to vet applications, reports USA TODAY NETWORK — Florida’s C. A. Bridges. … State Rep. ANNA ESKAMANI (D-Orlando) introduced a joint resolution that would, among other provisions, “bar commissioners who have made large political donations” from being appointed to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, reports Max Chesnes of the Tampa Bay Times.RESTRICTING ACCESS — “The DeSantis administration is correcting oversight and equipment ‘growing pains’ that allowed incarcerated juvenile offenders to watch movies and pornography on state-issued laptops as part of a new education program, according to the system’s top administrator,” reports Jay Waagmeester of the Florida Phoenix.MEDICAID UNWINDING AFTERMATH — “Kids across Florida with complex medical needs began having coverage issues once states were able to review and terminate Medicaid coverage thanks to the end of the ‘continuous enrollment provision,’” reports Joe Mario Pedersen of Central Florida Public Media. This is the first of a four-part series from Central Florida Public Media exploring “how children with complex medical needs are faring after losing Medicaid coverage and being pushed onto state-run health insurance not designed for their needs” in Florida.— “Florida troopers struggle with overtime, recruitment amid added immigration duties,”by Jackie Llanos of the Florida Phoenix.
PROPERTY INSURANCE PREMIUMS RISE — “Despite DeSantis recently touting lower insurance rates, Citizens Property Insurance Corp. customers in Tampa Bay will see average premium increases of over 12 percent this year,” reports Ashley Borja of the Tampa Bay Times.LEADERSHIP CHANGEOVER — The University of South Florida is extending the contract of outgoing president RHEA LAW until another president is selected, or for a maximum of one year, reports Divya Kumar of the Tampa Bay Times.— “Alex Andrade’s contentious tenure as Milton City attorney ends,”by Pensacola News Journal’s Tom McLaughlin.
ANOTHER TRUMP BACKING —DONALD TRUMP JR. has followed his father’s endorsement of Rep. BYRON DONALDS (R-Fla.) for governor of Florida, reports Axios’ Marc Caputo.ANOTHER EARLY ENDORSEMENT — The conservative Club for Growth PAC has endorsed Donalds for governor, reports Paul Steinhauser of Fox News. The endorsement comes before first lady CASEY DESANTIS has made a decision about whether she’ll run. The organization backed Ron DeSantis in his first congressional run in 2012 and his brief run for Senate in 2016, as well as in his gubernatorial reelection. Club for Growth had a chilly relationship with Trump during the 2024 primary, with the once and future president referring to it as the “Club for NO Growth.” But the relationship has since improved.Said Club for Growth PAC President DAVID MCINTOSH: “Rep. Byron Donalds is a proven constitutional conservative who has consistently demonstrated his commitment to pro-growth economic policies, school freedom, and limited government principles.”Donalds’ response to The Floridian: “They know my voting record. They know my stances. They know I am a committed conservative who is going to uphold the values that made Florida the best state in the country and take it to new heights.”DONALDS’ OPEN SEAT — Former Illinois state Senator and U.S. House candidate JIM OBERWEIS is the first Republican to file for Donalds’ seat in Congress, reports Florida Politics’ Jacob Ogles.ELECTION RESULTS — Several local races took place across Florida on Tuesday. Three of the four candidates the Florida Democratic Party backed in their “Take Back Local” initiative won. Jesse Scheckner of Florida Politics has a roundup of election results throughout the state.
FLORIDA DATA ON THE MOON — Lonestar Data Holdings, a St. Petersburg company, launched and settled an “unmanned lunar lander named Athena, carrying the company’s 8-terabyte data center,” on the moon, reports Shauna Muckle of the Tampa Bay Times.BIRTHDAYS: Former U.S. Rep. Val Demings … author Carl Hiaasen ... Beth Labasky of Team 180 Consulting ... journalist and columnist Steve Bousquet … former state Senator and Supervisor of Elections of Lake County of Florida Alan Hays.
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DOGE-ING DESANTIS — “Gov. Ron DeSantis has constantly praised Elon Musk and his efforts to find waste in federal government spending. He’s repeated how Florida was ‘DOGE before DOGE was cool’ — a reference to the Department of Government Efficiency led by the billionaire,” reports POLITICO’s Gary Fineout.“But key Florida House Republicans are now calling out the DeSantis administration on spending and hiring decisions, including letting agency secretaries work remotely even though their main headquarters are in Tallahassee. They criticized one agency because it can’t tell legislators how many cars the state owns. And a House panel discovered one agency spent tens of thousands of dollars on travel expenses for four state employees who aren’t living in Florida.”STRICTER CELLPHONE BAN — “Students across Florida could be required to put their cellphones away for essentially the entire school day — not just during instruction time — under a new bill introduced Tuesday,” reports POLITICO’s Andrew Atterbury.“The legislation, FL HB949 (25R), would build on Florida’s 2023 law that was the first in the nation to curb student cellphone use by outlawing the devices while teachers are leading lessons, unless used for educational purposes. This measure would take that further by calling on school districts to ban cellphones from bell-to-bell, outside of specific designated areas on campus.”PREEMPTING LOCAL GOVERNMENTS — “A state House bill that would prohibit local governments from banning plastic and foam containers cleared its first step toward passage Tuesday. But state Rep. Omar Blanco says he doesn’t know whether his legislation has a better chance of passing this year than it did before — or whether it will pass at all,” reports POLITICO’s Bruce Ritchie.EXPANDING FERTILITY COVERAGE — “Florida lawmakers are acting to expand state worker healthcare benefits to allow men and women undergoing chemotherapy — treatment that could make them sterile — to store their sperm and eggs for up to three years,” reports Jeffrey Schweers of the Orlando Sentinel. “Similar bills were approved with unanimous, bipartisan support in both House and Senate committees Tuesday.”
GRANNY FLATS BILL MOVING THROUGH — “A Senate committee Tuesday approved a bill (SB 184) that would require cities and counties to allow adding what are technically known as accessory dwelling units — but are often known as granny flats — in single-family residential areas,” reports Jim Saunders of News Service of Florida. “Granny flats are independent living spaces added to homes or properties. Current law says local governments can allow granny flats, but the new legislation would require them to do so.”ALSO MOVING THROUGH COMMITTEES — A repeal of bans on school early start times cleared its second state Senate committee, reports Danielle Prieur of Central Florida Public Media. … A state House condo bill that would prohibit Citizens Property Insurance Corp. from covering buildings with incomplete state-mandated building safety inspections cleared its first committee, reports Jackie Llanos of the Florida Phoenix. … Three different panels advanced bills that would have school materials and state laws change the name “Gulf of Mexico” to “Gulf of America,” reports Jim Turner of News Service of Florida.LEGISLATION ROUNDUP — Rep. JASON SHOAF (R-Port St. Joe) filed a bill to ban drilling and exploration within 10 miles of a National Estuarine Research Reserve, reports James Call of the Tallahassee Democrat. … State Sen. TOM LEEK (R-Ormond Beach) filed a bill that would create a public animal abuser registry animal shelters and rescue organizations could access to vet applications, reports USA TODAY NETWORK — Florida’s C. A. Bridges. … State Rep. ANNA ESKAMANI (D-Orlando) introduced a joint resolution that would, among other provisions, “bar commissioners who have made large political donations” from being appointed to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, reports Max Chesnes of the Tampa Bay Times.RESTRICTING ACCESS — “The DeSantis administration is correcting oversight and equipment ‘growing pains’ that allowed incarcerated juvenile offenders to watch movies and pornography on state-issued laptops as part of a new education program, according to the system’s top administrator,” reports Jay Waagmeester of the Florida Phoenix.MEDICAID UNWINDING AFTERMATH — “Kids across Florida with complex medical needs began having coverage issues once states were able to review and terminate Medicaid coverage thanks to the end of the ‘continuous enrollment provision,’” reports Joe Mario Pedersen of Central Florida Public Media. This is the first of a four-part series from Central Florida Public Media exploring “how children with complex medical needs are faring after losing Medicaid coverage and being pushed onto state-run health insurance not designed for their needs” in Florida.— “Florida troopers struggle with overtime, recruitment amid added immigration duties,”by Jackie Llanos of the Florida Phoenix.
PROPERTY INSURANCE PREMIUMS RISE — “Despite DeSantis recently touting lower insurance rates, Citizens Property Insurance Corp. customers in Tampa Bay will see average premium increases of over 12 percent this year,” reports Ashley Borja of the Tampa Bay Times.LEADERSHIP CHANGEOVER — The University of South Florida is extending the contract of outgoing president RHEA LAW until another president is selected, or for a maximum of one year, reports Divya Kumar of the Tampa Bay Times.— “Alex Andrade’s contentious tenure as Milton City attorney ends,”by Pensacola News Journal’s Tom McLaughlin.
ANOTHER TRUMP BACKING —DONALD TRUMP JR. has followed his father’s endorsement of Rep. BYRON DONALDS (R-Fla.) for governor of Florida, reports Axios’ Marc Caputo.ANOTHER EARLY ENDORSEMENT — The conservative Club for Growth PAC has endorsed Donalds for governor, reports Paul Steinhauser of Fox News. The endorsement comes before first lady CASEY DESANTIS has made a decision about whether she’ll run. The organization backed Ron DeSantis in his first congressional run in 2012 and his brief run for Senate in 2016, as well as in his gubernatorial reelection. Club for Growth had a chilly relationship with Trump during the 2024 primary, with the once and future president referring to it as the “Club for NO Growth.” But the relationship has since improved.Said Club for Growth PAC President DAVID MCINTOSH: “Rep. Byron Donalds is a proven constitutional conservative who has consistently demonstrated his commitment to pro-growth economic policies, school freedom, and limited government principles.”Donalds’ response to The Floridian: “They know my voting record. They know my stances. They know I am a committed conservative who is going to uphold the values that made Florida the best state in the country and take it to new heights.”DONALDS’ OPEN SEAT — Former Illinois state Senator and U.S. House candidate JIM OBERWEIS is the first Republican to file for Donalds’ seat in Congress, reports Florida Politics’ Jacob Ogles.ELECTION RESULTS — Several local races took place across Florida on Tuesday. Three of the four candidates the Florida Democratic Party backed in their “Take Back Local” initiative won. Jesse Scheckner of Florida Politics has a roundup of election results throughout the state.
FLORIDA DATA ON THE MOON — Lonestar Data Holdings, a St. Petersburg company, launched and settled an “unmanned lunar lander named Athena, carrying the company’s 8-terabyte data center,” on the moon, reports Shauna Muckle of the Tampa Bay Times.BIRTHDAYS: Former U.S. Rep. Val Demings … author Carl Hiaasen ... Beth Labasky of Team 180 Consulting ... journalist and columnist Steve Bousquet … former state Senator and Supervisor of Elections of Lake County of Florida Alan Hays.
