Good morning and welcome to Wednesday.GOP state Sen. BLAISE INGOGLIA’s name has been batted around for months as the person Gov. RON DESANTIS is expected to pick to be Florida’s next chief financial officer.And it appears he’s still the most likely person to land the job, according to five people close to the decision who were granted anonymity to discuss private conversations. Four of the sources said the timing of the announcement was pending because the governor wanted to do it after the Legislature’s session, which has stalled amid a protracted battle over the budget. Ingoglia remains an important ally to help DeSantis in the Senate.Ingoglia’s elevation to the role would mean the selection of a staunch DeSantis political and ideological supporter rather than President DONALD TRUMP’s first choice. Trump endorsed GOP state Sen. JOE GRUTERS of Sarasota for CFO a year ago for the 2026 election, but the role became available early after its previous occupant, JIMMY PATRONIS, won a seat in Congress. DeSantis and Gruters have clashed for years, but the governor has worked to engender closeness with the president while CASEY DESANTIS considers a run for Florida governor.Selecting Ingoglia for the job would mean he’d be able to run against Gruters in 2026 as the incumbent. Ingoglia told Playbook he hadn’t been offered the job but that, “If the governor asks me to continue my service to the state of Florida in that position, I would.” Ingoglia acknowledged he’d had conversations with several people to try to “understand the office, the challenges, the opportunities” and had spoken with potential staff “in the event that I am picked.”DeSantis spokesperson BRYAN GRIFFIN pushed back on the idea that there’d been any new developments on the CFO job and said the office had “no updates on the decision at this time.” DeSantis said several weeks ago that he intended to pick a new CFO by mid-May — a timeline offered before the budget stalemate.DeSantis madepowerful appointments in recent months, including for US Senate and state attorney general, because Trump brought so many Floridians to his administration. In both cases, DeSantis appointed close allies — ASHLEY MOODY and former chief of staff JAMES UTHMEIER, respectively.The governor also has shown interest in his successor, refusing to back Trump-endorsed Rep. BYRON DONALDS. Gruters political consultant MAX GOODMAN slammed the potential decision of Ingoglia, calling it “not surprising that the governor might select a person who just self-declared he embarked on ‘months of butt kissing’ to maybe get the appointment,” referring to a joke Ingoglia made during a recent event. “The fact remains Ingoglia is a never-Trumper and Floridians will support the Trump endorsed slate of Sen. Joe Gruters for CFO and Rep. Byron Donalds for governor,” he added.The state’s CFO has a wide array of duties, ranging from overseeing the state treasury to acting as the state fire marshal. But one of the most high-profile roles surrounds insurance. The governor and all three Cabinet members oversee the Office of Insurance Regulation, but the insurance commissioner can only be hired or fired with the approval of both the governor and CFO.Ingoglia, 54, is a transplant from New York, homebuilder and well-regarded poker player who has competed professionally and won tens of thousands of dollars. He took DeSantis’ side during the debate on illegal immigration this year as most lawmakers turned against the governor.Ingoglia scored a major victory in 2015 when he was picked chair of the Republican Party of Florida after defeating the candidate backed by-then Gov. RICK SCOTT. During the 2016 Florida presidential primary, then-candidate Trump accused GOP officials — including Ingoglia — of trying to “rig” the election forMARCO RUBIO.After serving in the Florida House for eight years, Ingoglia jumped to the state Senate with the strong support of DeSantis. The governor endorsed Ingoglia in early 2022 even though there was another candidate planning to run who appeared to have the backing of Senate GOP leadership. But after the governor’s backing, the field was largely cleared, paving the way to his win.Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget that Playbook should look at? Get in touch at:.
FOLLOW THE MONEY — Tuesday came and went without any sign of a top-level deal on the state budget, and how long it will take for Florida legislative leaders to reach a resolution remains murky. The annual session is scheduled to end May 2, and all bills will die unless there is an agreement to extend and keep some of them alive. The other key date: A new state budget needs to be passed and signed into law by July 1.A somewhat exasperated Sen. ED HOOPER, the Senate budget chief, told senators at the close of their daily session that “May and June is a lovely time to be in Tallahassee, and we all look forward to being here.” When pushed afterwards, Hooper confessed “that’s a lie” and that it gets “hot” in the state Capitol during the summertime.Hooper said the main obstacle is that House Speaker DANIEL PEREZ remains insistent about getting some form of permanent reduction in the state’s sales tax rate. He said the House at one point had trimmed back their offer to a .25 percent reduction but then upped the amount they were asking for. Hooper said Senate President BEN ALBRITTON remains concerned about making any deep permanent cuts that could leave future Senate President JIM BOYD dealing with a shortfall.For his part, State Rep. LAWRENCE MCCLURE, the House budget chief, told House members they were “chipping away” but also said “it’s obvious that by Friday we are not going to have a budget.”SUNSHINE LAW EXEMPTION — The Florida Legislature on Tuesday voted overwhelmingly to let a vast array of elected officials across the state — ranging from members of Congress to the governor and legislators to local school superintendents and school board members — keep their home addresses secret. The House voted for the bill 113-2 and sent it to DeSantis. The Senate voted 34-2 for the measure earlier this month.If the governor signs the bill, it would be harder for the public to know where elected officials live and whether they reside in their actual districts — an issue that has repeatedly come up at both the state and local level over the past few decades.An elected official would have to request to keep their address secret (although their city and zip code would still be public). Rep. SUSAN VALDÉS, a Tampa Republican and the bill sponsor, and other legislators defended the bill by saying they had gotten threats from people who had found their addresses in public documents. Valdés, for example, said she had received threats after she switched parties late last year.PROPERTY TAX ELIMINATION? NOT YET — Perez is “creating a select committee that would be responsible for drawing up substantial [property tax] proposals that could be voted on next January, when the Legislature is scheduled to start its 2026 session,” reports POLITICO’s Gary Fineout. "... The Miami Republican highlighted key elements of what he wants that committee to consider including a significant bump in the homestead exemption used by Florida residents and tweaking the cap contained in ‘Save our Homes’ — a constitutional limit on how much the value of homes can be changed each year by local property appraisers.”FLUORIDE AND FARM BILL PASSES — “The state House on Tuesday signed off on a wide-ranging agriculture bill despite opposition from Democrats, who warned language that would ban fluoride in public drinking water and restrict labeling for plant-based products served political purposes more than the public good,” reports POLITICO’s Arek Sarkissian and Isa Domínguez. The bill “would prohibit drones from flying over agricultural land without consent from the owner, or harassing hunters on public or private land. There’s also language that would prohibit financial institutions from using environmental, social and governance scoring to restrict services and capital to farmers.”TRUMP LIBRARY BILL CLEARED — The House voted 89-20 to preempt local planning and construction regulations from getting in the way of the future Trump presidential library, with little debate. Trump’s team is considering building the library in the Miami or Palm Beach areas, and has discussed the possibility with DeSantis. The Senate version passed in March.LET’S GO TO THE BEACH, BEACH — “The state House on Tuesday unanimously passed a bill that would repeal a 2018 law critics said restricted public access to beaches,” reports POLITICO’s Bruce Ritchie. “The bill repeals a controversial measure signed by then-Gov. Rick Scott that overturned Walton County’s designation of ‘customary use’ public access on more than 1,000 parcels of beachfront property.”‘TURNING BACK THE CLOCK’ — “High schools across Florida were supposed to implement later start times in 2026 to give older students more time for rest. But these changes — expected to create a logistical ‘minefield’ for school districts — are no longer required under legislation Florida’s House passed Tuesday,” reports POLITICO’s Andrew Atterbury. “School districts, per a bill now heading to DeSantis for final consideration, would be allowed to file a report to the Florida Department of Education to comply with a 2023 law calling for campuses to push back start times — in lieu of making any actual policy shifts.”COMPENSATION FOR WRONGFUL INCARCERATION UNANIMOUSLY PASSES — A bill that would provide compensation for those who have been wrongfully incarcerated cleared both chambers. State Rep. WEBSTER BARNABY (R-Deltona) applauded sponsor state Sen. JENNIFER BRADLEY (R-Fleming Island) for the bill. “It’s our job as legislators to be truthful for those poor victims, because that’s what they are — victims who were wrongfully incarcerated,” he said.FWC CONFIRMATION — The state Senate on Tuesday confirmed Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Chair RODNEY BARRETO by a 31-7 vote.State Sen. CARLOS GUILLERMO SMITH (D-Orlando) asked for Barreto to be voted on separately from a list of 189 executive appointees, saying there were “numerous” controversies involving the wildlife agency under Barreto including his proposal to develop condominiums in marine habitat in Palm Beach County. Barreto last month told a Senate committee he explored development options for his property there but no proposal was pending. State Sen. BRYAN AVILA (R-Hialeah Gardens) argued Tuesday for Barreto’s appointment, saying he led efforts to rid the Everglades of invasive pythons and was involved in numerous other community efforts in Miami.The Senate on Tuesday also voted 36-2 to pass a bill, FL SB 1133(25R), that would expand the commission to seven members. One must be from each of five regions of the state, and two would serve statewide.NEW OFFICE OF PARENTAL RIGHTS — Florida Attorney General JAMES UTHMEIER announced the new Office of Parental Rights during a press conference in Jacksonville.“This first-in-the-nation office is a mechanism for parents and families to seek justice where local governments and school systems seek to ‘treat,’ indoctrinate, or collect data from students without parental involvement,” he wrote on X.The creation of the office comes amid heightened discussion over parental rights during the legislative session. Last Friday, the Florida House passed legislation that would make parental consent a requirement for minors to receive treatment for STDs.Shortly after, the House passed state Rep. MONIQUE MILLER’s bill that would roll back child labor regulations. Amendments pushed forth by House Democrats that would have required an employer to notify a minor’s parent or guardian about the minor’s work hours, and provide a child worker bill of rights, failed.— “Judge says she’s ‘shocked’ Florida attorney general defied her order on immigration arrests,”reports Jay Weaver of the Miami Herald.— “Perez ally Rep. Mike Redondo has votes to be speaker of the House in 2030,”by Liv Caputo of the Floridian.
CHURCHES FILE IMMIGRATION LAWSUIT — “A group of churches from California to Florida have sued the Trump administration over its historic policy change pushing for the arrest of undocumented immigrants at places of worship, saying it violates their First Amendment rights protecting them from enforcement activity,” reports Jay Weaver and Antonio Maria Delgado of the Miami Herald.— “Shock and anger: Florida immigrant communities react to ‘Operation Tidal Wave,’”reports Ana Goñi-Lessan, Valentina Palm and Tomas Rodriguez of USA TODAY NETWORK — Florida.
BIRTHDAY: Brooke Sours, director of integrated communications for the American Petroleum Institute and former spokesperson for then-Sen. Marco Rubio … Jennifer Green, president and CEO of Liberty Partners of Tallahassee.
CONTINUE READING
FOLLOW THE MONEY — Tuesday came and went without any sign of a top-level deal on the state budget, and how long it will take for Florida legislative leaders to reach a resolution remains murky. The annual session is scheduled to end May 2, and all bills will die unless there is an agreement to extend and keep some of them alive. The other key date: A new state budget needs to be passed and signed into law by July 1.A somewhat exasperated Sen. ED HOOPER, the Senate budget chief, told senators at the close of their daily session that “May and June is a lovely time to be in Tallahassee, and we all look forward to being here.” When pushed afterwards, Hooper confessed “that’s a lie” and that it gets “hot” in the state Capitol during the summertime.Hooper said the main obstacle is that House Speaker DANIEL PEREZ remains insistent about getting some form of permanent reduction in the state’s sales tax rate. He said the House at one point had trimmed back their offer to a .25 percent reduction but then upped the amount they were asking for. Hooper said Senate President BEN ALBRITTON remains concerned about making any deep permanent cuts that could leave future Senate President JIM BOYD dealing with a shortfall.For his part, State Rep. LAWRENCE MCCLURE, the House budget chief, told House members they were “chipping away” but also said “it’s obvious that by Friday we are not going to have a budget.”SUNSHINE LAW EXEMPTION — The Florida Legislature on Tuesday voted overwhelmingly to let a vast array of elected officials across the state — ranging from members of Congress to the governor and legislators to local school superintendents and school board members — keep their home addresses secret. The House voted for the bill 113-2 and sent it to DeSantis. The Senate voted 34-2 for the measure earlier this month.If the governor signs the bill, it would be harder for the public to know where elected officials live and whether they reside in their actual districts — an issue that has repeatedly come up at both the state and local level over the past few decades.An elected official would have to request to keep their address secret (although their city and zip code would still be public). Rep. SUSAN VALDÉS, a Tampa Republican and the bill sponsor, and other legislators defended the bill by saying they had gotten threats from people who had found their addresses in public documents. Valdés, for example, said she had received threats after she switched parties late last year.PROPERTY TAX ELIMINATION? NOT YET — Perez is “creating a select committee that would be responsible for drawing up substantial [property tax] proposals that could be voted on next January, when the Legislature is scheduled to start its 2026 session,” reports POLITICO’s Gary Fineout. "... The Miami Republican highlighted key elements of what he wants that committee to consider including a significant bump in the homestead exemption used by Florida residents and tweaking the cap contained in ‘Save our Homes’ — a constitutional limit on how much the value of homes can be changed each year by local property appraisers.”FLUORIDE AND FARM BILL PASSES — “The state House on Tuesday signed off on a wide-ranging agriculture bill despite opposition from Democrats, who warned language that would ban fluoride in public drinking water and restrict labeling for plant-based products served political purposes more than the public good,” reports POLITICO’s Arek Sarkissian and Isa Domínguez. The bill “would prohibit drones from flying over agricultural land without consent from the owner, or harassing hunters on public or private land. There’s also language that would prohibit financial institutions from using environmental, social and governance scoring to restrict services and capital to farmers.”TRUMP LIBRARY BILL CLEARED — The House voted 89-20 to preempt local planning and construction regulations from getting in the way of the future Trump presidential library, with little debate. Trump’s team is considering building the library in the Miami or Palm Beach areas, and has discussed the possibility with DeSantis. The Senate version passed in March.LET’S GO TO THE BEACH, BEACH — “The state House on Tuesday unanimously passed a bill that would repeal a 2018 law critics said restricted public access to beaches,” reports POLITICO’s Bruce Ritchie. “The bill repeals a controversial measure signed by then-Gov. Rick Scott that overturned Walton County’s designation of ‘customary use’ public access on more than 1,000 parcels of beachfront property.”‘TURNING BACK THE CLOCK’ — “High schools across Florida were supposed to implement later start times in 2026 to give older students more time for rest. But these changes — expected to create a logistical ‘minefield’ for school districts — are no longer required under legislation Florida’s House passed Tuesday,” reports POLITICO’s Andrew Atterbury. “School districts, per a bill now heading to DeSantis for final consideration, would be allowed to file a report to the Florida Department of Education to comply with a 2023 law calling for campuses to push back start times — in lieu of making any actual policy shifts.”COMPENSATION FOR WRONGFUL INCARCERATION UNANIMOUSLY PASSES — A bill that would provide compensation for those who have been wrongfully incarcerated cleared both chambers. State Rep. WEBSTER BARNABY (R-Deltona) applauded sponsor state Sen. JENNIFER BRADLEY (R-Fleming Island) for the bill. “It’s our job as legislators to be truthful for those poor victims, because that’s what they are — victims who were wrongfully incarcerated,” he said.FWC CONFIRMATION — The state Senate on Tuesday confirmed Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Chair RODNEY BARRETO by a 31-7 vote.State Sen. CARLOS GUILLERMO SMITH (D-Orlando) asked for Barreto to be voted on separately from a list of 189 executive appointees, saying there were “numerous” controversies involving the wildlife agency under Barreto including his proposal to develop condominiums in marine habitat in Palm Beach County. Barreto last month told a Senate committee he explored development options for his property there but no proposal was pending. State Sen. BRYAN AVILA (R-Hialeah Gardens) argued Tuesday for Barreto’s appointment, saying he led efforts to rid the Everglades of invasive pythons and was involved in numerous other community efforts in Miami.The Senate on Tuesday also voted 36-2 to pass a bill, FL SB 1133(25R), that would expand the commission to seven members. One must be from each of five regions of the state, and two would serve statewide.NEW OFFICE OF PARENTAL RIGHTS — Florida Attorney General JAMES UTHMEIER announced the new Office of Parental Rights during a press conference in Jacksonville.“This first-in-the-nation office is a mechanism for parents and families to seek justice where local governments and school systems seek to ‘treat,’ indoctrinate, or collect data from students without parental involvement,” he wrote on X.The creation of the office comes amid heightened discussion over parental rights during the legislative session. Last Friday, the Florida House passed legislation that would make parental consent a requirement for minors to receive treatment for STDs.Shortly after, the House passed state Rep. MONIQUE MILLER’s bill that would roll back child labor regulations. Amendments pushed forth by House Democrats that would have required an employer to notify a minor’s parent or guardian about the minor’s work hours, and provide a child worker bill of rights, failed.— “Judge says she’s ‘shocked’ Florida attorney general defied her order on immigration arrests,”reports Jay Weaver of the Miami Herald.— “Perez ally Rep. Mike Redondo has votes to be speaker of the House in 2030,”by Liv Caputo of the Floridian.
CHURCHES FILE IMMIGRATION LAWSUIT — “A group of churches from California to Florida have sued the Trump administration over its historic policy change pushing for the arrest of undocumented immigrants at places of worship, saying it violates their First Amendment rights protecting them from enforcement activity,” reports Jay Weaver and Antonio Maria Delgado of the Miami Herald.— “Shock and anger: Florida immigrant communities react to ‘Operation Tidal Wave,’”reports Ana Goñi-Lessan, Valentina Palm and Tomas Rodriguez of USA TODAY NETWORK — Florida.
BIRTHDAY: Brooke Sours, director of integrated communications for the American Petroleum Institute and former spokesperson for then-Sen. Marco Rubio … Jennifer Green, president and CEO of Liberty Partners of Tallahassee.
