You searched for kirk menendez · The Floridian

JUICE🍊—3.4.2025—Sine Die in Florida!—Casey DeSantis' run for Governor Looks Imminent—Much More..

Javier Manjarres — Tue, 04 Mar 2025 12:05:54 +0000

Casey DeSantis Continues to Raise Campaign Cash, Run for Office Appears Imminent

TALLAHASSEE— Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has said that he believes First Lady Casey DeSantis would be a better governor than him if she ran for his job in 2026... Could the State of the State reveal the DeSantis political future?

Ron DeSantis- Congratulations to @SpaceX

on your recently announced plans to bring Starship operations to Florida.

With leading space companies—now including SpaceX—investing in the Free State of Florida, NASA should scrap their expensive new HQ in D.C. and consider moving to Florida as well.

Congressman Byron Donalds-The spread of Harmful Algal Blooms has destroyed fresh water ecosystems, disrupted communities, & has caused debilitating economic damage.

This is why I've introduced legislation to ensure affected communiti

Waltz Says 'Time is Not On Zelenskyy's Side' After Peace Talk Kerfuffle with Trump—By The Floridian's Grayson Bakich—National Security Advisor Mike Waltz discussed the fallout from Friday's tense meeting between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy...

Plan Would Abolish Lieutenant Governor, Start Efficiency Position—By The Floridian's Michael Costeines—Reps. Tyler Sirois (R-Merritt Island) and John Snyder (R-Stuart) recently filed a joint resolution to alter the shape of state government by eliminating the office of lieutenant governor and establishing a Cabinet-level position centered on government efficiency.

Donalds Responds to Casey DeSantis Gubernatorial Run Rumors: 'Trump Makes Good Picks'—By The Floridian's Grayson Bakich

Casey DeSantis Continues to Raise Campaign Cash, Run for Office Appears Imminent—By The Floridian's Javier Manjarres

US Sanctions Chinese and Hong Kong Companies Helping Build Iranian Drones—By The Floridian's Mateo Guillamont—The US Department of the Treasury has announced new sanctions on Chinese and Hong Kong companies allegedly helping build Iranian military...

Gunshine State? FL Lawmakers to Debate Slew of Measures Loosening, Tightening Gun Laws—By The Floridian's Liv Caputo—Florida lawmakers are set to debate a whopping 26 gun-related bills as the state's 60-day legislative session kicks off Tuesday, making...

Steube Reintroduces Bill to Keep FEMA Aid in the Hands of American Citizens—By The Floridian's Grayson Bakich—Representative Greg Steube is reintroducing legislation to keep Federal Emergency Management Agency relief funds going solely to...

Trump Continues Pro-Small Business Approach, Guts BOI Rules—By The Floridian's Mateo Guillamont—President Donald Trump’s Treasury Department recently announced that it will not enforce the Corporate Transparency Act’s beneficial ownership information...

Lawmakers Denounce Maduro Threats Towards Machado—By The Floridian's Mateo Guillamont—Conservative lawmakers in Washington have condemned Venezuelan Dictator Nicolas Maduro’s latest threats and repressive tactics against Venezuelan opposition...

Former Miami Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart Dies at 70—By The Floridian's Michael Costeines—Former Miami Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart died Monday, according to a statement released by his family. He was 70. Lincoln Diaz-Balart had been diagnosed...

New FIU President Jeanette Nunez Vows to Continue Effort to Stomp Out DEI, Antisemitism—By The Floridian's Michael Costeines

Lee Introduces Bill Increasing Scrutiny and Transparency of DHS—By The Floridian's Grayson Bakich—Representative Laurel Lee (R-FL) has introduced legislation to place the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) under greater scrutiny and demand greater transparency.

Venezuelan Opposition Leader Machado Hails 'Huge Step' Trump Venezuelan Oil Sanction s—By The Floridian's Mateo Guillamont

DeSantis to Accused Rapist Andrew Tate: 'Florida is Not a Place Where You're Welcome '—By The Floridian's Liv Caputo—Gov. Ron DeSantis didn't know that right-wing podcaster Andrew Tate, facing rape and trafficking charges in Romania, was flying to Florida...

Cammack Introduces Bill to Defund NPR—By The Floridian's Grayson Bakich—Representative Kat Cammack has introduced legislation to defund National Public Radio, saying, "Federal funds shouldn't be available to NPR." Specifically, Rep. Cammack's bill...

Rubio Forecasts Trump Will Not Be 'Blackmailed' by Maduro—By The Floridian's Mateo Guillamont—During a recent Fox News interview, Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently expressed his belief that, under President Donald Trump’s leadership, the US’ foreign...

Haridopolos Holds Hearing on Artemis Space Program and Future Missions—By The Floridian's Grayson Bakich—Representative Mike Haridopolos hosted a Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee hearing on the Artemis space program and future missions with George...

Rep. Michelle Salzman Named Combined Workgroup Manager on Hemp by Speaker Danny Perez—By The Floridian's Michael Costeines—Florida House Speaker Danny "Daniel" Perez on Wednesday named Rep. Michelle Salzman to lead a new Combined Workgroup...

Coral Gables' Kirk Menendez's Financial Management Skills Questioned—By The Floridian's Javier Manjarres—In a recent exposé, the Coral Gables War Memorial Youth Center Association, a nonprofit organization led by Kirk Menendez, has come under...

Cruz Calls Out Democrats for Refusing to Support DOGE Initiative—By The Floridian's Jackson Bakich—Senator Ted Cruz appeared on Sean Hannity's show to discuss national political strategy and Democrats' appearing to not alter their ways, such as supporting...

Trump Reverses Biden's Venezuelan Oil Policy, Revokes Oil Licenses From Maduro—By The Floridian's Mateo Guillamont—Pressure is mounting on Venezuelan Dictator Nicolas Maduro as US President Donald Trump has cancelled former President Joe Biden’s...

The Juice is squeezed by Javier Manjarres, Daniel Molina, and Michael Costeines

Rene Garcia

The post JUICE🍊—3.4.2025—Sine Die in Florida!—Casey DeSantis' run for Governor Looks Imminent—Much More.. appeared first on The Floridian.

JUICE🍊—3.3.2025—FIU President Nuñez Continues Cracking Down on DEI and Antisemitism—Trump's Oil Sanctions—Much More..

Javier Manjarres — Mon, 03 Mar 2025 12:05:24 +0000

New FIU President Jeanette Nunez Vows to Continue Effort to Stomp Out DEI, Antisemitism

As Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is erased out of Washington through the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), new Florida International President (FIU) Jeanette Nuñez is vowing to continue to eradicate the practice in her new role at the school...READ MORE

Rick Scott-No family should be put through this.

513 days - bring them all home!.

Debbie Wasserman Schultz-This Women’s History Month, we honor all those courageous women who educate and inspire the next generation to fight for America’s highest ideals.

New FIU President Jeanette Nunez Vows to Continue Effort to Stomp Out DEI, Antisemitism—By The Floridian's Michael Costeines

Venezuelan Opposition Leader Machado Hails 'Huge Step' Trump Venezuelan Oil Sanction s—By The Floridian's Mateo Guillamont

florida capitol

For the People? TV Attorney John Morgan Launching New Political Party—By The Floridian's Michael Costeines—Orlando attorney and Democratic megadonor John Morgan recently announced he was forming a new political party amidst rumors that he's running for governor of Florida.

Danny Burgess Files Bill Establishing Pilot Program for Phone Free Schools—By The Floridian's Michael Costeines—Sen. Danny Burgess (R-Zephyrhills) filed a bill on Wednesday that would direct the Florida Department of Education to start a pilot program to implement a policy prohibiting the use of cell phones and other personal electronic devices by students in school.

Poll: Majority of Americans Disagree with RFK Jr., Rubio Over Using Food Stamps to Buy Soft Drinks—By The Floridian's Jackson Bakich

The Juice is squeezed by Javier Manjarres, Daniel Molina, and Michael Costeines

Rene Garcia

The post JUICE🍊—3.3.2025—FIU President Nuñez Continues Cracking Down on DEI and Antisemitism—Trump's Oil Sanctions—Much More.. appeared first on The Floridian.

JUICE🍊—2.28.2025—John Morgan's Third Political Party—Soft Drinks and Food Stamps—Phone Free Schools?—Much More..

Javier Manjarres — Fri, 28 Feb 2025 12:05:34 +0000

Lay off my Coke! Most Americans Want Gov't to Allow Them to Buy Sodas With Food Stamps

Lay off my Coke! In the latest polling from Public Opinion Strategies, a majority of Americans, including Trump voters, support the usage of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, commonly referred to as food stamps) for soft drinks...READ MORE

Ron DeSantis-We re-established the Florida State Guard in 2022 to act as a force multiplier for state, local, and federal public safety and emergency response efforts. Today at Camp Blanding, I was proud to highlight their accomplishments and thank them for their service over the last two years.

They have exceeded our expectations and cemented themselves as an integral part of our state.

From search and rescue to disaster clean up, the @FLStateGuard has demonstrated immense value for the past three years. We look forward to the continued growth of our State Guard and all the good work they will do for our people

Blaise Ingoglia-My commitment to end illegal immigration DOES NOT STOP!!

Today, I filed SB 1498, a ZERO TOLERANCE anti-illegal immigration bill that holds employers accountable for adding to the destruction of our communities.

Sen. Jason Pizzo-Not sure where the time went, but I’m sure of this - tonight, I said goodbye to a tough, brave and loyal young man, who will give the @USMC his very best. He’s one of the few, and I’m one of the very proud. I love you, Jack.

florida capitol

Poll: Majority of Americans Disagree with RFK Jr., Rubio Over Using Food Stamps to Buy Soft Drinks—By The Floridian's Jackson Bakich

Nikki Fried

Fried Blasts Byron Donalds After Florida Governor Announcement—By The Floridian's Michael Costeines—Florida Democratic Party Chairwoman Nikki Fried criticized U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds on Tuesday after he formally announced his Florida governor run.

DeSantis Brushes Off Donalds' Run for Governor, Wants to Focus on 2024 Election—By The Floridian's Liv Caputo—Following rumors that Florida First Lady Casey DeSantis might run for governor, Gov. Ron DeSantis declined to comment Wednesday on Byron Donalds' newly launched bid to succeed him, claiming he's more focused on creating results from the 2024 elections.

Sen. Joe Gruters Files Bill to Rename Tamiami Trail to ‘Gulf of America' Trail—By The Floridian's Michael Costeines—Sen. Joe Gruters (R-Sarasota) filed a bill on Monday to rename part of U.S. Highway 41 between S.R. 60 and U.S. 1, commonly known as Tamiami Trail, to the "Gulf of America Trail", following suit with the Trump administration's namesake of the new "Gulf of America" across the country.

Donalds Introduces Bill to Abolish the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau—By The Floridian's Grayson Bakich—Representative Byron Donalds (R-FL) is introducing legislation to abolish the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), accusing the Bureau of being "a left-wing tool to stifle domestic economic growth, target political opponents, and prevent the development of competition."

Poll: Property Insurance Costs Remain Top Issue for Florida Voters—By The Floridian's Michael Costeines

Rubio Expands Visa Restrictions For Cubans Affiliated With Forced Labor Exports—By The Floridian's Mateo Guillamont

Marco Rubio’s 2007 Property Tax Plan Laid Groundwork for DeSantis' New Goal—By The Floridian's Liv Caputo—Nearly two decades before becoming President Donald Trump's Secretary of State, then-Speaker of the Florida House Marco Rubio laid the groundwork...

Pro-Life Florida Senator Refiles Controversial Fetal Wrongful Death Bill—By The Floridian's Liv Caputo—The Florida Senate's leading pro-life advocate, Erin Grall, refiled a controversial bill on Wednesday that would expand the state's wrongful death statute...

Trump Treasury Department Constricts Iran's 'Ghost Fleet'—By The Floridian's Mateo Guillamont—President Donald Trump’s Treasury Department, led by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, has announced a series of measures tightening sanctions on Iran’s illicit...

Blaise Ingoglia Files Amendment to Freeze Property Taxes Against Homes Affected by Natural Disasters—By The Floridian's Michael Costeines—Sen. Blaise Ingoglia filed a proposed amendment on Tuesday that would authorize the legislature to freeze in place...

Rep. Jeff Holcomb Files Bill Allowing Off-Duty LEO to Conceal Carry at Sporting Events—By The Floridian's Michael Costeines—Rep. Jeff Holcomb filed a bill on Tuesday that would allow off-duty law enforcement officers to carry concealed weapons or firearms...

Bilirakis Reintroduces Bipartisan Bill Preventing Medicaid Payments to the Deceased—By The Floridian's Grayson Bakich—Representative Gus Bilirakis has reintroduced bipartisan legislation with Representative Angie Craig to prevent Medicaid capitation...

Van Duyne Defends Elon Musk's DOGE Initiative, Role in White House—By The Floridian's Jackson Bakich—Representative Beth Van Duyne held a press conference just outside the Capitol on Tuesday and defended President Donald Trump and Elon Musk...

House Republicans Planning Official IIlegal Immigration Enforcement Trip to Guantanamo Bay—By The Floridian's Javier Manjarres—The House Armed Services Committee is quietly planning an official congressional trip to the U.S. Naval base in Guantanamo...

The Juice is squeezed by Javier Manjarres, Daniel Molina, and Michael Costeines

Rene Garcia

The post JUICE🍊—2.28.2025—John Morgan's Third Political Party—Soft Drinks and Food Stamps—Phone Free Schools?—Much More.. appeared first on The Floridian.

Last Squeeze🍊—2.27.2025—Trump Revokes Maduro Oil Licenses—DeSantis Says Andrew Tate 'Not Welcome' in Florida—Much More...

Liv Caputo — Thu, 27 Feb 2025 21:12:45 +0000

Trump Reverses Biden's Venezuelan Oil Policy, Revokes Oil Licenses From Maduro

Pressure is mounting on Venezuelan Dictator Nicolas Maduro as US President Donald Trump has cancelled former President Joe Biden’s Venezuelan oil export licenses. President Trump’s license cancellation...READ MORE

Rep. Jared Moskowitz: "Massie wears a debt clock, he is the @FlavorFlav of Congress."

Rep. Anna Paulina Luna: "I nor the task force were given or reviewed the Epstein documents being released today… A NY Post story just revealed that the documents will simply be Epstein's phonebook. THIS IS NOT WHAT WE OR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ASKED FOR and a complete disappointment."

Sen. Rick Scott: "On my way to the White House for a Senate @DOGE Caucus meeting with President @realDonaldTrump and @ElonMusk."

FL Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith: "Public-private partnerships are critical to ensuring taxpayer-funded tourism promotion truly aligns w/industry needs + efficiently uses public dollars."

The Florida Capitol

DeSantis to Accused Rapist Andrew Tate: 'Florida is Not a Place Where You're Welcome'—By The Floridian's Liv Caputo—Gov. Ron DeSantis didn't know that right-wing podcaster Andrew Tate, facing rape and trafficking charges in Romania, was flying to Florida...

The Last Squeeze is published by by Javier Manjarres, Liv Caputo, and Daniel Molina

Rene Garcia

The post Last Squeeze🍊—2.27.2025—Trump Revokes Maduro Oil Licenses—DeSantis Says Andrew Tate 'Not Welcome' in Florida—Much More... appeared first on The Floridian.

Coral Gables' Kirk Menendez's Financial Management Skills Questioned

Javier Manjarres — Thu, 27 Feb 2025 12:18:32 +0000

In a recent exposé, the Coral Gables War Memorial Youth Center Association (WMYCA), a nonprofit organization led by Kirk Menendez, has come under scrutiny. The WMYCA, originally founded in 1944, has allegedly been plagued by disturbing financial mismanagement under Menendez’s leadership.

Per the publication, and despite being a respected community institution, the nonprofit lost its 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status in May 2020, Menendez continued to present it as a charitable organization.

Internal Revenue Service (IRS) records reveal the WMYCA’s absence from the 501(c)(3) registry, indicating that it was no longer qualified for tax-exempt status after failing to meet filing requirements.

Further complicating matters, the WMYCA’s substantial assets, estimated at over $113,000 in 2016, is alleged to disappear without explanation. This raises questions about the organization's financial oversight, especially considering that Menendez installed his wife and daughter as financial officers after the departure of the previous treasurer.

The alleged lack of transparency surrounding these changes could be seen as deeply troubling, suggesting a disregard for both ethical practices and community trust.

Additionally, according to the report, Menendez appears to have personal financial troubles, including multiple mortgages on his properties and a pending lawsuit for unpaid debt, have fueled concerns about potential conflicts of interest.

These issues have raised the question of whether Menendez’s potential financial desperation influenced his actions as president of the WMYCA, potentially leading to the mishandling of its funds and the deterioration of its nonprofit status.

The timing of these issues aligns with Menendez’s transition from government service to leadership at the WMYCA. His previous tenure in Miami City government, which ended in 2016, was marked by similar allegations of mismanagement. The recent revelations about the WMYCA raise broader concerns about Menendez’s competence and his ability to handle public office responsibly.

In light of these findings, the community deserves answers. The former nonprofit leader, now a candidate for mayor, has yet to publicly address the situation.

We have reached out to Commissioner Menendez several times for a statement regarding the WMYCA's financial records and his stewardship of the organization via email and telephone, but have not received a response back.

The post Coral Gables' Kirk Menendez's Financial Management Skills Questioned appeared first on The Floridian.

Coral Gables City Manager Rojas Rumored to be Resigning

Javier Manjarres — Thu, 09 Jan 2025 00:00:38 +0000

City of Coral Gables manager Amos Rojas appears to be on the verge of resigning. Apparently, managing a city the size of Coral Gables was too much for him.

As one Cuban-American voter recently said, “he's outgrown the suit.”

A source within the local municipality told The Floridian of the potential resignation and said that the announcement is being made next Tuesday during the city council meeting.

Rojas was hired less than a year ago during a commission meeting without public notice or public participation.

Did the City of Coral Gables hire someone who appeared to be lacking both the qualifications and experience necessary to effectively manage a municipality?

It is important to remember that Commissioner Kirk Menendez began the process of firing the previous administrator and then supporting the appointment of Rojas.

Rojas’ appointment has raised serious concerns about the transparency and accountability of his decision-making to the residents of the city.

Rojas’ hiring may have violated Florida's Sunshine Laws during the vote that led to Rojas' appointment as city manager. These laws exist to ensure open government and public trust, but the circumstances surrounding Rojas' appointment last year leave us to believe that some of the commissioners may have violated those principles.

Lack of qualifications and experience in managing anything, let alone a city the size of Coral Gables, didn't stop Menendez from giving Rojas a pay raise - after giving himself a 101% pay raise, of course.

As city manager, Rojas earns a salary of more than $1,000 a day, a figure that is 20% higher than what was earned by the previous manager, who, no doubt, was more qualified.

Tuesday's meeting because it is rumored that instead of starting a new process to find a qualified person to replace Rojas, Menendez is considering handpicking another administrator that same day.

Rojas could not be reached for comment and did not respond to a request for written comment.

The post Coral Gables City Manager Rojas Rumored to be Resigning appeared first on The Floridian.

Coral Gables mayors' defamation case renews correlation after ABC settles with Trump

Michael Costeines — Wed, 18 Dec 2024 23:25:47 +0000

CORAL GABLES, Fla. - The recent defamation settlement between ABC News and President-elect Donald Trump has brought back elements of a similar case filed by Coral Gables Mayor Vince Lago against a local Spanish-language radio station in December 2023.

According to a report by the Miami Herald, Lago then accused Actualidad 1040 AM radio host Roberto Rodriguez Tejera and Coral Gables Commissioner Ariel Fernandez, a candidate at the time, of "falsely" claiming during an on-air segment in February 2023 that the mayor was the subject of a Miami-Dade Ethics Commission investigation for a potential conflict of interest.

The specific comments stemmed from Lago's alleged familial financial ties to a trailer park at the center of the city's fight to annex a nearby unincorporated area known as Little Gables.

However, at the time, Lago was under "preliminary review", which the commission does not consider to be an investigation. The review, originally posted in Political Cortadito, was looking into whether Lago made a false statement after signing an affidavit that neither he nor his immediate family had a business interest in annexing Little Gables.

Notably, Vince's brother, Carlos, was a registered lobbyist in 2015 with a company that owned a trailer park in Little Gables but did not work thereafter. He also withdrew his lobbyist registration for the company in March 2023.

Ultimately, the review eventually determined Lago did not make a false statement.

In the lawsuit's original details, Lago claimed the comments caused a "deterioration of Lago's personal and business reputation in the community, humiliation, embarrassment, and ridicule."

Actualidad's legal team countered by saying the mayor's lawsuit was an attempt to suppress free speech and freedom of the press.

Lago also sought $50,000 in damages at the time of the lawsuit, although he did not mention how he came to that figure.

"Freedom of the press is a cornerstone of our democratic society, providing citizens with access to information and fostering an informed public discourse is a very important bedrock principle of our country," Lago told the Miami Herald in January. "However, with this freedom comes the responsibility to exercise judiciously and ethically"

In August, a Miami-Dade Circuit Judge dismissed the lawsuit, asserting Lago's claims were"legally insufficient" for a public figure bringing a defamation case. However, Lago reportedly refiled his lawsuit this fall.

Lago was first elected Mayor of Coral Gables in 2021. His defamation lawsuit has been just one of many headlines during his tenure.

While the bar to win a defamation suit brought by an elected official can be quite high as shown in Lago's case, President-elect Donald Trump's victory over ABC News and anchor George Stephanopoulos could tighten the grip on what media outlets can say on air.

Over the weekend, ABC News agreed to pay $15 million toward Trump's presidential library after Stephanopoulos said on his "This Week" program in March that Trump had been found civilly liable for raping writer E. Jean Caroll.

Details of the settlement also included an editor's note from ABC News on the error.

Within the agreement, ABC News must now transfer $15 million for Trump's presidential library to the law firm account of his attorney, Alejandro Brito within 10 days. The network also agreed to pay $1 million in Brito's legal fees in the same period of time.

Editor's note: This story has been updated to include reports of Mayor Lago refiling his defamation lawsuit

The post Coral Gables mayors' defamation case renews correlation after ABC settles with Trump appeared first on The Floridian.

JUICE🍊—12.17.2024—Ashley Moody Atop DeSantis' List of Candidates to Replace Rubio—Albritton and Guns—Much More...

Javier Manjarres — Tue, 17 Dec 2024 12:05:08 +0000

Ashley Moody Emerging as DeSantis's Pick to Replace Rubio

With Senator Marco Rubio all but assured of being confirmed by the U.S. Senate as the next Secretary of State, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has been tasked with finding the senior senator’s replacement, the search for the next senator from Florida may start and end in the Cabinet with Attorney General Ashley Moody...READ MORE

THE FLORIDA COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN

Veteran Round Table

Keiser University

Florida GOP-Tomorrow, our Florida electors will make history casting their ballots for Donald J. Trump who has done nothing short of extraordinary in winning a second term! #MakeAmericaGreatAgain

Florida Democrats-Just days after the anniversary of the Sandy Hook massacre, more students and teachers have had their lives taken through gun violence. Our hearts go out to the families experiencing unimaginable grief right now.

U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor-Proud to stand with @RepYoungKim in honoring the heartbreaking stillbirth stories of 1,500+ families in the Congressional Record.

Our SHINE for Autumn Act will improve research, data & education to prevent stillbirth. Congress must act now.

Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick-My heart breaks for the students and their loved ones at Abundant Life in Madison, WI. No child or parent should be afraid in their community. We must act now to address gun violence and ensure our schools are safe places everywhere. Lives are at stake. #endgunviolencenow

Rep. Brian Mast-President Trump hasn’t even taken office yet and he’s already getting better deals than Joe Biden and Kamala Harris did over the past four years.

Ashley Moody

Ashley Moody Emerging as DeSantis's Pick to Replace Rubio—By The Floridian's Javier Manjarres—With Senator Marco Rubio all but assured of being confirmed by the U.S. Senate as the next Secretary of State, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has been tasked with finding the...

Senate President Albritton 'Not in a Place' Yet to Pick Sides on Proper Gun-Buying Age—By The Floridian's Liv Caputo—Already opposed to open carry laws, Florida Senate President Ben Albritton is unsure if he would agree to one Republican's bill repealing Parkland-era gun laws requiring Floridians to be 21 to purchase firearms.

Trump: DeSantis Will Make the 'Right Decision' on Rubio's Seat, Doesn't Expect Lara for Opening—By The Floridian's Jackson Bakich

Eskamani Announces Bid for Orlando Mayor—By The Floridian's Daniel Molina—Florida Rep. Anna Eskamani announced this morning that she has filed to run for Orlando Mayor. Rep. Eskamani, a Democrat, was previously speculated to launch a run for governor...

Gimenez Shares Vision of Trump vs. China, 'This is a New Sheriff'—By The Floridian's Grayson Bakich—What will President Trump do with China in his second term? Representative Carlos Gimenez discussed his vision of how to deal with the Chinese during...

AG Moody Calls on FEMA to Ease Restrictions after Hurricanes—By The Floridian's Jackson Bakich—After Hurricanes Helene and Milton made landfall in the Sunshine State, Florida residents have been attempting to rebuild their homes and communities. However...

Trump, Hegseth, and Waltz Attend Army-Navy Game in Show of Republican Unity—By The Floridian's Mateo Guillamont—President-elect Donald Trump attended Sunday’s ceremonial Army vs Navy football game in Maryland alongside Secretary of Defense nominee...

Bean to Join House Ways and Means Committee—By The Floridian's Grayson Bakich—Fresh from cofounding the House Department of Government Efficiency Caucus, Representative Aaron Bean is now set to join the House Ways and Means Committee...

Mast Rips Secretary Blinken Over ‘Lackluster Response’—By The Floridian's Daniel Molina—Last week, Florida Rep. Brian Mast grilled Secretary of State Antony Blinken during a House Foreign Affairs Committee meeting. In the hearing, Rep. Mast questioned...

Fine Revives Twice-Killed Flag Bill to Ban 'Fictional Palestinian' Flags on Gov Buildings—By The Floridian's Liv Caputo—State Sen. Randy Fine, a Florida Republican expected to head to Congress, has re-upped a twice failed bill banning flags representing the...

Did Luna Just Endorse Donalds for Florida Governor?—By The Floridian's Daniel Molina

Scott Tells Floridians to Buy Local Produce, Not Food From China—By The Floridian's Jackson Bakich—Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) sat down with The Floridian to discuss the concerns of farmers- specifically farmers from Florida – over the predatory practices of the Chinese government, including concerns about the theft of genetically modified seeds to improve crops and their refusal to buy seed-generated produce from Florida.

Scott and Steube Disaster Tax Relief Bill Signed Into Law—By The Floridian's Mateo Guillamont

Mills Calls for Banning Stock Trading by Congressmen, Moratorium on Going into Lobbying—By The Floridian's Daniel Grayson Bakich—With more members of Congress willing to cooperate with President-elect Donald Trump and the incoming Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)...

Bipartisan Response Questions Recent Drone Sightings—By The Floridian's Daniel Molina—Last year, the United States was rocked by news of a Chinese spy balloon flying across the country. The U.S. finds itself engaged in a new aerial controversy as drones...

Sen. Shevrin Jones named Legislator of the Year by the Florida School Boards Association—By The Floridian's Michael Costeines—The Florida School Boards Association recently honored Sen. Shevrin "Shev" Jones, D-Miami Gardens, as one of its 2024 Legislators...

Cammack Torches FBI at January 6th, Investigating Kash Patel—By The Floridian's Grayson Bakich—A bombshell report has revealed that 26 informants for the FBI were present on January 6th, 2021, years after the Bureau adamantly denied such a claim. Representative...

November Inflation Report Incites Conservative Criticism of Bidenomics—By The Floridian's Mateo Guillamont—The November Producer Price Index report’s publication on December 12th demonstrated a 3% increase in annual inflation for 2024 under President...

AG Commissioner Simpson Moves to Protect Two Florida Farms—By The Floridian's Jackson Bakich—Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson announced the preservation of Adams Farm and Triple S Ranch through the Florida Department of Agriculture...

Donalds Celebrates Passage of His Contributions to WRDA—By The Floridian's Grayson Bakich—The yearly Water Resources Development Act passed almost unanimously 399-18 on Wednesday, and Representative Byron Donalds can say he personally contributed...

'Yes Sir': Patronis to Air Trump-Heavy Campaign Ad During Army-Navy Game—By The Floridian's Liv Caputo—Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis' will air his Trump-centered campaign ad for Congress, his first of the cycle, during the Army vs. Navy...

FIU Panel Explores Venezuela's Political and Economic Landscape

The Jack D. Gordon Institute for Public Policy, in partnership with the Steven J. Green School of International and Public Affairs, hosted a panel that explored Venezuela’s evolving political and economic landscape, the role it plays in regional dynamics, and its broader implications on global geopolitics...READ MORE

Trump And Conservatives Celebrate FBI Director Wray's Resignation—By The Floridian's Mateo Guillamont

Steube Blasts Efforts to Blame Trump for Afghanistan, '100% in the Lap of Joe Biden'—By The Floridian's Grayson Bakich

Salazar Questions Blinken Over Venezuela, Colombia, and Cuba—By The Floridian's Daniel Molina—Secretary of State Antony Blinken faced questions this week at a House Foreign Relations Committee hearing. Florida Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar questioned Secretary...

Kirk Menendez announces run for Mayor of Coral Gables—By The Floridian's Michael Costeines—Coral Gables City Commissioner Kirk Menendez has just filed to run for Mayor of Coral Gables against current holder Vince Lago. Menendez was first...

Edmundo Gonzalez Assures South Florida Conference He Plans to Face Maduro—By The Floridian's Mateo Guillamont—Venezuelan President-elect Edmundo Gonzalez assured attendees at the World Strategic Forum he intends to challenge Dictator Nicolas...

FY25 NDAA Passes with Mixed Reviews from Republican Representatives—By The Floridian's Jackson Bakich—On Wednesday, the House of Representatives voted for the Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act. Members of Congress from states...

Ileana Garcia, State Attorney Develop Bill Punishing Drunk Boat Drivers After Teen's Death—By The Floridian's Liv Caputo—After one teenage girl was left comatose and another was killed in a horrific Miami boating accident reportedly caused by a drunk captain...

Juice is squeezed by Javier Manjarres, Liv Caputo, and Daniel Molina

The post JUICE🍊—12.17.2024—Ashley Moody Atop DeSantis' List of Candidates to Replace Rubio—Albritton and Guns—Much More... appeared first on The Floridian.

JUICE🍊—12.16.2024—Governor Byron Donalds?—Rick Scott Tells Americans to buy Florida Produce, Boycott China—Much More...

Javier Manjarres — Mon, 16 Dec 2024 12:20:01 +0000

Governor Byron Donalds?

If Florida wasn’t on the political map already, it definitely took center stage after President-elect Donald Trump (R) won the 2024 presidential election. Florida lawmakers are moving into jobs in the Trump Administration, vacancies must be filled, and political aspirations are coming to light. In a social media post that will surely make headlines, Florida Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R) suggested that Florida Rep. Byron Donalds (R) for governor...READ MORE.

THE FLORIDA COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN

Veteran Round Table

Keiser University

Lauren Book-‘Tis the season! Proud to support our friends at the @DolphinDems in their Holiday Toy Drive to ensure Broward students in need receive gifts this holiday season The spirit of love and giving is what it’s all about!

Debbie Wasserman Schultz-I’ll oppose any Republican or billionaire who tries to cut Social Security and Medicare.

Rep. Brian Mast-The days of the American government cutting blank checks from the American people to foreign countries is over.

Every diplomat and every dollar must put America first.

Jay Collins-On this Bill of Rights Day, join me in recommitting to the defense of the fundamental freedoms and protections that make America what it is!

Gus Bilirakis-I’m proud that this year’s NDAA will help improve military readiness for the challenges of today and beyond!

Rep. Mike Waltz-Ambassador @RichardGrenellis going to take on the toughest challenges to strengthen America’s interests around the world.

Did Luna Just Endorse Donalds for Florida Governor?—By The Floridian's Daniel Molina

Scott and Steube Disaster Tax Relief Bill Signed Into Law—By The Floridian's Mateo Guillamont

FIU Panel Explores Venezuela's Political and Economic Landscape

Trump And Conservatives Celebrate FBI Director Wray's Resignation—By The Floridian's Mateo Guillamont

Steube Blasts Efforts to Blame Trump for Afghanistan, '100% in the Lap of Joe Biden'—By The Floridian's Grayson Bakich

Rep. Laurel Lee

Mast Tears into Blinken for Continued Foreign Aid to Afghanistan—By The Floridian's Grayson Bakich

Pressure for DeSantis to Appoint Lara Trump Mounts —By The Floridian's Jackson Bakich

Buchanan Celebrates Eight Proposals in 2025 NDAA—By The Floridian's Grayson Bakich

Scott Maintains Hard Stance Against Chinese Products, Garlic—By The Floridian's Jackson Bakich—Senator Rick Scott, who continues to stand up for Florida farmers, spoke to The Floridian about his affinity for stopping Chinese garlic from flourishing in the...

Florida Lawmakers Fine, Rudman Take on Gun Laws Amid Their Congressional Campaigns—By The Floridian's Liv Caputo—Florida Republicans Sen. Randy Fine and Rep. Joel Rudman are doubling down on the Second Amendment as they prepare to resign...

China Critical Minerals Export Ban Resurfaces Debate Over American Critical Minerals Production—By The Floridian's Mateo Guillamont—China has banned select critical minerals exports to the United States as a retaliatory measure against America's new...

Scott’s Disaster Contract Improvement Act Clears Congress—By The Floridian's Jackson Bakich—Senator Rick Scott’s bipartisan Disaster Contract Improvement Act has passed both chambers of Congress and is headed to President Joe Biden’s desk. The bill intends...

Scott, Cruz Remain Supportive of Trump's Hegseth Selection—By The Floridian's Jackson Bakich—Senators Rick Scott and Ted Cruz have recently doubled down on their support for President-elect Donald Trump’s selection for the Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth...

Gaetz Seemingly Endorses Patronis to Succeed Him in Congress—By The Floridian's Daniel Molina—Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz has broken his silence on the upcoming race for Florida's 1st Congressional District. In a video shared on social media, the former congressman...

Steube Introduces Bill Defunding Foreign Aid During Natural Disasters—By The Floridian's Grayson Bakich—Many Americans remained in tents after Hurricanes Helene and Milton, yet federal dollars continued to be sent to other countries. Representative Greg...

Juice is squeezed by Javier Manjarres, Liv Caputo, and Daniel Molina

The post JUICE🍊—12.16.2024—Governor Byron Donalds?—Rick Scott Tells Americans to buy Florida Produce, Boycott China—Much More... appeared first on The Floridian.

JUICE🍊—12.13.2024—Where is Senator Marco Rubio?—FIU Looks Into Venezuela's Future—Much More...

Javier Manjarres — Fri, 13 Dec 2024 12:44:32 +0000

Where is Marco Rubio?

Shortly after being nominated to be President-elect Donald Trump's Secretary of State, Senator Marco Rubio is Missing in Action (MIA)

No. Sen. Rubio has not gone missing; he's just what we in the Media call "gone dark."

Rubio hasn't done any interviews or media gaggles, let alone posted his usual TV hits on Social Media.

Speaking of social media, on "X," Rubio has ghosted everyone. Well, kind of.

Outside of Washington, Rubio has also been stealthy back home.

Outside of continuing his mandatory dog walking and poop pickup duties and throwing pillows at the TV expressing his frustration with his football (not the real Futbol) teams, Rubio has been laying low.

On Dec 3, Rubio posted a couple of images of him sitting with a couple of his fellow senators who will be voting to confirm him when the confirmation process begins next year.

During the picture or video spray with Sen. Lindsey Graham, only Sen. Graham spoke, while Rubio sat quietly there.

However, Rubio gave a slight smirk and nod to arguably the best-looking reporter/publisher in Florida and Capitol Hill, yours truly. Ahahahaha

I'm kidding about that, but not really. I wear the color green well.

Rubio's Secretary of State confirmation process is expected to begin soon after President Trump is sworn into office.

Sen. Marco Rubio

THE FLORIDA COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN

Veteran Round Table

Keiser University

Byron Donalds-The 2024 Election represented a pivotal turning point in our nation's history.

Would Americans choose to continue the depressing malaise of managed decline or would they demand change?

The American people chose PEACE.

The American people chose PROSPERITY.

The American people chose SAFETY.

The American people chose SECURITY.

And the American people chose the most consequential president of the modern era to lead them.

Congratulations to @realDonaldTrump on winning @TIME

Person of the Year.

Jared Moskowitz-The US governments lack of answers to these drones is unacceptable and continues down the line of concealment about #UAPs.

FIU Panel Explores Venezuela's Political and Economic Landscape

Trump And Conservatives Celebrate FBI Director Wray's Resignation—By The Floridian's Mateo Guillamont

Steube Blasts Efforts to Blame Trump for Afghanistan, '100% in the Lap of Joe Biden'—By The Floridian's Grayson Bakich

Rep. Laurel Lee

Mast Tears into Blinken for Continued Foreign Aid to Afghanistan—By The Floridian's Grayson Bakich

Pressure for DeSantis to Appoint Lara Trump Mounts —By The Floridian's Jackson Bakich

Buchanan Celebrates Eight Proposals in 2025 NDAA—By The Floridian's Grayson Bakich

Rep. Brian Mast

Mast Selected to Lead House Foreign Affairs Committee—By The Floridian's Mateo Guillamont—US Representative Brian Mast (R-FL) has been selected to lead the US House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee.

House Speaker Daniel Perez welcomes ex-Democrat Valdes to GOP after party switch—By The Floridian's Michael Costeines—MIAMI - House Speaker Daniel "Danny" Perez, R-Miami, welcomed Rep. Susan Valdes...

Online Child Safety Bill Expected to be Filed in House of Representatives

—By The Floridian's Javier Manjarres—WASHINGTON—The Biden administration appears to be trying to push forward the highly controversial and bipartisan Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) ...

Patronis to Advocate for Veterans, Bring VA Hospital to Northwest Florida—By The Floridian's Javier Manjarres

Democrats Denounce Support for UnitedHealthcare CEO’s Killer—By The Floridian's Daniel Molina—Yesterday, a “strong person of interest” was captured in connection to the murder of Brian Thompson, the UnitedHealthcare CEO. Authorities believe the man...

Lee Discusses Cybersecurity Bill After Massive Cyberattack—By The Floridian's Grayson Bakich—Last week, a large-scale cyberattack targeting AT&T and Verizon infiltrated the phones of U.S. Government officials. Representative Laurel Lee discussed the...

Newsom Hammers Trump on Tariffs at the Southern Border—By The Floridian's Daniel Molina—At one point, California Governor Gavin Newsom was rumored to replace President Joe Biden in the 2024 presidential election. The election came to pass with...

Outrage as Israeli Intelligence Demonstrates Hamas Operatives Teaching at UN Schools in Gaza—By The Floridian's Mateo Guillamont—Israeli intelligence has revealed new details about the extent of UN Relief Works Agency’s links to terrorist group Hamas...

Before Congressional Run, 'Freedom Doctor' Rudman Files Bill to Repeal Contentious Beach Law—By The Floridian's Liv Caputo—A state Lawmaker planning a congressional bid in Northwest Florida has filed a bill to repeal a controversial state statute that drew...

Waltz Says Israel Deserves Most Credit for Putting Iran on 'Backfoot'—By The Floridian's Grayson Bakich—The long-running regime of Bashar al-Assad in Syria has fallen in recent days, leaving Iran without its key ally in the Levant. Representative Mike Waltz...

Rubio's Estuary Bill Heads to Biden's Desk—By The Floridian's Jackson Bakich—Senator Marco Rubio has been mostly quiet in the upper chamber since President-elect Donald Trump tapped him as the next Secretary of State. However, Sen. Rubio's bill, the Pensacola...

Commissioner Simpson Launches $5 Million Grant to Improve Public Water—By The Floridian's Jackson Bakich—Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson has launched a $5 million grant program—the Water and Wastewater Treatment Facility...

Miami Mayor Francis Suarez congratulates Mast on Foreign Affairs gavel—By The Floridian's Michael Costeines—Miami Mayor Francis Suarez congratulated Florida Republican Rep. Brian Mast on Monday after House Republicans selected him to chair the House...y adding words like "free," "personalized," "complimentary," or "customized." A sense of urgency often helps readers take action, so consider inserting phrases like "for a limited time only" or "only 7 remaining!"

Juice is squeezed by Javier Manjarres, Liv Caputo, and Daniel Molina

The post JUICE🍊—12.13.2024—Where is Senator Marco Rubio?—FIU Looks Into Venezuela's Future—Much More... appeared first on The Floridian.

Last Squeeze🍊—12.12.2024—Garcia, Rundle Take on Drunk Boat Captains After Teen's Death—Salazar Blasts Blinken Over Venezuela—Coral Gables Mayoral Race is Brewing—Much More...

Liv Caputo — Thu, 12 Dec 2024 16:36:54 +0000

Ileana Garcia, State Attorney Develop Bill Punishing Drunk Boat Drivers After Teen's Death

After one teenage girl was left comatose and another was killed in a horrific Miami boating accident reportedly caused by a drunk captain, a South Florida Senator plans to ratchet up the penalties for drunken...READ MORE

Rep. Aaron Bean: "Right now, American taxpayers are forced to pay $2 BILLION a year for office space—almost half the size of Disney World—that federal employees refuse to use. This is the exact type of waste the @DOGE will crackdown on!"

Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz: "Families need quality affordable health care and the #ACA delivers it for millions, especially in Florida. I fight to protect and expand it every day in Congress."

FL Sen. Randy Fine: "Fighting #MuslimTerror was one of my highest priorities in @myflhouse. Last year, I passed a resolution asking gov’t to end contact with American Hamas-affiliate CAIR. Honored that @securefreedom came to Tally this week to present me their “Defender of Freedom” award!"

FL Rep. Fentrice Driskell: "Young people, we need you! I’m so grateful to have been able to spend time talking to students at @usouthflorida recently to discuss the importance of political discourse and engagement. Our future depends on us showing up and being active participants in the civic process."

FPL

The Last Squeeze is poured by Javier Manjarres, Liv Caputo, and Daniel Molina

Rene Garcia

The post Last Squeeze🍊—12.12.2024—Garcia, Rundle Take on Drunk Boat Captains After Teen's Death—Salazar Blasts Blinken Over Venezuela—Coral Gables Mayoral Race is Brewing—Much More... appeared first on The Floridian.

Kirk Menendez announces run for Mayor of Coral Gables

Michael Costeines — Thu, 12 Dec 2024 13:28:35 +0000

CORAL GABLES, Fla. - Coral Gables City Commissioner Kirk Menendez has just filed to run for Mayor of Coral Gables against current holder Vince Lago.

Menendez was first elected Coral Gables City Commissioner in April 2021. His career background includes more than 40 years as an advocate for children and families at the Coral Gables War Memorial Youth Center, St. Theresa School, Church of the Little Flower, Knights of Columbus, and Gift Meal Project.

However, Menendez's time as city commissioner hasn't come without its fair share of controversies. In July 2023, Menendez voted against a proposal to lower the city's millage rate by 2%.

Months later, Menendez and two city commissioners gave themselves a 101% pay increase, which included $9,600 in expense allowances and $8,446 in car allowances.

The report also indicated all three commissioners splurged on themselves by purchasing new luxury cars.

Lago, who was elected Mayor of Coral Gables in April 2021, responded publicly at Menendez and the two other commissioners as being "unprepared to do the job" and asserted the trio "put their hands down the pockets of residents."

He also accused Menendez and Commissioner Ariel Fernandez of "living off their wives."

The feud didn't end there, however, as all three commissioners traded barbs or assisted in grievances against Lago and Vice Mayor Rhonda Anderson, which included accusing the mayor of making derogatory comments at a woman at a city event.

But the back-and-forth between Menendez and Lago was far from over.

This past February, Menendez and the same two commissioners voted in favor of firing City Manager Peter Iglesias. Maybe unsurprisingly, both dissenting votes also came from Lago and Anderson.

On top of it, Menendez originally voted in favor of retaining Iglesias but later changed his tune without giving any reason for the switch. This also was after his pick, Miami International Airport Director Ralph Cutie, retracted interest in the job.

Menendez's filing comes after weeks of consideration to run for mayor, which included discussions with out-of-town developers that previously funded a failed recall attempt on Lago in April.

At the time, despite reaching the required amount of valid signatures for the recall, Miami-Dade Supervisor of Elections Christina White ultimately certified fewer signatures than the necessary threshold.

Organized by the political committee End the Corruption, the petition accused Lago of misfeasance and malfeasance over the mayor's business dealings with Rishi Kapoor. According to reports, Lago rented space to Kapoor across from a development site where Kapoor's company, Location Ventures, had planned a luxury condo tower.

Subsequently, a second report indicated Lago joined a brokerage that profited from the sale of the property. While the mayor recused himself of votes dealing with Kapoor's projects, the recall accused Lago of aligning with developers despite his past criticism.

Along with his time as mayor, Lago served as City Commissioner for eight years, including as Vice Mayor from 2019-2021.

He also served on the Board of Directors of the Coral Gables Community Foundation, helping to "promote and enhance the quality of life for residents" while raising funds for the elderly, youth, and disabled in the city.

The City of Coral Gables mayoral election is scheduled for April 8.

The post Kirk Menendez announces run for Mayor of Coral Gables appeared first on The Floridian.

Gaetz Delivers Bombastic Speech at RNC

Grayson Bakich — Thu, 18 Jul 2024 14:45:38 +0000

The Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, has been generating hype for former President Donald Trump's reelection campaign, and few did it as well as Representative Matt Gaetz (R-FL), who gave a bombastic, enthusiastic speech Wednesday night, proclaiming that "we ride or die with Donald John Trump to the end."

Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk posted the speech to X (formerly Twitter), where Rep. Gaetz opened with "Donald Trump is unstoppable."

Matt Gaetz with a great speech at the RNC:

“They can run Biden from the nursing home, Harris, George Clooney, Robert De Niro, whoever they want to run. We are on a mission to rescue and save this country, and we ride or die with Donald John Trump to the end!"@mattgaetz pic.twitter.com/8qZu7CHV6k

— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) July 18, 2024

The Florida Congressman then declared President Joe Biden to be "out of it" and accused Democrats of "hiding the real Biden for years. We saw more people in the witness protection program more often than we saw unscripted Biden."

Rep. Gaetz landed a hilariously nasty zinger against the recently convicted Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ), saying, "Under Biden and [Vice President Kamala] Harris, inflation has gotten so bad you can no longer bribe Democrat Senator with cash alone. You have to use gold bars just for the bribe's value."

Nevertheless, should Trump win in November, Gaetz promised, "The Swamp draining will recommence soon, and I will be President Trump's strongest ally in Congress to pass term limits, to stop taxpayer funding of political campaigns, to ban members of Congress for life from becoming lobbyists, and for the same reason you do not let the referee bet on the game, ban members of Congress from trading individual stocks."

Additionally, he expressed support for defunding foreign aid "to countries that hate us" and that "President Trump understands that if it is not racist to check ID for a hunting license, or welfare benefits, or a fishing license, then it is okay to demand an ID to vote everywhere in this country and every election."

Gaetz continued his remarks by calling out attempts to deflect from President Biden's health, saying, "I do not think it is too much to ask that the American president be able to do the job," throwing in another jab at VP Harris, adding that she "is unable to do any job," and putting her in charge of the border "is like appointing Bernie Madoff to oversee your retirement plan."

The Florida Congressman also praised Trump's VP pick, Senator J.D. Vance (R-OH), as resembling a young Abraham Lincoln who "knows how to fight" like Ulysses S. Grant.

"So they can run Biden from the nursing home, Harris, George Clooney, Robert De Niro, whoever they want to run. We are on a mission to save and rescue this country, and we ride or die with Donald John Trump to the end," Gaetz concluded.

The post Gaetz Delivers Bombastic Speech at RNC appeared first on The Floridian.

Lowering Millage Rates in Coral Gables Raises Political Temperature

Javier Manjarres — Mon, 15 Jul 2024 16:04:54 +0000

When your city is ranked as the most expensive zip code in America, besting Beverly Hills, you would think its local elected officials would advocate for ways to offer tax relief to their residents, right? Apparently, not in Coral Gables. A proposal last week from Coral Gables Mayor Vince Lago to lower the city’s millage rate by 2% during the city’s budget workshop was voted down by three commissioners. Instead of tax relief, the city residents got one of the most acrimonious city council meetings in years, full of yelling, table pounding, calls for resignations, and even accusations of politicians needing breaks to take “their pills”

According to Florida state stature, all municipalities require a 4/5 vote to adopt a new millage rate for next year. Without that supermajority vote, the city of Coral Gables would have to adopt a roll back rate, instead of the staff proposal which would keep the current millage rate in place. The problem with keeping the millage rate at its current level, said Lago and Vice Mayor Rhonda Anderson, is that residents would in fact pay more due to the increases in property values.

Towards the end of the meeting, Commissioner Kirk Menendez, who is up for reelection next April, made the motion to keep the millage rate at its current, but his motion ultimately failed 3-2. A few days later, Menendez was the target of a text message sent citywide by a political committee that supports Mayor Lago, informing residents that Menendez didn’t support the tax reduction proposed by the Mayor.

The Commission will reconvene in early August to discuss this matter again, but unless Lago or Anderson cave, or two of the three commissioners that voted against the proposal change their minds, the city will have to adopt a rollback rate, that may create headaches for the city manager and the administration, but that will ultimately benefit the city’s taxpayers.

The post Lowering Millage Rates in Coral Gables Raises Political Temperature appeared first on The Floridian.

JUICE — Florida Politics' Juicy Read — 1.21.20 — Florida #1 in Vaccinations – Biden Insults Israel — COVID, MAGA, Deutch, Proud Boys — More..

Javier Manjarres — Thu, 21 Jan 2021 06:21:57 +0000

MAGA 2024

With President Joe Biden having been sworn into office, Americans from all walks of life, have wished the newly-minted president the best of luck and health, including former President Donald Trump.

This was not the case in 2016 when President Trump was sworn in. Democrats and the media welcomed him with the threat of impeachment.

Florida Democrats are celebrating, and they should be. But, while Democrats are relishing their win, Trump Republicans are pushing forward with the America First Agenda.

In liberal Broward County, a rally has been set up in Fort Lauderdale to kick off the 2022 mid-term election. Well, that is what we think they are doing, but according to the group putting on the event, it’s to take on the establishment GOP. READ MORE

On Day 1, Biden Smacks Israel in the Face

You can’t make this up even if you tried. The Biden administration, after just mere hours from taking control of the government, signaled to Israel that the new administration saw them a little differently. MUST-READ (WARNING!!! — Your head might explode after you read this)

Getting the COVID Shot

Somewhere in Tallahassee Gov. Ron DeSantis is quietly laughing at the likes of AG Commissioner Nikki Fried and Florida Progressives like Reps. Carlos “Carlito’s Way” Guillermo Smith and Anna Eskamani, after Florida was ranked at the top state for COVID-19 vaccinations. READ MORE

Marco Rubio @marcorubio -Our enemies aren’t going to wait around for a new administration to staff critical positions. Which is why it was important to clear objections & confirm in an expedited manner @POTUS nominee to be the Director of National Intelligence tonight.

Rick Scott @SenRickScott- .@POTUS is throwing the U.S. back into the Paris Agreement just to appease his liberal friends. This deal does nothing to hold real polluters like Communist China accountable & unfairly puts U.S. taxpayers on the hook. More here:

Rep. Ted Deutch @RepTedDeutch-Trump pulling the U.S. out of the Paris Climate Agreement was an abdication of American leadership and an abandonment of our commitments to our allies. Today, President Biden let our allies know: #WeAreStillIn. I’m proud to stand with him in rejoining the Paris Agreement.

US Rep. Darren Soto @RepDarrenSoto-Hundreds of thousands of #Dreamers can finally breathe a sigh of relief. After years of uncertainty, #DACA is safe and here to stay! We look forward to working with the Biden-Harris Administration to put immigrant youth on a pathway to citizenship.

Ron DeSantis @GovRonDeSantis -We will continue to harness innovative strategies and partnerships to maximize distribution and availability to keep #SeniorsFirst.

“Biden insults Israel by embracing West Bank and Gaza as official states” by The Floridian’s Javier Manjarres – In what could be his first move as president, Joe Biden changed the Twitter title from the U.S. Ambassador to Israel to U.S. Ambassador to Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza, giving credibility to the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip and Palestinian Authority. Florida Senator Rick Scott tweeted his disgust over the change, stating “there is no country of West Bank or Gaz, only territories that Israel hs been willing for decades to negotiate sovereignty over has been met with only hostility and terrorism. Sen. Scott adds that Biden’ss move “shows the Democrats’ hostility to Israel.” Could President Biden’s next move be to move the U.S. embassy in Jerusalem back to Tel Aviv? *** UPDATE — The Biden Administration has now changed the Twitter handle back to U.S. Ambassador to Israel.

“Rubio defends Trump, says ‘he didn’t create’ current problems” by The Floridian’s Javier Manjarres – Appearing on the Brian Kilmeade Radio Show on Wednesday, Senator Marco Rubio defended outgoing President Donald Trump from the allegations made against him that blamed him for all current problems the nation faces today. “This idea that Donald Trump created all these problems — Donald Trump was elected because of some of the challenges we face in our country,” said Rubio “He didn’t create them, he was elected because of them. And those challenges did not leave with him today, they’re not going to magically solve themselves because we have a new president. Sen. Rubio became a close ally to President Trump shortly after the contentious 2016 presidential election and supported him during the 2020 presidential election. Rubio is running for reelection to the U.S. Senate in 2022 and will need Trump’s support and the support of the 75 million Trump-supporting voters. There has been talk that Rubio could face a strong primary challenge from a pro-Trump candidate, but after Rep. Matt Gaetz took his name out of consideration, hardcore Trump supporters will have a hard time finding someone to fit the bill. Rubio confirmed that he would not be attending President Joe Biden’s inauguration, citing his senatorial duties. The Floridian first reported that Rubio would not be attending the ceremony.

“DeSantis Makes Shopping a Pleasure, Partners With Publix for Vaccine Distribution” by The Floridian’s Daniel Molina – Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) continues to travel across the Sunshine State (even on Inauguration Day) , holding press conferences with Publix to promote the partnership that is spreading awareness concerning the vaccines available to Floridians during this time. In recent weeks, the Governor has faced significant contention and pushback from Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried (D), who has criticized the Governor for not doing enough when it comes to providing vaccinations for Floridians. She penned a letter noting that his vaccination plan has been disastrous, but the Governor’s office has quickly countered by highlighting the needs of Floridians and how the State government is responding to the call. As well, both DeSantis and Fried have shared words over Big Tech and the changes that have been widespread over social media. Questioning DeSantis’ claim that the First Amendment threat faced by the Parler app is his “most important legislative issue,” Fried wondered, “Floridians are suffering all across our state, and this is our governor’s priority?” In a series of social media posts, the Governor shared information on the partnership with Public, announcing that “we want every Florida senior to have an opportunity to get a vaccine, and by partnering with Public the state is expanding access.”

“Deutch Shares Inauguration Day Thoughts” by The Floridian’s Daniel Molina – Hours before President-elect Joe Biden (D) and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris (D) are scheduled for inauguration, Florida Democrats are praising the incoming team for the history made and the work moving forward that they hope to accomplish considering that Democrats now have control of the White House, the Senate and the House of Representatives. One lawmaker that shared what today means to him is Florida Rep. Ted Deutch (D), expressing that his family comes to mind as the 46th President of the United States is set to be inaugurated. In a social media post, the Florida lawmaker shared that his “dad, the late Bernard Deutch, served our country in battle, earning the Purple Heart fighting the Nazis at the Battle of the Bulge.” His father “believed in America because of the opportunities it offered his immigrant father and the hope it offered the little guy to succeed.” Similarly, his mother came to mind, and he detailed that “the late Jean Deutch… never got to go to college, but she made sure her five kids had that opportunity.” His mother “sat in the House gallery when her youngest son was sworn into Congress, and she was proud of the family she and my dad raised together.” In connection to the historic occasion today, Deutch noted that he will “be thinking about them and everyone just like them at the inauguration of President Joe Biden.” As well, “I’ll be thinking of my wife, our kids, my siblings and everyone we know and the millions we have admired from afar who went to the Women’s March because women’s rights are human rights, fought the Muslim Ban, saw no very fine people marching with the racists and anti-Semites in Charlottesville, believed in science and fighting climate change when those in power rewarded polluters, decried the separation of families and putting kids in cages, responded to attacks on equality by demanding that the civil rights of LGBTQ people in our society must be enshrined in law, followed the leadership of our young people who marched for their lives to end gun violence, honored our health care heroes and front line workers while mourning the lives lost to a pandemic and the failure of leadership that made it worse.”

“DeSantis criticizes Biden’s vaccine plan as ‘big mistake,’ ‘not necessary’” by Tampa Bay Times’ Lawrence Mower – Gov. Ron DeSantis isn’t impressed with President-elect Joe Biden’s plan to enlist the Federal Emergency Management Agency to help with the nation’s vaccine rollout. During a news conference in Cape Coral on Tuesday, DeSantis said Biden’s plan to use federal disaster agency and the National Guard to build COVID-19 vaccine clinics across the country would be a “big mistake.” “I saw some of this stuff Biden’s putting out, that he’s going to create these FEMA camps, I can tell you, that’s not necessary in Florida,” he said. “All we need is more vaccine. Just get us more vaccine.” “To try and reinvent the wheel at this point I think would be a big mistake,” DeSantis added. “The more bureaucracy that’s involved in this, the worse it’s going to be.” The comments were the first Florida’s governor has made about the incoming administration’s vaccine plans. Unlike President Donald Trump’s approach of letting states distribute the vaccines, which has been slower than expected at getting shots into arms, Biden said last week he would speed the process by enlisting federal help. “Our plan is going to focus on getting shots into arms, including by launching a fundamentally new approach, establishing thousands of federally run or federally supported community vaccination centers of various size located in places like high school gymnasiums and N.F.L. stadiums,” Mr. Biden said during an interview with WFXE-FM in Columbus, Ga., according to The New York Times. DeSantis, a Trump ally, has also faced intense criticism over the state’s slow and confusing vaccine rollout. But he dismissed Biden’s idea.

“Proud Boys leader Joseph Biggs arrested in Florida in connection with the Capitol riot” by CNN’s Katelyn Polantz, Mallory Simon and Amir Vera – A leader of the Proud Boys, an extremist group that took part in the US Capitol insurrection, was taken into custody and is facing charges, federal officials said. Joseph Randall Biggs, 37, of Florida was arrested Wednesday and is facing three counts -- obstruction of a proceeding, entering restricted grounds and disorderly conduct -- for his part in the siege of the Capitol on January 6, according to the Justice Department and an FBI affidavit. The FBI described Biggs in the affidavit as an organizer for the Proud Boys. Biggs appeared in court in Orlando on Wednesday and was released under home confinement and other restrictions, according to his court file. A lawyer who represented him in court did not respond to a request for comment. CNN Orlando affiliate WESH asked Biggs about insurrection allegations against the Proud Boys and he said, "That'll be discussed in court."

Ahead of the Capitol riot, Biggs posted messages on Parler, the social media platform favored by the far right, telling his followers to blend in and not wear identifiable clothing, an FBI special agent wrote in the affidavit. "The only thing we'll do that's us is think like us! Jan 6th is gonna be epic," Biggs wrote, according to the affidavit. The document says Biggs was also directing his statements at Antifa.

“3 South Florida men being investigated over involvement in U.S. Capitol attacks” by Local 10’s Terrell Forney – Nearly a dozen people have been taken into custody across the state of Florida for the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol building. The latest arrests involve residents of South Florida. One of them lives in a gated community in Coral Springs. Felipe Marquez is seen in a snapshot inside the U.S. Capitol building during the seize by a violent mob, and authorities said it is a slice of evidence against the 25-year-old. Marquez is accused of damaging the Washington, D.C. office of a senator from Oregon. The FBI took Marquez into custody from his Coral Springs home early this week. Marquez is out after posting a $100,000 bond. Investigators said they received a tip about Marquez’s action after he allegedly posted numerous videos about his actions to his Snapchat account. A social media tip also led detectives to Deerfield Beach resident Sam Camargo, whose Instagram stories showed a struggle with police at the entrance to the sacred government building. He also posted keepsakes from Jan. 6 and later, an apology about participating in the insurrection. FBI agents swarmed his home Tuesday, placing Camago in custody and confiscating boxes of evidence. Another of those arrested was Gabriel Garcia, who recently ran a failed bid for a state senate seat. The FBI said he posted videos of himself outside and inside of the Capitol during the riot even writing in a social media post, “We just went ahead and stormed the Capitol. It’s about to get ugly.” Garcia is a former Army captain and, according to authorities, a member of the extremist group, Proud Boys.

“Florida announces COVID-19 vaccination site in Hillsborough County” by ABC News’ Lisette Lopez – The Florida Department of Health and Florida Division of Emergency Management announced a new state-supported COVID-19 vaccination site in Tampa. The vaccination site will be at the University Mall, 2200 E. Fowler Ave. The site will be open seven days a week from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. and will offer the vaccine to all individuals 65 years of age and older, as well as frontline healthcare workers. The site will offer 1,600 doses of Pfizer vaccine to pre-registered seniors per day, free of charge. No walk-ups will be accepted.

“Florida Senator Rick Scott on Paris Climate Agreement: ’a bad deal for Americans’” by WCTV’s Christi McKee – Wednesday, President Joe Biden signed an executive order to express the United States’ intent to rejoin the Paris Climate Agreement. The Paris Climate Agreement, signed in 2016, is an agreement within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. The agreement deals with greenhouse gas emission mitigation, adaptation and finance in an effort to limit global warming. Following this executive order, Florida Senator Rick Scott release the following statement: “We all want to take care of our environment and protect it for generations to come, but we have to stop joining deals that are bad for America. President Biden is throwing the U.S. back into the Paris Agreement just to appease his liberal friends. This deal does nothing to hold real polluters, like Communist China and India, accountable and it unfairly puts American taxpayers on the hook. It was bad for America when Obama signed it and it’s still bad now.” Pres. Biden additionally canceled the Keystone XL pipeline as well as ordered federal agencies to start the process of reinstating environmental regulations that were reversed under Pres. Trump.

“Small group of demonstrators stood outside Florida Capitol during presidential inauguration” by Local 10’s Roy Ramos and Andrea Torres – The Florida Capitol in Tallahassee was quiet on Wednesday during the presidential inauguration in Washington, D.C. Amid the high security, Earl and Susan Austin were among a few protesters who met outside of the state capitol to express their disapproval of the Nov. 3rd election results. “We just feel with all the bad things that happened in the election that it shouldn’t happen again,” said Earl Austin, of Jacksonville. Although there was no evidence of election fraud, the supporters of former President Donald Trump who were in Tallahassee said they did not believe President Joe Biden deserved to be in the White House. Len Murray, who drove to Tallahassee from Fort Lauderdale, to show his support of Biden said he disapproves of the U.S. Capitol siege on Jan. 6. “I am hoping the first thing we do is accept the election,” Murray said adding, “I think the air was let out of their sails at the Capitol.” As law enforcement used drones to watch the small crowd from above, Robert Allen said the First Amendment protected them all and there was a need for more civility.

“‘Trumplicans’ greet Donald Trump in South Florida after snub of Joe Biden inauguration” by Miami Herald’s David Smiley and Martin Vassolo – Donald Trump spent his final moments as America’s 45th president in South Florida waving to his new neighbors from inside an armored Escalade and settling into post-presidential life in Palm Beach, rather than attending President Joe Biden’s inauguration. Trump, in the company of his family, touched down at Palm Beach International Airport at 10:54 a.m. Wednesday in Air Force One, becoming only the fourth president in the history of the United States to skip the swearing-in of his successor. Without taking questions from reporters at the airport, the Trumps entered their motorcade, which proceeded to crawl slowly down Southern Boulevard, giving the outgoing president time to wave and give double thumbs-ups to cheering crowds grouped at various points along his route. By 11:49 a.m., when Biden took his oath of office, Trump had already arrived home at Mar-a-Lago, his private Palm Beach club and residence. Trump’s decision to leave Washington early took him far from the nation’s frigid capital, where he had been largely isolated and frustrated following a riot at the U.S. Capitol by his supporters that led to his historic, second impeachment. And it delivered him into the warm embrace of South Florida, where he is expected to live in his retirement.

“Some South Florida Republican Trump supporters say they want to form new party” by Local 10’s Christina Vazquez and Michelle Solomon – While a national message of healing and finding unity within the United States was being broadcast, we saw the ongoing division that is happening within the Republican party, which began during the Donald Trump administration. It’s happening nationally, but we saw it firsthand locally. Miguel Saavebra was one of a handful of Trump supporters outside Miami’s Versailles Restaurant on Wednesday. “At this moment, I don’t know what’s going to happen with the unity,” Saavebra said referring to the Republican party. Trump may have said his farewell on Wednesday, but the election fraud claims that the former president promoted without providing evidence that passed legal scrutiny remain. “Biden and the house of Democrats, they cheating to the American people,” Saavebra sad. Trump may have said his farewell on Wednesday, but the election frau claims the former president promoted without providing evidence that passed legal scrutiny remain. A November poll by Politico/Morning Consult found that 70 percent of Republicans don’t think the election was free and fair.

“Florida lawmaker wants to rename roadway ‘President Donald J. Trump Highway’ by Nexstar Media Wire and KTLA Digital Staff – A Florida lawmaker says he will be supporting an amendment to rename a major Florida highway after former President Donald Trump — replacing a designation that now honors a longtime Democratic lawmaker. State Rep. Anthony Sabatini said he plans to sponsor a bill in the upcoming legislative session that would rename U.S. Highway 27 to “President Donald J. Trump Highway,” KTLA sister station WFLA in Tampa reported. “Looking forward to working on this important designation honoring one of the greatest Presidents in American History,” Sabatini, a Republican, tweeted Tuesday. U.S. Highway 27 runs from Fort Wayne, Indiana, to Miami. Sabatini’s proposal would affect the more than 400-mile portion that runs through the state of Florida. In the Sunshine State, the roadway is already named Claude Pepper Memorial Highway in honor of a longtime liberal Democratic lawmaker who served in the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate for more than five decades in total. Pepper died in 1989, and the Florida Legislature named the highway to honor him 10 years later, according to WUSF, a public radio station in the Tampa area. Sabatini’s renaming bid comes after a year in which he drew attention for opposing local mask mandates intended to limit the spread of the novel coronavirus, WUSF reported, describing him as a “conservative firebrand” on Twitter.

“Sheriff: Florida deputy charged with threats after US Capitol attack” by Associated Press – A Florida deputy was arrested Tuesday for threatening to kill federal officials following the riot at the U.S. Capitol earlier this month, officials said. Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd announced during a news conference that Deputy Peter Heneen, 29, was charged with making written threats to kill, conduct a mass shooting or an act of terrorism. The deputy, who was hired more than six years ago, has been suspended pending termination, Judd said. “I am angry beyond words,” Judd said. “Having him arrested was important. Having him arrested before Inauguration Day was even more important.” Joe Biden was sworn in as president Wednesday in front of the U.S. Capitol building in Washington. Congress had met there Jan. 6 to certify the results of the presidential election. But an angry mob coming from a rally for former President Donald Trump near the White House broke into the Capitol, forcing members of Congress to flee. Five people died during the riot, including one Capitol Police officer. Heneen had been communicating with another deputy on Facebook private messenger, angry about a rioter who had been fatally shot while trying to break through a door, the sheriff’s office said. According to screenshots of the conversation, Heneen talked about shooting “the feds” and making “the streets of DC run red with the blood of these tyrants,” officials said. The other deputy, who officials did not name, reported Heneen to his supervisors Jan. 8. Judd said they are still investigating, but Heneen does not appear to be part of any organized group or militia. Online jail records did not list an attorney for Heneen.

“Florida Politicians React to Biden Inauguration” by Spectrum News’ Scott Harrell – Before and during the inauguration proceedings on the steps of the U.S. Capitol, where former Vice President Joe Biden was sworn in as the 46th president of the United States and former Senator Kamala Harris became the country's first woman and POC vice president in history, politicians from across the Sunshine State weighed in on the historic moment. Republican Senator Marco Rubio, long a strident supporter of Donald Trump before an armed cadre of the former president's loyalists stormed the Capitol last week softened his stance a bit, wished the incoming president "health, strength & wisdom as he leads our nation at this moment of great & unprecedented challenges." Florida's other Trump-loving senator, former Governor Rick Scott, simply announced that he would be attending the inauguration, in a tweet that emphasized the importance of the tradition: U.S. Representative Val Demmings of Florida's 10th District, a Democrat, "could not be more honored to congratulate President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris." Another Florida Representative, former Republican and current Democrat Charlie Crist, congratulated the new president and vice president with a call to action, saying, "tomorrow we get to work restoring this great nation!" The two progressive mayors of Tampa Bay's largest cities spoke up online to relay their congratuations, as well. Tampa Mayor Jane Castor took to Twitter to express her excitement over the new administration, while St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman posted a parting shot at the outgoing president and an admiring comment on President Joe Biden's acceptance speech on his Facebook page.

National:

“Biden, in first tweet as president, says 'no time to waste' on agenda” by Fox News’ Brooke Singman – President Biden, just after delivering his inaugural address, said he would head to the White House to "get right to work" on his agenda. Biden, in his first tweet as president of the United States from the @POTUS account, tweeted: "There is no time to waste when it comes to tackling the crises we face," Biden said in his first tweet as president from the @POTUS account. "That's why today, I am heading to the Oval Office to get right to work delivering bold action and immediate relief for American families." Biden is expected to sign 17 executive orders and actions Wednesday afternoon from the Oval Office — some of which are expected to restore a number of Obama-era policies, and others will reverse some of what Biden's team calls "the gravest damages" of the Trump administration. In his first actions as president, Biden is set to roll back and reverse a number of Trump-era policies and directives. Biden, on Wednesday, will declare an "immediate termination" of funding for the border wall construction — putting an end to a key Trump campaign and administration promise to "build a wall" along the U.S.-Mexico border. The move will direct an "immediate pause" in wall construction and will "determine the best way to redirect funds that were diverted by the prior administration to fund wall construction." Biden will also sign an executive order revoking Trump's previous order that directed aggressive immigration enforcement. The Biden team said that the move will allow for the Department of Homeland Security and other agencies to set "civil immigration enforcement policies that best protect the American people" and that are "in line with our values and priorities."

“Anti-Biden Antifa attack Portland police officers forcing cops to retreat” by Fox News’ Louis Casiano – Antifa protesters in Portland clashed with authorities Wednesday as they gathered to voice dissatisfaction with President Joe Biden, forcing officers to retreat and taking at least one police bicycle, authorities said. The Portland Police Bureau said several events were planned in the city just hours after Biden was sworn in and implored the nation to come together. A crowd of up to 150 people gathered at Revolution Hall around 2 p.m. and marched to the headquarters of the Democratic Party of Oregon, Portland police Sgt. Kevin Allen said. The so-called J20 protest was a demonstration against Biden and law enforcment. Some in the group smashed windows and vandalized the building with graffiti. Calls and messages to the party headquarters were not immediately returned. When the group left the area and marched to a nearby park, police officers made "targeted arrests" in connection to the damage at the Democratic headquarters. The group later dispersed. In total, eight adults were arrested for crimes ranging from rioting and possession of a destructive device to reckless burning. At one point when officers on bicycles entered the crowd to tell someone to remove metal poles affixed to a banner that could be used as a weapon, they were swarmed and pelted with objects, Allen said.

“Who is Jen Psaki, Biden's White House press secretary?” by Fox News’ Joseph A. Wulfsohn – Jen Psaki made her debut in the White House Briefing Room on Wednesday as President Biden's press secretary. Psaki previously served in the Obama administration from 2009-2017. She first began as deputy White House press secretary and was later elevated to deputy White House communications director. In 2013, she moved to the State Department where she served as a spokesperson for then-Secretary of State John Kerry. During her tenure at the State Department, Psaki was known for her combative exchanges with reporters. One of those exchanges became at the center of a controversy after it was discovered in 2016 that an eight-minute exchange from 2013 with Fox News reporter James Rosen was edited out of the State Department archives, where she appears to admit that the department previously misled reporters and the American people about the origins of the Iran Nuclear Deal. In 2015, Psaki returned to the White House, this time as communication's director, which she served until the end of President Obama's second term. Following serving the Obama administration, she became CNN contributor and was featured on-air during the 2020 presidential election. After it was announced that Psaki would become Biden's White House press secretary, a resurfaced clip from October 2019 showed her appearing to question the then-Democratic candidate's questionable gaffes on the campaign trail, specifically one he made at a CNN town hall when he referred to "gay bathhouses" on the subject of LGBTQ issues.

“Biden targets Trump's legacy with first-day executive actions” by CNN’s Eric Bradner, Betsy Klein and Christoopher Hickey – President Joe Biden is finalizing 17 executive moves just hours after his inauguration Wednesday, moving faster and more aggressively to dismantle his predecessor's legacy than any other modern president. Biden is signing a flurry of executive orders, memorandums and directives to agencies, his first steps to address the coronavirus pandemic and undo some of former President Donald Trump's signature policies. "There's no time to start like today," Biden told reporters in the Oval Office as he began signing a stack of orders and memoranda. "I'm going to start by keeping the promises I made to the American people." With the stroke of a pen, Biden has halted funding for the construction of Trump's border wall, reversed his travel ban targeting largely Muslim countries and embraced progressive policies on the environment and diversity that Trump spent four years blocking.

Biden also reversed several of Trump's attempts to withdraw from international agreements, beginning the process of rejoining the Paris climate accord and halting the United States' departure from the World Health Organization -- where Dr. Anthony Fauci, the government's top infectious disease expert, will lead the US delegation. His first action was to impose a mask mandate on federal property, a break in approach to dealing with the pandemic from Trump, who repeatedly downplayed the virus. Biden also installed a coronavirus response coordinator to oversee the White House's efforts to distribute vaccines and medical supplies. Press secretary Jen Psaki and other top Biden officials had told reporters on the eve of his inauguration that the first-day actions are only part of what will be a series of moves to undo Trump policies and implement Biden's campaign promises in his first weeks in office.

“Biden rescinds 1776 commission via executive order” by CNN’s Caroline Kelly – President-elect Joe Biden on Wednesday issued an executive order to dissolve the 1776 commission, a panel stood up by President Donald Trump as a rebuttal to schools applying a more accurate history curriculum around slavery in the US, Biden's transition team announced Wednesday. The commission had been formed as an apparent counter to The New York Times' 1619 Project, a Pulitzer Prize-winning project aimed at teaching American students about slavery that Trump, speaking last fall, had called "toxic propaganda." The announcement comes just two days after the commission issued an inflammatory report on Martin Luther King Jr. Day and just hours before Biden will take over from Trump, whose time in office was marked by racist statements and actions. In its report released Monday, the commission asserted that "the Civil Rights Movement was almost immediately turned to programs that ran counter to the lofty ideals of the founders," specifically criticizing affirmative action policies and arguing that identity politics are "the opposite of King's hope that his children would 'live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.' " Calling today's ideological divisions akin to those experienced during the Civil War, commission members also took aim at feminists and the widespread use of ethnic and racial identities in American life, arguing that they had been constructed by "activists." "A radical women's liberation movement reimagined America as a patriarchal system, asserting that every woman is a victim of oppression by men. The Black Power and black nationalist movements reimagined America as a white supremacist regime. Meanwhile, other activists constructed artificial groupings to further divide Americans by race, creating new categories like 'Asian American' and 'Hispanic' to teach Americans to think of themselves in terms of group identities and to rouse various groups into politically cohesive bodies," the report stated.

“QAnon believers are in disarray after Biden is inaugurated” by CNN Business’ Brian Fung and Kaya Yurieff – For years, believers of the QAnon conspiracy theory had been waiting for the moment when a grand plan would be put into action and secret members of a supposed Satanic pedophilia ring at the highest ranks of government and Hollywood would suddenly be exposed, rounded up and possibly even publicly executed. They were nearly always sure it was right around the corner, but "The Storm" never came — and the moment of Joe Biden's inauguration was the last possible opportunity for President Donald Trump to put the plan in motion. But as Biden raised his hand and swore an oath to defend the Constitution, becoming the nation's 46th president — nothing happened. The anti-climax sent QAnon adherents into a frenzy of confusion and disbelief, almost instantly shattering a collective delusion that had been nurtured and amplified by many on the far right. Now, in addition to being scattered to various smaller websites after Facebook (FB) and Twitter (TWTR) cracked down on QAnon-related content, believers risked having their own topsy-turvy world turned upside down, or perhaps right-side up. Members of a QAnon-focused Telegram channel, and some users of the image board 4chan, vowed to keep the faith. Others proclaimed they were renouncing their beliefs. Still others devised new theories that purported to push the ultimate showdown further into the future. One of the ideology's most visible icons, Ron Watkins — who goes by the online moniker CodeMonkeyZ — told supporters to "go back to our lives." "The most hardcore QAnon followers are in disarray," said Daniel J. Jones, president of Advance Democracy, a nonpartisan nonprofit that tracks extremist groups and misinformation online. "After years of waiting for the 'Great Awakening,' QAnon adherents seemed genuinely shocked to see President Biden successfully inaugurated. A significant percentage online are writing that they are now done with the QAnon, while others are doubling down and promoting new conspiracies."

“Florida Ophthalmologist With Ties to Sen. Menendez Among Those Granted Clemency by Trump” by WSJ’s Christopher Weaver – A Florida eye doctor convicted of defrauding Medicare of $73 million got a break when President Trump commuted the man’s sentence hours before vacating the White House. The doctor, Salomon Melgen, age 66, received a 17-year sentence in 2018, which he has been serving at a federal prison in Miami, according to the Bureau of Prisons. While Mr. Trump has been criticized for pardoning political allies such as his former chief strategist Steve Bannon, Dr. Melgen’s case represents a reprieve for a politically connected convict linked to a top Democrat: Before his fraud conviction, the North Palm Beach-based ophthalmologist stood trial alongside U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez for allegedly bribing the New Jersey Democrat. That case was dropped in 2018 after a mistrial. A lawyer for Dr. Melgen, Sam Stern, didn’t respond to a request for comment Wednesday. Spokespeople for Mr. Trump didn’t respond to requests for comment. The Trump White House said in announcing the pardons and commutations that Dr. Melgen’s “patients and friends testify to his generosity in treating all patients, especially those unable to pay,” and that his reprieve had been supported by a Republican congressman in addition to Mr. Menendez. Mr. Menendez said in a statement that he didn’t know what motivated President Trump to act, “but I am pretty sure it’s not me.” He said that he had spoken on Dr. Melgen’s behalf in connection with the commutation but “had no expectation that [President Trump] would act.”

“Democrats Officially Take Control of the U.S. Senate” by WSJ’s Lindsay Wise – Democrats officially control the U.S. Senate, with the swearing in of three new Democratic senators, but negotiations with Republicans have yet to yield a deal on power sharing. Vice President Kamala Harris administered the oath of office on Wednesday to newly elected Democratic Sens. Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff of Georgia and to her own successor, Democratic Sen. Alex Padilla of California. Both the Democratic and Republican Senate caucuses now have 50 members, and Ms. Harris will cast any tie-breaking vote. Messrs. Warnock and Ossoff are Georgia’s first Black and first Jewish senators, respectively. And Mr. Padilla is the first Latino senator from California. Sen. Chuck Schumer (D., N.Y.) now becomes the Senate majority leader. But talks on an organizing resolution for the new Senate have stalled, complicating the timing of confirmation votes for President Biden’s cabinet nominees, as well as the prospects for new legislation. But the parties did come together Wednesday night to confirm Avril Haines, Mr. Biden’s pick to lead the U.S. intelligence community, 84-10. The broadly bipartisan vote made Ms. Haines the first woman to serve as director of national intelligence and delivered the newly inaugurated president his first Senate-confirmed Cabinet secretary. Power-sharing negotiations between Mr. Schumer and top Republican Mitch McConnell (R., Ky.)—now the minority leader—ran into trouble this week over the fate of the legislative filibuster, a longstanding rule that empowers the minority party to block most bills. Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois, the No. 2 Senate Democrat, didn’t say what the holdup was on reaching an agreement with Republicans on the organizing resolution, or when he expected a deal to get done. “The first meeting was not as productive as we hoped,” he told reporters.

“Biden’s Stimulus Is a Two-Pronged Attack on Income Inequality” by WSJ’s Greg Ip – There are two ways for the federal government to address income inequality. One is to redistribute more money to people at the bottom of the income ladder. The other is to use the tools of fiscal and monetary policy to drive unemployment low enough to drive up demand and wages for those workers. President-elect Joe Biden is trying to do both. A sizable chunk of the $1.9 trillion fiscal plan he laid out Thursday is aimed at lower-income people, and, in combination with ultralow interest rates and widespread vaccination, the stimulus could drive down unemployment far faster than after any other recent recession. Mr. Biden proposed raising the child tax credit 50% to $3,000 or more for the year and making it refundable, meaning families who owe less tax than the credit would get a check for the difference. He would extend and boost enhanced weekly unemployment insurance benefits by $100 from the $300 in December’s stimulus package to $400. He would extend a 15% increase in food stamps through the summer, raise the maximum earned-income tax credit for childless adults by nearly $1,000 and extend it to more people. Those steps, plus adding $1,400 to the $600-per-adult checks approved in December, would slash the poverty rate from 12.6% to 9%, or by more than 11 million people, according to an analysis by the Center on Poverty and Social Policy at Columbia University. The number of children in poverty would drop by half, or 5 million. Then there’s the macroeconomic impact. If Mr. Biden’s proposal is enacted, it would, along with $900 billion in December and previous measures, add $5.3 trillion to deficits, according to the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget. That’s a staggering 25% of gross domestic product.

“Trump-backing California legislator ousted as GOP caucus leader” by Politico’s Jeremy B. White – State Senate Republicans have chosen Sen. Scott Wilk to lead their caucus, ousting incumbent Sen. Shannon Grove, according to multiple Capitol sources. In trading Grove for Wilk, Republicans are opting for a more moderate choice. Wilk (R-Santa Clarita) periodically votes with Democrats, and he has scored rare endorsements from organized labor — the types of connections that could increase his clout in a Capitol dominated by Democrats. He just won back a battleground seat, thanks in part to massive spending by the California Republican Party and interest groups, and he is termed out in 2024. Dissatisfaction with Grove’s leadership was already mounting after Senate Republicans lost two seats this election even as California Republicans picked up multiple House seats, shriveling the Senate GOP caucus to just nine members. Grove (R-Bakersfield) exacerbated the situation with a tweet blaming the U.S. Capitol riots on antifa. While Grove deleted and sought to walk back the tweet, sources said it amplified concerns among mainstream Republican allies like business groups that Grove embraces fringe views. She had previously asserted that President Donald Trump won a second term. Grove's ouster came on the day President Joe Biden took office, underscoring the larger decisions facing the California Republican Party. She has been a stalwart defender of Trump, but many California Republicans believe the president's enduring toxicity in California has damaged down-ballot candidates and alienated moderates. A source within the Republican caucus who requested anonymity cited “the super-tight association with the Trump administration and the not well-timed comments on antifa."

“Donald Trump leaves as he arrived, minus his microphone” by Politico’s Anita Kumar, Meridith McGraw, and Michael Grunwald – Donald Trump left Washington the same way he came in — flouting traditions, demanding praise and fixated on making himself the center of the story. There was only one difference: The spotlight he so religiously craves was no longer on him. Trump departed the White House early Wednesday, hours before his successor, Joe Biden, took the oath of office at a scaled-back inauguration ceremony outside the heavily fortified Capitol. After boarding Air Force One, he flew to south Florida, where he awaits an uncertain post-presidency amid criminal investigations, lawsuits and a second impeachment trial over the Capitol riots he helped foment. Trump skipped the traditional farewell speech to the nation, news conference and televised interviews designed to serve as capstones to his time in office. He did leave a handwritten note for Biden at the Resolute Desk at the urging of people around him, including Republican leader Kevin McCarthy — about the only custom he followed. But just as Trump came into office in his own unique way, he left on his own terms too. The outgoing president hosted his own ceremony at Andrews Air Force Base. In the lead up to it, his team pressed former officials — including spurned former White House aides like John Kelly, John Bolton, and Omarosa Manigault-Newman — to attend in hopes of producing a grand send-off. But it fell far short of that. Only several hundred die-hard supporters showed up to watch the president depart. Aides Mark Meadows, Stephen Miller and Kash Patel were there. So was surrogate Sebastian Gorka. Vice President Mike Pence and GOP leaders in Congress were not. Neither was Republican National Committee Chair Ronna McDaniel, who is still recovering from surgery. Those who came stood in a cold breeze as the Trump campaign playlist — from Macho Man to Tiny Dancer — blared over the loudspeakers. A military band played as Trump stepped off Marine One and walked down a red carpet to a makeshift stage.

“Trump leaves QAnon and the online MAGA world crushed and confused” by Politico’s Tina Nguyen and Mark Scott – The pardons went to Democrats, lobbyists and rappers, with nary a “patriot” among them. The mass arrests of Antifa campaigners never came. The inauguration stage at the Capitol, full of America’s most powerful politicians, was not purged of Satan-worshipping pedophiles under a shower of gunfire. Even the electricity stayed on. The moment the clock struck noon on Wednesday, Jan. 20, it was over — and the extreme factions of Trump’s diehard base were left reeling. Inauguration Day 2021 was supposed to be a culminating moment for the legion of online conspiracy theorists and extremists who have rallied around the now former president. But the lengthy list of prophecies they’d been told would eventually happen under Trump’s watch never came. In the days leading up to Trump’s departure from office, his online followers watched with horror as his pardons that were supposed to go to allies and supporters instead went to people who were inherently swampy: white-collar criminals convicted of tax fraud, family friends, Steve Bannon, even Democrat Kwame Kirkpatrick. “So just to recap: Trump will pardon Lil Wayne, Kodak Black, high profile Jewish fraudsters … No pardons for middle class whites who risked their livelihoods by going to ‘war’ for Trump,” fumed a user in a white supremacist channel on Telegram, the encrypted messaging service that has gained thousands of new subscribers since the Jan. 6 Capitol riots. Conspiracies flew — out of the mouth of Fox News host Tucker Carlson — that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell had blackmailed Trump out of pardoning Wikileaks founder Julian Assange, further infuriating MAGA hardliners. Trump’s anti-immigrant base, who’d been with him since his initial run for the presidency in 2015, flipped out when he granted amnesty to tens of thousands of Venezuelan migrants.

“U.S. ends program sending asylum seekers to Mexico to wait for court hearings” by Reuters Staff – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security, in the first day under President Joe Biden, suspended all new enrollments in a program that has pushed tens of thousands of migrants to wait in Mexico for asylum hearings in U.S. courts. The program, known as the Migrant Protection Protocols, was put in place by President Donald Trump and has left people stuck for months in limbo near the U.S. border. It will end on Jan. 21 but current COVID-19 non-essential travel restrictions will remain in place, a statement from the agency said. “All current MPP participants should remain where they are, pending further official information from U.S. government officials,” it said.

“Biden administration calls China sanctions on Trump officials 'unproductive and cynical'” by Reuters Staff – China’s move to sanction former Trump administration officials was “unproductive and cynical”, a spokeswoman for President Joe Biden’s National Security Council said on Wednesday, urging Americans from both parties to condemn the move. Around the time Biden was sworn in as president on Wednesday China announced sanctions against “lying and cheating” outgoing Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and 27 other top officials under former President Donald Trump.

The post JUICE — Florida Politics' Juicy Read — 1.21.20 — Florida #1 in Vaccinations – Biden Insults Israel — COVID, MAGA, Deutch, Proud Boys — More.. appeared first on The Floridian.

JUICE - Florida Politics' Juicy Read - 3.10.20 - Coronavirus Hysteria! -DeSantis Declares Emergency - E-Verify Bill Passes FL Senate - REAL Russian Collusion

Javier Manjarres — Tue, 10 Mar 2020 11:50:41 +0000

Photo by POLITICO's Gary Fineout

CORONAVIRUS HYSTERIA

The Sky is Falling! The Sky is Falling!

Not really, but the spreading disease is causing havoc with the global stock markets hitting gas prices hard, and shutting down entire countries.

Coronavirus hysteria has officially hit Florida, and because of it, Gov. Ron DeSantis has declared a formal State of Emergency for the state.

DeSantis’ declaration comes after the desks of (5) legislators who were in D.C. for the annual CPAC conference were wiped clean due to possible exposure to the virus.

Let me just say that I, your ‘loveable little fuzzball of a reporter” was also at CPAC and had interactions with Reps. Byron Donalds and Anthony Sabatini, not to mention spending time with my good friend ACU Chairman Matt Schlapp and sharing an elevator with Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-TX). (On that elevator there were 4 other members, including two Democrats)

I also shook hands with and hugged it out with Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL), but I am not going to self-quarantine. No need.

Read Gov. DeSantis’ Emergency Declaration HERE.

The Biden Boom

Yeah, he is a walking gaffe machine, but Democrats will give him a pass. It doesn’t matter that Biden confuses his wife and sister, or that he forgets President Obama’s name, or that he gets testy, in your face with would-be voters.

The alternative to Biden, as Rep. Donna Shalala (D) said, is “unacceptable.”

A Fidel Castro-loving Sen. Bernie Sanders presidential nomination would severally cripple the Democratic party for years to come because it would all most certainly flip the U.S. House of Representatives back to GOP control.

Because of all this, House Democrats are coming out in droves to endorse Biden. Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell joins Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Ted Deutch, Donna Shalala, and a slew of other House Democrats to come out openly to support the former vice president over Sanders.

READ MORE about the endorsement HERE

Visit The Floridian

“Trump Announces Payroll Tax Cut Relief Amid Financial Market Fear Over Coronavirus” by The Floridian’s Mona Salama – President Trump announced Monday evening that the White House will ask Congress to approve a “very substantial” payroll tax cut and relief for hourly workers to combat the economic turmoil caused by the coronavirus. “We are to be meeting with House Republicans, Mitch McConnell, and discussing a possible payroll tax cut or relief, substantial relief, very substantial relief.” Trump told reporters in the White House briefing room. “We’re also going to be talking about hourly wage earners getting help so that they can be in a position so they are not going to ever miss a paycheck.” Trump said the White House is also working with the Small Business Administration and industries including airlines, cruise ship businesses and hotel owners, which are all grappling with economic hardship as demand from consumers slumps and travelers cancel plans. “We are going to take care of and have been taking care of the American public and the American economy,” Trump said. “This was something that we were thrown into and we’re gonna handle it and we have been handling it very well.” The president along with officials will meet with Senate Republicans on Tuesday to discuss the potential stimulus measures. After the meeting, President Trump said he will hold a press conference to detail the proposed economic package. “I will be here tomorrow afternoon to let you know about some of the economic steps, which will be major,” Trump told reporters. “We’ll explain what we’re doing on an economic standpoint and from an economic standpoint but they will be very dramatic and we have a great economy. We have a very strong economy. But this has blindsided the world.”

“Biden: I Wish Trump “Would Just Be Quiet” on Coronavirus Response” by The Floridian’s Mona Salama – Former Vice President Joe Biden in an exclusive interview with MSNBC said he wish President Trump would “just be quiet” and let the health experts “speak” on “what we should be doing.” “I wish he would just be quiet, I really mean it. That’s an awful thing to say about a president, but be quiet, just let the experts speak and acknowledge whatever they suggest to him is what we should be doing,” Biden said in an interview set to air Monday night on MSNBC’s ‘Last Word.’ When asked by MSNBC host Lawrence O’Donnell if he thinks the market plummeting is based on President Trump not telling them or the country “the truth about this situation” in his public remarks. “I believe that’s the case. Now, it doesn’t mean the market wouldn’t still go down, but it wouldn’t collapse, I don’t think. Now, who can say? But I think there’s no confidence in the president in anything he says or does,” Biden responded. “He turns everything into what he thinks is a political benefit for himself, and he’s actually imploding in the process. But there’s a lot of innocent bystanders being badly hurt.” Democrats have targeted the president and his administration response to the Coronavirus, politicizing the issue in digital ad campaigning against Republicans in key House districts. 2020 hopefuls have slammed President Trump, saying they would handle it different if they were president.

“Florida Senate passes E-Verify measure” by The Floridian’s Javier Manjarres – The Florida Senate has just passed its E-Verify measure SB 664, a bill that would ensure that Florida businesses only hire individuals who are legally eligible to be in the country. Senator and state GOP Chairman Joe Gruters (R), who introduced the bill, said that because ““Florida’s economy continues to grow under Governor DeSantis’ leadership and by using E-Verify we will only expand jobs and opportunities for legal workers in our state.” “We live in a nation of laws and illegal immigration undermines those laws, threatens public safety in our state, and undercuts wages for Florida workers. It is only right to require employers to follow the rule of law and to ensure that the workers they are hiring are eligible and, in our country, legally,” added Gruters. Gov. Ron DeSantis, who has called for an all-of-the-above legislative solution to combatting illegal immigration, is expected to sign the final measure once it gets passed both chambers of the Florida legislature.

“Biden scores ‘Big Gay’ lobby endorsement” by The Floridian’s Javier Manjarres – Florida’s Gay or LGBTQ community has decided to endorse Vice President Joe Biden in the 2020 Democratic presidential primary race. The Biden campaign released the show of support citing that a recent survey shows that 84% of gay organization’s membership supports Biden over Senator Bernie Sanders. Rep. Donna Shalala (D), along with Reps. Kathy Castor, Charlie Crist, Val Demmings, Ted Deutch, Lois Frankel, Alcee Hastings, Al Lawson, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Darren Soto, and Frederica Wilson, have all lent their support for the former vice president. It appears as if Biden could be on the verge of steamrolling Sanders.

“Third GOP Lawmaker to Self-Quarantine After Exposure to Coronavirus Patient at CPAC” by The Floridian’s Mona Salama – Rep. Doug Collins (R-GA) announced Monday afternoon that he will be “self quarantine” at home after sustaining contact with a person at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) who tested positive with Coronavirus. “This afternoon, I was notified by CPAC that they discovered a photo of myself and the patient who has tested positive for coronavirus,” Collins said in a statement on Twitter. “While I feel completely healthy and I am not experiencing any symptoms, I have decided to self-quarantine at my home for the remainder of the 14-day period out of an abundance of caution.” “I will follow the recommendations of the House Physician and my office will provide updates as appropriate,” he added. “This afternoon, I was notified by CPAC that they discovered a photo of myself and the patient who has tested positive for #COVID19. While I am not experiencing any symptoms, I have decided to self-quarantine out of an abundance of caution.” Collins is now the third GOP lawmakers to come and say they are taking precautionary measure by self-quarantine for the next two weeks after coming into contact with the infected individual at CPAC. On Saturday, the American Conservative Union (ACU) said a person who attended CPAC in the end of February was later discovered to have tested positive for Coronavirus. The group said the person had been exposed to the virus before attending the conference and was tested for the disease in a New Jersey hospital, which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed as positive.

“The REAL Russian collusion is between Russia and Venezuela” by The Floridian’s Javier Manjarres – Since being sworn in as the 45th President of the United States, Donald Trump has been under incredible scrutiny and outright persecution by his Democrat detractors and many media outlets who feel that Trump does not deserve to sit behind the Resolute Desk. Democratic detractors have accused President Trump of colluding with the Russian government to win the 2016 election, but in reality, the true questionable and shady Russian collusion has transpired between the regime in Venezuela and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Because Dictator Nicholas Maduro’s government is weighed down by a massive financial debt to the Russians, Putin has decided to call in his country’s marker. Russia has all-but taken complete control of Venezuela’s oil industry in an obvious move to help pay back the money Venezuela owes it and appears to be positioning itself to completely control that country’s oil industry once Maduro leaves (gets forced out) office. According to a July 2017 CNN money article, U.S. companies have fled Venezuela or have been pressured to get out and cut their loses. Companies like Delta, United Airlines, GM, Pepsi, General Mills, Bridgestone, and others have significantly scaled back operations or have suspended services or production in the increasingly Russian-dominated country that some analysts and watchful eyes are starting to call “Little Russia.”

“Cory Booker Endorses Joe Biden” by The Floridian’s Mona Salama – Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) endorsed Joe Biden for president in a tweet Monday morning, saying the former vice president will “restore honor to the Oval Office and tackle our most pressing challenges.” “The answer to hatred & division is to reignite our spirit of common purpose. @JoeBiden won’t only win – he’ll show there’s more that unites us than divides us,” Booker tweeted. “He’ll restore honor to the Oval Office and tackle our most pressing challenges. That’s why I’m proud to endorse Joe.” Biden retweeted Booker’s post shortly after, saying he is “incredibly grateful” for the senator’s endorsement. “Cory — Your leadership has given hope to so many and has inspired our nation to rise to meet the challenges of today,” he said. “I’m incredibly grateful for your endorsement — and I look forward to working alongside you to unite the country and defeat Donald Trump.” Booker will campaign with Biden in Flint and Detroit, Michigan, as well as attend a fundraiser with him Monday afternoon. The endorsement comes on the eve of the next round of primaries, with six states voting Tuesday, including delegate-heavy and key general-election battleground state of Michigan. Booker ended his own presidential bid in January, after failing to qualify for the Democratic debate ahead of the Iowa caucuses. During his run, Booker sparred with Biden on a number of policy proposals, including his past statements he made about working with segregationist lawmakers in the Senate and his vote for the 1994 crime bill.

“Democrats’ Arizona debate will have ‘more Purell than you’ve ever seen,’ Tom Perez says” by Miami Herald’s David Smiley – At first, Tom Perez shook hands. But with novel coronavirus cases surfacing in Broward County, the chairman of the Democratic National Committee quickly switched to elbow bumps in Oakland Park Monday as he greeted field workers preparing to fan out and register voters in Florida’s bluest county for the general election. In Doral a few hours later, former Secretary of State John Kerry, campaigning for former Vice President Joe Biden ahead of Florida’s March 17 primary, avoided contact as much as possible in a cramped restaurant space. “I’d shake everybody’s hand...” he said, instead thrusting his elbows side to side in the air and swiveling his hips. “It’s a new dance.” The outbreak of COVID-19 in the United States is complicating the Democratic presidential race, but not derailing it: Over the weekend, the largest federation of unions in the U.S. canceled a Thursday presidential forum in Orlando with Vice President Joe Biden and Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders. Members of Congress have had to “self-isolate” after attending political conferences also attended by confirmed COVID-19 patients. And the Florida House paused its business Monday to disinfect the chamber over coronavirus concerns.

“Democrats launch major Florida organizing effort” by Politico’s Marc Caputo – Democrats have launched a new phase in their Florida ground war. Organizing Together 2020, a battleground-state initiative, announced its leadership team and plans to put more than 100 paid staff on the ground in 30 of the state’s 67 counties. Chaired by the only statewide elected Democrat — Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried — Organizing Together 2020 is one of four groups independently operating in Florida, including the Democratic Party, the For Our Future super PAC and billionaire Mike Bloomberg’s political committee which is being converted from the remnants of his just-ended presidential campaign. Florida takes on a singular importance this year because it’s the swing state Trump needs to carry to win reelection and, as of late last year, it’s officially his home state after switching residency and registering to vote here. “It’s all hands on deck to beat Donald Trump,” said Ashley Walker, Organizing Together’s lead consultant in the state, who helped lead President Barack Obama’s successful elections in Florida. “Florida is too big to start late — there’s too much at stake for us to wait,” she said. “Trump is here every other week, so it’s time for us to get moving.” In all, Organizing Together 2020 is operating in six states along with Bloomberg’s political committee: Florida, Arizona, Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. The group is funded by a political nonprofit called the Strategic Victory Fund, whose donors are anonymous. What makes Organizing Together different from the other groups is that it’s designed to end after the party names a presidential nominee at the Democratic National Convention in July, at which point its field offices, employees and volunteer corps are to be transferred over to the nominee’s campaign.

“Marco Rubio, Rick Scott Back Resolution Honoring Las Damas de Blanco” by Florida Daily’s Kevin Derby – Last week, Florida’s two U.S. senators–Republicans Marco Rubio and Rick Scott–backed a resolution honoring Las Damas de Blanco, a group of Cuban women who oppose the Castro regime. Rubio introduced the resolution which Scott, U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Mary., U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez, D-NJ, are cosponsoring. Rubio’s office praised Las Damas de Blanco as “a women-led peaceful nonviolent movement in support of freedom and human rights in Cuba, and calling for the release of all political prisoners in Cuba” and as “courageous women gather and march every Sunday in the streets of Havana carrying a picture of their loved ones, who are political prisoners, in one hand and a white gladiolus in the other.” “Las Damas de Blanco have consistently faced brutal repression and arbitrary arrests by the Castro and Díaz-Canel dictatorship,” Rubio said. “These brave women, recipients of multiple awards, personify the courage of those who speak for the voiceless on the island and who tirelessly advocate for a free and democratic Cuba. As a Cuban American, I am proud to honor and recognize Las Damas de Blanco by introducing this bipartisan resolution.” “For nearly 17 years, Las Damas de Blanco have marched peacefully through the streets of Havana calling for freedom and the release of all political prisoners,” Menendez said. “With this resolution, we honor these women for their enduring commitment to human rights in Cuba, and for their bravery and resilience in the face of harassment, imprisonment, and violent attacks. As we commemorate International Women’s Day this week, we stand in unwavering solidarity with the Damas de Blanco and continue to champion their cause.”

“Florida Senate approves making the Constitution harder than ever to change” by Miami Herald’s Lawrence Mower – The Florida Senate on Monday passed a sweeping bill making it even harder for grass-roots organizations to change the state Constitution, an effort to stop future petition efforts opposed by major Republican donors. On a 23-17 party-line vote, senators approved the bill and sent it to the House, where it is expected to pass. Both chambers would have to pass the bill to make it to Gov. Ron DeSantis’ desk. Under the bill, petition organizers would have to gather far more signatures to trigger a required review of the ballot measure by the Florida Supreme Court, while raising what they pay for each signature to be reviewed. House Bill 7037 and Senate Bill 1794 would require organizers jump through several more hoops and spend a lot more money to see their proposed amendments become reality. Currently, organizers have to gather signatures from 10 percent of the number of votes cast in the most recent election in at least a fourth of the state’s 27 congressional districts. That’s just to trigger a review by the Florida Supreme Court, which determines whether the amendment is legal. What Republicans want to do is require organizers to gather 50 percent of signatures in at least half the congressional districts. That would force groups to spend more money on a measure before knowing whether it will pass the Supreme Court’s review. Gathering signatures would also get much more expensive. Signatures have to be verified by the local supervisor of elections. Currently, supervisors can charge no more than $0.10 to review each signature. The bill would allow elections supervisors to charge the “actual cost” to review each signature. Bill sponsor Sen. Travis Hutson, R-Elkton, said supervisors told him the cost ranges from $0.42 to $1.02. On top of those changes, the bills would allow any citizen file a court petition to challenge whether the person gathering petitions is registered with the state.

“School choice expansion bill passes in the House” by The Capitolist’s Jordan Kirkland – The Florida House on Monday passed a bill that would expand school choice voucher programs in the state, making them more accessible to middle-class families. The measure (HB 7067), assembled by the House Education Committee and sponsored by Representative Jennifer Sullivan, passed unanimously in its third reading on the House floor with an 81-39 vote. Sullivan’s legislation would grow the state’s newly created Family Empowerment (FES) scholarship program, which provides vouchers for nearly 18,000 students to attend private schools every year. The change is expected to accelerate the yearly growth in vouchers, adding over 10,000 students to the program. Students are eligible for the scholarship if household income level did not exceed 260 percent of the federal poverty level. That qualification could change after the House adopted an amendment on Friday to raise the household income. Under the new amendment, students would be FES-eligible if household income doesn’t exceed 300 percent of the federal poverty level. If more than 5 percent of scholarships still are available once the school year begins, families that make up to 325 percent of the federal poverty level are eligible for the scholarship. Monday’s bill would also increase the maximum number of students allowed to participate in FES annually to one percent — previously set at a quarter-percent. The changes would see the maximum number of students eligible grow from 28,902 to 46,626 next year.

READ MORE at THE FLORIDIAN

“‘Never Trump’ Republicans Will Support Biden, not Sanders” by New York Times’ Sarah Longwell – As more data emerge to explain former Vice President Joe Biden’s stunning victory on Super Tuesday, there are two clear demographics that propelled him: African-American voters and suburban voters with college degrees. It’s a coalition that helped moderate Democrats flip seven governorships, two Senate seats and about 40 House districts (the newly Democratic suburbs alone would have secured a House majority) from red to blue in 2018. African-Americans have long made up a core of the Democratic voting base, but many of Mr. Biden’s college-educated, suburban supporters are right-leaning independents or moderate Republicans who supported candidates like John McCain and Mitt Romney. They don’t want to re-elect Donald Trump. And they’re willing to cross over to vote for a Democrat — a moderate and mainstream Democrat. These voters might not identify with the “Never Trump” group of conservatives who vociferously oppose the president. But in practice, that’s who they are. They often voted for Republicans in the past and are now firmly anti-Trump. These voters can create winning margins for Democrats in swing states like Michigan, Pennsylvania, Arizona and North Carolina in the general election. Their numerical strength was on full display on Super Tuesday in the Virginia and Texas suburbs, which saw 74 percent and 87 percent higher voter turnout, respectively, than four years ago. These de facto Never Trumpers also showed up in large quantities in the suburbs of Charleston, S.C., where 58 percent more people voted in the Democratic primary last Tuesday compared with 2016. And they pulled the lever overwhelmingly for Joe Biden. In Iowa last month, while Democratic turnout was down from 2016 throughout the rest of the state, it spiked 38 percent in Dallas County — the far suburbs of Des Moines that had been stalwart Republican country not long ago.

“The National Injunction Arrives at the Supreme Court” by Reason’s Samuel Bray’s – The national injunction has landed again at the Supreme Court, and maybe the third time's the charm. Nick Bagley and I filed an amicus brief today, with the able assistance of Donald Burke and Zachary Ferguson at Robbins Russell. Which side we take is not a mystery. We wrote together about this subject in the Atlantic, and we each testified earlier this month before the Senate Committee on the Judiciary. But even for those who have been following the debate there may be some new twists. We take up the following questions: Is the national injunction novel? (Yes.) Is the national injunction supported by equity's tradition of group litigation? (No.) Is the national injunction authorized by the APA? (No.) Is the national injunction good policy? (No—and though that conclusion will be unsurprising, we also give new arguments and new examples of the chaos caused by the national injunction.) Finally, was a national preliminary injunction needed in this case? (No.) If you want to read the brief, it's here. And, as always, you should read the other side. (I'll update this post with links to any briefs devoted to the national injunction issue in support of respondents.)

“Joe Biden holds 19-point lead over Bernie Sanders, national poll shows” by New York Posts’ Mark Moore – Former Vice President Joe Biden has a 19 percentage point lead over Sen. Bernie Sanders in the Democratic presidential race, according to a new national poll released Monday. Biden, coming off a strong performance last week on Super Tuesday, has the support of 54 percent of Democrats and independents leaning Democratic, while Sanders is the choice of 35 percent of the group, the Quinnipiac University poll shows. The survey also found that Biden is seen as more favorable by voters than Sanders. Seventy-seven percent of Democrats and Democratic-leaning voters have a favorable opinion of Biden and 13 percent see him as unfavorable – while Sanders has a 71 percent favorability and a 17 percent unfavorable rating. The new national poll was released as the two Democratic candidates are gearing up for primary elections in six states on Tuesday — Michigan, Missouri, Mississippi, Washington, Idaho and North Dakota. Biden swept 10 of the 14 states that went to the polls on Super Tuesday, March 3, including pulling off upsets in Massachusetts and Texas, and emerged with more delegates than Sanders, despite his winning delegate-rich California. Sanders has said that his campaign is looking to rebound in Michigan, which has 125 delegates up for grabs, but the poll numbers suggest he may have a tough row to hoe.

“Trump pushes payroll tax cut and assistance for hourly workers in coronavirus economic response” by CNN’s Kevin Liptak, Kaitlan Collins, and Jeremy Diamond – President Donald Trump said Monday he would press lawmakers to enact a payroll tax cut and ensure assistance is available to hourly workers amid a roiling coronavirus pandemic that's caused deep economic concerns and stock market shock. Trump said he'd reveal further details of the "very dramatic" steps during a Tuesday afternoon news conference. As the virus spreads, the President has eyed the plummeting stock market as boding poorly for his political prospects. Trump was speaking at a White House briefing following a huddle with aides to weigh options for an economic stimulus meant to blunt the economic fallout of coronavirus after stocks plunged and concerns continued to grow over the administration's handling of the crisis. Trump spoke very briefly and did not take questions, leaving it to other officials to speak about the response to the outbreak. "We are going to be asking tomorrow, we're seeing the Senate. We're going to be meeting with House Republicans, Mitch McConnell, everybody discussing a possible payroll tax cut or relief, substantial relief," Trump said, surrounded by officials he'd tasked to respond to the issue. "We're also going to be talking about hourly wage earners getting help so that they can be in a position where they're not going to ever miss a paycheck," he added. While some members of Congress have publicly floated ideas to spur the US economy and help affected industries, before Monday the President had not yet endorsed any specific action and officials have offered differing views of how sweeping a stimulus plan could be. Some ideas under consideration include steps to defer taxes on the airline, cruise and hospitality industries, all battered by the virus. The White House has also weighed an expansion of paid sick leave — a major focus for some White House officials, who fear the virus could spread further if service workers go to work sick.

“US military faces challenge to keep Pentagon functioning as coronavirus pandemic spreads” by CNN’s Barbara Starr – US military leadership has already taken a number of decisive actions in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak -- canceling military exercises with allies, self-quarantining ships and screening new recruits for the virus. But as it continues to spread in the US, the challenge of keeping the Pentagon, which serves as the military's nerve center, functioning if the virus hits the work force is coming into focus. While preparations are being made for teleworking and some staff could move off-site if the situation becomes severe, a small number of critical staff could be "locked down" to perform crucial functions in the Pentagon's command center. In a clear sign Defense Secretary Mark Esper is working to mitigate the risk posed by the outbreak, an unusual high-level staff meeting was held on Monday morning. Instead of cramming senior staffers into one meeting room, officials were spread out over three rooms and spoke via video conference. "I think the secretary is trying to set the example that we need to take some of these common sense measures," said Pentagon spokesman Jonathan Hoffman. In a briefing at the Pentagon on Thursday last week, Esper said he would be "changing social interactions" to "try and prevent the spread." The Pentagon has been quietly planning for weeks on how to mitigate against the infection circulating among the workforce and what to do if it breaks out. Detailed plans are being worked on but there are few definitive answers yet because its unknown how much of an impact the virus may have, six defense officials tell CNN.

“Coronavirus outbreak in US 'entering a new phase,' ex-CDC official says” by Fox News’ Alexandria Hein – The novel coronavirus has spread to at least 34 states in the U.S. and Washington, D.C., and each official who has confirmed cases in their home state has warned that more illnesses are likely to come, especially as more test kits are made available. “The outbreak is entering a new phase, from mostly travel-related cases to domestic transmission,” Dr. Robert Amler, dean of the School of Health Sciences and Practice at New York Medical College and former Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) chief medical officer, told Fox News. “This puts our preventative measures to the test – how good a job can every one of us do to minimize the spread of the virus?” On Monday, the CDC said none of its employees had tested positive for COVID-19, but discussed a series of guidelines for those who are considered to be most vulnerable to the virus, including the elderly and those with weakened immune systems. Dr. Nancy Messonnier, CDC director of the center for the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, said the guidelines include avoiding large gatherings, staying close to home, and stockpiling medications and groceries. In addition, caregivers should devise a plan for how to provide care for patients should they contract the illness. “As the trajectory of the outbreak continues, many people in the U.S. will at some point in time this year or next be exposed to the virus, and there’s a good chance many will become sick,” Messonnier said.

“Coronavirus fears cause airlines to fly 'ghost flights'” by Fox News’ Michael Hollan – The skies are getting spooky. Thanks to specific airline regulations, certain carriers are running “ghost flights” — planes devoid of passengers — in response to the many cancellations attributed to the coronavirus. Now, airline officials are hoping to get those regulations changed or, at least, temporarily suspended. The global outbreak of coronavirus has caused a large increase in flight cancellations, which is apparently forcing airlines to fly empty jets to certain European airports in order to maintain their allocation of airport slots, The New York Post reports According to the outlet, airlines operating in Europe have to adhere to the “80/20” rule, which means they must operate at least 80 percent of their allocated airport slots. If they fail to do so, a competitor could potentially take control of those slots during an annual assessment. Flying these empty planes can be costly, however. Airlines have to burn an average of five gallons of jet fuel per mile, according to the New York Post. These flights also emit an average of a half-ton of carbon dioxide per seat. This has prompted airline officials to call for the rule to be suspended. “Temporary suspension will enable U.K. airlines to respond to market conditions with appropriate capacity and avoiding any need to run empty flights in order to maintain slot rights,” said Tim Alderslade, chief executive of Airlines U.K., an association that represents UK-registered carriers, in a statement shared with The Sunday Times.

“Sanders tells Fox News Town Hall he wouldn't close US borders during coronavirus-type contagion” by Fox News’ Charles Creitz – Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., said Monday during a Fox News Town Hall that he would not consider restricting movement across the U.S. border to prevent the spread of a worldwide contagion like COVID-19, commonly called the coronavirus. Anchor Bret Baier asked Sanders about the option after President Trump expressed strong support for closing borders in that instance. Sanders responded by calling Trump's actions in office xenophobic and claiming the president is "propagating ... anti-immigrant sentiment from before he was elected." Instead of making what he characterized as a political decision in response to an epidemic, Sanders said he would let the medical experts and scientists decide what steps to take. Sanders also said he suspected Trump may be using the coronavirus outbreak as a vessel to force the implementation of his controversial border security policies. "Isn't it interesting that a president who has been demagoguing and demonizing immigrants, the first thing [he] can think about is closing down the border?" Sanders asked. "We need scientists to tell us the appropriate approach." Sanders stressed the importance of self-quarantining and considering the reduction of public assemblies if the contagion gets worse in a certain area.

“Trump Shifts Oversight of Some Arms Exports, Easing Sales” by WSJ’s Brett Forrest and Deanna Paul – The Trump administration on Monday initiated a change in the way that U.S. manufacturers will be allowed to export some firearms, ammunition, and gun components, relaxing federal requirements for such transfers. Export jurisdiction over these weapons will shift from State Department purview to the Department of Commerce. Under the new arrangement, Congress no longer will receive notification of potential sales of these arms. Among the weapons added to the Commerce Control List are some semiautomatic and nonautomatic guns. The Commerce Department had already been licensing the export of items such as shotguns, shotgun shells, and hunting-rifle scopes. Manufacturers and their representatives, including the National Rifle Association, support the move, while arms-control advocates oppose it. Officials from the Commerce and State Departments declined to comment, citing ongoing litigation against the transfer. The change is meant to streamline the review process for manufacturers, facilitating sales, while focusing the State Department’s regulatory efforts on larger weapons that provide a more critical military or intelligence advantage, such as missiles and artillery. Those weapons remain on the U.S. Munitions List, maintained by the agency. The State Department is required to notify Congress of impending sales in excess of $1 million of weapons on its munitions list. The notification provision doesn’t apply to the Commerce Department. Proponents of the change have characterized it as a business-friendly action, which lowers regulatory fees for U.S. manufacturers on guns, firearms components and ammunition and allows them an easier road to export markets.

“2020 Census to Kick Off This Week” by WSJ’s Janet Adamy and Paul Overberg – The government’s largest effort to collect data on Americans using the internet gets under way this week when tens of millions of households will be asked to fill out their 2020 census forms online. The count will capture a country that has changed significantly since 2010. A wave of aging baby boomers and a collapse in the fertility rate since the last recession have pushed up the median age by one year, to 38. The flood of Americans into big cities has slowed to a trickle. More than one in five Americans speaks a language other than English at home. Technology will make the count both easier and harder, posing risks that were nascent a decade ago. Census Bureau officials worry that disinformation spread over social media could taint the count. Last week, Facebook Inc. removed Trump campaign ads for a congressional district census that was in reality a fundraising pitch. Americans’ declining trust in government and growing privacy concerns also are expected to discourage participation. Lawmakers and government watchdogs are worried that the new technology underpinning the online count isn’t ready. Last month the bureau switched to a backup system to manage households’ online responses that wasn’t tested extensively, according to the Government Accountability Office. The Census Bureau says it is fully prepared to start the count. On Thursday, the first of 112 million households will receive a letter asking them to respond online. It will include an individual code to use when entering responses at my2020census.gov. Another 31 million households that are deemed unlikely to answer online also will get a paper questionnaire in the mail, though everyone will have the option to answer online as well as by phone. “We’re as ready as anybody could be for the census,” said Michael Thieme, the bureau’s assistant director for decennial census programs, systems and contracts.

President Donald Trump @realDonaldTrump - THANK YOU, Jim, for your incredible support of our #MAGA Agenda! You are a tremendous Senator for the people of the Great State of Oklahoma and you have my Complete and Total Endorsement!

Nancy Pelosi @SpeakerPelosi -.@SenSchumer & I are demanding that the Trump Administration prioritize the health and safety of American workers and their families over corporate interests.

Marco Rubio @marcorubio - Just finished meeting with @VP v& cruise industry on #Covid19

Within 72 hours industry will provide a plan on to:

- enhance screening

- testing onboard

- have pre-existing plan to for onshore medical care,quarantine & monitoring

Rick Scott @SenRickScott Happy #InternationalWomensDay

! Today we celebrate the many incredible women in history who have shaped and continue to shape the great state of Florida.

Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell @RepDMP - Yesterday, the Trump admin said cruise travel was fine. Today, the exact opposite. SoFL families, thousands of jobs & our economy rely on the cruise industry. We can’t afford to hear conflicting messages.

Debbie Wasserman Schultz @DWStweets - 55 years ago, on what would come to be known as 'Bloody Sunday,' brave marchers including my dear friend and colleague, @RepJohnLewis, marched from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, walking 52 miles to fight for voting rights for African Americans.

Rep. Matt Gaetzv@RepMattGaetz - I'm extremely saddened to learn of the first fatality in our district from coronavirus, a Northwest Floridian residing in Santa Rosa County. Our prayers are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time.

RepRossSpano @RepRossSpano -What a great surprise!! It's because of men and women like James Ring who have answered the call to serve and the sacrifices that their families make, that I am honored to live in America. From one parent to another, thank you James! #FL15

Rep. Donna E. Shalala @RepShalala - One year ago, we passed #HR1 to end the dominance of big money in politics, restore ethics and accountability, and protect the right to vote. @HouseDemocrats are committed to ending corruption and it’s time for @senatemajldr to allow a vote on this important bill.

Mario Diaz-Balart @MarioDB - On #InternationalWomensDay, and throughout the month of March, we celebrate and honor all the women across the globe that are breaking barriers and reaching unprecedented heights in every field. Their work and contributions must never go unnoticed.

Rep. Ted Deutch @RepTedDeutch - On this weekend 55 years ago, nonviolent civil rights activists were unjustly attacked as they marched against segregation and voter suppression. We honor their sacrifice and recommit ourselves to their fight for equality.

The post JUICE - Florida Politics' Juicy Read - 3.10.20 - Coronavirus Hysteria! -DeSantis Declares Emergency - E-Verify Bill Passes FL Senate - REAL Russian Collusion appeared first on The Floridian.