Happy Friday morning.
Long time gone— It’s been nearly a quarter-century since then-Gov. Jeb Bush pushed for the creation of Florida’s first private school program as part of his A+ plan to overhaul the state’s education system. That first voucher program did not survive a court challenge, but other elements of the Bush plan have managed to stay intact even amid the constant desire by each new governor or legislative leader to put their own mark on schools.
Up next— And now there’s House Speaker Paul Renner’s proposal to put in place the most significant expansion of school vouchers in state history — a plan that drew praise from Bush himself.
The agenda— Renner on Thursday rolled out a plan to make vouchers available to every family that wants them, regardless of income or situation even though first priority would still go to low-income families. The state would also offer payments to families that home-school their children (although there would be a cap at first) and the legislation would expand the services that would be covered by payments to parents.
Support — This plan was quickly endorsed by Senate President Kathleen Passidomo, and one would expect it will also gain favor from school choice proponent Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Significant— It’s a big deal for many reasons (and has significant repercussions from a spending and taxing situation for both the state and local school districts). There are also questions about private school capacity, as well as accountability etc. Constitutional and legal questions have been resolved one way or another.
Other points to consider:
First— This is the clearest break yet from those — including John Kirtley, the Tampa Bay venture capitalist and architect of Florida’s biggest voucher program — who saw the primary goal of vouchers as a way to help low-income families unable to pay to send their children to a private school. Kirtley at times used hard-edged political tactics to preserve and eventually grow the voucher program.
P.O.V. — Here’s what Kirtley said in an interview with POLITICO two years ago: “The only reason I’m in this movement, in this cause, is to help people who cannot make the same choices that people with more money can make right now. As you will see in the current statute, the low-income children always have priority every year regardless of where the income limits are. As long as that’s the case, that’s all I care about.”
Second— Renner’s proposal creates a “I told you so” moment for critics of Kirtley and school choice who see it as the culmination of a goal to turn Florida’s public schools over to the private sector. “This is a continuation of Republican attacks on our public education system that helped create the American Dream by providing education to the poor and rich alike,” House Minority Leader Fentrice Driskell said after the bill was released.
Response — Renner, when asked by reporters, brushed aside many questions about the voucher program (including the ultimate cost) and instead called it “educational freedom.” “It’s not telling you how you’re going to raise your children, how you’re going to educate your children,” he said. “It’s about making sure that public education means empowering every child to customize the education that best suits their needs.”
What’s coming— Republicans have the votes to pass this legislation. And while a lot of attention is being paid right now to DeSantis — as he leans into his education agenda as it relates to race and gender issues — this is a major, major moment for Florida schools.
— WHERE’S RON? — Nothing official for Gov. DeSantis.
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A MAJOR PROPOSAL— “Florida House wants to expand school vouchers so all students can get scholarship,” by Orlando Sentinel’s Leslie Postal: “All Florida students would be eligible for state scholarships that could pay for private school or homeschooling services under a new plan that would wipe out family-income requirements and represent the largest expansion of the state’s voucher programs. The proposal unveiled by the Florida House was touted by Speaker Paul Renner, R-Palm Coast, as a continuation of school choice efforts begun 25 years ago under former Republican Gov. Jeb Bush.”
SCHOOL DAZE — Florida nixes African American studies course, claims it ‘lacks educational value,’ by POLITICO’s Andrew Atterbury: Florida is barring high school students from taking a new advanced placement course on African American studies over concerns the lessons run “contrary” to state law and that it “significantly lacks educational value.” In the state’s latest crackdown on how race is taught in schools, Florida education officials rejected the course from being implemented in classrooms as the College Board this year launches a pilot program for its development.
‘THAT’S A HECK OF A LOT OF PEOPLE’ — “State estimates 1.75 million Floridians could lose benefits once state begins purging Medicaid rolls,” by Florida Politics’ Christine Jordan Sexton: “As many as 1.75 million Floridians could lose Medicaid coverage once the state begins taking steps on April 1 to return its Medicaid program to pre-pandemic levels. Appearing before House and Senate health care panels, officials in the administration of Gov. Ron DeSantis said Florida will focus its efforts first on removing 900,000 residents who no longer qualify for the program, either because they aged out, left the state, or earn too much to qualify for the safety net program for the poor, elderly and disabled.”
— “Ron DeSantis is pushing education further to the right,” by Washington Post’s Philip Bump
— “Florida Dept. of Corrections wants 12% budget hike, to increase prison employee pay again,” by Tallahassee Democrat’s Douglas Soule
WHAT’S IN YOUR WALLET?— Judge sanctions Trump, Habba nearly $1 million for ‘completely frivolous’ Clinton suit, by POLITICO’s Kyle Cheney and Josh Gerstein: A Florida-based federal judge has ordered nearly $1 million in sanctions against Donald Trump and his attorney Alina Habba, calling the former president a “mastermind of strategic abuse of the judicial process.” In a blistering 46-page order, U.S. District Court Judge Donald Middlebrooks said Trump’s sprawling lawsuit against Hillary Clinton and dozens of former Justice Department and FBI officials was an almost cartoonish abuse of the legal system.
PROMISES, PROMISES— “Bitter RNC chair race roiled by questions of Trump loyalty,” by Washington Post’s Michael Scherer: “Republican Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel, facing a surprisingly aggressive challenge to her leadership, has argued in recent weeks that she is best positioned to prevent former president Donald Trump from forming a third party if he fails to win the 2024 GOP presidential nomination next year, according to multiple people involved in the conversations.”
— “Can Trump count on evangelicals in 2024? Some leaders are wavering,” by New York Times’ Maggie Haberman and Michael C. Bender:
— “Trump is plotting how to kick DeSantis ‘in the nuts.’ Here’s his playbook, so far,” by Rolling Stone’s Asawin Suebsaeng and Tim Dickinson
— “The growing Trump-DeSantis electability gap,” by Washington Post’s Aaron Blake
GOING FOR IT — Former state Sen. Taddeo jumps into race to lead Florida Democrats, by POLITICO’s Gary Fineout: Former state Sen. Annette Taddeo, who mounted unsuccessful bids for governor and Congress last year, said Thursday that she’s going to run for chair of the beleaguered Florida Democratic Party. The Miami Democrat posted a video on TikTok where she said that “after much reflection” she decided to jump into the contest to succeed Manny Diaz, the former mayor of Miami who abruptly resigned earlier this month amid widespread dissatisfaction over the drubbing Democrats received during the 2022 elections.
— “Rep. Randy Fine announces 2024 run for Florida Senate,” by Florida Today’s Tyler Vasquez and Dave Berman
HAPPENING TODAY— “Supreme Court poised to reconsider key tenets of online speech,” by The New York Times’ David McCabe: “On Friday, the Supreme Court is expected to discuss whether to hear two cases that challenge laws in Texas and Florida barring online platforms from taking down certain political content. Next month, the court is scheduled to hear a case that questions Section 230, a 1996 statute that protects the platforms from liability for the content posted by their users.”
ANOTHER CLOSEUP— “Maxwell Frost goes to Washington,” by Suzy Exposito for Vogue: “‘Being the first of anything in Congress is exciting and worth celebrating, but I don’t see myself as the representative of Gen Z,’ [Maxwell] Frost had told me back at the diner. ‘I firmly push back on that, because, one, I don’t take myself that seriously, and, two, there are so many different ideologies in a generation. There are no saviors in politics; there’s not one person who’s going to do it all. We also need to protest. We also need to engage in mutual aid networks to take care of each other. … Going into Congress, I’m showing up as a Floridian, he says. ‘I show up as an Afro-Latino. I show up as a musician. I’m showing up as my authentic self.’”
MORE DETAILS— Rep. Greg Steube injured in 25-foot-fall from ladder, by POLITICO’s Anthony Adragna and Olivia Olander: Rep. Greg Steube spent Wednesday night in a Florida intensive care unit after suffering several serious injuries in an approximately 25-foot-fall from a ladder on his property, according to a Thursday update from his office. The incident occurred Wednesday at the Florida Republican’s property in Sarasota while he was “cutting tree limbs,” according to his office. The injuries remain under assessment, his office added, but are not viewed as life-threatening “at this time.”
— “Sen. Scott says Biden administration needs tougher immigration enforcement,” by CBS Miami’s Peter D’Oench
— “Copy of ‘Uncle Tom’s Cabin’ sent to Black Republican Byron Donalds’ office,” by Florida Politics’ Jacob Ogles
COURT RULED 5-1 — “Florida Supreme Court upholds fine provision in controversial gun law,” by POLITICO’s Matt Dixon: The Florida Supreme Court has ruled against more than 30 cities that sued to overturn a 2011 law that allowed local elected officials to be fined for passing gun laws stricter than those in state law. Gun laws in Florida have been preempted to the state since 1987, but in 2011 lawmakers passed separate legislation adding provisions in state law that allow local governments and officials who pass strict gun laws to face fines.
— “Public memorial planned for Parkland school victims,” by The Associated Press’ Freida Frisaro
BY THE NUMBERS— “FEMA officials: ‘Over 5 billion distributed in federal assistance to Hurricane Ian victims,’” by Fort Myers News Press Samantha Neely: “With more than 100 days past since Hurricane Ian’s wrath, the Federal Emergency Management Agency says it has made immense progress and is ramping up housing programs to help victims. FEMA officials gave an update to The News-Press Wednesday on recovery efforts since Ian’s hit to the region, including addressing temporary housing needs, highlighting critical resources and giving insight on how they’ve gotten to this point in the recovery process. The agency says: 911,000 households have registered for assistance, with 194,000 in Lee County.”
FOR YOUR RADAR— “Pensacola abortion clinic will not reopen after operator gives up license. What’s next?” by Pensacola News Journal’s Jim Little: “Northwest Florida’s sole abortion clinic has closed permanently after reaching a settlement with state regulators. …No details of the settlement were available in the public docket of the case, but [attorney Julie] Gallagher told the News Journal in an email that American Family Planning has given up its license as an abortion clinic and will not reopen in Pensacola.”
REMINDER— “Homeland chief: Cubans, Haitians who come by sea are disqualified from new parole program,” by Miami Herald’s Syra Ortiz-Blanes and FLKeysNews.com’s David Goodhue: “Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas warned that Cubans and Haitians who illegally come to the United States by boat will be disqualified from applying to a recently announced parole program, a public declaration that follows a wave of migrant landings in the Florida Keys. “Cubans and Haitians who take to the sea and land on U.S. soil will be ineligible for the parole process and will be placed in removal proceedings,” said Mayorkas in a tweet on Wednesday evening.”
— “Officials: Boca Raton, West Palm Beach antisemitic displays during weekend are related,” by Palm Beach Post’s Jasmine Fernández and Wayne Washington
BIRTHDAYS: Rick Oppenheim, former CEO of RB Oppenheim Associates … J.D. Hicks with J.D. Hicks & Associates … Former state Rep. Al Jacquet
(Saturday) Former state Senate President Tom Lee … Jon Costello, president at Capitol Strategy Group … Will Holley, partner Firehouse Strategies
(Sunday) Former state Senate President Don Gaetz … Jeffrey Sharkey, owner/managing partner at Capitol Alliance Group … Tim Center, CEO at Capital Area Community Action Agency … Georgia McKeown
