DeSantis twists arm of Miami Herald attorney — Florida's fuzzy coronavirus math — Ethics panel: No politicians in Covid-19 PSAs — R.I.P. Rep. Jacobs

Hello and welcome to Monday.

The daily rundown — Since Sunday morning, the number of Florida coronavirus cases increased 2.8 percent, to 19,895; hospitalizations went up 4 percent, to 2,672; and deaths rose 1.9 percent, to 461.


Blocked — The Miami Herald reported Saturday that Gov. Ron DeSantis' top attorney reached out to Holland & Knight, which represents the Herald, to sway them not to file a lawsuit the newspaper was preparing in its pursuit of information the administration has about the names of elder-care facilities affected by the coronavirus. The pressure worked. The firm decided not to file the lawsuit. Let that sink in. The governor of the state of Florida put pressure on the law firm representing a media outlet seeking information during a public health crisis. And it worked.

Pattern — DeSantis’ communications director Helen Aguirre Ferré, apparently unaware of the powerful implicit signal a call from the governor’s office can send, told the Herald it is “patently false to say that the governor’s office” contacted the firm to ask them not to file the lawsuit. Instead, she defended the call by saying, it is "normal practice for attorneys to use the filing of the five-day legal notice to see if there is a possible resolution to avoid unnecessary litigation." This is the most explosive example of DeSantis’ reluctance to release information during the Covid-19 pandemic, but not the only one. Reporters have asked for numbers related to how many unemployment claims have been paid through the state’s embattled system. So far, no answer. There have also been requests for weeks about how the state is spending nearly $50 million in state business loans doled out under the Covid-19 executive order. On that one, e-mail questions are not even being responded to. And what about how the virus is impacting the state’s corrections system? Good luck getting specific figures.

Just the numbers — We know how these sorts of complaints are viewed sometimes: reporter whining. We are cognizant of that, but let’s deconstruct the situation. In the case of the loans, for example, we just want to know how the state is using $50 million in taxpayer-backed borrowing. The question is, why wouldn’t you release that information?

— WHERE'S RON? — Nothing official has been announced for Gov. DeSantis.





CORONAVIRUS UPDATES

WHAT?? — “Herald drafted a suit seeking ALF records. DeSantis aide pressured law firm not to file it,” by Miami Herald’s Daniel Chang: "Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ general counsel called a representative of the Miami Herald’s law firm seeking to quash a public records lawsuit that would force the state to divulge the names of all elder-care facilities that have had a positive test for the coronavirus. The back-door pressure — through an attorney that had no involvement in the case — paid off."

— “’Got my blood boiling’: Florida nursing homes ask governor for immunity from coronavirus lawsuits,” by USA Today’s Grace Hauck

KNOCK, KNOCK — “Guardsmen spot check for virus at Florida nursing homes,” by Associated Press: "Members of the Florida National Guard have started on-the-spot testing of residents at nursing homes for the new coronavirus as long-term care facilities in the state have reported scores of cases, Gov. Ron DeSantis said Saturday. Guardsmen have conducted tests of residents and staff at nursing homes in South Florida and UF Health Shands has done other spot-testing at facilities, DeSantis said.

HIGH MARKS — “Curry’s tough actions slowed COVID-19 spread in Jacksonville,” by Florida Times-Union’s David Bauerlein: "On an otherwise normal Friday in Jacksonville, Mayor Lenny Curry sat at his desk in City Hall a month ago and signed a state of emergency declaration for combating the spread of the coronavirus. It was March 13. People were heading home from work and looking forward to the weekend when they they could eat out at favorite restaurants, soak up the sun at the beach, gather at places of worship, and watch their children play sports at parks."

RING, RING — “Elected officials flooded with calls from struggling constituents,” by Sarasota Herald-Tribune’s Zac Anderson: "Couples stranded at sea on cruise ships. A crush of people unable to navigate Florida’s unemployment benefit system. Small business owners struggling to get federal relief funding. Americans stuck in foreign countries. U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan has served in Congress for 14 years, but he’s never witnessed anything like what’s happening right now. Describing the flood of desperate phone calls coming into his office, Buchanan seems stunned by the numbers coming out of his mouth."

BY THE NUMBERS — “’Playing games with numbers’ Florida COVID-19 test backlog worse than state says,” by Miami Herald’s Nicholas Nehamas and Daniel Chang: "Florida is significantly under-reporting the state’s COVID-19 testing backlog, a blind spot in the data that could obscure the pandemic’s size and hamper efforts to decide when it’s safe to end restrictions such as social distancing — even as Gov. Ron DeSantis touts the state’s transparency when it comes to coronavirus."

COUNTING THEM ALL? — “Florida’s count of coronavirus deaths is missing some cases,” by Tampa Bay Times’ Kathleen McGrory and Rebecca Woolington: "The Florida Department of Health’s count of coronavirus deaths reached a grim milestone Friday, surpassing 400 and climbing to 419. But at least 40 additional people who had died from the virus in Florida were missing from the state’s count, the Tampa Bay Times has learned."

FINDING A WAY — “Faithful find ways to celebrate,” by Gainesville Sun’s Cindy Swirko: "Shoppers lined up at Ward’s Supermarket Saturday afternoon proved that a church building is not necessary to celebrate Easter. George Feliciano and some of his neighbors in line were in communion while they waited. 'Right now we can worship. Right now we can praise God and rejoice in his resurrection,' Feliciano said. 'The grace of God manifests itself continually. In this line, we already know each other and started fellowshipping.'"

IT'S OK TO ASK FOR HELP — “Mental health organization experience increases,” by Gainesville Sun’s Cindy Swirko: "Area mental health groups and crisis lines are getting more calls than usual as the isolation and stress of the COVID-19 pandemic is jangling nerves and emotions. First responders, the suddenly jobless and people who have been coping with mental illness are among those calling the Alachua County Crisis Hotline, National Alliance on Mental Illness/Gainesville and other organizations."

— “The costly toll of not shutting down spring break earlier,” by New York Times’ Patricia Mazzei and Frances Robles

— “Zaandam was cruising to the ‘end of the world.’ Then COVID-19 spread across the ship,” by Miami Herald’s Anthony Chiang

— “Ocala couple stranded on cruise ship settles into home isolation,” by Ocala Star Banner’s Carlos E. Medina

— “Immokalee farmworkers are essential. But they’re also among the most vulnerable to COVID-19,” by Naples Daily News’ Jessica Rodriguez

— “Florida hospitals say they have room for surge in COVID-19 patients,” by Miami Herald’s Mary Ellen Klas

— "Florida inmates will start making masks. For now, only guards will get virus protection," by Miami Herald's Martin Vassolo and Samantha J. Gross

... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ...

RIP — “Kristin Jacobs, a Broward state representative and advocate for the environment, ides at 60,” by South Florida Sun Sentinel’s Skyler Swisher and Wayne K. Roustan: State Rep. Kristin Jacobs, a fixture in Broward County politics for more than two decades and an advocate for the environment, died Saturday morning at age 60. Jacobs continued to serve her constituents from a hospital bed during the 2020 legislative session while receiving treatment for colon cancer.

An outpouring of grief immediately poured over the Florida political community, an expression of which was clearly seen on Twitter:

— @JaedEMoskowitz: @Kristein_Jacobs was my friend and my State Rep. She was a warrior. She left a large legacy in the house but let’s e clear, the @MSDHighSchool safety bill doesn’t pass the house without her!

— @DanDaley: Yet my fondest memory was watching her face (in complete shock) as we voted unanimously to name that bill “Kristin Jacobs Ocean Conservation Act.” Rest easy my friend. We’ll carry on your fight from here.

— @JoseJavierJJR: Kristin Jacobs was a fighter but she was also compassionate and persistent in her work. She was a leader and I learned a lot from her. From all of us, you will be missed.

NO GO ― “Ethics panel rejects Charter’s request to put politicians in coronavirus PSAs,” by POLITICO’s Matt Dixon: The Florida Commission on Ethics on Friday blocked a request from Charter Communications to put public officials in coronavirus-related public service announcements.





TRAIL MIX

LEFT OUT ― “Many governors getting a huge approval boost amid coronavirus response – but not DeSantis,” by Orlando Sentinel’s Steven Lemongello: "State governors across the country have seen their job approval ratings soar amid their handling of the coronavirus outbreak, with one notable exception: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. In a list of 15 governors’ most recent approval numbers compiled by the political statistics website FiveThirtyEight, DeSantis was the only one to not see a double-digit improvement on his baseline approval from the end of 2019."

BAD SIGN ― “Why Ron DeSantis’ popularity has taken a hit since the pandemic started,” by Tampa Bay Times’ Steve Contorno and Lawrence Mower: "From New York to Ohio to California, the nation’s governors are leading the way during the coronavirus crisis, using their offices to provide residents with consistent messages that promote public safety. Then there’s Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. A month into an international pandemic, the leader of the nation’s third-largest state has confounded with conflicting orders. DeSantis has made erroneous claims — like on Thursday when he suggested no one under the age of 25 has died from the coronavirus in the United States."

THE NUMBERS.....

Job approvals for governors' handling of the coronavirus versus their overall approval before the pandemic. Baseline numbers come from Morning Consult’s 2019 Q4 data. | FiveThirtyEight chart using data from polls and Morning Consult

― “'Failure of leadership’: Nikki Fried slams Ron DeSantis for keeping churches open,” by Florida Politics’ AG Gancarski

Never stops — Both political parties are trying to take shots at the other for raising political cash during a pandemic, but don’t let them fool you: both parties are continuing election year activities, although fundraising has slowed, even after Gov. Ron DeSantis signed his Covid-19 executive order. Last Friday was the fourth-quarter fundraising deadline, which means we have reports from both statewide political parties and their caucus committees. Those committees do not need to file monthly like candidate-aligned committees.

― Republican Party of Florida: $2.5 million raised last quarter; $363,961 in March)

― Florida Democratic Party ($1.2 million; $198,812)

― Florida Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee ($1.5 million; $28,026)

― Florida Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee ($417,000; $112,000)

OF NOTE ... House Republicans have their own caucus committee, but incoming House Speaker Chris Sprowls raises money directly into the Republican Party of Florida, so the committee doesn’t have much action to report.

TRUMPLANDIA AND THE SWAMP

COMMANDER AND CHIEF ― “Trump asks about rent on his West Palm Beach golf club,” by Palm Beach Post’s Christine Stapleton: "Like other Palm Beach County businesses, the president’s golf club has been forced to close as the pandemic plays out. But there is that one major difference: The club is owned by the President of the United States, the commander-in-chief who made the call of when the country shut down and who will make the call on when America opens up for business again."

SECOND GUESSING ― “Fauci: Kids could get ‘infected’ if Florida reopens schools,” by POLITICO’s Matt Dixon: President Donald Trump and top White House health officials on Friday said a proposal floated by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to reopen state schools next month could help spread the coronavirus.

WAITING GAME ― “Emergency loans were supposed to prop up Miami’s small businesses. They’re still in limbo,” by Miami Herald’s Rob Wile and Kevin G. Hall: "Still waiting for a loan under the government’s $350 billion emergency Paycheck Protection Program? Get in line. Linda Kaplan has owned an immigration law practice since the late 1970s. She has one legal assistant, whom she says is invaluable."

NOT GOOD, BOB ― Coronavirus could create ‘compound disaster’ in Florida as hurricane season looms,” by Miami Herald’s David Smiley, Alex Daugherty and David Goodhue: "Florida emergency managers are accustomed to planning for hurricanes. But as the June 1 start of the season grows closer and the state’s coronavirus outbreak lingers on, questions and uncertainties are nagging at the people preparing for the worst-case scenario."

PENINSULA AND BEYOND

SPEEDING UP ― “I-4 work moving up during COVID-19 traffic lull,” by News Service of Florida’s Jim Turner: "Sections of the massive Interstate 4 'Ultimate' project in Central Florida will see accelerated work as the state takes advantage of a coronavirus-created reduction in traffic. Gov. Ron DeSantis and Department of Transportation Secretary Kevin Thibault said Saturday that work will be moved up a month or two on parts of the 21-mile project in Seminole and Orange counties."

BAD TRIP — “Cruising was halted weeks ago. But 5 ships and 5,000 passengers are still at sea,” by Miami Herald’s Alex Harris: "More than 5,000 passengers on five cruise ships are still at sea waiting to dock — even though cruising was halted in mid-March. Many of those passengers boarded lengthy around-the-world cruises months ago, before the virus infamously spread on cruise ships like the Diamond Princess and Grand Princess. Only one — Aurora Expeditions’ Greg Mortimer — has publicly reported cases of COVID-19 aboard."

— “Community questions finalists for Marion’s next school superintendent,” by Ocala Star Banner’s Joe Callahan

— “Drainage district pursues deal with developer despite vocal opposition, virtual meeting plan,” by Palm Beach Post

— “Davie police chief said BSO deputy died of COVID-19 because he was gay, complaint says,” by Miami Herald’s Martin Vassolo and Charles Rabin

ODDS, ENDS, AND FLORIDA MEN

TIGER KING UPDATE ... TAMPA BAY TIMES: "Carole and Howard Baskin say 'Tiger King' makers betrayed their trust"

BIRTHDAYS: Rep. Ted Yoho …. Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis … State Rep. Sam Killebrew… Marco Rubio national press secretary Nick Iacovella…Former State Rep. Elaine Schwartz … Doug Cook, former head of Agency for Health Care Administration (was Sunday) Trey Stapleton… The Advocacy Group at Cardenas Partner’s Chris Chaney … (Was Saturday) Florida State University professor emeritus Lance DeHaven-Smith

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