Good morning! Here is your news briefing for Tuesday March 15, 2022
1.) THE DAILY SIGNAL
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2.) THE EPOCH TIMES
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3.) DAYBREAK
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4.) THE SUNBURN
Sunburn — The morning read of what’s hot in Florida politics — 3.15.22
Florida is flush with cash, and lawmakers voted to put it to use by passing a $112.1 billion budget on Monday.
The spending plan includes a $1.7 billion increase in K-12 schools funding, a 5.4% across-the-board pay raise for state employees, boosts to environmental programs, and a grab bag of tax cuts — including a one-month moratorium on the state’s 25-cents-per-gallon gas tax that will save motorists an estimated $200 million.
The budget, which is $11 billion more than the current year, passed with a unanimous vote in the Senate and a 105-3 vote in the House — the nays came from Democratic Reps. Mike Grieco and Dotie Joseph and Republican Rep. Anthony Sabatini.
With the budget settled and shipped to DeSantis, the Legislature adjourned Sine Die shortly after 1 p.m. The traditional hankie drop marked the end of a Legislative Session that saw numerous controversial bills pass along partisan lines, including a 15-week abortion ban and the so-called “Don’t Say Gay” bill, which has snagged national headlines in recent weeks.
While Democrats lamented the focus on those issues — and their inability to stop them from passing — DeSantis all but took a victory lap in the Capitol rotunda.
“I think you guys gave an enormous amount of good things this Legislative Session. I’m really proud to see a lot of stuff that came across the finish line,” he said in a post-Sine Die news conference that was interrupted by protesters shouting for the state to “stop funding corporations.”
The budget now awaits edits from the Governor, who holds line-item veto power. Last year, DeSantis was thought to have wielded a relatively light touch when he slashed $1.5 billion to leave a $101 billion budget.
— SITUATIONAL AWARENESS —
—@ChrisSprowls: Politics shouldn’t be about catering to the most powerful voices or cowering in fear from the angriest ones; it’s about giving a voice to the everyday moms and dads who pay their bills, go to work and parent their kids. This is who we serve. The House has adjourned Sine Die.
Tweet, tweet:
—@FLCaseyDeSantis: I am continually thankful for the support I’ve received during my cancer fight and inspired to help others in theirs — grateful that the Legislature joined @GovRonDeSantis in prioritizing funding for the second leading cause of death in Florida with a $100 million investment.
Tweet, tweet:
—@LeaderBookFL: Since I was elected to the @FLSenate in 2016, I have been fighting to eliminate the diaper tax for Florida’s families. After years of hard work, I am proud to share that the 2022 state budget — as approved today — finally includes the removal of the sales tax on diapers.
Tweet, tweet:
—@AnnaForFlorida: Just pulled into our Orlando Office and a constituent saw us and asked me to investigate something locally for him — told him we would absolutely take care of it!!! Feels good to be home.
—@KevinCate: Florida state government is so embarrassing.
— DAYS UNTIL —
House GOP retreat in Ponte Vedra Beach — 8; the third season of ‘Atlanta’ begins — 8; season two of ‘Bridgerton’ begins — 10; The Oscars — 12; ‘Macbeth’ with Daniel Craig and Ruth Negga begin performances on Broadway — 14; Florida Chamber’s 2nd Annual Southeastern Leadership Conference on Safety, Health + Sustainability begins — 14; Grammys rescheduled in Las Vegas — 19; MLB Opening Day — 23; ‘Better Call Saul’ final season begins — 34; Magic Johnson’s Apple TV+ docuseries ‘They Call Me Magic’ begins — 38; 2022 Florida Chamber Transportation, Growth & Infrastructure Solution Summit — 44; ‘The Godfather’ TV series ‘The Offer’ premieres — 45; 2nd half of ‘Ozark’ final season begins — 45; federal student loan payments will resume — 47; ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ premieres — 52; Florida TaxWatch’s Spring Meeting — 57; ‘Obi-Wan Kenobi’ starts on Disney+ — 71; ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ premieres — 73; ‘Platinum Jubilee’ for Queen Elizabeth II — 79; California, Iowa, Mississippi, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico and South Dakota hold midterm Primaries — 84; ‘Thor: Love and Thunder’ premieres — 116; San Diego Comic-Con 2022 — 129; Michael Mann and Meg Gardiner novel ‘Heat 2’ publishes — 147; ‘The Lord of the Rings’ premieres on Amazon Prime — 171; ‘Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse’ sequel premieres — 205; Cormac McCarthy’s ‘The Passenger’ releases — 223; ‘Black Panther 2’ premieres — 242; ‘The Flash’ premieres — 245; McCarthy’s ‘Stella Maris’ releases — 252; ‘Avatar 2′ premieres — 277; ‘Captain Marvel 2′ premieres — 341; ‘John Wick: Chapter 4’ premieres — 374; ‘Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania’ premieres — 500; ‘Dune: Part Two’ premieres — 584; Opening Ceremony of the 2024 Olympic Games — 864.
“Legislature wraps up combative culture-war Session” via Skyler Swisher and Jeffrey Schweers of the Orlando Sentinel — Florida lawmakers finished their work at the Capitol on Monday, delivering DeSantis culture war victories as he heads into re-election but prompting protesters to shower him with fake money as he listed his legislative wins. The Republican-controlled Legislature, working overtime for the Regular Session scheduled to end Friday, approved a $112 billion state budget, officially ending the two-month Legislative Session. He called 2022 “the year of the parent” in Florida. “We in Florida showed a commitment to education — not to indoctrination,” DeSantis said in a speech from the Capitol rotunda.
“Despite deep divisions, Ron DeSantis says Session marked ‘year of the parent’” via John Kennedy of USA Today — DeSantis joined Florida legislative leaders after the 2022 Session ended Monday to declare that Republican-backed measures guiding what is taught in schools had made this the “year of the parent in the state of Florida.” The two-month Session was marked by highly partisan clashes, with ruling Republicans advancing new restrictions on abortion, migrants coming to Florida, and an elections measure aimed at satisfying a GOP voting base animated over claims of election fraud. But lawmakers focused most intently on schools, imposing new regulations on how race, sexual orientation, and gender identity are discussed and heightening the public’s ability to object to books on school library shelves.
“DeSantis: ‘A lot of nursing homes will be very, very happy’ after 2022 Session” via Christine Jordan Sexton of Florida Politics — During a Monday afternoon ceremony to mark the end of the 2022 Legislative Session, DeSantis said he thinks there will be “a lot of nursing homes that are very, very happy.” Asked whether he would veto HB 1239, which allows nursing homes to lower the amount of direct nursing care requirements from 2.5 hours a day to 2 hours a day, DeSantis focused on the amount of increased funding for nursing home providers that was included in the budget instead. In all, lawmakers directed $293 million for increases to nursing homes.
“Democrats reflect as Session closes: ‘I don’t think people realize how bad it would have been’” via Anne Geggis of Florida Politics — Senate Democrats Monday vowed to fight harder to win elections and lamented that not much was done to address kitchen-table issues that concern Floridians. Instead of addressing the prohibitive cost of housing, gas, and property insurance, they argued that many hours were consumed with so-called “culture war” issues. Democrats referenced bills that will limit abortion to 15 weeks into a pregnancy, set up reviews for school instructional materials, restrict the way teachers should talk about LGBTQ issues, and limit discussions about racism. “It’s a free state of Florida unless you’re a woman, unless you’re gay, … unless you are a student in a classroom; unless you have a history that you don’t want to be erased,” said Democratic Leader Lauren Book.
“Closing time: Aaron Bean and the art of agreeable disagreement” via Andrew Meacham of Florida Politics — Sen. Bean has developed a singular brand of across-the-aisle workmanship that extends well beyond the Capitol. He has run a combined 16 years in both houses with a spirit of unstinting optimism and elbow grease. He has served on several committees and chaired the Senate Appropriations Committee. He is used to dueling with colleagues over ideas; harsh rhetoric from citizens in recent years is another matter. “We are more polarized than ever,” Bean said, a development he attributes, in large measure, to social media. Now that term limits have ended his Senate service, Bean will have more time for the golf course. He does have another career brewing, however. “I want to be a motivational speaker,” he said.
“Closing time: Jeff Brandes — integrity, bucking trends and ‘running to the fight’” via Andrew Meacham of Florida Politics — While no one would mistake Sen. Brandes for a Democrat, he has charted his own course on Republican politics. Among other things, exposure to the state’s prison system has turned him into a strong advocate for reforming such features as mandatory minimum sentencing. At farewell remarks for him in the Senate, numerous colleagues who had fought Brandes on other issues praised his commitment to taking a longer look at Florida’s prisons. That same commitment likely cost Brandes his chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee. After 10 years dominated by the Legislative Sessions for the first three months, Brandes is fine with his term limit. “When you sign up to get married, you marry Jeff; you don’t marry the Senator,” he said. “I’m ready to go home.”
“Closing time: Kelli Stargel — the greatest asset is experience” via Andrew Meacham of Florida Politics — Sen. Stargel began her political career in the House in 2008. Her husband, John Stargel, had formerly represented that district. And Kelli Stargel fought off voices questioning her credentials to serve, some of them from voters and some in her own head. John Stargel, a lawyer now an appeals court judge, backed her. But she still feared public speaking and wondered how her course credits at Tallahassee Community College compared with all the lawyers she would be arguing bills with. So, she studied everything, dissecting bills as she held a growing number of committee assignments, including chairing the Budget Committee for the past several years. “Kelli didn’t go to law school, but she’s the best lawyer in this chamber,” said Senate Majority Leader Kathleen Passidomo, a veteran lawyer.
“Closing time: Audrey Gibson, an independent thinker not afraid to cause a stir” via Andrew Meacham of Florida Politics — Sen. Gibson demanded maximum responsiveness to the public from her staff, muscularity from her fellow Democrats, and as much cooperation as she could coax from Republicans. Always prepared, she annotated the working drafts with sticky notes. Sometimes she used a different kind of sticker to affix on the lapels of colleagues who had delivered on a favor or performed well, the kind a schoolteacher might collect that say things like “Good job!” “Brilliant!” or “Way to go!” Sen. Bobby Powell, the Democrat Minority Leader Pro Tempore, told Gibson her relaxed, natural interpersonal style had helped him drop his guard when he got to the Senate in 2015. “I’ve never seen you hold a grudge or dislike anybody,” he said.
“Redistricting litigation now being waged on two fronts — state and federal court” via Michael Moline of the Florida Phoenix — A second lawsuit has been filed amid the political impasse between DeSantis and the Florida Legislature about how to redraw Florida’s congressional districts. This time, the venue is the federal court sitting in Tallahassee. As with a similar lawsuit filed Friday in a state trial court also in Tallahassee, the new action argues the dispute between the Governor and lawmakers threatens voters’ right to cast ballots in constitutionally apportioned districts. The plaintiffs in the federal case include Common Cause of Florida, FairDistricts Now, and five individual Florida voters. FairDistricts was behind the constitutional amendment requiring the Legislature to draw political boundaries without favoring politicians or political parties or that diminish minority voters’ ability to elect candidates of their choice.
“Lawmakers deliver a DeSantis priority — eliminating standardized testing” via Renzo Downey of Florida Politics — Legislative leaders have sent DeSantis a bill replacing the Florida Standards Assessment with progress monitoring, a priority of the Republican Governor as he seeks re-election. The proposal (SB 1048) would replace the annual standardized testing with a computer-based progress monitoring screening in English language arts and mathematics. The progress monitoring, spaced three times a year, would begin in the 2022-23 school year for pre-kindergarten through 10th grade students. Hialeah Republican Sen. Manny Díaz Jr. sponsored the bill, which originated after DeSantis rolled out the proposal in September.
“DeSantis receives bill keeping college presidency candidates secret” via Florida Politics — Legislation that could keep candidates for college presidencies anonymous for part of the search process moved to DeSantis on Monday. Florida lawmakers approved earlier this month legislation that would provide a public records exemption for information about applicants seeking state higher ed presidential positions. SB 520 will, if signed into law, keep the identities of early presidential search candidates shielded from public records requests, to allow applicants more freedom to apply for jobs without disclosing those searches to current employers. Finalists, however, would not be subject to the secrecy pledge.
“With budget approved, Lauren Book finally secures long-sought diaper tax break” via Ryan Nicol of Florida Politics — Senate Democratic Leader Book has pushed to make diapers tax-free in Florida dating back to her first Legislative Session in 2017. With the 2022 budget approved, it looks like she’s finally secured that tax exemption for families. One catch: while Book has pushed to make the tax exemption permanent, the budget provision approved by lawmakers only puts the exemption into effect for one year. Nevertheless, it’s a long-sought win for Book. The bill to exempt diapers from sales tax came up short again this year, but last month, House negotiators floated an idea to insert a one-year tax exemption into the budget. That proposal stuck, and lawmakers approved the budget Monday, ending the 2022 Legislative Session.
“Matt Willhite scores with legislation for veterans, police, patients and hurricane safety” via Jesse Scheckner of Florida Politics — For Rep. Willhite, the end of the 2022 Legislative Session marked another successful period of bipartisan lawmaking in which he saw through several important items. This Session was also his last, for now, as he has set his sights on winning a Palm Beach County Commission seat in November, a move that will let him spend more time with his family. Willhite, an active-duty firefighter, had his two teenage sons join him in Tallahassee for the end of Session. Their presence, he said, reinforced his desire to spend more time with them, his wife, and their two dogs.
“Florida’s early learning programs garner bipartisan support in budget” via Peter Schorsch of Florida Politics — They always say it’s “about the children,” and this year, that proved to be entirely true. There should be little argument that kids exposed to early learning are more likely to succeed in school and life. Enter the Florida Legislature. Not known these days for bipartisanship, lawmakers nonetheless came together to support early childhood learning. Conservatives appreciate these programs as an important facet of parental choice, while moderates know they make it possible for low-income parents to work. United in this common interest, lawmakers made strategic new investments that will help stabilize the early learning workforce, expand access to high-quality programs, and support parent choice at the foundation of the Florida education system.
“Budget conference: Legislature gives FSU $125M for new health center” via Tristan Wood of Florida Politics — The $125 million will help FSU plan and build the Florida State University Health Science Tallahassee Center. The 137,700 square foot building, whose funding was backed by Senate President Wilton Simpson, will be the cornerstone of developing an academic health center in partnership with Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare. The facility will be focused on clinical care, research, biomedical innovation, and education, said FSU spokesperson Dennis Schnittker. The facility is projected to have an economic impact of about $217 million annually and support more than 1,500 jobs directly and indirectly. Another allocation FSU received was $20 million earmarked for operational enhancement.
“State budget has $80 million for new UF Health trauma center named after Leon Haley” via David Bauerlein of The Florida Times-Union — The proposed state budget contains $80 million to build a new trauma center for UF Health Jacksonville that would be named in honor of the late Leon Haley Jr., who was CEO at the hospital until his death last summer in a watercraft accident. Russ Armistead, who came out of retirement to return as CEO of UF Health Jacksonville after Haley’s death, called it a “watershed event” for the hospital. “We just as a safety net hospital have never had the financial resources, and frankly wouldn’t have the resources, to build something like this,” he said. “It’s a huge deal for the city and the region.” This week, the final round of budget talks was finalized adding the $80 million to the proposed 2022-23 budget that state lawmakers voted on Monday.
“Bringing home the bacon: What Leon legislative delegation got into 2022-23 state budget” via James Call of USA Today — There’s over $100 million more money than usual for the Greater Capital Region in the state budget lawmakers wrote for the fiscal year beginning July 1. The local economy always benefits from state spending; government and three state higher education institutions serve as Tallahassee’s economic pillars. But the state is flush with billions in federal aid. Stripping away appropriations for Florida A&M, Florida State, and Tallahassee Community College along with annual base spending, one finds Leon County’s statehouse delegation secured at least another $140 million in expenditures for programs and supplies. Probably the most significant economic stimulus is a 5.38% across-the-board pay raise for state workers, along with more money to make $15 a minimum wage for state employment.
— TALLY 2 —
“U.S. Surgeon General warns parental rights bill hazardous to Florida kids’ health” via A.G. Gancarski of Florida Politics — Yet another member of the Joe Biden administration has raised concerns about Florida’s newly passed Parental Rights in Education legislation, saying that it could harm the very youth it purports to protect. The bill bans discussion of sexual orientation and gender identity in kindergarten through third grade and requires that such topics be age-appropriate and developmentally appropriate in all other grades. In a series of tweets Monday, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy raised the latest series of concerns from the Biden administration. “Florida’s recent law restricting discussion about gender identity in school has understandably raised serious concerns. The law concerns me too,” Murthy asserted.
“How business got the upper hand over local government in 2022 Florida Legislative Session” via James Call of USA Today Network — Lawmakers continued to boost Florida’s business-friendly reputation in 2022, opening legal avenues to protect profits and to avoid lawsuits from workers. And although there is nothing like the $543 million tax refund corporations reaped in 2020, the apparent death of a data privacy bill saved what could have been hundreds of thousands of dollars for a mid-size company to comply. A business lobbyist said overall it was a good Session, while one of the House’s leading Democrats called it a mixed bag. “It does not look like they’re getting the major tax break through the Senate. That is a win for people in Florida when it comes to just tax policy,” said Rep. Anna Eskamani.
“Joint Legislative Auditing Committee publishes 2021 lobbying firm audit list” via Jason Delgado of Florida Politics — More than 20 lobby firms were randomly selected for the audit. Those tapped by the Committee now have 30 days to choose an audit firm if they so choose. After that, audits may begin as early as March 14 and conclude June 30. The Committee is designed to “provide continuous oversight of government operations, in part, through the auditing and review activities of the Auditor General and the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability.” Land O’ Lakes Republican Rep. Ardian Zika and Ocala Republican Sen. Dennis Baxley led it as alternating chairs. In all, four Senators and five Representatives sit on the panel. Read the complete audit list.
“Insurance reform died last week. Will lawmakers come back to address it in Special Session?” via Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics — Insurance reform is dead for the 2022 Legislative Session, confirmed Sen. Jim Boyd. Unlike in 2022, when a bill made it across the finish line as the last bill of Session, that’s not happening this time. There are already rumblings a Special Session could lie in the immediate future. “It’s pretty likely,” said Brandes about chances of a Special Session. “Say it’s 70%-30% that it happens. We just have to see if additional companies fail.” For the second year in a row, industry changes desired by the Senate could not find traction in the House. The Legislature closed business on Friday, the last scheduled day of Session, passing no legislation.
“Historians draw parallels between ‘Don’t Say Gay’ legislation and purge of gay teachers decades ago” via Kathryn Varn of The Sarasota Herald-Tribune — Those who have studied the history of the state’s treatment of LGBTQ Floridians argue the message it sends and some of the language used to defend the bill hearken back to another, darker time in Florida’s history. They say the false idea that exposing children to LGBTQ themes is a form of indoctrination, or that gay and transgender adults are out to recruit children into their ranks, is baked into Florida’s history. It dates back to a legislative purge of gay and lesbian teachers in the 1950s and ‘60s.
“John Oliver calls Bob Chapek’s explanation for Disney donations to ‘Don’t Say Gay’ politicians ‘actively insulting’” via Tom Tapp of Deadline — “When we donate money to different political candidates, we have no idea how they’re going to vote going forward into the future,” said Disney CEO Chapek at a shareholder meeting this past week. Chapek made his statement in response to criticism that Disney had donated to Sen. Baxley, one of the chief sponsors of the state’s so-called “Don’t Say Gay” bill. “Disney should absolutely have had a pretty good idea how Dennis Baxley would vote when they gave him money, given that he’s not been shy about sharing his views on a host of topics,” Oliver said. Oliver brought the receipts to prove his point, highlighting that Baxley once suggested that “abortion is causing Europeans to be replaced by immigrants and [is] paving the way for the end of Western civilization.
— STATEWIDE —
“Gas prices hit record high after second week of 40-cent increases” via Renzo Downey of Florida Politics — As the fallout from Russia’s charge into Ukraine continues to spill throughout the West, Florida’s gas prices have shattered their previous record high. That’s according to AAA — The Auto Club Group. Gas prices last week crossed $4 for the first time since 2008 and didn’t stop there. Prices topped out at $4.38 per gallon on Friday before falling slightly over the weekend to $4.35 per gallon on Sunday. AAA’s Florida ticker had dropped to $4.34 per gallon by Monday morning, one cent higher than the national average. The previous record high for Florida gas prices was $4.08 per gallon, set in September 2008.
“Jury rules against Florida DCF: Agency failed to intervene, then 6-year-old was brutally attacked” via Jesse Mendoza of The Sarasota Herald-Tribune — A jury ruled against the Florida Department of Children and Families on Friday in a $28 million court case stemming from a 2015 agency decision allowing a mentally unfit Sarasota woman to keep custody of her 6-year-old daughter. Twelve hours after the DCF allowed the woman to keep custody, she tried to drown the child and stabbed her 14 times. The jury ruled against DCF following a two-week trial over the case and found that two agency investigators violated state policies for the child’s safety investigation. DCF representatives did not return phone messages seeking comment.
“Remains of a half-billion downed trees left from Hurricane Michael feeding Bertha fire” via Tom McLaughlin of the Pensacola News Journal — Gulf County Emergency Management Director Matt Herring has long suspected that at some point in the weeks, months, and years following Hurricane Michael, Northwest Florida would face something akin to the Bertha Swamp Road Fire. “In my opinion, it was an inevitability,” he said as the blaze continued a largely unhindered assault on more than 33,000 acres of timberland in Gulf, Bay and Calhoun counties. The fire was moving along a track that traces the course the Category 5 Michael took as it emerged from the Gulf of Mexico on Oct. 10, 2018, at Mexico Beach. Experts say that is no coincidence, as what remains of the half-billion trees felled by the storm were helping feed the flames.
“Florida Clerks celebrate ‘Sunshine Week’” via Florida Politics — Florida Court Clerks & Comptrollers is celebrating “Sunshine Week” by spreading the word on how Floridians can find or request public records. Sunshine Week is an annual event launched in 2005 by the News Leaders Association, which bills it as a “celebration of access to public information.” This year, it is being held March 13-19. Florida Clerks noted that county clerks provide citizens access to public documents, ensure access to county financial information, offer fraud services for the public to shed light on allegations of fraud and waste, and enhance access to public information by harnessing new technologies to provide more official documents and services online. The organization also offered a handful of tips for Floridians who make public records requests.
“More than 100 Haitian migrants land in Florida Keys, gather in yard of oceanfront home” via David Goodhue and Jacqueline Charles of the Miami Herald — For the second time in two weeks, a large group of Haitian migrants has come to shore in the Florida Keys. Monroe County Sheriff Rick Ramsay said 100 to 150 people arrived in a sailboat Monday morning off Summerland Key, about 20 miles from Key West. Photos provided by the Sheriff’s Office show a large group of people gathering in the yard of an oceanfront home on Summerland Key. It is unclear whether the boat came directly from Haiti or elsewhere in the Caribbean. But last week, a source in Haiti who monitors maritime migrant operations said two boats had left the country’s northwest coast on Tuesday and more were scheduled to leave over the weekend. All were bound for the Florida shorelines, the source said.
— 2022 —
“How an uptick in censures among local Republicans signals a growing radicalism” via Seth Masket of FiveThirtyEight — The Republican National Committee’s censure last month of GOP Reps. Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger was a historical rarity — national parties almost never reprimand their own officeholders. But in many ways, it was the culmination of what’s been happening at the state level. State and local parties are increasingly disciplining their officeholders, and it’s mostly happening on the Republican side. State parties have issued several censures since the beginning of 2021. It’s not just state parties, either. Censures aren’t as well documented at the county level, as there are more than 3,000 counties in the U.S. versus just 50 states, but I found in a search of nearly 7,000 newspapers using NewsBank, a news research database, an explosion of censures, especially in 2021, at the county level.
“Nikki Fried campaign announces trio of key communications hires” via Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics — Democrat Fried has made three significant communications hires for her 2022 gubernatorial campaign. Keith Edward takes over as communications director. Benjamin Kirby comes on as communications and policy adviser. Caroline Korba will now be Fried’s press secretary. The hires are part of a campaign reset Fried began touting last week. She recently named Matthew Van Name as senior adviser and strategic manager. Van Name had been Fried’s chief of staff in her first term as Agriculture Commissioner. Campaign manager Farah Melendez parted with Fried mid-month as part of a campaign reorganization.
“Duval’s Reggie Gaffney stretches fundraising lead in Senate bid” via A.G. Gancarski of Florida Politics — Jacksonville City Councilman Gaffney stretched his fundraising lead in February for his Senate campaign. However, he was helped by the fact that his principal opponent could not fundraise at all. Gaffney filed in Senate District 6 but is running in what will be the Senate District 5 Democratic Primary under the redistricting maps passed this Legislative Session. He raised $15,000 and spent over $16,000 on consultant and legal fees. The Committee has nearly $355,000 on hand as of the end of February. Gaffney raised another $6,600 to his campaign account, where he has roughly $120,000 on hand. But his main opponent, Rep. Tracie Davis, should be expected to gain ground now that the Legislative Session is ending.
“DeSantis endorses Blaise Ingoglia in SD 11 Primary” via Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics — DeSantis just picked a side in a heated Florida Senate Primary. On Monday, he endorsed Rep. Ingoglia in Senate District 11. “Blaise Ingoglia is a strong conservative who fights to keep Florida free and to deliver for his constituents,” DeSantis tweeted from his campaign account. Ingoglia, a Spring Hill Republican, faces Rep. Ralph Massullo, a Lecanto Republican, for the open seat. Consultant Brad Herold shared polling conducted in January by LiveSurvey that found DeSantis’ endorsement could play a huge role in the nomination fight. It found 76% of GOP voters were more likely to back the candidate with DeSantis’ endorsement, and 63% were “much more likely” to do so.
“Anna Eskamani files for re-election in new HD 42” via Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics — Eskamani has filed for re-election to the Legislature. The move sidelines much of the speculation the Orlando Democrat has her eye on a run for Congress. “It’s official: our new district via redistricting for the 2022 Election Cycle will be House District 42,” Eskamani tweeted. The two-term Representative confirmed to Florida Politics she intends to seek re-election. Asked if she has ruled out a run for Congress, she replied, “I am running for re-election and very focused on getting to know our new district and finishing my Ph.D. at UCF!” That’s more academically confident than politically committed. But while there’s talk about Eskamani running to succeed U.S. Rep. Stephanie Murphy, Florida’s 7th Congressional District leans Republican on a map passed by the Legislature.
“Chad Chronister endorses Stacy Hahn for Hillsborough County School Board” via Daniel Figueroa IV of Florida Politics — On Monday, Hillsborough County Sheriff Chronister announced he is endorsing Hillsborough County School Board District 2 incumbent Hahn in the November General Election. Hahn is running for her second four-year term on the body governing the third-largest public school district in the state and eighth largest in the nation. Chronister and Hahn have about 30 years of experience in their respective fields. Hahn has been an educator and administrator working through nearly every grade level. Chronister has been with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) since 1992. Then-Gov. Rick Scott appointed him Sheriff in 2017 after the retirement of David Gee. Hahn’s only challenger is Damaris Allen, an education activist and former president of the Hillsborough County PTA.
“Here’s what’s on the ballot as Pinellas County holds eight municipal elections Tuesday” via Daniel Figueroa IV of Florida Politics — Belleair Beach, Belleair Bluffs, Clearwater, Madeira Beach, Oldsmar, Redington Shores, St. Pete Beach, and Tarpon Springs all have elections Tuesday. According to the Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections, more than 120,000 of Pinellas’ nearly 700,000 voters are eligible to participate. Clearwater is the largest municipality in the county with seats on the ballot — and, so far, one of the most dramatic. District 5’s race pits former Scientologist Aaron Smith-Levin against art studio owner Lina Teixeira and Pastor Jonathan Wade. Smith-Levin’s bid has caused quite the stir. Most of his campaign is focused on standing against Scientology’s growing foothold on Clearwater. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. More information is available on the Supervisor of Elections website.
“Redistricting Gainesville has some in fear of unintended consequences for Black candidates” via Andrew Caplan of The Gainesville Sun — There is a growing fear among some Gainesville residents that a tentatively approved redistricting map of the city will significantly change the representation of a seat historically held by Black leaders. Compounding the dilemma is an upcoming midterm election expected to turn out five to six times more voters than a typical city race. That’s because this is the first Gainesville election under a new schedule that moves it from a stand-alone municipal ballot to a state and national election, and four Commission seats, including Mayor, are up for grabs. Though the District 1 seat isn’t available in 2022, adding in a predominantly White neighborhood that is already one of the most civically engaged pockets of residents within the city could have unintended consequences.
“Gainesville Commissioners ‘kick the can’ on possible ballot measure for own assistants” via John Henderson of The Gainesville Sun — A proposal to change the Gainesville city charter and allow city commissioners to hire their own paid assistants has been stopped in its tracks. The proposal would need voter approval, and a proposal brought forth by the City Attorney had a ballot question for the Nov. 8 elections. Commissioner Adrian Hayes-Santos said Monday that there is not yet an exact cost of hiring assistants. But it could end up being $50,000 or more per assistant, which would add up to more than $350,000 annually, based on a study from the city’s Office of Equity and Inclusion that said it would cost at least $150,000 plus benefits to hire three assistants.
— CORONAVIRUS —
“Spring Break 2022: Florida reports 10,000 COVID cases, 863 newly reported deaths in a week” via Mike Stucka and Jennifer Sangalang of The Palm Beach Post — It’s “Spring Break season” for Florida — and the state continues to see a decline in COVID-19 cases. From No. 31 to No. 42 to No. 37: COVID-19 cases are declining, with Florida reporting 10,211 cases and 863 newly recorded deaths. This week, the state moved up a few spots from No. 42 to No. 37 on a list of states where coronavirus spreads the fastest. Also, this is the fourth consecutive week that Florida reported fewer than 100,000 cases in one week. Florida reported far fewer coronavirus cases in the week ending Sunday, adding 10,211 new cases. That’s down 26.1% from the previous week’s tally of 13,823 new cases of the virus that causes COVID-19.
“Dr. Joseph Ladapo ‘cherry-picking’ studies to back no COVID-19 vaccines for kids, researchers say” via Ian Hodgson of the Tampa Bay Times — When the Florida Department of Health released new guidelines last week suggesting healthy children should not get the coronavirus vaccine, it cited several studies to back up the position. But at least four of the experts whose research was cited say their work was taken out of context. They said they disagreed with Florida Surgeon General Ladapo’s conclusion that the vaccine was more dangerous than the virus for healthy children. Each of the three studies cited by the state concluded vaccines are safe and effective. Florida health officials did not mention that in their two-page guidance.
“Leon County’s COVID-19 cases plummet by 48%; county considered low risk for transmission by CDC” via Mike Stucka of the Tallahassee Democrat — Mirroring the statewide trend, COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations continue their weekslong decline in Leon County. As of Monday afternoon, there were seven COVID-19-positive patients in Tallahassee: Four in Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare and three in HCA Florida Capital Hospital, formerly known as Capital Regional Medical Center. A week before, there were a dozen people hospitalized with the virus.
“Palm Beach County public schools to stop COVID-19 contact tracing” via Matt Papaycik of WPTV — The School District of Palm Beach County is stopping its contact tracing efforts as COVID-19 transmission continues to decrease in our community. In a news release Friday afternoon, the district said contact tracing in its schools and at district ancillary facilities would end effective March 22, when students return from Spring Break. Parents and guardians will still be notified if someone in your child’s class has tested positive for COVID-19. In addition, school nurses will continue to test symptomatic students who have a consent form on file. The district is also offering a “Test to Know” program at certain schools, where non-symptomatic students and staff members who feel they may have been exposed to COVID-19 can receive a rapid antigen test.
“Business as usual at St. Johns County schools as the district drops last COVID-19 restrictions” via Colleen Michele Jones of The St. Augustine Record — The St. Johns County School District is rolling back the last couple of COVID-19 protocols that had still been in place even as the pandemic waned. At the most recent school board meeting, Superintendent of Schools Tim Forson announced two changes that will go into effect when classes resume after the spring break on March 21. Schools will be reopened to visitors and volunteers, and indoor event capacity will return to 100%. It had been at 75% since the school year started.
“The pandemic has led to a re-evaluation of alternative forms of Florida education” via Jennifer Reed of Florida Trend — A flood of families went remote during the 2020-21 academic year, doubling Florida Virtual School’s enrollment to more than 12,600 full-time students. And even as Florida’s traditional brick-and-mortar schools have essentially returned to their pre-pandemic operations, FLVS’ enrollment remains high. This academic year, the school projects a full-time enrollment of more than 11,000 K-12 students. Part-time enrollment is up as well, with 173,768 students taking at least one class to supplement in-person courses at other schools between July and December 2021, a 4% increase over that same period in 2019.
— CORONA ECONOMICS —
“From pandemic to prosperity: Bipartisan solutions to support today’s small businesses” via Goldman Sachs — The way we do business and buy products and services has fundamentally changed. The pandemic further accelerated this shift. It’s time to modernize the SBA to serve small businesses in today’s economy better. Reauthorization will help the SBA adapt to today’s small business landscape and equip it with additional resources and new capabilities. Retention is a major issue; 75% of small-business owners having difficulty retaining employees said they can’t afford to compete on salaries, 67% can’t afford to compete on benefits, and 39% said they couldn’t afford to offer a retirement plan. Renew the COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan program, which expired at the end of 2021, to provide access to capital for small businesses still struggling from the pandemic’s impacts. In the coming months, Goldman will team up with local small-business owners and Florida lawmakers, including Sen. Shev Jones and Miami Mayor Francis Suarez, to discuss the report and ongoing efforts to modernize programs to reflect today’s economy.
“Flight cancellations continue at Orlando International after weekend of huge delays” via Joe Mario Pedersen of the Orlando Sentinel — Thousands of passengers this weekend had their flights canceled or delayed at Orlando International Airport leaving some without a way back home. A total of 204 flights were canceled between Saturday and Sunday due to a combination of severe weather that ran through the Sunshine State on Saturday, personnel shortages and a high demand of customers, according to MCO spokesperson Carolyn Fennell. Among the thousands affected was Colorado Springs resident Gabrielle Kallin who flew into MCO early Friday with a party of five looking forward to celebrating her bachelorette weekend in St. Augustine.
— MORE CORONA —
“These schools did less to contain COVID-19. Their students flourished.” via Perry Stein of The Washington Post — As school systems around the country were battening down for their first remote start-of-school in the fall of 2020, the Lewis-Palmer district here was embarking on another kind of experiment: Elementary students would be in class full time, sitting maskless at communal tables. The band program would resume in-person classes, saxophonists and flutists playing a few feet apart. The high school football teams would practice and compete. While most of the nation kept students at home for part or all of the last academic year, these schools in the suburbs of Colorado Springs, like thousands of others around the country, opened with the overwhelming majority of students in their seats. Masks were optional in elementary school.
“Surge of omicron infections prompts lockdowns in China“ via Keith Bradsher of The New York Times — Several of China’s most significant factory cities have ordered a lockdown, halting production of Toyota cars and Apple iPhones. Theaters, cinemas, and many restaurants have closed in Shanghai. On Monday, the northeastern province of Jilin banned its 24 million residents from leaving the province or traveling between cities. China is grappling with its largest surge of COVID-19 infections since the coronavirus first emerged in central China more than two years ago. Even as countries in the West are now loosening or abandoning mask mandates and other measures, Chinese officials are implementing some of their most rigorous methods. That is in large part because China can’t afford to lift restrictions. In China’s vast rural areas, hospitals and medical facilities are often basic, and a major outbreak could quickly overwhelm hospitals.
“Meal-kit delivery companies flourished early in the pandemic but are struggling now” via Laura Reiley of The Washington Post — The pandemic drove a fresh burst of interest in meal-kit delivery and recipe boxes in the United States, as homebound families sought convenient and healthy home-cooked meal options. Those days are over. Experts say that a post-pandemic resumption of regular life has led to fewer meals eaten at home once again, and meal-kit subscriptions are struggling. Meal-kit delivery giants like HelloFresh, Sunbasket, and Blue Apron are faring worse or dealing with much slower growth, especially compared to 2020 record highs, partly due to fierce competition from more than a dozen newer companies like Freshly, EveryPlate and others. Competition is also coming from fully reopened restaurants hustling to regain customers and delivery companies like DoorDash and Uber Eats.
— PRESIDENTIAL —
“Donald Trump’s shadow lurks over Joe Biden’s support for Ukraine” via Jonathan Lemire of POLITICO — Trying to keep Vladimir Putin at bay without escalating the standoff into World War III, Biden has pushed allies to hold together, resisted calls for more direct confrontation, all while attempting to manage the economic impacts back home. The moment has showcased his pledge to reset America’s relationship with the world after four tumultuous years of Trump. Trump has been out of office for nearly 14 months yet has shadowed over the current conflict. The same Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, from whom Trump tried to ply damaging information about Biden’s family, has emerged as a heroic symbol of national strength. The same defense systems, the Javelin missiles, that Trump threatened to withhold in a scheme that eventually led to his first impeachment, have been instrumental in defending Ukraine.
“Why Americans may — or may not — blame Biden for higher gas prices” via Santul Nerkar of FiveThirtyEight — When President Biden announced last week that he was banning Russian oil imports to the United States to retaliate against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, he conceded that Americans would pay more for gas as a result. “Defending freedom is going to cost,” Biden said. “It’s going to cost us as well.” But higher prices at the pump and elsewhere aren’t new. For nearly a year now, Americans have faced sharply rising inflation, and the latest numbers were further confirmation of that reality: U.S. prices last month rose 7.9% year-over-year, the largest such increase since 1982 and a continuation of a worrying trajectory as the country recovers from the pandemic recession and a beaten-down supply chain.
“How is Biden doing in Miami-Dade County? New poll has good and bad news” via Bianca Padro Ocasio of the Miami Herald — As Biden’s approval numbers fail to stabilize across the country, his popularity in Miami-Dade, a county crucial to Florida Democrats as they head into the 2022 midterms, is above the national average. But Biden’s support among those surveyed by Bendixen & Amandi International this month is practically the only good news for Democrats. The bad news is that Biden has been unable to gain ground against Trump, leading in the poll by seven points — the same margin of victory he had in the county in 2020. It’s a similar story when Biden is matched up against DeSantis, a vocal critic of the President and potential 2024 presidential contender. If the election were held today, the poll shows that voters would choose Biden over DeSantis by just six percentage points in Miami-Dade.
— UKRAINE —
“‘All art must go underground:’ Ukraine scrambles to shield its cultural heritage” via Max Bearak and Isabelle Khurshudyan of The Washington Post — Emptying a museum is a gargantuan task, and the entire workforce of the Andrey Sheptytsky National Museum in Lviv had been at it for a week before the final piece, a century-old portrait of the museum’s namesake, was taken down, leaving the last of its walls bare. Ihor Kozhan, the director of the grand gallery opposite Lviv’s opera house, explained the rush. “There is an egomaniac in Moscow who doesn’t care about killing children, let alone destroying art,” he said. “If our history and heritage are to survive, all art must go underground.” Across Ukraine, artists, gallerists, curators and museum directors are desperately but carefully unhooking, wrapping and stashing away the country’s hefty cultural endowment as Putin’s onslaught closes in.
“Ukraine missionary, diplomat and pastor in Jacksonville advocate for the war-torn place they call home” via Beth Reese Cravey of The Florida Times-Union — When Jacksonville-based missionary Kathy Gould left Ukraine after the Russian invasion in late February, the people she left behind asked her to give the rest of the world a message. “Tell the world about us,” one woman said. “Help the world hear and see.” Gould has been doing just that ever since. She has done multiple media interviews, talking about the Ukrainian people she came to know and love over her 29 years in Kyiv. But watching her homeland under attack has been both excruciating and maddening.
“Hungary has become the E.U. home of Kremlin talking points” via Lily Bayer of POLITICO — Ukrainian arms may be sold to “terrorists” in France. Zelenskiy behaves like Adolf Hitler during the waning days of World War II. What’s remarkable is that these arguments are coming from pundits, TV stations, and print outlets linked to Hungary’s ruling Fidesz party, whose leader, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, has publicly joined with Western allies in condemning Russia over its invasion. He has supported massive E.U. sanctions crippling Russia’s economy and even said NATO troops would deploy to Western Hungary. However, within Hungary, his party is often sending a much different message. From state-owned media to pro-government outlets propped up with taxpayer-funded advertising, pundits linked to Fidesz promote conspiracy theories about the conflict and relativize Russia’s aggression.
“Once a powerful symbol in Russia, McDonald’s withdraws” via Dee-Ann Durbin of The Associated Press — Two months after the Berlin Wall fell, another potent symbol opened its doors in the middle of Moscow: a gleaming new McDonald’s. It was the first American fast-food restaurant to enter the Soviet Union, reflecting the new political openness of the era. So, it was all the more poignant when McDonald’s announced it would temporarily close nearly 850 stores in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. McDonald’s Russian website on Monday read: “Due to operational, technical and logistical difficulties, McDonald’s will temporarily suspend service at its network enterprises from March 14.”
— D.C. MATTERS —
“Who, us, fight? Senate GOP vows ‘respectful’ Supreme Court hearings” via Marianne Levine of POLITICO — Senate Republicans aren’t coalescing around a single approach to Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s nomination to the Supreme Court yet — except that they’ll keep it classy. “ … we’re not going to get in the gutter like the Democrats did,” said Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley, the top Republican on the Judiciary Committee. That’s a subtle but unmistakable reference to Justice Brett Kavanaugh. But Democrats had a plan before those sexual assault accusations surfaced … Other Supreme Court fights in recent years have also seen the minority party align around one major strategy: For Justice Amy Coney Barrett, Democrats focused chiefly on health care; for Justice Neil Gorsuch, they homed in on the Senate rule that Republicans changed to get him confirmed. But for Jackson, the GOP doesn’t quite have a theme.
“Sarah Bloom Raskin’s Fed nomination appears doomed after Joe Manchin opposes her record” via Rachel Siegel of The Washington Post — Raskin’s nomination to the Federal Reserve Board appeared all but doomed on Monday after Sen. Manchin, a key Democratic vote, said he opposed her because of her stance on energy in an era of inflation. “I have carefully reviewed Raskin’s qualifications and previous public statements,” Manchin said. Raskin’s nomination to the vice-chair for supervision was already under pressure, with Republicans initially opposing her candidacy over her focus on climate change and its threat to financial stability.
“Palm Beach County’s largest free clinic gets major boost with $1 million in funding” via Wells Dusenbury of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel — Boynton Beach’s Caridad Center, the largest free health clinic in Florida, will be making some upgrades after receiving more than $1 million in federal funding. Congresswoman Lois Frankel announced the sizable grant Monday during a news conference at the center, located on Boynton Beach Boulevard, just west of Florida’s Turnpike. The money was secured as part of this year’s congressional spending bill. The Caridad Center provides medical, vision and dental care for the uninsured and underserved children and families of Palm Beach County. The funding will be allocated for a variety of services. Laura Kallus, CEO of the Caridad Center, said the money would purchase new equipment for their dental clinic.
“Have Chinese spies infiltrated American campuses?” via Gideon Lewis-Kraus of The New Yorker — Franklin Tao, a forty-seven-year-old chemistry professor at the University of Kansas, departed China with just enough time to make it home for the fall semester. Tao deplaned in Chicago and was greeted by two agents from the Department of Homeland Security, who diverted him for questioning. Tao was arrested under the China Initiative program, begun by Trump’s Department of Justice in 2018, to combat Chinese espionage. According to Jeff Sessions, the Attorney General who launched the Initiative, China had designs on American scientific prowess and ran missions against targets “like research labs and universities.”
“About 140 Haitian migrants land in Keys” via Christina Vazquez, Janine Stanwood and David Selig of WPLG Local 10 News — A group of about 140 Haitian migrants came to shore in the Lower Florida Keys on Monday morning, border authorities confirmed, the latest in a string of suspected smuggling operations. Monroe County Sheriff’s Office said it received the initial call of the large group of migrants landing near Summerland Key, about 20 miles from Key West. U.S. Customs and Border Protection also responded to the scene and is the lead agency investigating. “Border Patrol Agents and local law enforcement partners are responding to investigate a potential maritime smuggling event near Cudjoe Key, CBP spokesperson Adam Hoffner said. “At this time, the investigation is still ongoing.”
— CRISIS —
“Virginia Thomas, wife of Supreme Court justice, says she attended Jan. 6 ‘Stop the Steal’ rally before Capitol attack” via Mariana Alfaro of The Washington Post — Virginia Thomas, wife of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, for the first time has publicly acknowledged that she participated in the Jan. 6, 2021, “Stop the Steal” rally on the Ellipse that preceded the storming of the Capitol by a pro-Trump mob, raising questions about the impartiality of her husband’s work. Thomas, who goes by Ginni, said she was part of the crowd that gathered on the Ellipse that morning to support Trump. Thomas said she was at the rally for a brief time, got cold, and went home before Trump took the stage at noon that day.
“‘Gutted’: What happened when a Georgia elections office was targeted for takeover by those who claim the 2020 election was a fraud” via Stephanie McCrummen of The Washington Post — More than 10,000 election offices throughout the country are now being targeted for takeover by a Republican Party in thrall to false claims that the 2020 presidential race was stolen. The effort is playing out in Georgia through statewide legislation and, more surgically, through a patchwork of new county-specific laws. The measures are targeting rural counties that have long been majority-White, GOP strongholds where the people running elections have often come from Democratic and Black communities, a legacy of the civil rights struggle in the rural South. This status quo is being dismantled, with the common goal being tighter Republican control.
— EPILOGUE TRUMP —
“Trump PAC highlights Rick Scott, reminding where loyalties lie” via A.G. Gancarski of Florida Politics — After Scott released his controversial “11-point plan to rescue America,” speculation has abounded about whether Trump wants Scott to lead Senate Republicans after November. More reason to speculate on that came Monday, with the Trump-affiliated Save America PAC sending out a helpful “ICYMI” email highlighting a media appearance from the Florida Republican Senator over the weekend. The shoutout from Trump World came after days of Scott defending his “Rescue America” framework not just against Democratic criticisms but those of Trump nemesis Mitch McConnell himself. Saying he intended to lead the party last November, McConnell rebuked the proposal, vowing that proposed tax hikes on lower-income people and potential sunsets of Social Security and Medicare “will not be part of our agenda.”
“Trump tells supporters they must fight to the death to stop schools from teaching kids about systemic racism” via Bess Levin of Vanity Fair — Conservatives are using CRT as a tool to fan the flames of yet another culture war and scare voters — some of whom were told over the weekend that CRT is so dangerous they must literally be willing to die to stop it. Yes, in a characteristically unhinged speech, Trump warned his followers: “Getting critical race theory out of our schools is not just a matter of values, it’s also a matter of national survival. We have no choice, the fate of any nation ultimately depends upon the willingness of its citizens to lay down and they must do this, lay down their very lives to defend their country.”
“Trump: I am not using campaign funds for new plane” via Bob Cusack of The Hill — Trump on Monday said he is not using any campaign funding to construct a new plane. In a phone interview, Trump took issue with an article by The Hill over the weekend that cited a fundraising email his political action committee recently sent out. “The story was incorrect,” Trump told The Hill. “I already have a plane, the same one I used on the 2016 campaign,” Trump said his plane is being serviced in Louisiana and should be back in the air in 90. Pressed on why the fundraising email that mentioned his plane asked for donations, Trump responded, “I don’t know. I never saw the email [before it went out].”
— LOCAL NOTES —
“Miami Beach’s latest road-raising squabble: Who gets swamped by the floodwaters?” via Alex Harris and Martin Vassolo of the Miami Herald — Residents gripe about lengthy construction time, cost overruns, the changed aesthetic and lost parking spots — and some even question the need to do these projects in the first place. But the biggest concern, by far, is what happens to that water that used to pool on the low streets. Last year, some property owners sued the city over its road-raising program, alleging that the higher roads pushed floodwaters onto their low-lying properties and swamped their homes. “Road raising done right is just fine,” Miami Beach Commissioner Mark Samuelian told the Miami Herald. “The question is where you do it, when you do it and how much you do it.”
“Miami-Dade deleted critical audio files from Surfside collapse search-and-rescue effort” via Monique O. Madan of USA Today — A Miami-Dade County employee deleted critical audio files chronicling the search-and-rescue effort of the first frantic hours of the Surfside condo collapse, one of the deadliest building disasters in U.S. history, a USA Today investigation found. The audio included communications that Miami-Dade Fire Rescue tactical teams had with central dispatchers as they searched for survivors in the immediate aftermath of the disaster that struck the Champlain Towers South condominium at 1:23 a.m. on June 24.
“Unemployment steady in Palm Beach County, but gap in open jobs versus labor pool narrows” via Antonio Fins of the Palm Beach Post — The number of open jobs in Palm Beach County outpaced the number of job seekers for the seventh straight month even as the local unemployment notched slightly upward. That’s one reason, CareerSource of Palm Beach County said, that wages and salaries grew faster in South Florida than in any of the nation’s other large metropolitan areas, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. State officials said Monday the county’s unemployment stood at 3.4% in January 2022, a shade higher than the 3.4% rate to close out 2021. The county’s rate was lower than both the state (3.5%) and national (4.4%) numbers.
“Because of growth and a fear of contaminants, West Palm considering a new way to get water” via Kimberly Miller of the Palm Beach Post — When Henry Flagler tapped a couple of shallow duck ponds to bring water to his burgeoning Palm Beach empire, was he considering the cyanotoxin cylindrospermopsin? Could the oil baron, railroad tycoon, and visionary hotelier fathom in the late 1890s that a 21st-century pandemic would spur the biggest building boom in West Palm Beach’s history, straining a vulnerable water supply beset by climate change and a population surge? The Flagler Water System has evolved in the past 100-plus years to draw upon Grassy Waters Preserve — a historic headwaters of the northern Everglades now buoyed by the beleaguered Lake Okeechobee. Today, the ad-libbed system brings water to an estimated 130,000 people in West Palm Beach, Palm Beach and South Palm Beach.
“Work-life balance? County attorneys are ‘burned out,’ and Commissioners want to lighten the load” via Mike Diamond of the Palm Beach Post — The County Attorney’s office, suffering from a serious case of burnout, will soon be hiring three new lawyers and a paralegal. Palm Beach County Commissioners recently approved a special appropriation of $591,547 to hire more staff to lighten a heavy workload that has resulted in a number of County Attorneys resigning in recent years. “The constant routine, weeknights, weekend and periodic holiday work, has resulted in the loss of rest and recuperation and family time. While litigation staff is aware that trial preparation requires extra hours, the lack of recovery time following a trial is resulting in rapid burnout and turnover,” County Attorney Denise Coffman wrote in an executive brief to the County Commission.
“House linked to Jordanian royal family sells for $45.36 million in Palm Beach” via Darrell Hofheinz of the Palm Beach Post — A Palm Beach lakefront estate owned for years by entities associated with the Jordanian royal family has sold for $45.36 million, the price reported Monday in the local multiple listing service. The 1990s-era house at 1330 N. Lake Way was most recently owned by Sherouq LLC, a Delaware-registered limited liability company, property records show. That company is linked in business records to Princess Al Hussein Al Saleh, sister of the late King Hussein of Jordan. The house replaced one that the king had reportedly used as a vacation home. According to an MLS listing updated Monday, the sale of the Mediterranean-style house closed Friday.
“University of Miami opens medical offices in downtown West Palm Beach and Palm Beach” via Alexandra Clough of the Palm Beach Post — The University of Miami Health System has opened a major medical clinic on the waterfront in West Palm Beach to treat existing patients, lure new ones and establish a base for an expanded medical presence in the county. The medical offices are on the second floor of a two-story building at 185 Banyan Blvd. The building is part of Flagler Banyan Square, the mixed-use project at Banyan Boulevard between Olive Avenue and Flagler Drive. UHealth’s space is above Elisabetta’s Ristorante. UHealth’s multi-specialty clinic quietly opened last November, but a formal opening was delayed until this month due to the coronavirus pandemic. A ribbon-cutting is set for Tuesday.
“Hialeah makeover focuses on arts district, transit hubs, big bet on Factory Town, and much more” via Andres Viglucci of the Miami Herald — Bit by bit, the snarl of aging warehouses, train tracks and potholed streets that make up east Hialeah’s old industrial districts are seeing something novel: new buildings mixing housing and shops, plans for new public spaces and a bike trail beneath the elevated Metrorail lines, and even an unusual music and entertainment district in a vast old mattress factory called Factory Town that’s generating considerable buzz. The new development, already underway or in the planning stages, clusters around the industrial corridors’ two Tri-Rail stations, known as the Hialeah Transfer Station, connecting to Metrorail. Between the two, there’s the rising Leah Arts district and Miami developer Avra Jain’s ambitious plan for Factory Town.
“Second fire in five months leaves more homeless at Jacksonville Heights Apartments; this time arson” via Dan Scanlan of The Florida Times-Union — Twyla Randall had just said her nighttime prayers when she said she saw the flashing fire truck lights and an apartment across from hers ablaze. Afterward, she learned the fire in that second-floor unit at the Jacksonville Heights Apartments at 8050 103rd St. was apparently set as police announced an early Monday arson arrest of a woman who lived there. This is the second time the Westside apartment complex has been hit by a major fire in recent months, this time leaving 30 people homeless, according to the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department. Randall is concerned for those left homeless, including an elderly woman.
“Duval’s half-cent sales tax garners $110M in 1st year, but public awareness needs improvement” via Joe McLean — The Committee overseeing Duval County’s half-cent sales tax for school improvement said in its annual report that it’s already ahead of schedule for how much revenue has been collected. According to the report, the county’s half-cent sales tax generated more than $110 million in 2021, the first year that the tax has been in effect since approved by voters to help repair and replace aging schools. That’s well ahead of the projection of $88 million for last year. The money is specifically earmarked for new school construction, backlogged maintenance projects, and security upgrades, with each school’s to-do list spelled out in an online dashboard.
“Does Pensacola really need half a dozen new hotels? Tourism numbers say, yes, it does.” via Emma Kennedy of The Pensacola News Journal — While the initial throes of the pandemic did cause a temporary standstill, the pent-up demand for travel that followed hasn’t slowed down going into 2022. The demand has spurred a slew of new hotel developments and short-term rentals that will increase the Pensacola area’s tourism capacity in the next few years. But can the area handle that much more capacity? Based on how Tourism Development Tax spending has shot up and how high hotel occupancy got last summer, tourism officials think so.
“A piece of Pensacola history was saved from the sea. Then it was saved from an attic.” via Colin Warren-Hicks of the Pensacola News Journal — A long-lost piece of Pensacola history has been salvaged for the second time. A historic American flag, recently discovered in a nearly forgotten, 80-year-old U.S. Army trunk tucked away in an attic, will be transported back to the Gulf Coast later this month. The flag was salvaged in the early 1940s from the San Pablo, an approximately 300-foot ship commonly referred to as the “Russian Freighter” sunk in the Gulf off Pensacola in 1944. Family members of the now-deceased retired U.S. Army Col. Robert Edward Jones, who originally salvaged the flag, will deliver and donate the historical item to the Pensacola Lighthouse and Maritime Museum on March 16.
— TOP OPINION —
“Why climate resilience strategies won’t save Florida” via John Morales of The Washington Post — Florida is spending loads of money in the name of “climate resilience.” But don’t count on that to save Florida. Without measures to address climate change at its source, all that money will be as useful as a heap of soggy dollar bills. Florida’s sea levels are increasing faster than the global rate, due in part to ocean currents in the area. Saltwater inundation of the city streets, so-called sunny day flooding, has been up 400% since 2006. A more significant proportion of hurricanes are reaching catastrophic intensities, with the potential to drive a deeper and more destructive storm surge farther inland.
— OPINIONS —
“Passing the ‘anti-woke’ bill is last feather on the Florida Legislature’s racist cap” via Fabiola Santiago of the Miami Herald — If there’s anything we learned from this Legislative Session in Florida, it’s the undeniable reality that racism is alive, and unfortunately thriving, in the highest corridors of the Sunshine State. Time for the hashtag #SOSFlorida. Somebody come rescue what lawmakers left of our civil rights. “This is where ‘woke’ goes to die,” DeSantis bragged in a speech to the conservative Federalist Society and the Legislature went to work doing the dirty work of hiding horrific Black Florida history from students and grown-ups in the name of white comfort. On Thursday, senators passed HB 7, the last of several bills fueled not by need but by political culture wars in a year when DeSantis is up for re-election.
“Richard Corcoran’s impact on Florida education was immense” via Joe Henderson of Florida Politics — While we were all drinking from the culture war fire hose last week, the story of Corcoran leaving as Florida’s Education Commissioner quickly came and went. There was just too much other stuff going on to give that news its proper due. Corcoran had more impact on how Florida educates its students than anyone since Jeb Bush. During his time as Speaker of the House, Corcoran helped orchestrate a major expansion of charter schools; you can decide how good that was. In 2019, he pushed through a major overhaul of how the state funds its colleges and universities. But he was also confrontational when school districts balked at his edicts. That was particularly true on mandatory masks and other measures used to mitigate the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Early-childhood education is in crisis” via Ali Demaria for the Orlando Sentinel — The early childhood education industry is in crisis and has been for many years. The cost is typically too high for the clientele, yet the revenues are not high enough to cover basic operational expenses. This business model failure, heightened by the economic strain of the pandemic, leaves many preschools and early childhood organizations without viable operational alternatives. The child care system, like health care, affects most of us at some time in our lives. Some families depend on it to keep their livelihood while others only need it periodically; however, the issues remain the same. Research indicates that children develop strong social and cognitive skills with exposure to quality early child care, and parents or caretakers depend on child care programs to provide them the time to work and engage in our local economy.
“In too deep — clean water regulations can make you sink or swim” via Michelle Diffenderfer and Rachael Santana for Florida Politics — The term “waters of the United States” (WOTUS) determines whether a particular water body or wetland falls under the jurisdiction of the federal government pursuant to the Clean Water Act (CWA). In Florida, which is, by any definition, a “wet” state, regulation of waterways and wetlands touches a broad segment of our population and our economy. The Obama, Trump, and now Biden administrations have since proposed rule changes to the definition of WOTUS. Volatility as to the definition of such a pivotal term has resulted in severe regulatory whiplash. This wave of change and uncertainty as to the definition of WOTUS has wide-ranging impacts both nationally and in Florida. Looking ahead, we hope for predictability and consistency for the rules governing the regulation of our nation’s waters.
“Are lawmakers in Congress trying to hurt Florida’s small businesses?” via Sheffie Robinson for Florida Politics — The critical ingredients for small businesses to be more successful are inexpensive and amazing digital tools that help with project management, branding, finding customers and selling products. But I’m concerned because Congress doesn’t seem to understand how valuable digital tools are for small businesses. Legislation that could force Google and Facebook to break into smaller companies might seem reasonable to average folks, but it could really hurt small businesses. If Facebook and Instagram have less data because they are divided, small business advertising campaigns will be less successful and attract fewer new customers. Not only will the business lose, so will consumers looking for a new nail salon or local diner.
— TODAY’S SUNRISE —
Sine Die has come and gone. The 2022 Legislative Session is finally over, with a couple of days’ extension. DeSantis says it was “the year of the parent” in the Legislature, with the passage of “Stop Woke” and the so-called “Don’t Say Gay” bills.
Also, on today’s Sunrise:
— Redistricting maps have been drawn and approved, but they still aren’t on the Governor’s desk and he’s still hinting at a veto.
— As the Session ends, there’s already talk about a Special Session to focus on the unaddressed problem of homeowners insurance.
— The Democrats had a pretty soul-baring Session. They say it upped their visibility.
To listen, click on the image below:
— ALOE —
“Can Tom Brady shine in his NFL reboot? Heck yes, history says” via Joey Knight of the Tampa Bay Times — After 22 seasons, seven world titles, and volumes of NFL records, we’ve finally discovered what makes Brady like all the other garden-variety GOATs. He can’t stay away from the arena. History is rife with legends lured from a brief retirement by the insatiable desire for one more title or ovation. How has it typically worked out? That’s a case-by-case thing. So, let’s examine some NFL cases. In the immediate wake of Brady’s announcement that he’ll play a 23rd NFL season following a 40-day “retirement,” we researched how other prominent players did in their respective second acts.
“Cameron Smith of Jacksonville wins 2022 The Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass” via Clayton Freeman of The Florida Times-Union — Smith captured the biggest title of his career on Monday, shooting 13-under 275 to win The Players Championship. The 28-year-old, originally from Australia before relocating to the First Coast, hit 10 final-round birdies and survived a near-disaster on No. 18 to card a closing 66 to finish one stroke ahead of India’s Anirban Lahiri. He weathered the ups and downs near the end of both the front and back nine, including three consecutive bogeys at No. 7, No. 8 and No. 9. His greatest escape came on the 18th when he drove wide right into pine straw and then slashed a second that bounded diagonally across the fairway and splashed into the water. But he hit his approach to 3 feet and sank his bogey putt.
“NCAA men’s tournament best bets: Gonzaga is an obvious choice, but who else can win it all?” via Matt Bonesteel of The Washington Post — Celebrated stats guru Ken Pomeroy ranks teams by something called Adjusted Efficiency Margin (AdjEM). Each team’s AdjEM “represents the number of points the team would be expected to outscore the average D-I team over 100 possessions,” Pomeroy wrote in 2016. Through this method, you have one clean number to see how teams in this year’s field compare to past champions to better gauge their odds of winning it all. The low bar: 19.1. This is the lowest adjusted efficiency margin for any NCAA men’s tournament champion since 2002. The 2014 Connecticut Huskies hold the honor. The “average” champs: 28.2. If a team enters the tournament with an AdjEM number above this one, it’s a very sound choice to be your champ.
“UF’s Mike White leaving Gators for Georgia to coach men’s basketball” via Edgar Thompson of the Orlando Sentinel — White is leaving Florida for Georgia to coach the Dawgs’ men’s basketball team, delivering the stunning news on NCAA Tournament Selection Sunday as the Gators failed to reach the Big Dance for the first time since 2016. UF confirmed White’s decision three days after the Gators’ 83-80 overtime loss to Texas A&M in the SEC tournament quarterfinals, leaving them 19-13. The Gators had been the only SEC team to qualify for the previous four editions of the Big Dance (COVID-19 canceled it in 2020). White ends his seven seasons at UF with a 142-88 record and four NCAA tournament appearances.
“Tim Tebow to speak at UF’s 2022 commencement” via A.G. Gancarski of Florida Politics — Former starting quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Tebow, who went on after graduation to make his mark in philanthropy and motivational leadership while playing professional football and minor league baseball, will be the featured university-wide commencement speaker this spring in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Tebow, arguably the most dynamic of all the quarterbacks during UF’s glory days, is no stranger to that stadium, which hosted some of his career’s most visible triumphs. UF President Kent Fuchs explained his reasoning for picking Tebow. “Tim Tebow is known as much for his hard work, character and commitment to service as he is for his many achievements. And for those reasons, I know the class of 2022 will benefit greatly from his message and perspective.”
“Central Florida power couple to join SNL’s Pete Davidson on Blue Origin ride to space” via Richard Tribou of the Orlando Sentinel — Blue Origin announced the next set of civilians to take a flight on its New Shepard rocket, and while Davidson may be the headliner, Winter Park couple Marc and Sharon Hagle will be taking the ride, too. Their trip will fulfill a journey that has been in the works for more than a decade. Marc Hagle is President and CEO of Maitland-based commercial property company Tricor International Corp., and Sharon Hagle is the founder of local nonprofit SpaceKids Global and a board member of the onePULSE Foundation. The duo, who would become the first married couple to fly on a commercial spacecraft, had previously been among the first to sign up to fly on Blue Origin competitor Virgin Galactic’s space tourism flights back in 2010, but when that company starts launching customers is unclear.
“Man with one arm fights for right to theme-park thrills” via Kate Santich and Katie Rice of the Orlando Sentinel — Dylan Campbell can deadlift 185 pounds, scale a rock-climbing wall and hold his own in pickup basketball — all with one arm. But in May 2019, when he took his son to Universal’s Volcano Bay Water Theme Park to celebrate his seventh birthday, Campbell was barred from many of the park’s rides. A ride operator and manager told him he needed “two natural functioning hands” — a policy the park acknowledges. “Everybody’s staring as they pull you out of line and tell you that you can’t ride,” said Campbell. Campbell and his attorney allege it’s a violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in jobs, schools, transportation, and all public and private places open to the public, such as theme parks.
— HAPPY BIRTHDAY —
Celebrating today are former Sen. Mike Haridopolos, Marti Coley Eubanks, and Kristen Grissom of Bascom Communications and Consulting,
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Sunburn is authored and assembled by Peter Schorsch, Phil Ammann, Daniel Dean, Renzo Downey, Jacob Ogles, and Drew Wilson.
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Axios AM
⚠️ Good Tuesday morning. Beware: It’s March 15 — the ides of March.
- Smart Brevity™ count: 1,194 words … 4½ mins. Edited by Zachary Basu.
Illustration: Eniola Odetunde/Axios
The tech world order that came together in the ’90s at the Cold War’s end is falling apart:
- The break between Russia and the West signals a great retrenchment, Axios managing editor Scott Rosenberg writes from the Bay Area.
Why it matters: The breakup of the USSR in the early ’90s opened an era in which internet use rapidly spread around the globe and U.S. tech companies viewed the entire planet as both factory floor and market.
Working from that assumption helped a handful of companies grow to previously inconceivable size, wealth and power.
- But the triple whammy of a “decoupling” between the U.S. and China … a global pandemic … and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is rapidly shifting the landscape.
A new COVID outbreak that’s spread from Hong Kong to nearby Shenzhen, China, has led Foxconn — the gigantic Taiwan-based tech supplier — to temporarily close production complexes there that manufacture, among other things, Apple’s iPhone.
- At the same time, Ukraine’s plight has pushed many U.S.-based tech giants toward taking sides in a major international conflict, turning the power of their platforms toward blocking Russian state propaganda.
- China became the tech industry’s foundry. But that relationship has begun to unravel, as U.S. distrust of China’s government mounts, American awareness of China’s human rights abuses grows, and China flexes its muscles on the world stage.
What’s happening: All that, plus the pandemic, leaves the U.S. in a “bring production home from overseas” mood.
- The result is the start of a vast withdrawal from a single global tech market.
- This grand decoupling goes beyond the “splinternet” phenomenon — the breaking up of the global internet into several different jurisdictional zones with different regulations and dominant powers.
The bottom line: The changes suggest tech’s three decades of up-and-to-the-right growth have peaked.
Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios
A sense that the world is coming unglued hangs over global markets and the economy, Axios chief economic correspondent Neil Irwin writes.
- Why it matters: Aspects of how the world works — taken for granted for a generation — have become deeply uncertain amid war in Europe, new pandemic lockdowns in China and high inflation in the U.S.
The threats are to globalization itself, and specifically the assumption that even countries that have big disagreements can do business with each other on an ever-widening scale.
- And the faster and more efficient supply chains that companies have built over the course of decades are crumbling in new ways.
State of play: A collision between powerful geopolitical and economic forces is creating rapid whipsawing effects in markets, as traders and policymakers try to make sense of this rapidly changing world.
- The invasion has caused spiking prices for oil, wheat, and many metals on commodity markets (though those prices pulled back some on Monday), as the productive capacity of two large countries is essentially cut off from the rest of the global economy.
The bottom line: The thing about living through momentous times in history is you don’t know how things are going to end. Markets, and all of us, are just trying to make sense of it in real time.
Americans’ emotional and physical health is bouncing back — along with record confidence about life returning to “normal” as mask mandates are abandoned, Axios managing editor Margaret Talev writes from the Axios/Ipsos Coronavirus Index.
- Why it matters: Two years after the start of the pandemic, the nation is ready to move on — despite a resurgence of cases in Europe and new lockdowns in China.
64% of respondents now favor federal, state and local governments lifting all COVID restrictions, up 20 points from early February.
- But three in four say they’d go back to masking if infections increase again where they live.
83% of respondents describe their physical health as good and 84% say their state of emotional well-being is good — the highest shares for both since May 2020.
- 48% of respondents said “hopeful” describes the way they feel today — the highest share since this time last year when vaccines were becoming broadly available.
An employee for Russian state television burst onto the set of a live broadcast last evening, yelling anti-war slogans and carrying a sign that read: “Don’t believe the propaganda. They’re lying to you here.”
- Why it matters: Viral footage of the stunning protest momentarily disrupted the heavily censored media environment Russia has imposed since the invasion began, Axios’ Zachary Basu writes.
Marina Ovsyannikova, an editor at Channel One whose father is Ukrainian, was arrested and could face up to 15 years in prison under a new law that bans the spread of “fake news” about the Russian military.
- In a pre-recorded video, Ovsyannikova said she was “very ashamed” of working for “Kremlin propaganda” for so many years, and called for Russians to join anti-war protests.
- “What is happening in Ukraine is a crime and Russia is the aggressor,” she said. “Only we have the power to stop all this madness.”
⚡ Breaking: The prime ministers of Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovenia will travel to Kyiv today to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and convey the European Union’s “unequivocal support” for Ukraine.
- Go deeper: Axios Ukraine dashboard … Axios explainers.
Public awareness of misinformation and disinformation soared over the past two years, Axios’ Sara Fischer and Ashley Gold write.
- Why it matters: Information warfare and content moderation issues have been brought to the center of public conversation.
New data from Zignal Labs, a social media analysis firm, found that conversations surrounding misinformation and disinformation have only become more frequent since 2020.
- Today, the topic is a big part of public debate about any major news event, from COVID to elections to racial justice issues — and now the invasion of Ukraine.
Bruce Mehlman — founder of the government relations firm Mehlman Castagnetti Rosen & Thomas — sketches how the two parties can spin Ukraine during this year’s midterm campaigns.
With legal sports-betting markets in 30 states plus D.C., this year’s March Madness will generate the most betting in tournament history, Jeff Tracy writes for Axios Sports.
- An estimated 45 million Americans could combine to wager $3.1 billion on the 2022 men’s tournament, according to the American Gaming Association.
36.5 million of those Americans (81%) plan to wager via bracket contests.
- But 76% of the money wagered will go to non-bracket bets. That’s up from 55% last year — evidence that bettors are engaging in more single-game betting alongside their traditional bracket pools.
What’s happening: 29 million more Americans can legally bet this year compared to last, with legal markets launching in Arizona, Connecticut, Louisiana, Maryland, North Dakota, South Dakota, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
The Met Opera and Chorus performs “A Concert For Ukraine” at the Metropolitan Opera House at Lincoln Center last evening.
- Ticket sales benefited relief efforts.
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Morning Headlines
High oil prices are hammering American consumers at the pump, but don’t assume they will prompt a boom in U.S. oil production this year, as market experts point to a number of nonregulatory factors preventing the industry from rushing into drill-baby-drill mode. Read more…
Plans are in the works to reopen the Capitol in phases, starting March 28, according to a proposed Capitol Police plan reviewed by CQ Roll Call. The first phase would permit limited school tours through Senate and House office buildings, escorted by congressional staff. Read more…
The mark of Zelenskyy: History awaits his address to Congress
OPINION — President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the Ukrainian people are proving that 2022 isn’t really 1939 or 1940. The longer Ukraine can bravely hold on against Russian forces, the greater the hope that something good can emerge from the horrors of wartime. Read more…
Click here to subscribe to Fintech Beat for the latest market and regulatory developmentsin finance and financial technology.
Democrats push to loosen gig worker tax reporting threshold
A group of vulnerable Democrats is pressing for a higher earnings threshold to trigger tax reporting requirements for gig workers and online sellers, arguing that the lower limit that began this year could lead to people paying more tax than they owe. Read more…
Ex-Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores throws challenge flag on NFL’s forced arbitration practice
Pittsburgh Steelers linebackers coach Brian Flores dialed up an all-out blitz against forced arbitration Monday as he helped rally support for a bill to ban the practice. The NFL appears set to enforce a clause in Flores’ contract that would move out of the public spotlight his racial discrimination suit against the league and three teams. Read more…
Manchin says he won’t vote to confirm Fed pick Raskin
Sen. Joe Manchin III, a Democrat from West Virginia, said Monday that he wouldn’t vote to confirm Sarah Bloom Raskin, President Joe Biden’s nominee to become vice chairman of supervision at the Federal Reserve. Manchin’s break with the president is a significant blow to Raskin’s confirmation chances in a Senate split evenly at 50-50. Read more…
After CDC order, Democrats ramp up push to end border expulsions
Democratic lawmakers have criticized the Biden administration’s decision to exempt only unaccompanied migrant children from a pandemic policy that closed the border to asylum claims, calling on the administration to shield families from the order as well. Read more…
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25.) POLITICO PLAYBOOK
POLITICO Playbook: Zelenskyy’s must-see TV
DRIVING THE DAY
A TALE OF TWO BROADCASTS — In Moscow, the flagship newscast on state television was interrupted Monday by MARINA OVSYANNIKOVA, an employee of the network, who burst into the frame and held up an anti-war poster. In English it said, “No War” at the top and “Russians against the war” at the bottom. In between, in Russian, it said, “Stop the war. Don’t believe the propaganda. They’re lying to you here.”
NYT’s Anton Troianovski noted, “The moment went viral online in Russia, despite the Kremlin’s recent efforts to block dissent on the internet. Within hours, Ms. Ovsyannikova’s Facebook page had more than 26,000 comments, with many people thanking her or praising her for her bravery in Russian, English and Ukrainian.” She was detained by police as of this morning — her whereabouts are unknown.
In Kyiv, President VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY delivered his latest video address to Ukrainians with a shocking level of confidence. Despite the siege of his cities and the worsening refugee crisis, Zelenskyy sounded like he had the upper hand in the conflict. He addressed Russian soldiers with the same message as Ovsyannikova: they are being deceived.
“The enemy is confused,” he taunted. “They did not expect such resistance. They believed in their propaganda, which has been lying about us for decades.They still can’t recollect themselves. But they have already begun to understand that they will not achieve anything by war.
“Their soldiers know this. Their officers are aware of this. They flee the battlefield. They abandon equipment. We take trophies and use them to protect Ukraine. Today, Russian troops are, in fact, one of the suppliers of equipment to our army. They could not imagine such a thing in a nightmare.”
ZELENSKYY’S NEXT BIG ADDRESS — On Wednesday, Zelenskyy will speak to Congress virtually. According to one person with knowledge of the address, he plans “to name and shame,” meaning excoriating the West for not doing enough to defend his country, though he will balance his remarks with some gratitude for what has been provided.
WSJ’s Andrew Restuccia and Siobhan Hughes report that it was Zelenskyy who asked Congress to speak. Few world leaders have the kind of moral authority that Zelenskyy has to push Congress. A week ago Saturday, when he addressed members of Congress privately, his pleas for assistance produced a flurry of congressional requests to the Biden administration. The Ukrainian aid package zipping through Congress ballooned in the following days.
Tougher sanctions, advanced air defense weapons, airplanes from Poland, and a no-fly-zone are all still on Zelenskyy’s wish list. His advocates in Washington — lobbyists and members of Congress — told Playbook they have tried to push his government to deemphasize the no-fly zone, which has been repeatedly ruled out by Biden, and focus on beefed up defense assistance that is more achievable, such as S-300 surface-to-air missiles.
MUST-READ — WaPo’s Sudarsan Raghavan has a remarkable report from the front lines that explains with great detail how the Ukrainian resistance has so far surprised the world in holding off the Russian takeover of Kyiv: “How Kyiv’s outgunned defenders have kept Russian forces from capturing the capital.”
The last line of this graf caught our attention: “To be sure, most military analysts and Western officials still predict that Russian forces will eventually encircle Kyiv and push into the capital, possibly aided by airstrikes. While this could prove true, it’s far from clear whether Russia will prevail.”
More and more commentators and reporters are echoing Raghavan’s view that it’s no longer a fait accompli that Russia will prevail.
The other big Ukraine headlines:
— Biden may travel to Europe next week. (POLITICO)
— NATO leaders are weighing plans for an “extraordinary” — i.e., not regularly scheduled — meeting in Brussels next week to discuss the war. (CNBC)
— National security adviser JAKE SULLIVAN had what the administration described as an “intense” seven-hour discussion with a top Chinese diplomat in Rome. Other Biden officials warned there would be “consequences” if Beijing assisted the Russian war effort. (CNN)
— Peace talks are scheduled to resume today. (Reuters)
Good Tuesday morning. Thanks for reading Playbook. Drop us a line: Rachael Bade, Eugene Daniels, Ryan Lizza.
BIDEN’S TUESDAY:
— 10:15 a.m.: The president and VP KAMALA HARRIS will receive the President’s Daily Brief.
— 2:15 p.m.: Biden will sign the Consolidated Appropriations Act into law, with Harris and acting OMB Director SHALANDA YOUNG attending.
— 5:30 p.m.: Biden, Harris and first lady JILL BIDEN will deliver remarks at an Equal Pay Day event in the East Room. Among the attendees: second gentleman DOUG EMHOFF, Energy Secretary JENNIFER GRANHOLM, Young, DNI AVRIL HAINES, Council of Economic Advisers Chair CECILIA ROUSE, SBA Administrator ISABELLA CASILLAS GUZMAN and members of the U.S. women’s national soccer team.
HARRIS’ TUESDAY — The VP will also host and speak at the Equal Pay Day Summit at 3 p.m. and have a conversation with current and former USWNT players at 3:25 p.m.
Press secretary JEN PSAKI will brief at 1 p.m.
THE HOUSE will meet at noon and take up several bills under suspension of the rules at 2 p.m., with votes postponed until 6:30 p.m.
THE SENATE is in and will recess from 12:30 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. for weekly conference meetings.
PHOTO OF THE DAY
PLAYBOOK READS
CONGRESS
SENATE SHOCKER — It’s the Capitol’s election-year surprise: The 50-50 Senate is actually working. “After high-profile partisan failures on President Joe Biden’s signature domestic policy bill and on weakening the filibuster for voting reform, the chamber’s racked up a series of bipartisan accomplishments lately — some of which had eluded Congress for years,” Burgess Everett and Marianne LeVine write. “It’s not always been pretty, but there’s been no debt defaults, no shutdown and no change in chamber control due to a party-switcher.”
TWO YEARS LATER –– The Capitol may soon open to the public after more than two years of closure because of the pandemic, WaPo’s Felicia Sonmez and Marianna Sotomayor report. The proposal has a planned reopening in three phases, with the first beginning March 28 and the final expected to begin on Labor Day.
“On Monday, staffers for the House Administration and Senate Rules committees, the House and Senate sergeants at arms, and members of the U.S. Capitol Police discussed a draft plan for the reopening. The proposal, which has not been finalized, lays out a three-phase plan for reopening the complex to visitors and the general public.”
ALL POLITICS
THE COOLING TRUMP EFFECT? — Republicans looking to run for president in 2024 once lived in fear of crossing DONALD TRUMP. That’s beginning to change. “Over the past few weeks, three would-be presidential candidates who hail from the conservative wing of the Republican Party — Arkansas Sen. TOM COTTON, former Vice President MIKE PENCE and Florida Gov. RON DESANTIS — have prodded at or even outright criticized the former president’s record,” Alex Isenstadt reports. “Taken together, they highlight how the prospective candidates are staking out calculated distance from Trump with an eye toward establishing their own political identities, making clear that they aren’t carbon copies of the former president and signaling to donors and party activists that they’re serious about running in 2024.”
2024 WATCH — Sen. STEVE DAINES (R-Mont.) is eyeing the top spot for the GOP Senate campaign arm ahead of the 2024 cycle, Burgess Everett reports. “The second-term Daines confirmed in an interview that he’s interested in chairing the National Republican Senatorial Committee during the next election cycle. That assignment would put him in charge of winning Senate races in red-leaning states like Ohio, West Virginia and, yes, Montana, where Sen. JON TESTER (D-Mont.) may run for re-election. And Daines seems to be locking up his colleagues’ support for the job.”
THE WHITE HOUSE
HEADS UP — Today is Equal Pay Day, “the first in a series of days across the year that highlights how little progress the country has made toward closing the gender pay gap,” The 19th’s Chabeli Carrazana writes. The White House today announced it is “taking steps to reduce gender disparities in the federal workforce. The Office of Personnel Management is expected to propose a resolution to eliminate the use of salary history in setting pay for federal workers, a practice that has been known to carry over discriminatory pay practices from job to job. Biden also signed an executive order directing the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council, which helps direct government procurement, to consider limiting the use of salary history.”
THE PANDEMIC
BUCKLE UP — Wastewater data is sounding an early warning sign that Covid-19 cases have been rising in March in about a third of monitoring sites around the country, Bloomberg’s Drew Armstrong and Andre Tartar report. That’s almost double the proportion from a month prior. “It’s not clear how many new infections the signs in the sewage represent and if they will turn into a new wave, or will be just a brief bump on the way down from the last one.”
— ANDY SLAVITT warned of a possible spring wave coming to the U.S. in a Twitter thread: “An estimated 45% of the US has had omicron recently. That should be highly protective. Those fully vaccinated but who haven’t had omicron should be vulnerable to infection from BA2, but largely won’t be hospitalized or worse. Those without prior infection would be at most risk of infection. Those who haven’t been infected but also aren’t vaccinated or boosted will be at highest risk of hospitalization. So we could see lots of cases, but an even lower portion of ppl hospitalized than last wave.”
BEYOND THE BELTWAY
INFLATION NATION — Rising prices are hitting voters of color hardest, giving Republicans a potential political opening with traditionally Democratic-leaning groups, WSJ’s John McCormick reports. Thirty-five percent of people of color said inflation is causing “major financial strain in their lives,” compared to 28% of white people. The groups most affected in the survey were Black women and Hispanic men, both at 44%. One 47-year-old Latino independent in Colorado “said he was more open to Republicans this year, in part because of inflation.”
PLAYBOOKERS
John Bolton tells “The Bill Press Pod” he thinks Vladimir Putin may have waited to invade because he thought Trump would win reelection and pull out of NATO. “The Leninist phrase is ‘useful idiot,’ and they haven’t forgotten that in Moscow.” Listen here
Benjamin Hall, a Fox News correspondent, was injured while covering the war in Ukraine, the network reported. Details were scant.
PBS NewsHour’s Jane Ferguson responded with a Twitter thread about how dangerous Ukraine is for journalists: “This war is incredibly tough to cover as a field reporter – unlike any I have seen or experienced before.”
Nieman Lab’s Joshua Benton has a lovely remembrance of the life’s work of his colleague Brent Renaud, who was killed in Ukraine: “Because if there’s even a single thing about Sunday that makes any sense, it’s that Brent Renaud died telling the stories of people caught up in some of humanity’s darkest situations.
WaPo’s Seung Min Kim quipped that Sherrod Brown’s head must be “exploding” over the likely demise of his favored pick for a spot on the Federal Reserve Board. To which Brown’s wife, journalist Connie Schultz, cracked: “Nah, his hair always looks like that.”
Adam Kinzinger let everyone know why he refused an invite to go on Tucker Carlson’s show.
The trucker convoy finally entered D.C., snarling traffic and comparing themselves to the Battle of Jericho.
OUT AND ABOUT — Liechtenstein Ambassador Georg Sparber and Yvonne Sparber hosted a reception honoring the House Chiefs of Staff Association at their Georgetown waterfront home Monday evening, marking 25 years since the first U.S. ambassador to Liechtenstein was accredited. 75 chiefs of staff and staff directors from both parties gathered for specialty curated craft cocktails, wine from the private vineyard of Hereditary Prince of Liechtenstein Alois, and customized cocktail shakers as party favors. SPOTTED: co-chairs Mitchell Rivard and Jonathan Day, Don Andres, James Bernhard, Jaryn Emhof, John Byers, Joshua Cohen, Chris Crawford, Braden Dreiling, Mark Dreiling, Robert Edmonson, Matthew Fery, Justin German, Chris Gorud, Drew Griffin, Liana Guerra, Chloe Hunt, Paige Hutchinson, Mark McDevitt, Jen Bradley, Michael Mucchetti, Nishith Pandya, Tara Rountree and Yardena Wolf. Pics
STAFFING UP — Ramya Prabhakar has joined USAID Administrator Samantha Power’s speechwriting team. She previously was at West Wing Writers and is a member of Speechwriters of Color.
TRANSITIONS — Rachel Meyer is now deputy chief of staff for Project ECHO. She previously was senior director of policy and government affairs at the American Society of Nephrology. … Erica Teasley Linnick is joining NEO Philanthropy to lead the State Infrastructure Fund. She most recently was senior program officer and then acting director of democracy at Open Society Foundations. …
… Reggie Paros is now chief program officer at Millennial Action Project. He previously was director of government relations at Oceans Conservancy. … Jonathan Martinez is now director of federal government affairs at GSK. He previously was legislative director for Rep. Nydia Velazquez (D-N.Y.). Renata Beca-Barragan is now Velazquez’s legislative director.
ENGAGED — Caroline Tucker, comms director for Rep. Blake Moore (R-Utah), and Spencer Hamilton, a legislative correspondent for Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), got engaged Saturday morning at Constitution Gardens near the National Mall. They met last May through mutual friends. Pic … Another pic
HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Reps. Jason Crow (D-Colo.) and Morgan Griffith (R-Va.) … Kevin Munoz … Lenny Alcivar … Brendan Buck of Seven Letter (4-0) … George Holman … Washingtonian’s Jack Limpert … former Sen. Ted Kaufman (D-Del.) … Svante Myrick … POLITICO’s Mallory Culhane … Austin Durrer of Rep. Charlie Crist’s (D-Fla.) office … Megan Uhrich … Marcus Weisgerber of Defense One … Franklin Davis of the American Beverage Association (4-0) … Amanda Broun … Kate Dickens of S-3 Group … Patrick Dellinger of FlexPoint Media … Suzanne Smalley … Lauren Marshall of Sen. Mark Warner’s (D-Va.) office … Joe Carapiet … Ariel Hill-Davis of Solvay America … Jenny 8. Lee … Protocol’s Megan Morrone … Mark J. Green … former West Virginia Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin (7-0) … Tom Baer … Bill Hendrickson (93) … Josh Deckard … NYT’s Sopan Deb
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31.) THE DISPATCH
The Morning Dispatch: China’s Russia Triangulation
Plus: Scenes from last night’s closed-door fundraiser for embattled Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney.
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Happy Tuesday! Yesterday’s Let Us Know was really more of a formality—of course we’re going to do another Morning Dispatch March Madness bracket pool!
To enter, click here (you will need to have a free ESPN account) and select “Join Group.” The password is “TMD2K22!” and predictions must be completed by Thursday morning before the first games tip off. If you want to be eligible for prizes (including Dispatch Yeti tumblers, mugs, hats, T-shirts, and membership for life), fill out this form so we can connect you with your ESPN entry.
We’ll keep you updated on the leaderboard over the next few weeks—and go Illini! [Editor’s note: Go Badgers.]
Quick Hits: Today’s Top Stories
- Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin announced Monday he will not support President Joe Biden’s nomination of Sarah Bloom Raskin to the Federal Reserve Board, effectively dooming the former Treasury Department official’s chances of confirmation. Republicans have held up a vote on Raskin’s nomination for weeks over concerns she would seek to expand the Fed’s mandate to include combating climate change. Senate Banking Committee Chair Sherrod Brown told reporters yesterday he plans to move forward with a vote anyways.
- Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht announced Monday Germany will buy 35 Lockheed Martin F-35 fighter jets to replace the country’s decades-old Tornado aircraft. Berlin also plans to purchase 15 Eurofighter jets as part of Chancellor Olaf Scholz’ recent pivot on defense spending.
- Total federal lobbying spending reached a record $3.7 billion in 2021, according to government data compiled by OpenSecrets. Adjusted for inflation, however, lobbying revenues were higher from 2008 through 2011. The figure declined from 2010 to 2016 as a divided Congress prevented major legislation from passing, but has steadily increased since 2017.
Does China Regret Tethering Itself to Putin?
It’s been nearly three weeks since Vladimir Putin launched his so-called “special military operation” in Ukraine, and his greatest accomplishment thus far has been uniting the vast majority of the world in opposition to him. European nations who hemmed and hawed for months over punishing Russia have led the way in imposing perhaps the harshest sanctions regime in history. Public pressure campaigns have rendered it all but impossible for multinational corporations to do business in the geographically largest country on the planet. In a symbolic demonstration of Russia’s isolation, a whopping 141 countries voted in favor of a resolution condemning its aggression at the United Nations earlier this month, compared to just four nay votes and 35 abstentions.
But one of those abstainers is the second most powerful nation in the world. As Russian missiles rain down on Ukrainian cities—1,761 confirmed dead or wounded civilians thus far, according to the UN—the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has sought to publicly straddle the fence between the warring countries. President Xi Jinping has refused to directly condemn Putin’s aggression or label it an invasion, but other high-ranking officials readily admit “what [we] are seeing [in Ukraine] today is not what we have wished to see.” CCP spokespeople and state-owned media outlets have amplified Russian narratives about the war and criticized Western sanctions, but Chinese companies thus far appear to be more or less in compliance with the latter.
Beijing has persistently sought to capitalize on this veneer of neutrality in recent days to boost its own standing on the international stage. “China is willing to continue playing a constructive role in urging peace talks and is willing when necessary to work together with the international community to launch required mediation,” Foreign Minister Wang Yi told reporters last week. Days earlier, Josep Borrel, the European Union’s top diplomat, had argued “it must be China” who brokers a ceasefire, and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said Beijing had “sufficient tools to make a difference” in talks. Xi spoke with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz last week to discuss potential diplomatic solutions to the conflict. On Sunday, a Chinese Communist Party advisor published an op-ed in The New York Times: “It’s Time to Offer Russia an Offramp. China Can Help With That.”
But China’s claims of neutrality have always been a facade. Just weeks before Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine—an invasion that U.S. intelligence officials believe the Chinese were aware of in advance—Russian and Chinese leaders issued a lengthy joint statement defining the nature of their relationship and declaring their “friendship” had no limits. “The sides reaffirm their strong mutual support for the protection of their core interests, state sovereignty and territorial integrity, and oppose interference by external forces in their internal affairs,” the more-than-5,000 word document read. “Russia and China stand against attempts by external forces to undermine security and stability in their common adjacent regions, intend to counter interference by outside forces in the internal affairs of sovereign countries under any pretext, oppose color revolutions, and will increase cooperation in the aforementioned areas.”
With the Kremlin increasingly isolated economically as its advances in Ukraine continue to stall, the United States is concerned China is about to hold up its end of the bargain. “[We] are watching closely to see the extent to which China actually does provide any form of support, material support or economic support, to Russia,” National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan told CNN on Sunday, the same day anonymous U.S. officials leaked their belief that Russia asked China for military and economic aid shortly after the invasion began. “It is a concern of ours. And we have communicated to Beijing that we will not stand by and allow any country to compensate Russia for its losses from the economic sanctions.”
Sullivan spent his Monday expressing those worries directly to his Chinese counterpart, meeting Yang Jiechi in Rome for what a Biden administration official described as an “intense, seven-hour” session. “We do have deep concerns about China’s alignment with Russia at this time,” the official told reporters on a call yesterday afternoon that was short on specifics. “The National Security Advisor was direct about those concerns and the potential implications and consequences of certain actions.”
Whether China would so provocatively escalate its involvement in Putin’s war remains to be seen. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi dismissed the reports on Monday, maintaining China is “not a party” to what’s going on in Ukraine and accusing “some forces” of “smearing” the CCP government with disinformation. Despite Putin confirming over the weekend he was shipping in thousands of Middle Eastern volunteer soldiers to help Russian forces in the Donbas region, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov claimed Russia has “no reason” to seek external military assistance because it “has an independent potential to continue the operation.”
But a U.S. diplomatic cable sent to NATO and European allies in recent days reportedly warns that China has “expressed some openness” to potentially providing Russia with military and/or financial assistance, perhaps starting with non-lethal aid like pre-packaged military meal kits. The cable, according to CNN, also suggested China would publicly deny any intentions it has of doing so.
Several regional experts The Dispatch spoke with yesterday, however, were skeptical Xi would tether his country to Putin’s war, which is already showing signs of becoming a years-long quagmire.
“I’m very dubious,” said Joshua Kurlantzick, the Council on Foreign Relations’ senior fellow for southeast Asia. “Even though he has moved China in many authoritarian directions and taken a lot of fairly severe actions, [Xi Jinping] is still a much more cautious actor than Vladimir Putin.” Kurlantzick pointed to recent remarks from the recently retired editor-in-chief of the CCP-aligned Global Times, Hu Xijin, as evidence.
“As a major military industrial power, Russia does not need to ask China to provide substantial military assistance for the limited-scale war in Ukraine,” Hu said in a video posted to social media. He also advocated for a total shutdown on arms dealing in general: “All countries should stop providing military assistance to any side of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and only humanitarian aid is allowed.”
Why might Xi be treading so carefully? He has hundreds of billions of reasons to be cautious. “If Xi Jinping were to move into a position of more active support for Russia in this conflict—so going beyond amplifying Russian disinformation and [actually] helping Russia evade sanctions or providing military resupply—he would be taking a huge strategic risk,” Hal Brands, a global affairs professor Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, told The Dispatch. “He would be exposing Chinese firms to U.S. sanctions on a scale that the Chinese have never wanted to do before … [and] risk dramatically accelerating decoupling between the U.S. and China. In part because of the effect those sanctions would have, and in part because—by making China complicit in Russian behavior in this conflict—he would give so much ammunition to China’s critics in the United States.”
But Bonny Lin, the director of the China Power Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, believes Xi could view this moment as an opportune time to accelerate that decoupling. “If you look at the level of censorship within China—how it’s very pro-Russian, blaming the United States and blaming the West for what’s happening in Ukraine—it’s basically China doubling down on Xi Jinping’s decision to deepen relations with Russia,” she said. “It’s hard not to see a future in which Chinese leadership believes that there’s very little upside to working with the United States and the West. … [In that future,] what is there for China to lose by working with Russia?”
A lot, Brands argues. “I think [the war has] had the effect of making the Chinese look pretty bad in the eyes of a lot of European countries in particular,” he said. “In the near term, the effect of this crisis is to push Russia and China closer together, because neither of them has a good alternative to the other. But over the longer term, I think it gives us a preview of how this relationship might ultimately come apart, because the Chinese are starting to realize that Putin sometimes does things that blow back on Beijing, and the Russians are going to be forced into a position of dependence on China that will be much more extreme than the one they occupy today, which will actually be pretty uncomfortable for Moscow over time.”
Cheney: ‘We Do Not Need to Choose Between Socialism and Insurrection’
At a rally over the weekend in South Carolina, former President Donald Trump once again delivered a long, meandering speech—a discursive set of observations on everything from the 2020 election (“Our election was rigged and we can never let this happen again”) to national security (“my personality is what kept us out of war”) to China (“we respected each other, but I said, ‘President [Xi], we’re eating chocolate cake’—and it was beautiful chocolate cake”).
And as he does nearly every time he speaks, Trump took aim at the Republicans he deems insufficiently supportive. No one seems to pique his anger more than Wyoming Representative Liz Cheney. “She’s a terrible person,” Trump said. “And she has no idea what she’s doing.”
Cheney’s blunt denunciations of Trump’s dishonesty and determination to hold him accountable for attempting to steal the election have had consequences. She was bounced from her position as the third-ranking Republican in the House of Representatives; she’s been denounced by Republican leaders in Wyoming; and, most recently, she was censured by the Republican National Committee as they defended the “legitimate political discourse” on January 6. There is little Donald Trump wants more than to see her lose her seat in Congress.
But Cheney is pushing back, and she’s got company. In recent weeks Republicans who have been reluctant to challenge Trump have found their voices. When the RNC censured Cheney and Rep. Adam Kinzinger, several GOP leaders in the senate, including Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, spoke out against the measure. Former vice president Mike Pence has offered blunt criticism of his former boss over January 6th and his obsession with the 2020 election, criticism echoed by Chris Christie, a longtime Trump enthusiast. Earlier this month, after Trump praised Putin’s “genius” and said his invasion of Ukraine was “wonderful,” Pence said there is no room in the GOP for “apologists for Putin.” Even GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy, who’s gone out of his way to avoid criticizing Trump as he seeks to become speaker of the House after the midterms, directly contradicted the former president when he said he doesn’t think there’s “anything savvy or genius” about Putin.
It was in this somewhat friendlier political environment that Cheney raised more than $500,000 at a fundraiser Monday evening at the McLean Hilton hotel in suburban Washington. Senator Mitt Romney co-hosted the event and praised Cheney’s courage in brief remarks to the roughly 200 people in attendance, a crowd that included 2016 presidential candidate Carly Fiorina, former solicitor general Ted Olson, and other top Republican officeholders and appointees. “It was a strong showing and I would say that a good number of the people there were Trump voters, too,” former Rep. Barbara Comstock told The Dispatch.
Cheney spoke informally for a little more than twenty minutes, addressing challenges at home and abroad. “The threats we face are so grave, we need to elect serious people who understand the importance of our oath to the Constitution,” she said, according to sources in the room. “I will do everything in my power to make sure we’re not a country that does not recognize the peaceful transfer of power.”
Cheney rejected the view that the current political battles in America should be seen as a contest between extremes. “We do not need to choose between socialism and insurrection,” she said. “As Republicans, we must demand more from our elected officials. We must demand seriousness.”
The contest has become something of a referendum on the future of the GOP, with avatars of the pre-Trump GOP contributing to Cheney, including former president George W. Bush, former Florida Governor Jeb Bush, top GOP strategist Karl Rove, and McConnell, among others.
Trump is supporting Cheney’s main opponent in the GOP primary, Harriet Hageman, a onetime Cheney supporter who told the New York Times in January, “I don’t know the answer” when asked who had won the 2020 presidential election. The primary election, almost certain to determine who will represent Wyoming in the next Congress, is scheduled for August 16. With 69.9 percent of the vote to Biden’s 26.6 percent, Trump almost tripled Biden’s raw vote total in 2020, his largest margin in any state in the country.
Worth Your Time
- To fully understand Putin’s assault on Kyiv, you need to think back to Budapest, Prague, and Warsaw, Michael Ignatieff argues in a rich historical essay published by Persuasion. “This story of four Eastern European capitals, all under attack from Russia, over the past 70 years makes nonsense of the claim that NATO expansion eastward caused this crisis,” he writes. “Eastern Europeans have always understood that an authoritarian Russia, whoever rules it, has never tolerated a free state on its borders. Mr. Putin’s brutality has a pedigree.”
- As Timothy B. Lee notes in his latest Full Stack Economics newsletter, there’s a serious risk of a recession this year. “The most severe recessions of the last 50 years—in 2008 and the double-dip recessions in the early 1980s—followed the biggest price spikes of the last 50 years. The smaller oil price jumps in 1990 and 2000 were followed by mild recessions,” he writes. “One interpretation is that high oil prices directly cause recessions. Perhaps the extra costs of energy imports force firms to lay off workers and cut output. Or maybe consumers respond to rising gas prices—and the fear of further increases in the future—by cutting spending in other categories. But economists have also suggested a more subtle explanation: central banks tend to overreact to oil supply shocks, tightening monetary policy too much and thereby triggering a recession.”
Presented Without Comment
The head of the Russian National Guard — and a close Putin ally — said that the invasion of Ukraine was going slower than expected. The comments are the strongest admission yet that the invasion has not gone according to plan.
Also Presented Without Comment
Also Also Presented Without Comment
Toeing the Company Line
- Harvest leads the site today with a lengthy profile of Jaime Herrera Beutler, the Washington state Republican whose 2020 vote to impeach Donald Trump has drawn her a MAGA challenger who’s chummy with the white nationalist fringe.
- On Monday’s episode of Advisory Opinions, David and Sarah discuss the latest on Texas’ abortion law before turning to the avalanche of misleading commentary about Florida’s so-called “don’t say gay” law. Stick around for a thoughtful conversation about teachers’ free speech rights, pronouns, and critical race theory.
- It’s Tuesday, which means Dispatch Live is back tonight! Tune in at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT for a conversation with David, Sarah, and American Enterprise Institute senior fellow Adam White on all things Supreme Court. What should we expect from Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s confirmation hearings? What cases currently in front of the Court does the panel find most interesting?
Let Us Know
Are we on the verge of a new Cold War? Are we already in one?
Reporting by Declan Garvey (@declanpgarvey), Charlotte Lawson (@lawsonreports), and Steve Hayes (@stephenfhayes).
Subscribe to The Morning Dispatch
An essential daily news roundup, TMD includes a brief look at important stories of the day and original reporting and analysis from The Dispatch team, along with recommendations for deeper reading and some much-needed humor in these often fraught times.
32.) LEGAL INSURRECTION
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33.) THE DAILY WIRE
03.15.2022
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34.) DESERET NEWS
35.) BRIGHT
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36.) AMERICAN THINKER
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37.) LARRY J. SABATO’S CRYSTAL BALL
38.) THE BLAZE
39.) THE FEDERALIST
40.) REUTERS
41.) FIRST RIGHT
March 15th, 2022
03/15/2022 05:11 CDT
JOE MANCHIN BLOCKS KEY BIDEN NOMINEE; OIL EXECUTIVE SAYS BIDEN LYING ABOUT AMERICAN ENERGY
TODAY’S TOP TEN
MANCHIN DOES IT AGAIN!
JOE MANCHIN TEAMS WITH REPUBLICANS and all but tanks Biden’s nominee for top bank regulator at the Fed. Yahoo.
RESEARCHER TELLS DURHAM HE SAW HOLES in the Alfa Bank hoax before Democrats shopped it to the FBI. Margot Cleveland.
OIL EXECUTIVE REJECTS JOE BIDEN BLAME, says administration is slow walking permits for American energy. Breitbart.
BIDEN ADMINISTRATION IS ACTIVELY PARTNERING with Putin on climate and Iran. The Federalist.
TULSI GABBARD UNLOADS ON MITT ROMNEY for “treasonous lies” smear. Twitchy.
NEW TEXAS ELECTION INTEGRITY LAWS flag 27,000 mail-in ballots for rejection in primary. The Western Journal.
GOOGLE ATTACKS INVESTORS BUSINESS DAILY for reporting on its own poll. Issues & Insights.
THESE DEMOCRAT MEGADONORS MAKE A $108 MILLION “lucky bet” on Wall Street. Now the feds are investigating. Free Beacon.
DESANTIS WARNS LEFTISTS WILL REIMPOSE COVID restrictions following midterms. Daily Wire.
85 PERCENT OF MARYLAND STUDENTS not proficient in math after COVID school closures. Daily Wire.
If you’d like to share First Right with a friend, text FIRSTRIGHT (all caps, no spaces) to 30161
COMMENTARY WORTH READING
- Get rid of masks on planes. Karol Markowicz.
- The stench of Obama Spygate won’t go away. George Neumayr.
- Making sense of Biden’s energy policy. Paul Gottfried.
VIDEO WORTH WATCHING
- Rep. Donalds: It’s going to difficult to reverse what Joe Biden unleashed on the United States. Media Research Center.
- Bill Maher: My politics haven’t changed — the Democrats have. Grabien News.
- Trump ad targeting Hillary: “Justice is coming!” Rumble.
LATEST FIRST RIGHT PODCAST
- An interview with Wisconsin talk show host and election expert Dan O’Donnell. Rumble.
OFFBEAT BEAT
- The greatest battle weapon ever devised? Warfare History Network.
TWEETS OF NOTE
- (@GOP) Even before Russia invaded Ukraine, the average cost for a gallon of gas had risen by $1.14 since Biden became president. He created this gas price crisis. Tweet.
- (@robbystarbuck) Hey, remember when China pumped our social media full of propaganda videos of people falling down dead at the start of COVID and then our media hyped it up and then Democrats destroyed our country? I wish more folks questioned WHY China did that. They planned this. Tweet.
MOST CLICKED ITEM YESTERDAY
- BEWARE: SOME OF THE UKRAINE NARRATIVES you are being fed are fake. The Last Refuge.
BONGINO REPORT TOP HEADLINE AT TIME OF EMAIL
- Rand Paul Introduces Bill to Fire Fauci BONGINO REPORT.
42.) ARRA NEWS SERVICE
43.) REDSTATE
44.) WORLD NET DAILY
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45.) MSNBC
March 15, 2022 THE LATEST This is the worst way to show support for Ukraine by Zeeshan Aleem Perhaps one of the America’s most disheartening reactions to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is the disturbing trend of people vilifying, ostracizing and publicly humiliating Russians who live or own businesses in the U.S. Zeeshan Aleem has a fitting description for these actions: “xenophobic bullying.”
Besides the fact that “many of the people and institutions being condemned are themselves critics of Russia,” Aleem writes, “attacking a person or an institution for being Russian or vaguely Russian-looking without regard for their position on the war is not expressing solidarity with Ukraine; it’s jingoism and Russophobia.”
Read Zeeshan Aleem’s full analysis in your Tuesday MSNBC Daily. TOP STORIES Ford’s history of mass producing hate is a cautionary tale for today. Read More Two clowns became president. Only one became a leader. Read More This development throws the entire U.S. judicial system into question. Read More DeSantis’ political operation sent an email to supporters accusing “woke” Disney of “echoing Democrat propaganda.” Read More TOP VIDEOS MORE FROM MSNBC
Our Plan Your Vote tool is now live for the midterms with key information on the voting rules where you live, including registration, mail-in voting, changes since 2020 and more.
Head to NBCNews.com/PlanYourVote to get the latest voting rules in your state.
The world has gone through a once-in-a-century pandemic that disrupted nearly every aspect of our lives. We’re in the beginning of an energy transition unlike anything the industrialized world has ever attempted. And it can be very difficult amid war, plague, insurrection and climate disaster to conceive of what a flourishing future might even look like. From the future of energy to entertainment, Chris Hayes asks some of his biggest questions in his inaugural “Future of” miniseries.
On the second episode of the series, Chris talks to Cathie Wood, founder, CEO and CIO of ARK Invest. They discuss the revolutionary technology that penetrates our lives, the investors who bet big on those developments and how the world adapts to the seismic shifts that follow. Wood also shares her outlook ahead for the metaverse, autonomous vehicles, finance and more. Listen now on your favorite podcast platforms:
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46.) BIZPAC REVIEW
47.) ABC
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48.) NBC MORNING RUNDOWN
To ensure delivery to your inbox add email@mail.nbcnews.com to your contacts Today’s Top Stories from NBC News TUESDAY, MARCH 15, 2022 Good morning, NBC News readers.
Civilians in Kyiv are increasingly coming under fire as Russia has stepped up its attacks on Ukraine’s capital.
Here’s the latest on the war in Ukraine and everything else we’re watching this Tuesday morning. Rescuers work next to a residential building damaged by shelling in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Tuesday. (Ukrainian State Emergency Service / Reuters)
Kyiv’s Mayor Vitali Klitschko called for a 35-hour curfew to be imposed as the city came under intensifying attacks. Telling residents to prepare to remain at home or at a bomb shelter for the next two days, he called it a “difficult and dangerous moment,” on his Telegram channel.
Even with the city under fire from the air and fighting raging outside it on the ground, the leaders of three European countries were heading to Kyiv to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a show of support.
And while the West rallies around Kyiv, the United States once again warned China against offering military or financial aid to Moscow as fears of the conflict morphing into a proxy war grow.
“We have communicated very clearly to Beijing that we won’t stand by,” State Department spokesperson Ned Price told reporters after National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan met with Chinese diplomat Yang Jiechi in Rome. “We will not allow any country to compensate Russia for its losses.”
Follow our live blog and watch NBC News Now for all the latest updates.
Read more of our in-depth coverage:
Tuesday’s Top Stories
Despite having two years to prepare, critics say the government was caught off-guard by a virus outbreak that has killed thousands of unvaccinated seniors. The scammer who posed as a German heiress has been in ICE custody since she was released from prison last year. Scott Beierle’s offensive and criminal behavior presented missed opportunities to prevent the rampage, the agency found. OPINION As a society, we revere and reward perfection. We need to let up on the gas pedal of pressure to perform, author Debby Waldman writes in an opinion piece. Also in the News
Editor’s Pick
Plan Your Vote, NBC News’ interactive voting information database, is back for the 2022 primary and midterm elections. Explore your state’s upcoming deadlines, get answers to common voting questions and see changes to voting rules since the 2020 election. Select
Sleep Awareness Week comes right on the heels of Daylight Saving Time — here are some notable deals from sleep essentials retailers worth considering. One Fun Thing
Over a year ago, sixth and seventh grade students at Rye Junior High School in New Hampshire sent their class boat project sailing.
But the Rye Riptides was no ordinary boat, it was hooked up with high-tech GPS equipment so the students could track its adventure.
The little boat’s remarkable voyage across the ocean came to an end after a fellow middle schooler found it off the coast of Norway.
Watch a video about the boat that brought kids on two sides of the world a sense of joy and discovery. Want to receive NBC Breaking News and Special Alerts in your inbox? Get the NBC News Mobile App 30 Rockefeller Plaza New York, NY 10112 |
49.) NBC FIRST READ
50.) CBS
51.) REASON
52.) MANHATTAN INSTITUTE
53.) LOUDER WITH CROWDER
54.) TOWNHALL
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55.) REALCLEARPOLITICS MORNING NOTE
56.) REALCLEARPOLITICS TODAY
57.) CENTER FOR SECURITY POLICY
58.) BERNARD GOLDBERG
59.) SARA A. CARTER
60.) TWITCHY
61.) HOT AIR
62.) 1440 DAILY DIGEST
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63.) AMERICAN INSTITUTE FOR ECONOMIC RESEARCH
64.) NATIONAL REVIEW
65.) POLITICAL WIRE
66.) RASMUSSEN REPORTS
67.) ZEROHEDGE
68.) GATEWAY PUNDIT
69.) FRONTPAGE MAG
70.) HOOVER INSTITUTE
71.) DAILY INTELLIGENCE BRIEF
72.) FOUNDATION FOR ECONOMIC EDUCATION
73.) POPULIST PRESS
Democrats in full attack mode after a recent revelation regarding the spouse of a Supreme Court Justice
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TOP STORIES:
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Dems Want Jail For SCOTUS Justice’s Spouse After New Revelation
- ‘Dictator in chief’ Dr. Fauci’s power to be limited by Rand Paul
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Trump Promises Total Ban Once GOP Takes Back Congress
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Biden Finally Get’s The News He Was Dreading…
- BREAKING: Fox News journalist is injured while reporting from Ukraine
- After Three Decades, It’s Now Over For America…
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The US Is Heading Towards Another Devastating Crisis
- “Justice Is Coming!” Trump Releases New Video
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Durham Busts Hillary In Biggest Scandal Yet
- SCOTUS Justice Issues Dire Warning
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IN DEPTH…
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- FOX’s Benjamin Hall Injured in Kyiv New
- UN: Nuclear war ‘within realm of possibility’ New
- Russia Asks China for ‘Military Assistance’ New
- PAC: Trump Breaking Law by Not Announcing Run 2 hours ago
- DARPA denies part in 2016 DNC hack 2 hours ago
- Antifa rioter sentenced to 5 years 3 hours ago
- Tulsi Gabbard demands Romney resign 3 hours ago
- Zelensky to address U.S. Congress 3 hours ago
- Emails: Chris Cuomo offered rare plasma 3 hours ago
- Manchin Voices Opposition to Biden Fed Nom 3 hours ago
- Russia threatens to pay foreign debts in rubles 3 hours ago
- Biden Complains Struggling Americans Just Don’t Get How Great the Economy Is New
- GOP Bill to Help Victims of Vax New
- Gasoline’s record run pauses 3 hours ago
- Researcher: Saw Holes In Alfa Bank Hoax Beforehand 3 hours ago
- NH GOP divided on gerrymandering 3 hours ago
- Graham: No-Fly Zone if Chem Weapons 3 hours ago
- Oil Pipeline: Manchin Rips Biden Appointee 3 hours ago
- Union Will Force School Masks Beyond Mandate 3 hours ago
- Atlantic: Nuclear war bad for climate ? 4 hours ago
- Dem Strategist: Kamala’s Europe Tragedy 4 hours ago
- Watters calls out Congress war profiteers 4 hours ago
- Ukraine’s Fight Is About Europe’s Future 4 hours ago
- Grassley: ‘Biden Admin Wanted to send MiGs’ 4 hours ago
- Navy Deploying New Tech 4 hours ago
- Japan Worried about Russian Navy Group 4 hours ago
- What Will Putin Do If Russia can’t win? 4 hours ago
- Patriarch Blames War on West’s ‘Russophobia’ 4 hours ago
- If China helps Russia evade sanctions… 4 hours ago
- Broadcaster: War ‘Distracts’ From Climate Change 4 hours ago
- Massive Berlin Protest 4 hours ago
- Can We Have Some Real Talk? 4 hours ago
- NYT: Trump Would Let Russia Invade 4 hours ago
- Double-Digit Inflation by Summer 4 hours ago
- House Dems Cancel Looming Embarrassment 4 hours ago
- TikTok breeding ground for mental disorders 4 hours ago
- Rhetorical Gymnastics of Climate Change 4 hours ago
- Why Are Leftist Policies So Bad? 4 hours ago
- Navy Officer Falsified Letters For Afghan Visas 4 hours ago
- Dem official charged with ballot tampering 4 hours ago
- Farmers hit hard by price increases 4 hours ago
- Pelosi: Spending ‘reducing debt, not inflationary’ 4 hours ago
- Saudi phone-snub: Trevor Noah rips Biden 4 hours ago
- Laid-off Keystone workers BLAST Biden 4 hours ago
- Tom Brady coming BACK 4 hours ago
- Chris Wallace to replace Cuomo? 4 hours ago
- Amazon quits Seattle location over crime 4 hours ago
- Nets’ Kevin Durant: ‘Stupid’ NYC Policy 4 hours ago
- Poland: Can no longer absorb refugees 5 hours ago
- More American troops deploy overseas 5 hours ago
- At NATO base, soldiers prep for next move 5 hours ago
- Clouds over Merkel legacy 5 hours ago
- China wanted to appear neutral. It isn’t 5 hours ago
- PUTIN SEEKS MILITARY EQUIPMENT FROM CHINA 5 hours ago
- OBAMA COVID… 5 hours ago
- PFIZER CEO: Fourth $hot Now ‘Necessary’ 5 hours ago
- Gas prices pushing up everyday costs 5 hours ago
- Recession Risks Piling Up… 5 hours ago
- Biden Urged to Blunt… 5 hours ago
- Jussie Smollett put in psych ward 5 hours ago
- WH spooked over unlawful entry 5 hours ago
- Working on Russia sanctions… 5 hours ago
- Weakness of the Despot… 5 hours ago
- Phones addictive. Betting, too. Now combined 5 hours ago
- Karma: Worst Covid Outbreak in China ever 5 hours ago
- Phoenix Gave Employees Lead Poisoning 12 hours ago
- Mexico To Unleash 70,000 Migrants 12 hours ago
- America’s First Liberty 12 hours ago
- Musk mocks Biden’s ‘green’ hucksters 1 day ago
- Heroes of the Ukrainian Refugee Crisis 1 day ago
- WH puts BBB on backburner 1 day ago
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TOP STORIES:
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‘Dictator in chief’ Dr. Fauci’s power to be limited by Rand Paul
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Trump Makes HUGE Promise if GOP wins…
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Biden Finally Get’s The News He Was Dreading…
- BREAKING: Fox News journalist is injured while reporting from Ukraine
- After Three Decades, It’s Now Over For America…
- The US Is Heading Towards Another Devastating Crisis
- “Justice Is Coming!” Trump Releases New Video
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Durham Busts Hillary In Biggest Scandal Yet
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SCOTUS Justice Issues Dire Warning
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Jussie Smollett Takes a Turn For The Worse After Saying “Im Not Suicidal”
- Democrat Sentenced to Five Years In Prison
- Texas Rangers Raid Administration Office
- UPDATE: Intel points to heightened risk of chemical attack in Ukraine…
- Trump Makes Huge Announcement
- White House Doctor Issues Urgent Warning To Biden…
- Biden Unleashes Pure Rage on Americans
- Kamala Harris’s Embarrassing Eastern Europe Trip
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IN DEPTH…
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- FOX’s Benjamin Hall Injured in Kyiv New
- UN: Nuclear war ‘within realm of possibility’ New
- Russia Asks China for ‘Military Assistance’ New
- PAC: Trump Breaking Law by Not Announcing Run 2 hours ago
- DARPA denies part in 2016 DNC hack 2 hours ago
- Antifa rioter sentenced to 5 years 3 hours ago
- Tulsi Gabbard demands Romney resign 3 hours ago
- Zelensky to address U.S. Congress 3 hours ago
- Emails: Chris Cuomo offered rare plasma 3 hours ago
- Manchin Voices Opposition to Biden Fed Nom 3 hours ago
- Russia threatens to pay foreign debts in rubles 3 hours ago
- Biden Complains Struggling Americans Just Don’t Get How Great the Economy Is New
- GOP Bill to Help Victims of Vax New
- Gasoline’s record run pauses 3 hours ago
- Researcher: Saw Holes In Alfa Bank Hoax Beforehand 3 hours ago
- NH GOP divided on gerrymandering 3 hours ago
- Graham: No-Fly Zone if Chem Weapons 3 hours ago
- Oil Pipeline: Manchin Rips Biden Appointee 3 hours ago
- Union Will Force School Masks Beyond Mandate 3 hours ago
- Atlantic: Nuclear war bad for climate ? 4 hours ago
- Dem Strategist: Kamala’s Europe Tragedy 4 hours ago
- Watters calls out Congress war profiteers 4 hours ago
- Ukraine’s Fight Is About Europe’s Future 4 hours ago
- Grassley: ‘Biden Admin Wanted to send MiGs’ 4 hours ago
- Navy Deploying New Tech 4 hours ago
- Japan Worried about Russian Navy Group 4 hours ago
- What Will Putin Do If Russia can’t win? 4 hours ago
- Patriarch Blames War on West’s ‘Russophobia’ 4 hours ago
- If China helps Russia evade sanctions… 4 hours ago
- Broadcaster: War ‘Distracts’ From Climate Change 4 hours ago
- Massive Berlin Protest 4 hours ago
- Can We Have Some Real Talk? 4 hours ago
- NYT: Trump Would Let Russia Invade 4 hours ago
- Double-Digit Inflation by Summer 4 hours ago
- House Dems Cancel Looming Embarrassment 4 hours ago
- TikTok breeding ground for mental disorders 4 hours ago
- Rhetorical Gymnastics of Climate Change 4 hours ago
- Why Are Leftist Policies So Bad? 4 hours ago
- Navy Officer Falsified Letters For Afghan Visas 4 hours ago
- Dem official charged with ballot tampering 4 hours ago
- Farmers hit hard by price increases 4 hours ago
- Pelosi: Spending ‘reducing debt, not inflationary’ 4 hours ago
- Saudi phone-snub: Trevor Noah rips Biden 4 hours ago
- Laid-off Keystone workers BLAST Biden 4 hours ago
- Tom Brady coming BACK 4 hours ago
- Chris Wallace to replace Cuomo? 4 hours ago
- Amazon quits Seattle location over crime 4 hours ago
- Nets’ Kevin Durant: ‘Stupid’ NYC Policy 4 hours ago
- Poland: Can no longer absorb refugees 5 hours ago
- More American troops deploy overseas 5 hours ago
- At NATO base, soldiers prep for next move 5 hours ago
- Clouds over Merkel legacy 5 hours ago
- China wanted to appear neutral. It isn’t 5 hours ago
- PUTIN SEEKS MILITARY EQUIPMENT FROM CHINA 5 hours ago
- OBAMA COVID… 5 hours ago
- PFIZER CEO: Fourth $hot Now ‘Necessary’ 5 hours ago
- Gas prices pushing up everyday costs 5 hours ago
- Recession Risks Piling Up… 5 hours ago
- Biden Urged to Blunt… 5 hours ago
- Jussie Smollett put in psych ward 5 hours ago
- WH spooked over unlawful entry 5 hours ago
- Working on Russia sanctions… 5 hours ago
- Weakness of the Despot… 5 hours ago
- Phones addictive. Betting, too. Now combined 5 hours ago
- Karma: Worst Covid Outbreak in China ever 5 hours ago
- Phoenix Gave Employees Lead Poisoning 12 hours ago
- Mexico To Unleash 70,000 Migrants 12 hours ago
- America’s First Liberty 12 hours ago
- Musk mocks Biden’s ‘green’ hucksters 1 day ago
- Heroes of the Ukrainian Refugee Crisis 1 day ago
- WH puts BBB on backburner 1 day ago
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74.) THE POST MILLENNIAL
75.) BLACKLISTED NEWS
76.) THE DAILY DOT
Tuesday, March 15, 2022
Hey readers! Andrew here. Welcome to the Tuesday edition of Internet Insider.
It has been a busy few days for the Daily Dot team, with a large group of our reporters covering South by Southwest. They’ve done a lot of great work, and I hope you’ve been able to follow along. Today, we’ve got the most important internet culture news of the day, plus I dive into a recent major biometrics privacy win by activists. Let’s dive right into the news. —A.W. Did a friend forward this? Subscribe here. BREAK THE INTERNET Ukraine: As we’ve noted quite a bit in this newsletter, the Russian government’s invasion of Ukraine is playing out online in vivid and heartbreaking ways. The latest example of that comes from a report from our Tech Reporter Mikael, who notes how one viral video appears to show empty grocery store shelves in Ukraine. One user commented on the video: “Where is all that humanitarian aid?” Yikes: Director Jane Campion is being criticized online for putting down Serena and Venus Williams during her acceptance speech at the 27th Critics Choice Awards on Sunday night. Our Culture Reporter Michelle dives into the backlash Campion received. SXSW: The Daily Dot has been covering South by Southwest (SXSW) all weekend. While some of you have probably seen our special edition newsletters from the conference, there’s even more reporting on our site. Check out all of our SXSW coverage—including movie reviews, analysis, and more—here.
TECH ANALYSIS Moab Republic/Shutterstock (Licensed) A big win in the fight for biometric privacy The rise of biometric scanning technology, like facial recognition, has faced a torrent of criticism in recent years from privacy advocates, civil rights groups, and more.
So when Amazon announced that it would be bringing its “Amazon One” palm scanning technology to the Red Rocks Amphitheatre as a way to enter the music venue, it was no surprise that the decision was met with intense pushback.
In November of last year, digital rights group Fight for the Future launched a campaign where artists and activists urged the venue to stop using the palm scanning technology. That campaign included an open letter signed by 300 artists and 35 organizations condemning the use of the technology.
Now, that pushback has resulted in the venue to decide not to offer the scanning technology as a form of ticketless entry.
Last week, Fight for the Future said the communications director at Denver Arts and Venues, which runs the Red Rocks Amphitheatre, said that it had not been in contact with Amazon “for months” and that the palm scanning tech would not be used at their venues.
“I’m not sure what the future of this technology is, but at this point it doesn’t involve our venues,” the official said, according to Fight for the Future.
The decision was hailed as a victory by the digital rights group.
“Red Rocks’ decision to abandon Amazon palm scanning puts the venue on the right side of history, as a defender of human rights and the privacy of music fans. Other venues should similarly listen to the hundreds of artists, organizations, and fans who don’t see this technology as ‘convenient’ but recognize it as a tool of corporate surveillance and super-charged state violence,” Leila Nashashibi, a campaigner at Fight for the Future, said in a statement.
Amazon’s palm scanning has also caught the attention of Congress. Last year, a group of senators sent a letter to Amazon CEO Andy Jassy where they asked to know more about how the company plans to use the biometric data they collected with the palm scanners after the retail giant said it would begin rolling out the scanners at its Whole Foods stores.
The palm scanners, the senators said, raised “serious questions about Amazon’s plans for this data and its respect for user privacy.”
—A.W. SPONSORED This is a nightcap that does what it should—set you up for a great night’s sleep. Kin Euphoric‘s version of the nightcap, Dream Light is a twilight beverage that hushes the outside world, quiets the mind, and soothes the spirit. Infused with calming spices, Reishi mushroom, and melatonin, Bella Hadid’s non-alcoholic beverage brand promises to enhance your drift to sleep, so you can wake up fully refreshed in the morning. The only thing you shouldn’t sleep on is this limited-time sale. Get 10% off Dream Light with code DREAM LIGHT and a free flask with your order, plus free shipping with $50+ orders. Try Kin Euphorics today! 🔑 KEY STORIES A TikTok user has ignited debate after posting about her DoorDash woes amid rising gas prices. A TikToker has gone viral after claiming that lying about her race landed her a job interview. The user claimed after being denied a job, she re-applied and put her “race as Caucasian” and got a call the next day. Enter the Oculus Quest 2 Giveaway now for a chance to win the advanced, all-in-one VR bundle, plus other prizes worth $550. Entry closes on March 25.* In an age where many people live and work online, the internet has become the home of the modern picket. In “Viral Labor,” the Daily Dot explores the way workers are fighting for their rights and using the internet to advocate for themselves. *The Daily Dot may receive a commission in connection with purchases of products or services featured here.
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BEFORE YOU GO A Starbucks employee has gone viral after sharing her coworker’s special greeting to a drive-thru customer on TikTok. Part of the greeting is: “Good morning, welcome to Starbucks, where my anxiety is chronic but our coffee’s iconic.” Shutterstock (Licensed), @.kmelodyk/TikTok (Fair Use)
INTERNET EXPLORERS Psst: Can We Interest You in Some Fake Internet Points? If you’re as obsessed with Internet Culture as we are, then chances are, you know a few more people of culture as well. We’d like to meet them. Introduce us and we’ll toss some sweet fake Internet points your way. Get enough FIPs, and we’ll share some cool shtuff you cannot get anywhere else.
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77.) HEADLINE USA
78.) NATURAL NEWS
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79.) POLITICHICKS
80.) BLACKPRESSUSA
81.) THE WESTERN JOURNAL
82.) CNN
Tuesday 03.15.22 Wouldn’t it be nice if we could just “make more rain” to combat the drought? Well, some parts of the US are doing exactly that. Scientists are flying planes into clouds and injecting them with silver iodide to make more rain and snow. Some call the process necessary, but others say modifying the weather is getting in the way of nature. Here’s what else you need to know to Get Up to Speed and On With Your Day. Firefighters work to extinguish a fire in Kyiv Tuesday after strikes on residential areas. Ukraine
Pressure is mounting on President Biden and NATO members to provide further assistance to Ukrainians. Russian troops continue to strike residential buildings and populated areas, and recently left smoldering homes in the besieged city of Mariupol. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has asked Biden to ratchet up efforts to cut off Russia from international trade and to continue targeting the Russian elite. The US and its allies have issued a wide range of actions in recent weeks intended to punish Moscow, including harsh new sanctions aimed at imposing severe costs on the Russian economy. However, while Biden is working to isolate and punish Russia, American officials are expressing concern about the budding partnership between Moscow and Beijing. The US now has information suggesting China has expressed some openness to providing Russia with assistance as part of its war on Ukraine, a Western official and a US diplomat told CNN. President Zelensky is also planning to virtually address Congress tomorrow.
Want to help? Learn how to support humanitarian efforts in Ukraine here. CNN’s audience has contributed more than $5.2 million to the humanitarian relief work according to Public Good, the online donation platform partnering with CNN. Coronavirus
The US has crossed into year three of the Covid-19 pandemic, and while the numbers of cases, hospitalizations and deaths are heading in the right direction, health experts say the world is certainly not out of the woods yet. There are an average of about 1,200 Americans dying from Covid-19 each day, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. However, over the next few weeks, the CDC forecasts a decrease in hospitalizations and deaths, particularly as the weather improves and people head outside, where it’s less likely that they’ll catch Covid. In China, though, 37 million people are currently in Covid lockdown as the country battles its worst coronavirus outbreak since the early days of the pandemic. Rideshare apps
Rideshare companies Uber and Lyft have announced plans to add a small fee on rides to help drivers deal with rising gas prices across the country. Starting tomorrow, Uber users will pay an extra $0.45 or $0.55 per trip and an additional $0.35 or $0.45 for Uber Eats for at least the next two months, depending on the location. Uber said all of the money from the surcharges will go to drivers to help “soften the burden” of higher gas prices. Lyft did not specify how much extra passengers will pay or when the surcharge will go into effect. As of today, the national average price for gas is $4.31 a gallon, with California holding the highest price at $5.75 a gallon. Abortion
The Colorado House of Representatives yesterday passed a bill supporting abortion rights. The legislation states that “every individual has a fundamental right to use or refuse contraception [and] every pregnant individual has a fundamental right to continue the pregnancy and give birth or to have an abortion.” The Democratic sponsor of the bill hailed its passage as a “big win for protecting access to abortion and reproductive health care.” Some Republicans, on the other hand, strongly disagree. This comes after restrictive abortion laws have been recently advanced by Republican state legislatures across the country. Florida, West Virginia and Arizona have all moved on 15-week abortion bans this session. And in Idaho, the state legislature gave final approval yesterday to a bill that would ban abortion after six weeks and allow the father, sibling, grandparent, aunt or uncle of the fetus to bring legal action against the medical professional who performed the abortion. Australia
An Australian court has overturned a landmark climate ruling — spearheaded by a group of teenagers — that ordered the federal environment minister to consider the impact of carbon emissions on children when approving new coal mining projects. The case was brought by eight Australians under 18 years old. Outside the Federal Court in Sydney today, the lead litigant in the case said she was “devastated by the decision and so, so angry.” The Australian government is considered a laggard on climate action. In October, days before the COP26 climate talks in Glasgow, Prime Minister Scott Morrison finally announced the country would join other developed nations by aiming to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. Paid Partner Content Up Your Oral Health The quip Electric Toothbrush makes better brushing simple with timed sonic vibrations and brush heads delivered every 3 months. Get 25% off our entire site! Code FIVE25.
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4 Ways To Deal With Rising Inflation Gas prices are soaring, and the cost of living has continued to rise. Plan ahead. Here are 4 strategies to deal with inflation. People are talking about these. Read up. Join in. Ford will ship Explorers without all the parts — and add them later Well, having most of a car is better than no car at all, right?
Dolly Parton bows out of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nominations The country superstar took herself out of the competition, saying she didn’t feel like she’d “earned that right.” Dolly is, and will forever be, a class act.
Sleeping with even a small amount of light may harm your health We’ve all fallen asleep with the TV on at some point… but is it really that bad? Learn why experts say you should close your curtains and turn the TV off.
The Rolling Stones announce new ‘Sixty’ tour The legendary band isn’t done rocking yet! They’ve scheduled 14 shows this summer in celebration of their 60th anniversary.
Holes the size of city blocks are forming in the Arctic seafloor Sounds like a deep issue… Scientists say this is the result of a frozen layer of Earth’s surface thawing underneath the seabed. 122 That’s how many migrants arrived in the Florida Keys yesterday in a “smuggling event,” a Border Patrol official said. The migrants are believed to be Haitian and many were in need of medical attention. The arrival comes little more than a week after another boat carrying about 300 migrants, also believed to be Haitian, ran aground near Key Largo. Their accomplishments are titanic and inspiring. Serena and Venus, I apologize and completely celebrate you.
— Director Jane Campion, apologizing to tennis stars Venus and Serena Williams for a comment she made during her acceptance speech at Sunday night’s Critics Choice Awards. “The Power of the Dog” director received backlash after she acknowledged other best director nominees and then said, “Venus and Serena, you’re such marvels. However, you don’t play against the guys, like I have to.” In addition to being inaccurate (the tennis champions have faced off against men), some viewed Campion’s statement as dismissive of two successful Black women’s accomplishments. Brought to you by CNN Underscored We tried the Dodow sleep aid for over 2 months — here’s why it’s worth it Dodow’s revolutionary sleep aid is here to quell those sleepless nights. After two months of trying it out, the Underscored editors were able to fall asleep faster using the easy breathing techniques. Read on to see why the Dodow is worth the investment. 5 THINGS You are receiving this newsletter because you’re subscribed to 5 Things.
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83.) THE DAILY CALLER
84.) POWERLINE
Daily Digest |
- Today’s Satire Is Tomorrow’s Woke Dogma
- Speaking of Out-of-Control Crime . . .
- The Great Police Reversal of 2022
- End Civil Service Protection?
- Today’s Stan: On the “Great Society”
Today’s Satire Is Tomorrow’s Woke Dogma
Posted: 14 Mar 2022 07:59 PM PDT (Steven Hayward)A reader sends along this article, supposedly by a real estate professional, about the sales terms that you should no longer use to promote a house on the market. I can’t tell if this story is deadpan satire, an earnest attempt to adapt to our wokerati, or a prophecy about the future. You decide:
There’s much more in this vein in the complete article. As I say, I can’t tell if this is for real or not. The author, Christy Murdoch, may be a subtle genius. I say that because of this one sentence in the last item here: “A single point of view is not the only one that matters.” But a “single point of view” is the core of wokeness. What a brilliant way of sending it up. Or it could be she really means it. |
Speaking of Out-of-Control Crime . . .
Posted: 14 Mar 2022 05:07 PM PDT (Steven Hayward)Today it was revealed that Amazon is closing its downtown Seattle office, with 1,800 employees, because of out-of-control crime. Among other recent victims of downtown crime was an Amazon engineer who was assaulted with a baseball bat near the office in late January. To learn this story you had to go to the Daily Mail in London. As of this writing, the Seattle Times has nothing on the story at their home page or business page. Here’s some of the Daily Mail report:
Amazon isn’t the only one:
I like this statement from the office of Seattle’s new mayor:
In other words, nothing substantial will be done. That’s what “comprehensive approach” always means. I need to add it to my lexicon for: “Continue with liberal spending and constituency-stroking programs that have no effect on the real problem.” |
The Great Police Reversal of 2022
Posted: 14 Mar 2022 10:35 AM PDT (Steven Hayward)Has there ever been a faster cycle of liberal non-sense to the “never mind” stage than the case of “Defund the Police?” Of course, simply refunding the police is not sufficient when there is an all-out attack on the police for their practices, or DA’s who have decided to play catch-and-release. Should we be surprised that more and more police officers conclude it isn’t worth the trouble to arrest someone if they’re going to be back on the street in hours and have their charges dropped? We shouldn’t be surprised, then, to see soaring complaints and formal investigations into police officers for not doing their jobs. The San Francisco Chronicle reported (by way of Reddit, since the Chron has a paywall) recently:
Just how did people think police officers would respond to a non-stop campaign to demonize them? (Note, however, that the real and unstated subtext of the WaPo story linked here is the power of police unions, which are no different in their effect than teachers unions and other public employee unions that should be curtailed or abolished.) |
End Civil Service Protection?
Posted: 14 Mar 2022 08:57 AM PDT (Steven Hayward)Trump—remember him?—is out with a proposal to repeal the Pendleton Act and other legal foundations of the civil service in the federal government. “We will pass critical reforms making every executive branch employee fireable by the president of the United States. The deep state must and will be brought to heel,” Trump said over the weekend. Cooler heads have rushed to say this is a really really bad idea. They are likely right: a completely politicized government bureaucracy could make things even worse than they are right now, given that there is a nearly inexhaustible supply of idealistic leftists to fill government jobs—qualifications and experience not necessary. (Just conjure in your mind 100,000 former bartenders with honors degrees like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez filling the ranks of federal agencies.) But it may be yet another really bad idea (like term limits) whose time has come. And I suspect it would be extremely popular with voters between the coasts. It would have the merit of clarifying the character of our government, and attaching complete accountability to the president, who today dodges it by attributing unpopular actions to “independent agencies” and other permanent organs of the administrative state that run along without regard to election returns. If the permanent government today consciously considers itself as internal opposition (the “Resistance”!) to Republican presidents, what do we have to lose by enabling a president to fire hundreds of thousands of bureaucrats? As usual, Trump has put his finger on something that undoubtedly bothers millions of Americans whose livelihoods have been decimated by the government’s actions during COVID-19, while federal employees all got pay raises, and did their non-work from home. Worth an extended debate. . . |
Today’s Stan: On the “Great Society”
Posted: 14 Mar 2022 08:22 AM PDT (Steven Hayward)Today’s quote from a certain forthcoming book: Stan Evans, speaking to the Philadelphia Society in 1967, as LBJ’s “Great Society” was just getting rolling:
If you are curious for more, you can listen to the whole speech here. |
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85.) THE POLITICAL INSIDER – WAKE UP EDITION
86.) THE PATRIOT POST
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88.) DIGG
89.) THE POLITICAL INSIDER – LUNCH BREAK
90.) CONSERVATIVE TRIBUNE
91.) USA TODAY
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92.) THE DAILY BEAST
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93.) JUST THE NEWS
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94.) SHARYL ATTKISSON
95.) RIGHTWING.ORG
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96.) NOT THE BEE
97.) US NEWS & WORLD REPORT
98.) NEWSMAX
99.) MARK LEVIN
March 14, 2022
On Monday’s Mark Levin Show, there have always been American enemies, but we’ve never seen our enemies treated as well as they are treated by President Biden. Even before they were invaded, Ukraine requested harpoon missiles from the Biden Administration and these supplies never materialized. Biden is a liar who lacks the temperament that is necessary to effectively lead our nation. Then, irrespective of the invasion of Ukraine one interview that all of the mainstream media will air is their interview with former Attorney General Bill Barr to trash Trump. This is a shameless distraction from an individual that was once respected by this program. Barr now happily sits for interviews with hosts and networks that once decreed him as long as he’s trashing Trump. Later, isolationism in the face of growing totalitarianism isn’t something we can hide behind. Biden being an isolationist make him more dangerous than FDR. Now the U.S is allowing Putin to decide what weapons can or can’t be used on the battlefield. Putin is a war criminal who has no problem killing civilians and has no issue with escalating the situation, so why do we? Afterward, author Craig Shirley calls in to discuss his new book April 1945: The Hinge of History and how America emerged as a superpower after WWII. Shirley added that our previous stance as isolationists is very reminiscent of what is happening in Europe today.
THIS IS FROM:
1945
We Might Know Why Joe Biden Is So Afraid To Give MiG-29 Fighters To Ukraine
Washington Free Beacon
Iran Claims Responsibility for Missile Strike on US Consulate
Office of the Historian
American Isolationism in the 1930s
AP
Iran fires missiles into northern Iraq in retaliation attack
Jewish Insider
All Republican senators except Rand Paul express opposition to looming Iran deal
Right Scoop
“Have we learned NOTHING?” Netanyahu blasts Biden for CONTINUING Iran nuke talks after ROCKET ATTACK
NY Post
‘Toxic behavior’: Norah O’Donnell’s attitude under fire at ‘CBS Evening News’
Wall St Journal
China Pursues Afghanistan’s Mineral Wealth After U.S. Exit
The podcast for this show can be streamed or downloaded from the Audio Rewind page.
Image used with permission of Getty Images / Nicholas Kamm
100.) CIVIL DEADLINE
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101.) THE GELLER REPORT
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103.) GLADWIRE
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104.) INDEPENDENT SENTINEL
105.) DC CLOTHESLINE
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106.) ARTICLE V LEGISLATORS’ CAUCUS
107.) OFF THE PRESS
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108.) SONS OF LIBERTY
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109.) STARS & STRIPES
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110.) RIGHT & FREE
111.) UNITED VOICE
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112.) THE DAILY SHAPIRO
March 14, 2022
By Hank Berrien
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113.) INSURGENT CONSERVATIVES
114.) WAKING TIMES
115.) UNCOVER DC
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116.) DC DIRTY LAUNDRY