The Buzz | This is not a newsletter about Trump

Catching you up on what else happened in Florida politics

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View this on the Web Go to our home page Subscribe to the Times Thursday, April 6, 2023 Forward this to a friend Subscribe to more newsletters Good morning.   If you’re political junkies like us, you’ve probably read plenty about former President Donald Trump’s legal woes.    That’s an important story. Historic, high-stakes, dramatic. Our Sunday front page included analysis of how it could impact Gov. Ron DeSantis' 2024 prospects.   But DeSantis doesn’t seem to want to talk about it.   Honestly, at this point, neither do we. It's dominated national news coverage in recent days. So let’s move on to other things. [PHELAN M. EBENHACK | Associated Press] What you missed while everyone was focused on Trump The Rundown: Even absent Trump, this was a pretty newsy week in Florida politics, with a lot happening on issues that matter to millions of Floridians.   Halfway through the 60-day legislative session, lawmakers released a 98-page bill that would mark the fourth major overhaul in the state’s election laws in five years. Then, without giving lawmakers much time to read it, a Senate committee voted to advance the measure.   Some 900,000 Floridians — many of them children — are about to lose Medicaid over the coming year. The process started this week.   Seemingly acknowledging the state's light touch thus far, the Florida Legislature also filed a bill aimed at cracking down on bad actors in the insurance industry. (The Florida Chamber of Commerce is not happy.)    A statewide grand jury accused the federal government of aiding and abetting in the human trafficking of unaccompanied migrant minors.   And a bill that would ban most abortions after six weeks of pregnancy is moving through the Legislature at light speed.       Perhaps Sen. Lauren Book, D-Plantation, put it most succinctly, while lawmakers were debating that pivotal abortion bill.   “Don’t worry, no one is paying attention to us. Donald Trump was indicted,” she said.  If you read nothing else this week ... What concealed carry classes look like. Under a new law DeSantis signed, Floridians wanting to carry concealed guns are no longer required to get training or a permit. Reporter Christopher Spata went to one of those classes and talked to gun instructors about what that means.    Get the latest coverage from the Times Subscribe to the Tampa Bay Times in print or online to get the full story on local, state and national politics from Emily L. Mahoney and the rest of the Buzz team. Subscribe now! What we're watching The other governor: California Gov. Gavin Newsom was at New College yesterday listening to the concerns of students and faculty. Here's what he said when asked by reporters about any higher political ambitions.   Document dump: The Democratic opposition research group American Bridge had previously only published an online "book" about Trump, when he was an incumbent president. Now they've released one on DeSantis.    The next Florida justice: Who will be the governor's pick on the Florida Supreme Court? We'll have to wait a little longer to find out. What we're buzzing about  [Jill Yelverton] Disappearing eagles and a political connection. When the nephew of state Rep. Randy Maggard and Pasco County Commissioner Ron Oakley bought a property that included protected wetlands and started clearing the land, a nest of bald eagles disappeared. Now, Rep. Maggard wants to prevent local government control over construction near wetlands.   Drone drama: Police departments across the state are shelving millions in aerial drones because of a DeSantis administration rule aiming to stamp out Chinese influence. It has infuriated some lawmakers of both parties.   Top Democrats arrested: Florida Democratic Party chairperson Nikki Fried and Book were among a dozen people arrested by Tallahassee police during an abortion rights protest Monday.    Catching you up on Disney: After DeSantis was blindsided by Disney's move to strip power from his hand-picked board, he ordered an investigation into the company's actions. If you've lost track of the blow-by-blow, this story answers four big questions about the status of the DeSantis-Disney duel.   Hillsborough public defender: For the first time in two decades, Hillsborough voters will get to decide whom they want to be their public defender. Learn more about the two candidates facing off in the Democratic primary for the job. Your Thursday distraction Hockey is a violent sport, creating unique challenges for photographing it.    Check out this intense video from Times photographer Luis Santana showing how he expertly times his use of the "photo hole" to get the perfect shots of the Tampa Bay Lightning while ensuring his camera doesn't get smashed. This newsletter was compiled by Kirby Wilson and Times political editor Emily L. Mahoney. Contact Kirby Wilson at kwilson@tampabay.com and Emily L. Mahoney at emahoney@tampabay.com. Follow @KirbyWTweets. Follow @mahoneysthename. Did someone forward this to you? Get The Buzz in your own inbox next time. 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