Good Friday morning.

The daily rundown — Between Wednesday and Thursday, the number of Florida coronavirus cases increased by 10,870 (1 percent), to 1,029,030; active hospitalizations went up by 84 (nearly 2 percent), to 4,289; deaths rose by 98 (0.5 percent), to 18,874.

The L word — As we have pointed out a few times in the last month, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has not said much about the fact that his top ally President Donald Trump lost the presidential election.

Just between you and me — Well, when DeSantis got behind closed doors Thursday with members of one of the state’s top business associations and execs with top corporate donors, that changed.

Game plan — DeSantis — in a recording obtained by POLITICO — told those at the Associated Industries of Florida that while he had urged Trump to “fight on” to overturn the election results, he also conceded that “none of this stuff has succeeded yet” and that “time is running out.” The state’s Republican governor then predicted that incoming President-elect Joe Biden will have trouble pushing legislation through Congress and will instead rely on executive orders to carry out his agenda, which will prompt state attorneys general (including, presumably, Florida’s Ashley Moody) to fight back.

Recognition — This represented the first time DeSantis had acknowledged the prospect of a Biden win. DeSantis' loyalty to Trump, whose Twitter endorsement in the GOP primary helped propel DeSantis to victory in 2018, could impact his own future political aspirations. The first-term Florida governor has signaled he is mulling a 2024 bid for the White House, but Trump is openly telling supporters that he may run again. These remarks, which included digs at Chief Justice John Roberts and the CDC, likely signal that DeSantis is preparing for a new role where he clashes with the White House instead of bragging about how much money he got from the federal government.

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

BEHIND CLOSED DOORS — “DeSantis tells Trump to ‘fight on,’ takes aim at science and has beef with John Roberts,” by POLITICO’s Gary Fineout: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday told a private gathering of political donors and corporate executives that he has urged President Donald Trump to “fight on" to overturn November’s election results. In wide-ranging remarks made in person behind closed doors at a meeting of the Associated Industries of Florida, DeSantis dismissed the risks of the coronavirus, contradicted science and targeted U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts. He also defended Trump's attempt to fight the results of the election. “I told the president to fight on,” DeSantis told the group gathered at the JW Marriott Grande Lakes resort hotel in Orlando, according to a recording of the speech obtained by POLITICO. “In reality, none of this stuff has succeeded yet. Time is running out.”

BOWING OUT — “Rizzo won’t seek reelection as Florida Democratic Party chair,” by POLITICO’s Matt Dixon: Embattled Florida Democratic Party Chair Terrie Rizzo said she won't seek reelection after the party’s disastrous 2020 election cycle. Rizzo’s exit, which was expected, comes after President Donald Trump won Florida by nearly 4 points, Democrats lost six seats in the state legislature, and two Democratic incumbents were ousted from Congress. "From the bottom of my heart, thank you all for putting your faith in me to serve as chair of the Florida Democratic Party," Rizzo said in an email to party leaders. ‘It has been my great privilege and the honor of a lifetime.’ Rizzo has been quiet about her plans, but last month’s stinging election defeats set off a wave of campaigning to replace her when Florida Democrats meet next month to reorganize.

Lining up endorsements — Former Miami mayor Manny Diaz — who made his bid to replace Rizzo official earlier this week — is ramping up his campaign. He announced a long list of endorsements early on Friday, including a diverse array of sitting state legislators including Sens. Audrey Gibson, Perry Thurston, Darryl Rouson, Annette Taddeo, Shevrin Jones, Janet Cruz and Victor Torres as well as several House members, local officials and both former Rep. Carrie Meek and her son former Rep. Kendrick Meek. The thing to watch for, however, between now and when Democrats vote is where Florida’s congressional delegation members land. They will have a big role to play in how this unfolds.

FRANK’S REVENGE? — “Disgraced Republican lawmaker planted no-party candidate in key Senate race, sources say,” by Miami Herald’s Ana Ceballos and Samantha J. Gross: “The confession came on election night. Over drinks at an Irish pub in Seminole County, as television screens began to show the latest election results for key state Senate races, former Miami state Sen. Frank Artiles was getting excited. Miami Republican Ileana Garcia, a first-time candidate, was leading Democratic incumbent Sen. Jose Javier Rodriguez in the race to represent Miami-Dade’s Senate District 37. It was tight, but she was winning. And Artiles wanted to brag. ‘That is me, that was all me,’ Artiles told a crowd at Liam Fitzpatrick’s restaurant in Lake Mary, where Sen. Jason Brodeur was holding his election night party, according to a person who was there and who asked to remain anonymous out of fear of retaliation.”

FLORIDA MAN — “Trump’s looming 2024 bid leaves Republicans in a bind,” by POLITICO’s Gabby Orr: President Donald Trump’s mounting spitefulness toward allies within his own party has unnerved Republicans fretting about the prospect of a Trump 2024 bid. In recent weeks, Trump has started attacking any Republican who has not fully embraced the false narrative that he won the 2020 election, leaving party officials, lawmakers and donors wondering about the repercussions they might face for not immediately endorsing a Trump 2024 White House run. Other Republicans are growing concerned about an unfair scenario in which donors may feel pressured to support Trump right out of the gate — not because they believe he’s the best candidate, but to simply avoid drawing the ex-president’s ire.

CLAMPDOWN — “Secrecy and spin: How Florida’s governor misled the public on the COVID-19 pandemic,” by Sun Sentinel’s Mario Ariza, David Fleshler and Cindy Krischer Goodman: “Throughout the COVID-19 crisis in Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration engaged in a pattern of spin and concealment that misled the public on the gravest health threat the state has ever faced, a South Florida Sun Sentinel investigation has found. DeSantis, who owes his job to early support from President Donald Trump, imposed an approach in line with the views of the president and his powerful base of supporters. The administration suppressed unfavorable facts, dispensed dangerous misinformation, dismissed public health professionals, and promoted the views of scientific dissenters who supported the governor’s approach to the disease.”

Happy talk — “In the last week of September, as the presidential election neared, word went out to the state employees who served as county-level spokespeople for the Florida Department of Health: Talk about anything but COVID-19. Don’t issue news releases or write social media posts about COVID, they were told, according to three health department county spokespeople who asked not to be identified. Instead, talk about flu shots, hearing-loss screenings — anything but the virus. ‘It is all part of the top-down control of messaging from the governor’s office,’ said a senior official in the health department.”

— “As COVID spreads, Florida governor’s spokesman pushes misinformation,” by Sun Sentinel’s Mario Ariza, Cindy Krischer Goodman and David Fleshler

IMPACT — “PPP loans in Florida cost $31.9 billion and saved 3.3 million jobs,” by Miami Herald’s Alex Daugherty, Rob Wile and Ben Wieder: “The Paycheck Protection Program meant to keep workers employed at small businesses during the first months of the coronavirus pandemic saved 3.3 million jobs in Florida, according to new data on borrowers and loan amounts released by the Small Business Administration.”

AOC vs. MARCO — "‘What did you do?’: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez clashes with Marco Rubio on Twitter over PPP loan data,” by Business Insider’s Azmi Haroun: “Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and GOP Sen. Marco Rubio duked it out on Twitter on Thursday. Ocasio-Cortez tweeted about new data released by the Small Business Administration about Paycheck Protection Program loans over $150,000 that the government awarded to businesses as part of COVID-19 relief. In her original tweet, she quote-tweeted NBC News journalist Olivia Solon, who pointed out that Project Veritas, the right-wing disinformation sting-op organization, had received $558,900.

The first round — “Ocasio-Cortez tweeted, ‘Black-owned small businesses were widely shut out from accessing PPP loans, yet right-wing disinfo org PV took half a million in public money while decrying direct federal assistance as 'radical socialism,' adding, ‘Republicanism in a nutshell.’ Sen. Marco Rubio replied and quote-tweeted Ocasio-Cortez, saying, ‘Working together R's & D's helped save the jobs of 55 million Americans through PPP. Work more, tweet less & one day you too can make a difference.’”

PREP WORK — “State readies for vaccinations at long-term care facilities,” News Service of Florida’s Christine Sexton: “Florida on Thursday ramped up plans to vaccinate seniors for COVID-19 by publishing two emergency rules that require nursing homes and assisted living facilities to allow representatives from the state health department, CVS and Walgreens into the facilities. Florida on Thursday ramped up plans to vaccinate seniors for COVID-19 by publishing two emergency rules that require nursing homes and assisted living facilities to allow representatives from the state health department, CVS and Walgreens into the facilities.”

WAITING TO ARRIVE — “Orange businesses could face fines up to $5,000 a day for ignoring COVID protocols,” by Orlando Sentinel’s Stephen Hudak and Ryan Gillespie: “Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings, frustrated by bars and other businesses ignoring protocols to slow the spread of the coronavirus, could slap non-compliant establishments with $500 fines that could increase to $5,000 a day, according to a draft of an executive order he is considering. If the mayor approves the order on Friday, the fines could begin as early as Sunday for businesses that don’t enforce social distancing, fail to require employees to wear masks or break other rules.”

— “‘Do the right thing.’ Pinellas leaders beg for coronavirus restriction compliance,” by Tampa Bay Times’ Tracey McManus

— “Naples City Council says no to mask mandate to slow coronavirus spread,” by Naples Daily News’ Brittany Carloni

— “Tampa Bay could have vaccines by next week. Hospitals say they’re ready,” by Tampa Bay Times’ Megan Reeves

— “Fort Lauderdale airport to start offering COVID tests to flyers,” by Sun Sentinel’s Lisa J. Huriash

— “Carnival cancels cruises through February; Mardi Gras debut in Port Canaveral pushed to April,” by Orlando Sentinel’s Richard Tribou

WASSERMAN SCHULTZ FALLS SHORT — “House Democrats elect DeLauro as next House Appropriations chair,” by POLITICO’s Caitlin Emma: “House Democrats on Thursday elected Rep. Rosa DeLauro as the next chair of the powerful Appropriations Committee, bestowing the 77-year-old ally of Speaker Nancy Pelosi with the long-sought gavel to steer the lower chamber’s spending bills in the next Congress. DeLauro won in a 148-79 caucus-wide vote after vying for the top spot for more than a year against Reps. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.) and Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio). Allies of Wasserman Schultz had insisted that the race was narrowing in recent weeks.”

LANDING SPOTS — “Biden eyes defeated candidates for key administration roles,” by Associated Press’ Thomas Beaumont: “In politics, there can sometimes be an upside to losing. President-elect Joe Biden is eyeing several Democrats who lost congressional reelection races last month for key positions in his administration. They include outgoing Reps. Abby Finkenauer of Iowa and Donna Shalala of Florida and Sen. Doug Jones of Alabama. Their consideration continues a long Washington tradition of defeated politicians seeking shelter in a new White House.”

HERE IT COMES — “Business and trial lawyers over Covid-19 litigation,” by POLITICO’s Arek Sarkissian and Matt Dixon: Florida’s business lobby and the state’s most powerful elected Republicans are teaming up to shield companies and health care providers from lawsuits filed by coronavirus victims, setting up a slugfest for the upcoming legislative session. Florida’s effort to curb what it fears will be a wave of pandemic-related lawsuits follows the lead of other states, many of which began rewriting their laws months ago. The Florida effort also is an attempt by powerful state businesses to leverage the pandemic to win other tort reforms from the Legislature and governor.

Details — “Legislation drafted by state Senate Republicans is the first glimpse of how the fight will play out in Florida, which is by far the largest to delve into the coronavirus liability fray. The bill borrows from the RESET Task Force, a group of Florida business and health care leaders that put forward recommendations and draft legislation built on ideas from other GOP-run states, including Alabama, Mississippi and Oklahoma, that have implemented or are debating coronavirus legal reforms. Florida’s legislative session doesn’t begin until early March, but the lobbying effort on both sides already is well under way.”

49 OUT OF 50 — “Florida next to last in paying unemployment benefits during the pandemic,” by Tampa Bay Times’ Lawrence Mower: “In a finding unlikely to surprise the millions of Floridians who filed unemployment claims this year, Florida was the second-worst state in the nation at paying benefits on time, federal data shows. Just 36 percent of Floridians who filed for benefits received their first payment within three weeks this year, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. That’s a rate so pitiful that only Hawaii did worse.”

AN APOLOGY, BUT — “Prosecutor to Jeffrey Epstein victims: I’m sorry deal labeled you as prostitutes,” by Palm Beach Post’s Jane Musgrave: "A prosecutor on Thursday apologized for the government’s failure to tell Jeffrey Epstein’s victims about a controversial agreement that allowed the politically connected financier to escape federal charges for molesting dozens of young girls at his Palm Beach mansion. Further, Assistant U.S. Attorney Jill Steinberg told an appeals court, it was unfortunate that the way the nonprosecution agreement was crafted had the effect of labeling the teenage girls as prostitutes instead of victims of sexual assault. ‘She was not a prostitute,’ Steinberg said, referring specifically to Courtney Wild who is seeking to invalidate the agreement on behalf of Epstein’s other young victims. ‘Minors can’t consent to sex.’ However, despite Steinberg's acknowledgment that the young women were mistreated and misled, Steinberg was adamant that Wild’s legal quest to throw out the plea deal is misguided.”

50 ROUNDS FIRED — “Man killed by St. Petersburg police hit by 38 bullets, was linked to 2019 homicide,” by Tampa Bay Times’ Kathryn Varn, Josh Solomon, Jack Evans and Romy Ellenbogen: “Dominique Harris, who was killed by police after shooting an officer on Wednesday, was a ‘person of interest’ in an unsolved 2019 homicide, said Pinellas Sheriff Bob Gualitieri. Harris was also known to be armed and to flee from police, the sheriff said at a Thursday news conference addressing the shootout, which sent one officer to the hospital and ended with the death of Harris. Authorities say the 20-year-old tried to ram a car past a blockade of officers attempting to arrest him on a child abuse charge, then fired at an officer. The violent scene unfolded in a crowded grocery store parking lot after 4 p.m.”

LONDON CALLING — “Jacksonville City Council fails to advance $233.3 million Lot J subsidy to final vote,” by Florida Times-Union’s Christopher Hong: "The Jacksonville City Council on Thursday failed to advance a proposed $233.3 million incentives package for Jaguars owner Shad Khan's Lot J development, although representatives for the football team said they will continue working to have the deal ready for a final vote next week."

MIAMI BEACH DISPATCH — “Dan Le Batard leaving ESPN, but assures shaken fans they will hear from him again soon,” by Miami Herald’s Greg Cote: “What has long been rumored and speculated became official Thursday with the news Dan Le Batard and ESPN are mutually parting ways in one month. The final day on air will be Monday, Jan. 4, for both ESPN Radio’s 'Dan Le Batard Show With Stugotz' and the televised “Highly Questionable” show that Dan hosted. Le Batard immediately assured his legion of fans and listeners that he is not retiring and he will be heard from again soon.”

— “Volunteer bitten by tiger at Carole Baskin’s Big Cat Rescue,” by Associated Press’ Curt Anderson and Freida Frisaro: “A female volunteer who regularly feeds big cats was bitten and seriously injured by a tiger Thursday morning at Carole Baskin’s Big Cat Rescue sanctuary in Florida, which was made famous by the Netflix series 'Tiger King,' officials said. Hillsborough County Fire Rescue received a trauma alert call about 8:30 a.m. Thursday from the sanctuary, agency spokesman Eric Seidel told The Associated Press.”

BIRTHDAYS: Rep. Francis Rooney … John Rogers, former senior vice president with the Florida Retail Federation

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