Hello and welcome to Wednesday.

It was quiet yesterday afternoon outside the Ron DeSantis campaign headquarters, where, our POLITICO colleague Alex Isenstadt was first to report, roughly two dozen people had just been let go.

From the look of the license plates in the parking lot — hailing from places such as D.C., Virginia, Texas and Ohio — it was clear to Florida Playbook that many DeSantis believers had left their hometowns to join the presidential campaign effort nestled in Florida.

Those who remained were still busy at work. Staffers made their way in and out of the nondescript building in Tallahassee. But nobody was witnessed exiting the office with boxes of their belongings or looking despondent, suggesting the layoffs occurred earlier in the day.

Among those recognized still with the campaign were political director Sam Cooper and Christina Pushaw, the campaign’s rapid response director, who assured Florida Playbook as she got into her car that she hadn’t lost her job.

The staffing cuts and restructuring on Tuesday were in addition to roughly 10 others laid off earlier this month, fueling yet another news cycle that questioned whether the Florida governor could go the distance in the presidential race.

It was a hard day for the campaign all around, one that started with a car crash when DeSantis was heading to a fundraiser in Tennessee. This week the DeSantis campaign elevated Carl Sceusa to the role of chief financial officer, NBC News reported, and fired Nate Hochman, a meme-savvy employee, according to Semafor.

Campaign manager Generra Peck described the actions as “aggressive steps to streamline operations” so DeSantis could win the nomination and defeat President Joe Biden.

Where do former employees head next? It’s still just the beginning of the presidential race and outside opportunities to support the governor may be available. But political campaigns and committees know there’s much to be gained from tapping into rival talent. It happens all the time.

Remember: Susie Wiles, a top Trump campaign adviser, successfully oversaw DeSantis’ 2018 gubernatorial campaign and is now working to ensure he won’t be the 2024 GOP presidential nominee.

More could follow. “President Trump will be staffing up as he moves toward the Republican nomination,” a Trump aide told Florida Playbook. “We would never rule out the possibility of these folks joining our team.”

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

Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for Playbook? Get in touch: [email protected].

NON SEQUITUR — Let’s check in with Disney. The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District, which holds power over the land surrounding Walt Disney World, is having its next board meeting at 9:30 a.m. EST today.

These meetings have become must-watch TV. Orlando Business Journal exclusively reported what’s to come: Board members are about to vote on a reduction to the millage rate — or tax rate — which affects property insurance taxes. The precise details are outlined in the agenda posted yesterday evening.

It’s not uncommon for localities to reduce the millage rate when property values increase. While it might mean individuals and businesses won’t pay significantly more in property taxes, it doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll pay less. It all depends on the appraisal of a property. The board is predicting that under the new rate, its tax collections will go up more than 6% but not nearly as high as they would have left it unchanged.

Richard Foglesong, author of the book “Married to the Mouse,” said he hoped Wednesday’s meeting would expand on the board’s plan to create more affordable housing in the area. Housing prices have gone up, he said, causing employees to move further away from Disney and resulting in more traffic congestion.

Addressing housing, Foglesong said, “would be a good way for the new board to look good and to show they’re serious about providing benefits for the surrounding community.”

He told Florida Playbook he’s been attending nearly every board meeting, and is impressed with Chair Martin Garcia and district administrator Glen Gilzean. He added, however, that he was worried DeSantis “might override any good inventions the board has” through future retaliatory measures against Disney.

Finishing the agenda is a closed-door meeting in which board members will discuss costs related to the rival lawsuits still playing out.

What’s still murky is how exactly the board will operate in the long run. After all, it has been moving ahead with various policies and staff hires as though its authority is set.

... But what if the courts decide otherwise?

PULLING BACK THE CURTAIN — Our colleagues with D.C. Playbook are out this morning with details about behind-the-scenes tension that is mounting between the DeSantis campaign and Never Back Down, the super PAC that was turbocharged with leftover money from DeSantis’ reelection effort.

Some key nuggets include mixed messaging coming from two sides, questions about DeSantis’ staffing and suspicions that Never Back Down’s Jeff Roe wants to assume control of the campaign now controlled by Generra Peck. One donor was so concerned about a Washington Post story about Roe and the situation “that he ultimately decided to invest his money elsewhere, according to one Republican familiar with what happened.” One strategist that talked to D.C. Playbook did say: “This isn’t high school — like we’re not sitting in the cafeteria; it’s not like, you know, the movie ‘Grease’ or ‘West Side Story.’ To say that there’s tension between the campaign and super PAC just seems like really immature.”

DEPARTURE LOUNGE — “Ron DeSantis fires staffer who shared video with fascist imagery,” by Semafor’s David Weigel and Shelby Talcott: “Nate Hochman, a prominent young Ron DeSantis staffer, was part of the slew of employees let go by the team this week, three sources familiar with the situation told Semafor. ‘Nate Hochman is no longer with the campaign,’ a campaign official confirmed. … Hochman was found to have shared a recent DeSantisCams video in which a depressed ‘wojack’ character, unhappy with Donald Trump’s record, got excited about the Florida governor. It ended with the seal of Florida transforming into an apparent take on the ancient Sonnenrad, a symbol adopted by fascists, as soldiers marched in formation. The video was deleted after multiple accounts drew attention to that image.”

A COMPARISON DESANTIS WORLD WON’T LIKE — “Does the DeSantis campaign face the same fate as Jeb Bush in 2016?” by Tampa Bay Times’ Josh Archote: “It’s also early in the race. And unlike the 2016 primary, which saw multiple candidates dip in and out of the top three spots, the 2024 primary so far has been a two-man race between DeSantis and Trump. ‘Some people think that DeSantis needs to be leading in the polls in July of 2023,’ said Justin Sayfie, a policy adviser and spokesperson for Bush during his time as governor. ‘You need to start winning in January and February of 2024. There’s a long way to go.’”

— “Poll finds ‘DeSantis hasn’t made any headway’ in competition with Trump,” by South Florida Sun-Sentinel’s Anthony Man

— “Ron DeSantis’ campaign crashes into reality,” by The Messenger’s Marc Caputo

— “DeSantis’ new campaign deputy was part of massive anti-net neutrality campaign that used dead people to spam the FCC,” by The Daily Dot’s Mikael Thalen

KEEPING TRACK — POLITICO has sorted through the Republican National Committee’s complicated set of polling and donation thresholds to give you real-time updates on who will be on stage — and who will be watching from home. More here.

COMPLAINT FILED — “FEC is asked to investigate $500K to PAC backing Francis Suarez from Chinese straw donor,” by Miami Herald’s Joey Flechas and Sarah Blaskey: “A complaint filed with the Federal Elections Commission Tuesday accused an online artificial flower vendor of illegally funneling half a million dollars from an unidentified source into a Super PAC backing Miami Mayor Francis Suarez, who is seeking the Republican nomination for president. In its complaint calling for an FEC investigation, the Campaign Legal Center, a non-partisan watchdog organization, alleged that PassionForest LLC — a small online vendor founded in 2021 — appeared to be a straw donor, illegally masking the identity of whoever was behind a $500,000 contribution to SOS America in October 2022.”

IT’S OFFICIAL — John “Q” Quiñones is running for Florida’s 9th congressional district, having made it official on Tuesday following our preview last week. The seat is currently occupied by Democratic Rep. Darren Soto. The National Republican Congressional Committee is targeting the seat after DeSantis won Osceola County in 2022.

DON’T STAND SO CLOSE TO ME — Republican lobbyists keeping their powder dry in GOP field, fearing Trump’s wrath, by POLITICO’s Hailey Fuchs: There are some lobbyists who are still giving to the non-Trump 2024 candidates, including [Tim] Scott and Ron DeSantis. But there has been notable heat placed on some individuals for doing so. For example, one lobbyist who aligned himself with DeSantis was hounded by Trump allies for being part of a fundraiser for the Florida governor. Critics online highlighted his clients, including the pharmaceutical company Moderna. One Trump administration official turned lobbyist said clients recognize there is downside to having their lobbyist too closely associated with a candidate. The goal is to stay out of the fray, this person said.

— “Florida couple pleads guilty to participating in the U.S. Capitol attack,” by Associated Press

POWER PLAY — Gainesville challenges law signed by DeSantis transferring oversight of city utility to state, by POLITICO’s Bruce Ritchie: A lawsuit from the city of Gainesville says a law DeSantis signed placing control of the city’s utility under a board to be appointed by the governor is creating “chaos” and is asking a state court to block the measure. In the lawsuit filed in Circuit Court in Tallahassee last Friday, the city asserts that the new “special” law that passed as HB 1645 with backing from Republican legislators is unconstitutionally vague and contradictory.

ON THE CALENDAR: Senate Democrats are holding a virtual town hall at 6 p.m. EST focused on property insurance. It’ll be streaming live on Facebook.

— “Florida fights judge’s order to stop steering severely disabled kids into nursing homes,” by Miami Herald’s Carol Marbin Miller

— “Former Florida state Sen. Jack Latvala’s ethics case pushed to fall,” by News Service of Florida

— “Gaetz introduces ‘End Birthright Citizenship Fraud Act of 2023.’ Here’s what the bill does,” by Pensacola News-Journal’s Brandon Girod

— “Matt Gaetz, Rick Scott fear Air Force may move Special Ops command off Hurlburt Field,” by Pensacola News Journal’s Tom McLaughlin

WATCH THIS SPACE — “Aronberg appeals ruling in Jeffrey Epstein case, still saying Post’s lawsuit was frivolous,” by Palm Beach Post’s Holly Baltz: “Palm Beach County State Attorney Dave Aronberg is appealing a judge’s ruling denying legal fees for his lawyer and sanctions against The Palm Beach Post’s attorneys for seeking the truth behind a 2006 grand jury that dubbed serial sexual predator Jeffrey Epstein little more than a “john” and labeled his underage victims prostitutes. Aronberg’s appeal is over a lawsuit he said was filed by The Post only to humiliate him. He has sought at least $70,000 in legal fees, claiming that he wants to recoup taxpayer money.”

— “‘He runs Tampa’: Political player’s sex offender past detailed in records,” by Tampa Bay Times’ Dan Sullivan and Olivia George

— “FPL, Irma plaintiffs battle over new law,” by News Service of Florida’s Jim Saunders

— “‘He’s stable and he’s talking.’ Miami-Dade’s top cop said to be recovering after shooting,” by Miami Herald’s Charles Rabin

— “‘100% coral mortality’ found at Florida Keys reef due to rising temperatures, restoration group says,” by USA Today’s Emily DeLetter

— “Leon County School Board votes to keep ‘I am Billie Jean King’ book on library shelves,” by Tallahassee Democrat’s Alaijah Brown

— “Conservative group PragerU says Florida is first state to approve its ‘curriculum,’” by Miami New Times’ Alex DeLuca

— “Water of tip of Florida hits hot tub level, may have set world record for warmest seawater,” by Associated Press’ Seth Borenstein: “The water temperature on the tip of Florida hit hot tub levels, exceeding 100 degrees two days in a row. And meteorologists say that could potentially be the hottest seawater ever measured, although there are some issues with the reading. Just 26 miles away, scientists saw devastating effects from prolonged hot water surrounding Florida — devastating coral bleaching and even some death in what had been one of the Florida Keys’ most resilient reefs. Climate change has been setting temperature records across the globe this month.”

Happy spiny lobster mini season to all who celebrate.

BIRTHDAYS: Former Florida House Speaker Steve Crisafulli ... Former state Rep. Richard Stark … Former Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum