Winners and losers emerging from the 2021 Legislative Session
They all can t be winners. Here is the definitive list of who s up and who took a fall.
The ending of a Session is never a surprise. It’s like harvest season. What you get at the end is the result of months, maybe even years of tilling, planting, watering, tending, and shepherding.
Against the odds and despite many challenges, the 2021 Legislative Session ended on time. The House Speaker and the Senate President were together for the iconic dropping of the hankie. There weren’t any strained smiles or forced compliments. They stood side by side, thanking each other as much as they talked about themselves.
MIAMI HERALD
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis holds a press conference announcing a lawsuit against CDC to try to get cruising restarted at PortMiami in Miami, Florida, Thursday, April 8, 2021.
TALLAHASSEE - Gov. Ron DeSantis suspended all local-government coronavirus emergency orders on Monday as he signed a bill that makes permanent his ban on COVID-19 vaccine “passports” and limits the authority of cities and counties in future health-care crises.
“My message is that the vaccines protect you. Get vaccinated, and then live your life as if you are protected,” DeSantis said during an event at the Big Catch at Salt Creek, a St. Petersburg restaurant. “You don’t have to chafe under restrictions infinitum.”
Governor DeSantis suspends all local COVID emergency mandates
Published: May 3, 2021 8:33 AM EDT
Updated: May 3, 2021 8:14 PM EDT
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Governor Ron DeSantis is taking executive action to suspend all local COVID-19 emergency mandates immediately and is issuing an executive order to outlaw all local COVID-19 emergency mandates in the state effective July 1.
DeSantis cited the ample availability of vaccines in the Sunshine State and said supply has now eclipsed demand. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data, 20.9 million doses have been distributed to the state, and 15.5 million shots have been administered in a state with a population of roughly 21.5 million people. DeSantis made the announcement as he signed a bill that bans entities, including private businesses, from requiring so-called “vaccine passports” and that amends the state’s Emergency Management Act by placing limits on local emergency powers.
Florida s legislature failed to move the needle on unemployment payout
Florida lawmakers did not make any changes to the state s maximum payouts despite having among the lowest in the country. Author: Liz Crawford Updated: 6:29 PM EDT May 3, 2021
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. Florida s unemployment system was in the spotlight much of 2020 for failing millions of Floridians who were out of work due to the pandemic.
While no one debates the fact that the system collapsed and needs a complete overhaul, there is still much controversy over what exactly that reform looks like.
In short, Florida politicians were able to pass legislation that revamps the technology of the CONNECT system, upgrading to a cloud-based system rather than an internet server. But, they could not agree on policy change that would have increased Florida s weekly maximum payout to $375 instead of the current $275.
Consumer data privacy protections fail in Florida - South Florida Sun-Sentinel sun-sentinel.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from sun-sentinel.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.