Florida News – Highlights from around the state – March 20th
Bottom Line: Your daily recap of the some of the biggest news from around the state that impacts you in South Florida.
- Publix has set Tuesday and Wednesday Senior Shopping hours. Until further notice seniors, those 65 and older, will be able to shop exclusively at all Publix locations from 7am-8am.
- The state approved a $93.2 billion budget for the next year. The figure is higher than what Governor DeSantis had originally proposed prior to the negative impact of the coronavirus on the economy. It’s likely DeSantis will use line item vetoes to cut spending.
- A Day after announcing the state was on the verge of a swab shortage for COVID-19 tests, Governor DeSantis said he’d been assured the 500,000 ordered by the state were en route. The state has the ability to test up to 600,000 Floridians for the coronavirus but has been waiting on swabs since a week ago Monday to match the testing capacity.
- An estimate of coronavirus related job loss in Florida, according to the Economic Policy Institute, suggests 350,000 people could lose their jobs in the leisure, hospitality and retail industries through the third quarter of this year.
- AG Ashley Moody said she’s working with State’s U.S. and state attorneys to prosecute coronavirus related scams the state has identified including phishing and price gauging.Moody recently activated the state’s Price Gouging Hotline for Floridians to report potential scams.
- Florida’s Hospital Association voted to support an end to elective surgeries statewide until the COVID-19 crisis is over. Several states have instituted the policy. Governor DeSantis would have to ratify the board’s vote to make it effective policy.