Florida News that impacts you – May 27th
Bottom Line: Your daily recap of the some of the biggest news from around the state that impacts you in South Florida.
- Governor DeSantis nominated Judge Renatha Francis and attorney John Couriel to Florida’s Supreme Court. They replace Justices Lagoa and Luck which President Trump nominated to the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals last fall.
- During the presser DeSantis made the case for the Republican National Convention to be held in Florida. North Carolina’s Democrat Governor hasn’t guaranteed the convention will be allowed to be held as planned yet. DeSantis also offered an invitation for the Democrat’s convention as well.
- The monthly revenue reports from the Legislature’s Office of Economic & Demographic Research showed the extent of the hit of the pandemic to Florida’s economy in April. After exceeding revenue estimates in the first quarter of 2020, revenue to the state came in nearly 25% below prepandemic estimates. The shortfall was greater than $700 million for April alone and will place additional pressure on the state’s budget which was passed at a record $93.2 billion in March for the upcoming year. Florida did receive $4.6 billion in relief under the CARES Act which may help offset losses this year – still it’s likely Governor DeSantis will make extensive cuts to the previously passed budget using line item vetoes. Florida’s new fiscal year begins July 1st.
- Today is reopening day for restaurants in Hialeah, Miami and Miami Beach with capacity of up to 50%. Miami Gardens is now the only municipality in the state not to have reopened restaurants.