Florida's recap – Highlights from around the state – November 18th
Bottom Line: Your daily recap of the some of the biggest news from around the state that impacts you in South Florida.
- President Trump announced a “Welcome Home” rally at the BB&T Center a week from Tuesday as he makes to annual visit for Thanksgiving. The “Welcome Home” context, as billed by his 2020 campaign, is on back of his announcement of becoming a permanent Florida resident.
- A lawsuit filed by the Sierra Club and Florida Wildlife Federation, questioning the use of funds by the state since the 2014 passage of Florida’s Water and Land Legacy Amendment, will be decided in Florida’s Supreme Court. The environmental groups are challenging use of funds that aren’t direct land purchases.
- U.S. District Judge Mark Walker ruled Friday that a candidate listed first on voter ballots has a unique advantage. This strikes down the law enacted in 1951 by Florida’s Democrats, which places candidates on ballots in the order of the party of the state’s governor. Democrats have been challenging the law their party enacted after 20 consecutive years of Republican governors in the state. Governor DeSantis intends to appeal the decision.
- A new study of Hurricane Dorian damage in the Bahamas revealed $3.5 billion in damage and 29,500 people out of work – some of which are also homeless. The death toll currently stands at 67 but there are still 282 unaccounted for people.
- Jeanette Nunez and leaders representing 19 businesses are heading to Colombia on a four-day trade mission. Florida is looking to grow the $7.2 billion in annual trade with Latin American countries.