Florida News – Highlights from around the state – March 9th
Bottom Line: Your daily recap of the some of the biggest news from around the state that impacts you in South Florida.
- Governor Ron DeSantis activated a Level II state of emergency in Florida. This directs the Florida Department of Health to provide support specially to county health departments. In issuing the declaration he reminded Floridians that symptoms include fever, cough and shortness of breath.
- 18 people in Florida have now tested positive for the COVID-19 virus including three in Broward. At least two of the Broward cases involve recent travel to an at-risk area. Two deaths in Florida due to the virus have occurred.
- As the state session moves to its final scheduled week for 2020, it’s looking increasingly likely that state workers will receive 3% across the board pay raises in this year’s budget.
- Related to raises and the budget, the House and Senate are close to a deal on teacher pay raises. The current framework would be similar to Governor DeSantis’s plan but would eliminate all bonus programs in lieu of straight pay raises for teachers and would be phased in over the next two years.
- The AFL-CIO canceled a scheduled Presidential forum in Orlando Wednesday. The forum was to feature Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders addressing questions from union members.