Florida News that impacts you – July 9th
Bottom Line: Your daily recap of the some of the biggest news from around the state that impacts you in South Florida.
- While Broward and Miami-Dade's School Districts have indicated it’s unlikely all schools will reopen next month for classroom instruction and are weighing next steps, Palm Beach County’s School Board will hold a vote next Wednesday, the 15th to determine whether classroom instruction will be an option with the resumption of the school year. Based on feedback from board members, there appears to be consensus for virtual only options.
- Broward has decided to impose additional restrictions on restaurants and vacation rental properties rather than closing these businesses once again. Starting Friday indoor dinning will be capped at six per table for restaurants. Penalties for violators are being increased.
- The question of whether felons will be allowed to vote without having paid financial restitution for their crimes will next be addressed on Florida’s Primary Election day, August 18th by the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals. The full court will hear the case after District Court Judge Robert Hinkle, ruled against Florida’s law mandating financial restitution be paid prior to voting rights being restored. At the state level, Florida’s Supreme Court previously ruled in favor of Florida’s law. The backers of the constitutional amendment originally pledged financial restitution would be paid as a condition of rights being restored.
- Governor DeSantis has extended the visitation ban for nursing homes and elder care facilities for an additional 60 days in an effort to prevent spread of the virus within these facilities. Florida has been recognized nationally in the medical community for its success in protecting those cared for in these facilities throughout the pandemic.
- Florida’s Democratic Party has returned $780,000 in Paycheck Protection grants it claimed from the Cares Act. A Freedom of Information Act request on Monday revealed the political party confiscated funds from the program designed to help small businesses and non-profits through the pandemic.
- A lawsuit has been filed attempting to prevent the Republican Convention from taking place in Jacksonville during the ongoing pandemic. Governor DeSantis’s 60-day extension of Florida’s state of emergency ensured the convention would take place under a state of emergency if held. That’s being used as the basis for this suit.