Florida News That Impacts You – May 12th, 2021
Bottom Line: Your daily recap of the some of the biggest news from around the state that impacts you in South Florida.
- Florida’s coronavirus trend has declined daily for three consecutive weeks. With 3,263 new cases reported on Tuesday, Florida’s weekly trend for cases stands at 3,690 – the lowest since October 26th.
- 9.35 million Floridians have now been vaccinated with at least a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine including 7.15 million who’ve now completed a vaccine series.53% of Florida’s adult population has now been vaccinated with at least a first dose of a vaccine.
- Governor DeSantis has declared a state of emergency due to the ransomware attack on the Colonial Pipeline which has caused gas shortages at approximately 1,000 gas stations throughout the southeast. DeSantis’s order, which activates the state’s emergency resources, including the National Guard, lasts for 30 days and places additional oversight to prevent price gouging. Notably, the pipeline doesn’t fuel gas stations in Florida, however a surge in demand by Floridians combined with strained supplies generally is a concern.
- The governor also signed HB 7045, aka Florida’s school choice bill, into law. The new law is the biggest expansion of school choice in Florida’s history. The bill grows the Family Empowerment Scholarship Program which provides grants to low-income families. Under the new law, children of military families and special needs are now included. Under the new eligibility guidelines families of four earning under $100,000 annually may be eligible.
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