Peter Schorsch
Last Call — A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics.
First Shot
New unemployment data released by the Department of Economic Opportunity shows Florida’s jobs numbers remained strong in January, hitting an all-time low of 2.8%. The positive trend could reverse, however, due to the spread of the new coronavirus. At particular risk are leisure and hospitality jobs — a sector that added 29,700 positions over the past year. State officials on Monday signaled action could be coming on limiting access to restaurants, hotels and casinos throughout the state. DEO Director Ken Lawson said that the agency “is assessing the resources Florida’s impacted communities and businesses may need.”
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The Florida Department of Health on Monday launched a new COVID-19 Case Dashboard to track the spread of coronavirus throughout the state. The tool breaks down cases by county and by type — Florida residents, non-Florida residents and repatriated cases. DOH said the site would be updated twice daily. The rollout came alongside an announcement that there are now 155 total cases in Florida, including 137 positive cases in Florida Residents and 18 positive cases in non-Florida residents.
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The final Metz Husband Daughton-sponsored question of the day was: After the 55th day of Regular Session, what bills cannot be taken up and considered by the House?
Answer: Bills on second reading. See 10.18
Congrats to Larry Williams Consulting (@LarryWmsConsult), who was again the first to tweet the correct answer!
Thanks to everyone for participating throughout the 2020 Session. See you next year!
Evening Reads
“‘It’s bad’: Donald Trump recommends avoiding gatherings of more than 10 people” via Nolan McCaskill of POLITICO
“Supreme Court postpones arguments due to coronavirus” via Josh Gerstein of POLITICO
“Google’s coronavirus-testing website quickly overwhelmed by demand” via Rob Copeland of The Wall Street Journal
“Silicon Valley ramps up efforts to tackle virus” via Kirsten Grin of The Wall Street Journal
“Industry body warns most airlines could go broke by May” via the Financial Times
“Coronavirus, supply glut combine to drive gas price plummet” via A.G. Gancarski of Florida Politics
“Chris Latvala calls for senior-only shopping hours to prevent coronavirus spread among at-risk Floridians” via Janelle Irwin Taylor of Florida Politics
“Will Palm Beach, Broward shed flaws of elections past? Tuesday will be the test” via Hannah Morse of the Palm Beach Post
“Florida’s unemployment rate dropped in January” via Kevin Derby of Florida Daily
“After packed Magic Kingdom farewell, Disney to close hotels, NBA Experience” via Gabrielle Rouson of the Orlando Sentinel
“Yankees minor leaguer has virus, spring camps begin to empty” via Ben Walker of The Associated Press
“MLB delays opening day to mid-May at earliest due to virus” via Ronald Blum of The Associated Press
Quote of the Day
“You might be younger. You might be in good health. But you could be a hero by social distancing yourself from somebody else who is not in the same, fortunate position.” — Division of Emergency Management Director Jared Moskowitz, on limiting the spread of the new coronavirus.
Bill Day’s Latest
Breakthrough Insights
Wake Up Early?
Florida will hold its presidential primary election. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund Advisory Council will discuss the reimbursement premium formula for its reinsurance program during a 1:30 p.m. conference call. The call-in number is 1-888-585-9008. The conference code is 973664296.
