Staff Reports
Last Call — A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics.
First Shot
As Florida grapples with the coronavirus pandemic, another looming threat has been put on the back burner: Hurricane season.
With a little over 50 days remaining to prepare, U.S. Sens. Marco Rubio and Rick Scott have asked Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Peter Gaynor to issue guidance on how Floridians should handle the possibly coinciding threats of a pandemic and a hurricane.
“With hurricanes, early planning and preparation is key, and while officials are currently focused on the pandemic, we must start thinking about June 1,” the pair wrote.
“This is especially important in light of current social distancing protocols. To ensure our communities are properly prepared, we urge FEMA to issue guidance to state and local governments, tribes and territories regarding hurricane preparedness and response that addresses the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines and procedures in the wake of the Coronavirus,” the pair wrote.
The 2020 season is expected to be an active one. Scientists predict eight hurricanes — four of them Category 3 or higher — will form. The chance of one of them making landfall in the U.S. is a coin flip.
There’s a chance the coronavirus outbreak could be on the downswing by then. Models currently predict Florida will hit its peak later this month or in early May. But hurricane season lasts into November and public health experts predict it will strike again in the fall.
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When a ruling gets handed down in the federal felon voting rights case, it will affect a far greater number of Floridians than the handful who filed suit.
The case challenging the Legislatures controversial Amendment 4 implementing bill was filed by 17 felons who say requiring the payment of fines and fees to get their voting rights back is akin to a “poll tax.”
On Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle said no matter his decision in the case, it will apply to all felons, not just those named in the suit.
It’s estimated that more than 400,000 felons would regain voting rights if no for the fine and fee provisions in the implementing bill Gov. Ron DeSantis signed into law last year.
Florida Rights Restoration Coalition Director Desmond Meade, one of the architects behind Amendment 4, lauded the decision.
“We are pleased that the court appears to be consistent in placing people over politics, which is the approach we have maintained since the start of our Amendment 4 campaign,” he said.
There’s reason to believe the eventual ruling will favor felons, as thus far Hinkle has ruled the fines and fees provision unconstitutional and ordered the plaintiffs be allowed to vote without paying up.
That order has since been upheld by a federal appeals court.
Coronavirus Numbers
Positive cases:
— 15,234 FL residents (+231 since 10 a.m. Wednesday)
— 464 Non-FL residents (+11 since 10 a.m. Wednesday)
Origin:
— 1,277 Travel related
— 3,015 Contact with a confirmed case
— 903 Both
— 10,039 Under investigation
Hospitalizations:
— 2,082 in FL
Deaths:
— 323 in FL
Evening Reads
“Even as deaths mount, officials see signs pandemic’s toll may not match worst fears” via Brady Dennis, William Wan and David A. Fahrenthold of The Washington Post
“Feds eye loosening rules to allow some to return to work” via the Associated Press
“Donald Trump and Florida, a love affair” via Elaina Plott of the New York Times
“Florida travelers with coronavirus visited 46 U.S. states, 75 foreign destinations before diagnosis” via Ryan Mills of the USA Today Network
“Ron DeSantis wants to check international travelers with ‘rapid’ coronavirus test” via Renzo Downey of Florida Politics
“Florida ban on evictions leaves small businesses exposed” via Caroline Glenn and Jason Garcia of the Orlando Sentinel
“COVID-19 is forcing big changes for Floridians and their rights, but is all of this strictly legal?” via Michael Moline and Laura Cassels of the Florida Phoenix
“Kathy Castor, Charlie Crist call on DeSantis to beef up unemployment benefits” via Janelle Irwin of Florida Politics
“COVID-19 in prisons puts inmates, families on edge” via Ana Ceballos of the News Service of Florida
“As coronavirus bears down, sick Corrine Brown wants out of prison” via A.G. Gancarski of Florida Politics
“Florida’s communities of color face COVID-19 disparities” via Isaac Morgan of the Florida Phoenix
“Officials target April 20 opening for field hospital at Miami Beach Convention Center” via Ryan Nicol of Florida Politics
“Charlotte Figi, the Colorado girl who inspired the CBD movement, dies from coronavirus” via John Ingold of the Colorado Sun
“Initiatives, VISIT FLORIDA bills go to Ron DeSantis” via the News Service of Florida
“Bernie Sanders suspends his presidential campaign” via Holly Otterbein and David Siders of POLITICO
“Federal judge expands ruling to include all Florida felons” via Lawrence Mower of Tampa Bay Times
“Byron Donalds raises $335K — from more than 3,000 donors — for congressional bid” via Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics
“Donna Shalala talked up as Joe Biden’s running mate by New York Times columnist” via Kevin Derby of Florida Daily
“Deputies: Florida EMT fed up with COVID-19 precautions intentionally coughed on cashier” via Kevin Connolly of Bay News 9
Quote of the Day
“Please think about your fellow Floridians and be mindful that your community neighbors will also need these products. We must work together to get through these challenging times.” — Attorney General Ashley Moody, urging consumers not to hoard essential goods.
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