Staff Reports
Last Call — A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics.
First Shot
The Florida Chamber of Commerce will spend the 2021 Legislative Session advocating for COVID-19 liability protections and online sales tax reform as well as “key investments” to boost the economy over the long-term.
The organization detailed its 2021 priority list Tuesday and said passing liability protections, in particular, was imperative for the state’s economic recovery.
“Personal injury trial lawyers are planning to make this already formidable challenge even more wrought with uncertainty by using the pandemic as a reason to sue local businesses,” said Chas Bailes, the CEO of ABC Fine Wine & Spirits and Chair of the Florida Chamber Policy Council.
Bailes said the Chamber wants “timely, targeted and temporary” protections, not “blanket immunity” and cited a recent poll showing broad support for the protections among Florida voters.
Online sales tax reform may be a tougher sell, with opponents labeling it as a tax increase. But Debbie Harvey, the president and COO Ron Jon Surf Shop, said it was a matter of “leveling the playing field” for brick and mortars.
“Florida is one of only two states that do not require out-of-state vendors to collect online sales tax at the time of purchase. It is extremely important to Florida businesses to level the playing field for those of us with a physical presence in Florida and who employ Floridians,” said Harvey, who is also a past Chair of the Florida Chamber’s Small Business Council.
Florida Chamber President and CEO Mark Wilson reiterated the need for liability protections and sales tax modernization but said lawmakers need to focus on the long-term when crafting the state budget.
He said the Chamber will push for lawmakers to make investments in infrastructure projects, VISIT FLORIDA funding and “legislation that will incentivize high-value credentials, targeted degrees and certifications” that equip Florida workers the skills employers are looking for.
Coronavirus Numbers
Positive cases:
— 1,705,632 FL residents (+10,332 since Monday)
— 32,008 Non-FL residents (+199 since Monday)
Origin:
— 13,885 Travel related
— 640,823 Contact with a confirmed case
— 18,910 Both
— 1,032,014 Under investigation
Hospitalizations:
— 72,858 in FL
Deaths:
— 27,269 in FL
Evening Reads
“At least one dead as FBI agents shot while serving warrant in Sunrise. Gunman believed dead” via David Neal, Michelle Marchante, Jay Weaver and David Ovalle of The Miami Herald
“Dems: Donald Trump aimed ‘loaded cannon’ of supporters at Capitol” via Eric Tucker of The Associated Press
“Trump pollster’s campaign autopsy paints damning picture of defeat” via Alex Isenstadt of POLITICO
“Joe Biden administration to begin shipping vaccine doses directly to pharmacies” via David Lim of POLITICO
“Will Florida Republicans face corporate blowback for election conspiracies?” via Steve Contorno of the Tampa Bay Times
“Marco Rubio ‘can’t judge’ Biden’s mental state” via A.G. Gancarski of Florida Politics
“Put students first and open schools — here’s what we should do if teacher unions refuse” via Marco Rubio for Fox News
“Fact check: Rick Scott’s zombie claim about voter fraud in 2018” via Glenn Kessler of The Washington Post
“Facing shortfall, fiscal hawk Ron DeSantis reaches for a federal largesse” via Gray Rohrer of the Orlando Sentinel
“DeSantis touts proposal to rein in ‘big tech cartel’” via John Kennedy for the Herald-Tribune
“Nikki Fried proposes extensive partnership plan with Biden White House” via Jason Delgado of Florida Politics
“Al Lawson said to be considering 2022 run for Governor” via A.G. Gancarski of Florida Politics
“In Florida, flexible education paves the way for promising futures” via Kamden Kuhn for the Tampa Bay Times
“What Senate Bill 48 does” via redefinED
“Public notice bill would make knowing what government is up to harder” via USA Today-Florida editorial board
“Legislator profile: Evan Jenne, the policy guy” via Karen Murphy of The Capitolist
“Florida consumer confidence up in January, full recovery far off” via Drew Dixon of Florida Politics
“Pinellas, Pasco counties added to Publix COVID-19 vaccine distribution” via Kelly Hayes of Florida Politics
Quote of the Day
“I believe that where the Governor and the Republican leadership is today is more a knee-jerk reaction and for politicking and not real policy. We need to be looking at the policy of the tech companies.” — Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, after Ron DeSantis declared war on the ‘big tech cartel.’
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