Court: Firms in bankruptcy blocked from PPP loans
In a Florida case that could have broader implications, a federal appeals court Tuesday upheld a U.S. Small Business Administration decision that prevents businesses from receiving Paycheck Protection Program loans if they are in bankruptcy proceedings.
A three-judge panel of the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals overturned a decision by U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Michael Williamson, who sided with Gateway Radiology Consultants, a Pinellas County medical practice that filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2019 and sought a $527,710 loan under the Paycheck Protection Program.
State adds 24,000 jobless claims as Trump ponders relief bill
Florida’s unemployment agency awaits a decision by President Donald Trump about the latest federal-stimulus package, which could provide $300 a week in assistance after Christmas to jobless residents.
Congress passed the long-sought $900 billion COVID-19 relief package this week, teeing it up for action by Trump.
Bridge toll battle goes to appeals court
Bondholders have gone to a state appeals court as they seek to force the Florida Department of Transportation to pay damages because of lost toll revenues on a long-controversial Panhandle bridge.
Fired analyst files lawsuit over search
A fired Florida Department of Health data analyst who contends Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration has manipulated COVID-19 statistics filed a lawsuit Sunday alleging state law-enforcement agents violated her rights when they searched her home and hauled away computer equipment.
DeSantis calls reservoir a top environmental priority
Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday backed a controversial reservoir being built in the Everglades while announcing the state will use a pool of environmental money to help Miami-Dade County protect Biscayne Bay from continued degradation.
DeSantis said his office will continue to support the $1.6 billion Everglades Agricultural Area reservoir, which was approved by the Legislature in 2017 but has recently been questioned by new Senate President Wilton Simpson, R-Trilby.
Signature requirements jump for ballot initiatives
It will be a lot harder to put proposed constitutional amendments on the 2022 ballot in Florida.
Heavy turnout in this year’s election and a new law that seeks to limit ballot initiatives have driven up the number of petition signatures that groups will have to submit to get on the ballot in 2022 and to trigger crucial reviews by the Florida Supreme Court.
Pfizer, Moderna vaccines rolling into state
Florida is receiving a shipment of about 120,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses from Pfizer this week and will get another 360,000-plus doses of a vaccine from Moderna, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Monday.
The second shipment of the Pfizer vaccine will come days after DeSantis announced what was expected to be a week-long delay in the new supply.
Signature requirements jump for ballot initiatives
It will be a lot harder to put proposed constitutional amendments on the 2022 ballot in Florida. Heavy turnout in this year’s election and a new law that seeks to limit ballot initiatives have driven up the number of petition signatures that groups will have to submit to get on the ballot in 2022 and […]
State rep seeks hands-free cell use behind wheel
After helping craft a 2019 law that strengthened Florida’s ban on texting while driving, Rep. Emily Slosberg, D-Boca Raton, is seeking to require motorists to go fully “hands free” while using wireless phones.
House Senate releases COVID protocols
State legislative leaders Friday released contrasting COVID-19 protocols for upcoming committee meetings, with the Senate setting up an off-site area where the public can view and participate in meetings amid the pandemic. Under Senate President Wilton Simpson’s plan, members of the public will have to watch remotely and testify from a civic center a few […]