COVID-19 legal protections for health industry backed
A measure that would provide broad immunity to nursing homes, hospitals and physicians from coronavirus-related lawsuits moved through a Florida Senate committee Wednesday, despite warnings from Democrats that the legislation would prevent people from pursuing legitimate claims.
Florida vaccine totals top $2 million
More than 2 million people in Florida have been vaccinated against COVID-19, with most ages 65 and older, according to numbers released Monday by the state Department of Health.
House, Senate roll out different bills for health-care protections
Lawmakers are poised this year to pass legislation to protect health-care providers and other types of businesses from lawsuits related to COVID-19.
But while the House and Senate unveiled identical bills for non-health care businesses, their proposals aren’t the same when it comes to legal protections for long-term care providers, hospitals, physicians and other parts of the health-care industry.
Confederate holidays targeted
A proposal is back in the Florida Senate that would end legal holidays marking the birthdays of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee and Confederate President Jefferson Davis, along with Confederate Memorial Day.
Judge refuses to dismiss COVID-19 case against Publix
As Florida lawmakers move quickly to try to shield businesses from coronavirus-related lawsuits, a Miami-Dade County circuit judge has refused to dismiss a case against Publix Super Markets that stems from the COVID-19 death of a deli worker.
Local money requests pile up amid budget warnings
Two major local funding requests, including a proposal to help a community devastated by Hurricane Michael, were filed last week, as legislative leaders reminded lawmakers that the upcoming state budget will be tight.
Court refers ‘Grim Reaper’ case to Florida Bar
An appeals court wants The Florida Bar to consider taking action against a Panhandle attorney who pursued a high-profile case seeking to force Gov. Ron DeSantis to close beaches because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Senate looking for salary information
Hundreds of organizations that receive state dollars are being asked to provide information about the salaries of their top executives to the Florida Senate in the next two weeks.
Florida Senate staff members compiled an eight-page list of organizations that would supply salary information. Collectively, those organizations received more than $191 million in recurring funding in this year’s state budget.
Why not Key West?
COVID-19 safety protocols require people offering public comments during Senate committee meetings to appear on camera from the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center, a few blocks west of the Capitol.
Why not the Marina Civic Center in Panama City, Michael & Libby Johnson Center for Civic Engagement in Daytona Beach or the Monroe County Public Library in Key West?
Democrats want lawmakers to have more say on federal aid
House Democrats want assurances from Gov. Ron DeSantis’ office that the Legislature will be involved if another round of coronavirus-related federal aid is approved by Congress.