Backroom briefing: sewing seeds for 2021
Hours before Wednesday’s presidential inauguration, U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz sent social media aflutter by trolling toward the 2022 election cycle.
By the numbers: COVID-19 vaccinations by county
Through Tuesday, Florida totaled 1,122,405 COVID-19 vaccinations. Here is a breakdown of vaccinations by the recipients’ counties of residence:
— Miami-Dade; 130,156
— Palm Beach: 100,575
Trump supporters sparse at state capitol
After preparation for potentially large-scale protests, only about 10 supporters of President Donald Trump waved signs to motorists outside Florida’s Capitol on Wednesday as President Joe Biden was sworn into office in Washington, D.C.
Senate eyes business liability protections
Like the House, the Florida Senate appears ready to move quickly on a proposal that would provide COVID-19 liability protections to businesses.
DeSantis targets vaccination tourism
Gov. Ron DeSantis is working on guidelines meant to stop COVID-19 vaccination “tourism” in Florida.
Rivkees says state vaccine is ‘supply limited’
As Gov. Ron DeSantis barnstorms the state announcing new COVID-19 vaccination sites, a top health-care adviser acknowledged Tuesday on a phone call with hospital officials that Florida is in a “supply-limited situation.”
Surgeon General Scott Rivkees said in the statewide phone call that he does not know when additional “first doses” of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines will be sent to the state or how many doses would be in a potential future delivery.
State grapples with property insurance
Alarmed by double-digit rate increases and policies pouring into the state-backed Citizens Property Insurance Corp., Florida lawmakers and insurance officials are grappling with how to bolster the insurance market for homeowners.
Major punitive damages award upheld in tobacco case
Pointing in part to “reprehensible” conduct, a federal appeals court Tuesday upheld a $20.7 million punitive-damages award against Philip Morris USA in a Florida case filed by a woman who first tried cigarettes at age 13 and later suffered from a smoking-related illness.
Online sales tax collection goes to state senate committee
A proposal that would require more online sellers to collect Florida sales taxes and turn the money over to the state will appear Monday before the Senate Commerce and Tourism Committee.
By the numbers: COVID vaccinations by age
Through Sunday, Florida totaled 1,031,795 COVID-19 vaccinations. Gov. Ron DeSantis has focused heavily on vaccinating people ages 65 and older. Here is a breakdown of vaccinations by age group:
— Ages 16 to 24: 18,053