Legislative Update - September 24, 2021

Legislative Update - September 24, 2021

Keyna Cory | Public Affairs Consultants

Greetings - it has been a busy week in Tallahassee!  The Legislature held its first round of interim committee meetings.  Finally, the public was allowed in the Capitol.  The House Republicans designed the next Speaker.  Governor Ron DeSantis appointed a new Surgeon General and Chief of Staff.  And we have another storm heading our way … Hurricane Sam has formed, becoming the seventh of 2021 Atlantic hurricane season. 

Below are articles about these issues and more ...

Governor DeSantis …

General Counsel James Uthmeier will become Gov. Ron DeSantis’ new Chief of Staff as current chief Adrian Lukis departs the administration next month.

Uthmeier, a Destin native, has served as General Counsel since October 2020 and first began working in DeSantis’ legal office as Deputy General Counsel in March 2019.

Before joining the DeSantis administration, Uthmeier served as a senior adviser and counsel to U.S. Department of Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross and an associate at the law firm Jones Day. He is also an adjunct professor at Florida State University.

Lukis was elevated from Deputy to head Chief of Staff in March. However, Lukis didn’t plan to stick around long because of his young family.  Lukis’ last day — and Uthmeier’s first — will be Oct. 1.

"Ron DeSantis' new Surgeon General questions masks, vaccines, other COVID-19 measures" via Gray Rohrer and Steven Lemongello of the Orlando Sentinel — New state Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo said he was a signer of the Great Barrington Declaration, a statement from a group of scientists in October 2020 that called for herd immunity through natural infection. It was immediately blasted by the scientific community, including an open letter to the medical journal The Lancet signed by more than 80 researchers that called the theory "a dangerous fallacy unsupported by scientific evidence. ... It is not feasible to restrict uncontrolled outbreaks to particular sections of society."

"New Florida Surgeon General often takes contrary positions on COVID-19 policy, treatment" via Kirby Wilson of the Miami Herald/Tampa Bay Times — For the first year and a half of the coronavirus pandemic in Florida, it was difficult to heed the advice of Florida's top health official — Dr. Scott Rivkees — because he rarely publicly shared his views. That won't be a problem for Rivkees' successor, Dr. Ladapo. In more than a dozen published columns in major newspapers, Ladapo has frequently deviated from the medical establishment consensus. In the USA Today piece at the start of the pandemic, for instance, Ladapo warned that American economic shutdowns would not stop the spread of the virus. That piece was published four days after DeSantis issued a series of restrictions via executive order curtailing activities at bars, restaurants and gyms.

"Florida's new Surgeon General to make $462,000 a year in dual roles" via Gray Rohrer of the Orlando Sentinel — Ladapo will make $462,000 a year in his dual role as chief of the Department of Health and a member of the faculty at the University of Florida. Ladapo will be a professor at the UF College of Medicine, a tenure-track position subject to approval by the UF Board of Trustees. He will receive $262,000 in that job, in addition to his $200,000 salary as surgeon general and secretary of the Department of Health. UF anticipates the health agency "will contribute a significant portion of this salary based on the percentage of time he dedicates to the surgeon general role," UF spokesman Ken Garcia wrote in an email.

“Charlie Crist wants newly minted Surgeon General fired over new COVID-19 rules” via Anne Geggis of Florida Politics — It’s only Dr. Joseph Ladapo’s second day as Florida’s Surgeon General and Crist already wants him removed for what he calls a “reckless” order that leaves it up to parents whether their COVID-19-exposed child should stay home from school. Crist hosted an online event Thursday with school officials, parents, and a teacher to decry the action, which he says is going to remove a layer of protection for the most vulnerable children, many of them who are too young to get vaccinated against COVID-19. Hiring an anti-mask, vaccine skeptic to be the state’s top doctor is another way for DeSantis to go “soft on COVID,” Crist said.

Florida Legislature …

The Florida House was open to the public this week but will had several safety protocols in place, as a surge in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations throughout the state wanes. Lawmakers were in Tallahassee this week for the first round of committee meetings leading up to the 2022 legislative session, which begins Jan. 11. The House will “continue to implement measures so that participants in our legislative process can engage with their Representatives safely,” House Speaker Pro Tempore Bryan Avila, R-Miami Springs, wrote in a memo to members Monday. Under House protocols, masks will be optional for state representatives, their staff and the public. However, visitors “are also expected to observe masking and additional safety measures if requested by a member for their individual office or by the (committee) chair for their office suite,” Avila said. And for House employees and interns, masks worn in the Capitol “must present a professional appearance and may not have an advocacy message.” Seating in House committee meetings will be “distanced and available on a first-come, first-served basis” for visitors, according to Avila’s memo. The House also will have medical-grade air filters and hand sanitizers in committee rooms.

The Senate also is not planning to limit public access during committee weeks, President Wilton Simpson, R-Trilby said in a memo earlier this month. During the 2021 legislative session that ended this spring, the Capitol complex was largely closed to the public. Lobbyists and other visitors were required to register online ahead of attending House committee meetings in-person. Members of the public and lobbyists were not permitted to attend Senate committee meetings in person during the 2021 session, but could address committees from a remote location near the Capitol.

“Democratic leadership warns of Capitol COVID-19 outbreak as lawmakers reconvene” via Renzo Downey of Florida Politics — Democratic leadership is concerned the House’s COVID-19 protocols for committee weeks aren’t strong enough, and at least one key member fears it could lead to an outbreak. Rep. Bryan Avila announced the Republican-led House’s protocols Monday morning, two hours before the first committee meeting in advance of the 2022 Session. House Democratic Co-Leader Evan Jenne criticized those protocols for not being as strict at a time when lawmakers return to Tallahassee, and COVID-19 transmission remain at a high rate.

House Republican elect new Speaker … Rep. Paul Renner formally became the next speaker of the Florida House on Tuesday, as the Palm Coast Republican prepares to move into one of the most-powerful positions in the state after the 2022 elections.

Renner, an attorney who retired from the U.S. Navy as a commander, will succeed House Speaker Chris Sprowls, R-Palm Harbor.

Addressing House colleagues during a designation ceremony, Renner spoke of his time in the military and his religious upbringing as the son of a pastor and a school teacher. Renner emphasized that he wants to protect the Second Amendment and other freedoms and billed Florida Republicans as “the champions for ‘We the People.’”

Renner didn’t provide much detail during the speech about issues he might prioritize as speaker. Sen. Kathleen Passidomo, R-Naples, is slated Oct. 19 to be formally designated as the next Senate president.

“Two years ago, when I sat where you’re sitting now and the speaker was standing here, none of us could have imagined the existence or effects of COVID-19. I do not pretend to know what the world will look like in 14 months or what new challenges we might face,” Renner said.

Renner, who is currently chairman of the Rules Committee, said his view on respecting dissenting opinions extends to the minority party in the Republican-dominated House, saying it is “really important” for Democrats to have their voices heard.

With abortion legislation shaping up to be a closely-watched issue in the Legislature, Renner didn’t directly answer Tuesday whether he would support a ban on abortion.

“Look, I want to move in a pro-life direction. And I think we also have to balance …. differing views and where the state of Florida is, where are the residents of Florida. And I suspect that they’re somewhere in between, neither to (back) abortion for any reason any time, or an outright ban on abortion,” Renner said.

Renner said the Florida House won’t seek to mimic a new Texas law that prohibits abortions after the presence of a fetal heartbeat is detected, which can occur six weeks into a pregnancy.

“We’re not going to follow Texas’ lead necessarily, we’ll follow our own lead. And again, hear from all sides, have a real deep conversation about the balancing of interests on both sides and land in a place that I hope moves us in a direction towards a pro-life decision,” Renner told reporters.

Renner was first elected to the House in a 2015 special election in a district in Flagler, St. Johns and Volusia counties. That came after he lost a 2014 primary election for a Duval County House seat by two votes --- out of more than 11,900 cast.

"Paul Renner denounces division, highlights GOP in designation speech" via Renzo Downey of Florida Politics — Renner touted freedom while rejecting division that stifles opposing thought in his designation speech. In a speech that at times condemned division and at others stoked it, the new Speaker-Designate decried division and radicalism while touting the Republican vision. While dismissing political labels, Renner highlighted "two directions, two distinct visions," one moving toward and one away from freedom. Renner denounced social media bans, group guilt, and marginalizing opposing viewpoints as a negative vision. The radical views remind him of the false promises made in Cuba, he added. "Bullying people to conform to a narrow set of ideals is not progressive, and it certainly isn't American," Renner said.

"Manny Diaz wants to 'review' existing non-COVID-19 vaccine mandates" via Christine Jordan Sexton of Florida Politics+ — Florida's ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic will continue to be a major focus during the 2022 Legislative Session for Sen. Diaz, the top Republican shaping health care policy in the upper chamber. His work could include revisiting existing vaccine requirements long in place in schools, a response to the debate about whether COVID-19 vaccines should also be required. Diaz, who came down with COVID-19 last winter, said he wants to review the state's vaccination efforts as well as DeSantis' work on getting monoclonal antibody treatments to those who test positive for COVID-19. The Senator, who acknowledges he hasn't gotten a COVID-19 vaccine, says he's firmly against vaccine mandates.

Health Care and Pandemics Committee: Hospital Exec Criticizes White House for Regeneron Limits - A Florida hospital CEO told a House committee Monday that he's disappointed with the Biden Administration for limiting the number of doses of monoclonal antibody treatments for COVID going to Florida in a federal bid to spread the supply to other states. "This change is going to hurt people in Florida," Tampa General Hospital CEO John Couris told the House Pandemics and Public Emergencies Committee. "It's already starting to make us, for example, think about how we are going to have to limit the hours of operations associated with our ability to provide this life-saving therapy." Tampa Bay Times / Florida Politics

Florida hospitals, overwhelmed with COVID, describe nursing shortage, financial hits - Hospital administrators on Monday gave House committees a glimpse into the challenges facing health care professionals, describing efforts to reimagine how care is delivered amid a nursing shortage and sizable financial hit from the COVID-19 pandemic. At the forefront of the concerns is a shortage of nurses, which the executives told lawmakers has created an emergency for hospital administrators. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]

“Aaron Bean wants to fix some long-standing health care budget woes” via Christine Jordan Sexton of Florida Politics — Bean, entering his final Session in the Florida Legislature, is hopeful Florida’s budget surplus can be used to fix long-standing holes in the state’s health care programs. Bean is spending his last year in office as chair of the Senate committee overseeing health care spending, usually a job that requires legislators to grapple with budget deficits, waiting lists or enrollment surges. It’s no different this year as Florida projects to see its overall Medicaid enrollment surpass 5 million due to the turmoil caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. But Florida’s improving economy and billions in extra federal aid, including a higher Medicaid reimbursement rate, has put the state in a “great position,” Bean said. That could give the state a chance to shore up programs that haven’t seen rate hikes in years

House Health Care Approps Hears Budget Requests - The House Health Care budget subcommittee today will hear overviews of the budget requests the Agency for Persons with Disabilities, the Department of Elder Affairs, and the Florida Department of Veterans' Affairs. LobbyTools / Committee Packet 

"State delays start of 'negotiated rule-making' for neonatal intensive care beds" via Christine Jordan Sexton of Florida Politics — A top health care official told members of a House panel the state wants to "aggressively" move forward with new rules governing the establishment and operation of neonatal intensive care units in Florida. AHCA Deputy Secretary for Health Quality Assurance Kim Smoak did not tell members of the House Finance & Facilities Subcommittee the agency delayed the meeting Sept. 30-Oct. 1 to Oct. 25-26. Following the meeting, an AHCA official attributed the delay, in part, to the need for the agency to hire a mediator to help negotiate rules that competing hospitals can agree upon. Moreover, the agency also needs time to review applications that have been submitted by people who want to be part of the negotiated rule-making panel.

Bill Would Prohibit Abortions Once Fetal Heartbeat Detected, with Enforcement Through Civil Lawsuits - Legislation filed in the Florida House on Wednesday (HB 167) would prohibit abortions once a fetal heartbeat is detectable, with enforcement through private lawsuits rather than by criminal prosecution. The bill, filed by Rep. Webster Barnaby, R-Deltona, says anyone other than an officer or employee of the state or a local government can bring a civil lawsuit against doctors who perform such abortions or anyone who pays for the abortion or otherwise "aids and abets" the procedure. Such cases would have to include damages of at least $10,000 if the plaintiffs win under the measure. The proposal is similar to a new law in Texas that was recently upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court. Orlando Sentinel / USA Today Network / Associated Press / NBC News / WPTV

Chris Sprowls asks Erin Grall, Colleen Burton to explore options for abortion bill — House Speaker Sprowls said while he has been consistently anti-abortion, any state bill limiting abortion rights would need clear hurdles set in Article I, Section 23 of the Florida Constitution, which guarantees Floridians a right to privacy. "Our laws have to be strong enough to jump through multiple levels of judicial scrutiny. We look forward to bringing to the floor a bill that saves every unborn life possible," he said. "I have asked House Judiciary Committee Chairwoman Grall and House Health & Human Services Chairwoman Burton to review the various proposals, look at other ideas, and take point on this issue this Session."

 "Ron DeSantis bobbles question about the bill" via A.G. Gancarski of Florida Politics — Asked to compare and contrast "The Florida Heartbeat Act" (HB 167), called "freedom of choice during the pandemic," DeSantis fumbled and ultimately offered an inconclusive answer. "Well, I think the difference is between, uh, the right to life is that another life is at stake. Whereas whether you're doing stuff is really ... if you've put something in your body or not, it doesn't affect other people. So that's in terms of protecting another life," he asserted, choosing generalities over policy specifics. DeSantis demurred that he had not "seen what was there … I have a 100% pro-life record and very much have supported when I was in Congress and signed as Governor."

Redistricting - Lawmakers begin work this week redrawing the state's political boundaries as the Senate Reapportionment Committee holds its first meeting. Florida is getting one new congressional district. Miami Herald / USA Today Network / Reapportionment Committee Packet

Senate Will Try to Reduce Outside Influence on Redrawing of Districts - The head of the Senate's redistricting committee said Monday that the Senate may redraw political boundaries this coming year without the public meetings it used a decade ago to collect citizen input as it operates under new rules intended to blunt the influence of political consultants and interest groups on the process. Senate Reapportionment Committee Chairman Ray Rodrigues said the goal of new Senate rules is to prevent political consultants from illegally influencing redistricting. Any proposal submitted by the public will need a Senate sponsor to be considered by that chamber, and residents testifying before the committee will have to disclose if they are a lobbyist and if they received any compensation to appear before the committee. Miami Herald / Orlando Sentinel 

Legislature launches redistricting website — The Legislature on Wednesday debuted a joint redistricting webpage that features an interactive map drawing function that allows the public to draw and submit redistricting plans. A news release announcing the website says the website's GIS backbone includes the "data necessary to build districts down to the census block level." Senate President Wilton Simpson said, "staff have been working tirelessly to integrate recently received census data with the new map-drawing application so legislators and the public can appropriately and actively participate in this once-in-a-decade process in a tangible and meaningful way." House Speaker Sprowls added that the website launch "marks an exciting milestone for this redistricting cycle."

Check out the website here.  Florida Redistricting Press Release

“Lawmakers play nice over redistricting process — for now” via Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics — The truncated but still months long process of redrawing Florida’s state and federal jurisdictions rolled forward Thursday. Two committees met simultaneously, further showcasing newly available tools for drawing and submitting maps. For now, the infamously partisan process remains cordial and friendly. Rep. Kelly Skidmore, the ranking Democrat on the House Congressional Redistricting Subcommittee, said she looked forward to the challenge of “fair and legal districts” that comply with an anti-gerrymandering amendment passed by voters just over a decade ago. There’s been plenty of skepticism over whether that will happen.

“Senate studies Central Florida growth as reapportionment gets underway” via Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics — Senate District 15 has half the population it had last decade. A half dozen Congressional districts in Florida remain short of the ideal population. The state is also home to the fastest-growing metropolitan area in the county, namely The Villages. Those are among some findings lawmakers are discussing as legislative committee meetings launch ahead of the 2022 Legislative Session. As the Senate begins the work of redrawing boundaries for now 28 U.S. House districts and every seat in the Florida Legislature, facts will shape the dialogue and Florida’s political boundaries. Looming over the matter, though, remains the court battle that ultimately upended most of the work on redistricting by lawmakers a decade ago.

“Personnel note: Lauren Book shakes up Senate Minority Office for new Session” via Renzo Downey of Florida Politics — Book announced a shake-up among Minority Office staff ahead of the first committee week of the 2022 Legislative Session. Among those asked to leave the office are Staff Director David Cox, Communications Director Michelle DeMarco, Staff Attorney Stuart Rimland and Administrative Assistant Sherese Gainous. There is no word yet on who will replace the departing staffers. Interim meetings in advance of the 2022 Session begin Monday. The 60-day Legislative Session will start on Jan. 11. The Minority Office supports both Democratic Leadership as well as members of the Democratic Caucus. Book took the helm of the Senate Democratic Caucus in April, three days before the end of the 2021 Session, after Democrats ousted Sen. Gary Farmer as leader of the minority Party in what some described as a coup.

Maggie Gerson will be the staff director for Democrats in the Florida Senate and Cathy Schroeder will be deputy staff director, Senate Democratic Leader Lauren Book announced Tuesday. Gerson spent 15 years as a prosecutor in Miami-Dade County, and later served as chief of staff to Sen. Jason Pizzo. Schroeder has worked in public affairs and communications in Tallahassee for two decades. Senate Democrats Press Release

COVID-19 …

“Florida COVID-19 update: 1,213 deaths and 4,215 cases added to tally, fewer in hospital” via Devoun Cetoute of the Miami Herald — Florida on Thursday reported 1,213 more deaths and 4,215 additional COVID-19 cases to the CDC. According to the Herald analysis, all but 131 of the newly reported deaths — about 89% — occurred since Aug. 26. About 56% of the newly reported died in the past two weeks, the analysis showed. The majority of deaths happened during Florida’s latest surge in COVID-19 cases, fueled by the delta variant. In all, Florida has recorded at least 3,531,465 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 53,105 deaths. In the past seven days, on average, the state has added 328 deaths and 8,227 cases to the cumulative daily total, according to Herald calculations of CDC data.

“50,000 Floridians killed by COVID-19, taking only one month since 40,000 died” via Chris Persaud of The Palm Beach Post — It took nearly six months for Florida's COVID-19 death toll to climb to about 40,000 from 30,000, but just over a month for the state to surpass 50,000 lives lost to what health officials are increasingly calling a preventable disease. COVID-19 has killed 50,811 Florida residents, the CDC reported Thursday. In June, Florida health officials stopped reporting daily fatality counts to the public, instead sending statistics directly to the CDC instead.

COVID Deaths Continuing to Rise, but New Cases Declining  - The daily average number of new COVID cases reported in Florida dropped this past week to the lowest it has been since July, and some hospitals have started to report a leveling off in the surge that has hit them hard over the last two months. Deaths from the virus, however, which tend to lag cases and hospitalizations, continued to increase last week, rising by nearly 2,500 from the week before, the largest weekly increase in the state since the start of the pandemic. There were 11,275 new cases reported on Friday in Florida. The state was averaging more than 21,000 cases a day a month ago. Florida Politics / Associated Press / Bradenton Herald

"DeSantis says monoclonal antibody brought Florida COVID-19 ER visits down 70%" via Brendan Cole of Newsweek — DeSantis has said that monoclonal antibody treatment is having a significant effect on COVID-19 cases in his state, as he continues to lock horns with the Joe Biden administration over the distribution of the therapy. Along with other GOP Governors, DeSantis has championed the treatment that lessens the severity of COVID-19 symptoms, which he sees as a key pandemic-fighting policy, along with promoting vaccines. However, DeSantis faces criticism for his opposition to mask mandates and has joined other GOP Governors in threatening legal action to prevent the order announced by Biden to mandate vaccinations for workers at some companies.

“Florida purchases GlaxoSmithKline monoclonal antibody as federal reduction continues” via Renzo Downey of Florida Politics — The DeSantis administration has purchased 3,000 doses of GlaxoSmithKline’s monoclonal antibody treatment after the Biden administration reduced the federal supply of Regeneron’s version of the coronavirus-fighting drug by more than half. Speaking in Tampa, DeSantis told reporters the state would soon receive that shipment and could use it to offset the declining federal distributions. The news comes eight days after DeSantis met with leadership from GlaxoSmithKline, the pharmaceutical company that produces the latest monoclonal antibody therapy to receive federal approval, sotrovimab.

Fried Asks Biden to Reconsider Regeneron Distribution Plan - Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried Fried sent a letter to President Joe Biden requesting him to delay and reconsider new federal distribution rules around Regeneron monoclonal antibody treatments. She is asking the Biden administration to postpone orders at least until Florida’s COVID-19 case counts continue to decline. Fried Press Release / Florida Politics

A Florida State Trooper from Fort Myers has died of complications from COVID-19. The virus has been the leading cause of death for law enforcement officers the past two years. Florida Politics / WFLA / Fort Myers News-Press

“South Florida governments push back against DeSantis’ proposed $5K vaccine mandate fine” via Anne Geggis of Florida Politics

—”Miami-Dade reaches 90% vaccination rate as steady slide in South Florida COVID-19 cases continues” via Ryan Nicol of Florida Politics

“U.S. begins reimbursing Florida school officials docked pay for defying mask mandate ban” via Heidi Przybyla of NBC News — The Biden administration began compensating some Florida school board members whose pay was docked this month for defying DeSantis’ ban on mask mandates, the Department of Education said. As part of the Biden administration’s “Project SAFE” grant program, an initial sum of $148,000 has been awarded to Alachua County school board members who voted this summer to mandate masks in the county’s schools as Florida developed some of the worst rates of COVID-19 infection in the nation. U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona said in a statement that the first wave of reimbursements offers a clear message: You will not be punished for overriding GOP Governors and legislatures to make schools safer for kids.

"COVID-19 quarantines no longer required in schools; parents will decide whether their kids stay home" via Scott Travis and Leslie Postal of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel — Children who have been exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID-19 will no longer have to quarantine unless the parents want them to, under a new emergency rule signed by the state's new Surgeon General. Children can now be sent back to school without quarantining even if they've been exposed to the coronavirus — as long as they have no symptoms. The new rule is likely to intensify the debate over parents' rights vs. the need for public health precautions in schools. Previously, state rules required students to quarantine off campus at least four days after exposure to someone with the virus.

“Ron DeSantis says natural immunity is equal to vaccines. Experts say it’s not so simple” via Bianca Padró Ocasio and Daniel Chang of the Miami Herald — DeSantis is focusing some of his attacks on one main claim: Federal authorities are ignoring the benefits of natural immunity against COVID-19 reinfections. “You can’t tell noble lies to try to get [people] to behave in a way that you think you want them to behave in. And so, we see that time and time again in this issue of natural immunity,” DeSantis said as he introduced the state’s new Surgeon General. Infectious disease experts and vaccine researchers agree it’s way too soon to make declarative statements that ignore the risk of severe illness and omit the mountain of caveats that come with a novel virus that mutates rapidly and which scientists are still struggling to understand.

“U.S. sets the stage for COVID-19 booster shots for millions” via Lauran Neergaard and Mike Stobbe of The Associated Press — The U.S. vaccination drive against COVID-19 stood on the verge of a major new phase as government advisers Thursday recommended booster doses of Pfizer’s vaccine for millions of older or otherwise vulnerable Americans — despite doubts the extra shots will do much to slow the pandemic. Advisers to the CDC said boosters should be offered to people 65 and older, nursing home residents, and those ages 50 to 64 who have risky underlying health problems. The extra dose would be given once they are at least six months past their last Pfizer shot. Still, getting the unvaccinated first shots remains the top priority, and the panel wrestled with whether the booster debate was distracting from that goal.

“Orlando VA no longer leads the nation in active COVID-19 cases, closes mobile ICU” via Caroline Catherman of the Orlando Sentinel — The Orlando Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center closed its mobile intensive care unit on Wednesday, about three weeks after it began using it to treat patients to conserve hospital resources. The facility still limits visitors and screens them for COVID-19. “The Orlando VA Healthcare System has seen a sustained decrease in COVID-19 hospitalizations over the past couple of weeks and has decommissioned the mobile ICU effective today,” wrote spokesperson Heather Frebe. The VA has seen its number of active COVID-19 cases cut in half from 506 two weeks ago to 222 as of Wednesday. Patients occupy 92% of its ICU beds and 72% of its medical and surgical beds.

“AdventHealth Central Florida continues to report drop in COVID-19 hospitalizations as its hospitals remain at green status” via Danielle Prieur of WMFE — There are some 660 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 at AdventHealth Central Florida’s hospitals in seven counties. That represents an almost 50% drop in hospitalizations from the peak in August when about 1,700 people were in its hospital and ICU beds. Chief Clinical Officer Dr. Neil Finkler says, “This slow, but steady decline in new admissions of COVID-19 patients is a positive signal that we continue to head in the right direction.” Finkler urges residents to continue to get vaccinated in order to avoid severe cases of the coronavirus that might result in hospitalization and death. Although hospitalizations are dropping, hospital capacity remains high which is why AdventHealth is still operating under green status.

“Brevard quarantine critics hail rule allowing asymptomatic exposed students to go to class” via Bailey Gallion of Florida Today — Previously, students exposed to COVID-19 were required to quarantine at least four days and could return on the fifth day with a negative COVID-19 test if they did not have symptoms. Parents can now choose to send exposed children to school as long as they remain asymptomatic, or they can quarantine an asymptomatic child for up to seven days. The move runs counter to guidance from the CDC and has been criticized by liberal politicians, some school officials and the state’s largest teachers’ union over fears that it may drive further spread of COVID-19. Some people infected with COVID-19 may never show symptoms, and both they and infected people who are not yet symptomatic can spread the virus.

“Ardian Zika wants insurers, HMOs to cover at home COVID-19 tests” via Christine Jordan Sexton of Florida Politics — Insurance companies and health maintenance organizations could start footing the cost for at-home COVID-19 testing for the next two years if Rep. Zika gets his way. HB 129 bill would require insurance companies and health maintenance organizations to cover the cost of over-the-counter COVID-19 diagnostic test kits, including those with emergency-use authorization. The coverage mandate applies to both the quicker acting, but less accurate, antigen tests as well as the molecular or PCR tests. The bill also makes clear that the test can be used at home or “elsewhere.” The mandate comes as the availability of at-home testing for COVID-19 expands.

“Bill walking back employee vaccine mandate withdrawn from House” via Christine Jordan Sexton of Florida Politics — A House bill that would have pared back an existing vaccine mandate for firefighters, paramedics, emergency medical technicians, law enforcement officers, and correctional officers was withdrawn from further consideration this week. Rep. Elizabeth Fetterhoff had filed a bill late last month that would have added COVID-19 and “infectious diseases” to the list of conditions that, if suffered by an emergency rescue or public safety worker, is presumed to have been contracted while at work. But HB 53 also would have changed the existing law requiring those same employees to be immunized to have presumptive eligibility, which entitles the worker to higher disability and death benefits. The bill was withdrawn, and that provision was dropped from a replacement bill, HB 117.

Elections …

“South Florida’s loss could be Central Florida’s gain as redistricting process begins” via Mary Ellen Klas and Karen Wang of the Miami Herald — Florida legislators will formally launch their reapportionment efforts Monday, armed with the census data that gives Florida one new congressional district and promises to upset legislative and congressional boundaries from Miami to St. Petersburg. The biggest changes will be felt in Central Florida, where Florida’s congressional District 9, held by Rep. Darren Soto, grew faster than any other congressional district in the nation over the last decade, and the region became home to most of the state’s 2.7 million new residents.

Florida Democrats Could Soon Lose Registration Advantage - Registered Republicans have never outnumbered Democrats in Florida, but if a decade-long trend continues, they soon could. New registration numbers released late last week show Democrats with a narrow edge over Republicans of just over 20,000 in voter registration. That advantage was 700,000 in 2008. Politico 

“'All-hands-on-deck crisis': Florida Democrats on verge on losing voter registration advantage” via Matt Dixon of POLITICO — Democrats in Florida are facing a five-alarm political fire headed into the 2022 midterms. They’ve known about it for years but have been unable to extinguish the blaze. Republicans have nearly entirely eroded Democrat’s long-standing voter registration advantage, which at its peak was 700,000 when President Barack Obama won Florida in 2008. At the beginning of 2021, the lead for Democrats was down to roughly 100,000. That advantage has further narrowed to 23,055 over the past eight months.

"Republicans pull nearly even with Democrats in number of registered voters in Florida" via Romy Ellenbogen of the Miami Herald — The gap between Florida's registered Democrats and Republicans, which has been steadily closing nearly every year since 2012, is a few thousand voters away from the GOP pulling ahead for the first time in state history. Despite two decades of Republican dominance on a statewide level, Democrats in Florida have maintained their edge in the number of registered voters. But that lead is now down to about 24,000, according to Florida Department of State data — far from the 558,000-voter-advantage Democrats had nearly a decade ago. There are about 5.1 million Republicans and just slightly more Democrats listed in state data showing active voters as of Aug. 31. There are about 3.8 million NPA voters and about 250,000 minor party voters.

"Democrats commit $30M to Senate battles in Florida, other battleground states" via Scott Powers of Florida Politics — Democrats in Florida and eight other battleground states will split $30 million in a new Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee initiative to establish early grassroots campaigns for U.S. Senate contests. The DSCC's "Defend the Majority Program" represents the committee's largest-ever ground field organizing investment at this point in campaign cycles. The money will go toward helping provide field staff, field offices, and field training programs. That means the Florida Democratic Party, which already has staff assigned to the 2022 U.S. Senate election effort, could get early field organizing help.

Emails Indicate GOP Drafted 2021 Election Bill with Eye on Boosting Republican Election Performance - Internal emails show an election law passed by Florida lawmakers in the spring was drafted with the help the Republican Party and seen as a way for the GOP to erase the advantage Democrats had in mail-in voting during the 2020 election. Politico

“House Democrats lambaste Republicans for seeking advantage with new election law” via Renzo Downey of Florida Politics

“Mike Pence tops Ron DeSantis by double digit margin in shock 2024 poll” via A.G. Gancarski of Florida Politics — For months now, polling of a hypothetical 2024 Republican Presidential Primary field has shown DeSantis as second only to Trump. One survey released Monday shows a deviation to DeSantis’ detriment, however, with DeSantis down more than double digits to one candidate in a fresh survey. Trump’s former Vice President is the non-Trump favorite in a poll of 490 Republican registered voters. They were surveyed by the Center for American Political Studies at Harvard University and the Harris Poll on Sept. 15 and 16. Pence trumps DeSantis with or without the former President in the field. Trump drew 58% support when included, compared to Pence’s 13% and DeSantis’ 9%. Sans Trump, Pence secured 32% support, while DeSantis had just 20%. Pence’s margin tripled.

"Influential donor promises $100K donation if DeSantis entertains 2020 election audit" via Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics — Notable pandemic denier Alfie Oakes, who says he would rather give children heroin than a COVID-19 vaccine, promised to donate $100,000 to DeSantis' reelection if the Governor meets about auditing the 2020 election. The politically influential Naples businessman is part of a public pressure campaign to persuade DeSantis to sit down and talk fraud. Oakes tells right-wing outlets that the idea is to prove through an election audit that in the 2020 election, nearly a million votes were stolen in Florida, a state that former Trump won by more than 370,000 votes. Show that's possible — even in a state where Republicans control state government — and it will prove that in some states won by Biden, the fix was in.

Other news …

Gov. Ron DeSantis joined two dozen other Republican governors in a letter sent Monday to President Joe Biden asking for a meeting on the migrant situation at the U.S.-Mexico border, which the governors said was a "national security crisis" spiraling out of control. The meeting, the governors said, needs to be held within two weeks. Florida Politics

"Miami federal judge blocks Florida from enforcing ban on 'sanctuary cities'" via Ana Ceballos of the Miami Herald — A federal judge blocked Florida from enforcing a ban on so-called sanctuary cities, declaring portions of a law unconstitutional and tinged with "discriminatory motives." The ruling struck down a key portion of the 2019 law that prohibits local and state officials from adopting "sanctuary" policies for undocumented migrants, a main focus for Gov. Ron DeSantis, who vowed to ban "sanctuary cities" in Florida when running for Governor in 2018 even though there were none in the state. The judge also blocked the state from enforcing a provision in the law requiring law enforcement officers and agencies to "use best efforts to support the enforcement of federal immigration law" when acting within their official duties.

Gas prices across Florida jumped an average of 10 cents a gallon in the past week following reports that energy infrastructure across the Gulf of Mexico is recovering slower than expected from Hurricane Ida, according to the auto club AAA. “The roller coaster ride at the pump continues for Florida drivers," AAA spokesman Mark Jenkins said in a news release distributed Monday. “Where pump prices go from here is unclear. Hurricane Ida's impact in the Gulf Coast has lingered on, causing lower fuel supplies and upward pressure on prices.” Jenkins added that the strain on supplies may ease in the coming weeks. “Fortunately, there is some downward pressure in the market, because the summer driving season has ended, leading to less fuel demand,” Jenkins said. “In addition to that, winter gasoline is beginning to move back into the market.” As of Sunday, the average gallon of gas in Florida stood at $3.10, the highest mark for the year, according to AAA. Two years ago, the average price per gallon was $2.50. The latest reports show that the highest averages were found in South Florida, with West Palm Beach at $3.23 a gallon, followed by Fort Lauderdale at $3.13 a gallon and Port St. Lucie at $3.12 a gallon. The lowest prices were in Florida Panhandle, with Pensacola at an average of $3.04 a gallon followed by the neighboring Crestview-Fort Walton Beach market at $3.05 a gallon. Nationally, the average was $3.19 a gallon, up nearly 2 cents in the past week.