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Friday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
With pandemic wiping out tax collections, Florida faces tricky balancing act
When bars, along with many restaurants and stores shut down, some city and county governments acted swiftly, furloughing employees and putting programs on hold. Slowly, with Gov. Ron DeSantis pushing Florida into an expanded reopening, some of these workers and services are coming back – even as a potential new round of government cuts looms. In just a matter of weeks, it’s going to be state government struggling to balance the books on what it can – and can’t do – as tax collections nosedive to unprecedented levels. [Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
Florida reports 1,698 new coronavirus cases, biggest daily increase as total nears 70K
Florida added another 1,698 coronavirus cases Thursday, the biggest increase yet in daily reported infections, as the state’s case load approaches 70,000. There have now been 69,069 cases statewide, according to the Florida Department of Health, along with 47 new deaths reported Thursday for a total of 2,848 fatalities. It’s the eighth time in the past nine days that the state saw more than 1,000 daily cases, but statewide testing also continues to expand. More from the Orlando Sentinel, the Tampa Bay Times, and the Florida Times-Union.
Republican National Convention coming to Jacksonville
Jacksonville will host President Donald Trump’s nomination acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention in August, GOP officials announced Thursday evening. The announcement confirms weeks of speculation that the RNC was eyeing Jacksonville to host the full-scale celebration Trump insists on having after officials in North Carolina declined to guarantee the full use of its facilities in Charlotte, the original host of the convention, out of concerns about the coronavirus pandemic. More from the Florida Times-Union and the Miami Herald.
Gov. Ron DeSantis announces plan for reopening Florida schools
Arguing Florida’s economy depends upon it, Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday unveiled a plan that expects K-12 schools to reopen in the fall at "full capacity.” The effort must make safety a priority, according to an outline of the plan released in advance of a noon news conference led by the governor. Families and employees have to feel confident that returning to campus will not create health risks. More from WESH, the Tampa Bay Times and the Orlando Sentinel.
Can you be fired for protesting? In Florida, you can
Florida is an “at-will” state. “That means you can be fired for a good reason, for a bad reason, or no reason at all,” said Cynthia Sass, an employment lawyer in Tampa. “When it comes to private employers and your First Amendment rights, they don’t apply.” A non-union private employer in Florida has the right to terminate someone for anything, from a political opinion to their favorite football team. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Sarasota’s Van Wezel announces changes to 2020-21 Broadway Series
The city-owned Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall has announced changes to its 2020-21 Broadway Series. While the iconic theater overlooking Sarasota Bay plans to open in late October 2020, conditions permitting, Broadway productions at the Van Wezel will not begin until January 2021.
› Orlando City to face Inter Miami in opening match of ‘MLS is Back’ Tournament
Orlando City will face off with Inter Miami to kick off the “MLS is Back” Tournament on July 8 at ESPN Wide World of Sports at Disney World, highlighting the two home-state teams in the competition. The match is tentatively scheduled to kick off at 8 p.m., with the TV network still to be announced.
› Tourism industry slowly rebounding in Palm Beach County
The reopening of the South Florida economy is beginning to show some positive signs in air travel and the hotel industry. “I think people are getting over their fear of flying,” said Leslie Stevens of North Carolina before she boarded a flight home at Palm Beach International Airport.
› First phase of design hub development opens to customers
The Collective, a Naples design hub located at 111 10th St. S., has opened its first phase of businesses, which include art galleries and curated home furnishing shops. According to a press release, The Studio, The Collective’s area dedicated to interior and exterior details, has opened on the facility’s second floor and includes 21 individual studios — ranging in size from 88 to 291 square feet — that feature windows, lighting and tile, appliances, surfaces and fireplaces.
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