This is a recap of some of the biggest news from around the state that impacts you in South Florida. This Tuesday and Wednesday, Publix will hold Senior Shopping hours until further notice. It'll be a chance senior over 65 to shop exclusively at all Publix locations from 7 am-8 am. Also happening in Florida is the budget. The state approved a $93.2 billion budget for the next year. The figure is higher than what Governor DeSantis had originally proposed prior to the negative impact of the coronavirus on the economy. It’s likely DeSantis will use line-item vetoes to cut spending.
A Day after announcing the state was on the verge of a swab shortage for COVID-19 tests, Governor DeSantis said he was assured the 500,000 ordered by the state were en route. The state has the ability to test up to 600,000 Floridians for the coronavirus but has been waiting on swabs since a week ago to match the testing capacity. In related COVID-19 news, there's an estimate of coronavirus related job loss in Florida. According to the Economic Policy Institute, 350,000 people could lose their jobs in the leisure, hospitality and retail industries through the third quarter of this year.
Attorney General Ashley Moody said she’s working with State’s U.S. and state attorneys to prosecute coronavirus related scams the state has identified including phishing and price gauging. Moody recently activated the state’s Price Gouging Hotline for Floridians to report potential scams. lastly, Florida’s Hospital Association voted to support an end to elective surgeries statewide until the COVID-19 crisis is over. Several states have instituted the policy. Governor DeSantis would have to ratify the board’s vote to make it effective policy.
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