Sunrise

At the end of Week One of the 2021 Legislative Session, the House passed two COVID-19 bills: One targets scammers, the other offers businesses protection from COVID-19 liability lawsuits.

Also, on today’s Sunrise:

— It’s now Week Two of Session, and lawmakers will be dealing with a full slate of issues: a post-mortem on the state’s failed unemployment system, bills to limit voting by mail, guns at churches, and efforts to limit the strength of medical marijuana, among other topics.

— Gov. Ron DeSantis is hinting he’ll be lowering the age limit for a COVID-19 shot this week. His “Seniors First” policy limits vaccinations to folks 65 and up, but the Governor says they’re going to start rolling back the age.

— When the Miami Herald reported last week on a wealthy enclave in the Florida Keys that received thousands of doses of vaccine in January when almost no one else was getting shots, DeSantis tried to defend himself by saying it was not a state site. That may be true, but officials at Baptist Health and the Monroe County Commission say the state authorized the pod, and they were ordered to provide vaccine for the Ocean Reef Club.

— DeSantis was in Winter Haven Friday when a special vaccination site opened for sworn law enforcement officers over the age of 50. Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd had a message for anti-vaxxers.

— And finally, stories of two Florida Men — including a guy known as the Naked Cowboy.

Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, the only Democrat holding statewide office, is asking the FBI to investigate Gov. Ron DeSantis for setting up vaccination sites in areas suggested by campaign donors rewarded handsomely for steering vaccine to wealthy enclaves.

Also, on today’s Sunrise:

— Senate Democratic Leader Gary Farmer is also piling on, asking the U.S. Attorney General to investigate.

— The Miami Herald reports the Governor received hundreds of thousands of dollars in campaign donations after a wealthy gated community near Key Largo received more than 1,200 doses of vaccine back in January when everyone else was waiting in line. DeSantis denied having anything to do with it … and doesn’t see a problem.

— The Governor also attacked the Miami Herald, saying they got the story wrong because he had nothing to do with those shots.

— A major change in vaccination policy: teachers of all ages are now eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. DeSantis doesn't like it, but the White House issued a mandate and the feds are paying for the vaccine so he had to go along.

— Protecting businesses from COVID-19 lawsuits is the No. 1 priority in the Legislature; Republican leaders brought their bill to the house floor Thursday.

— While Republican leaders are pushing bills to limit COVID-19 lawsuits, a freshman Democrat says they need to do something for the rest of us. Among other things, Rep. Andrew Learned says we need paid sick leave, better unemployment benefits, Medicaid expansion for low-income workers and statewide masking
requirements.

— Learned knows his bill is going nowhere in the Legislature, but he’s hoping Republicans will borrow some of his ideas.

— And finally, a Florida Woman attacked her roommate with her pussy ... the kind with claws.

Gov. Ron DeSantis clarifies the rules for people under 65 who want a vaccine because of medical conditions that make them vulnerable to COVID-19. You just have to get your doctor to sign a one-page form from the health department; they don’t even have to say why you qualify … just that you do.

Also, on today’s Sunrise:

— A Senate committee debates a bill protecting the health care industry from COVID-19 liability lawsuits. Democratic Sen. Gary Farmer says the health care heroes may deserve it … but not the bad apples of the nursing home industry.

— The bill passed … but it was close.

— The Senate Transportation Committee votes to end M-CORES - also known as the “Roads to Nowhere.”

— The Senate Agriculture Committee approves a bill to ban tethering of cats and dogs. Sen. Annette Taddeo says it’s cruel to the animals and can be fatal for kids who get too close. Taddeo’s bill ran into opposition from the Florida Dog Hunters Association, but it was amended to address their concerns.

— A discussion about sea-level rise in Florida with Alec Bogdanoff with the American Flood Coalition. He’s heading up their efforts in Florida.

— And finally, a Florida Man is now in jail thanks to his fondness for power tools.

Day Two of the 60-day Legislative Session … where state flags are flying at half-staff.

Also, on today’s Sunrise:

— It’s one of the very few times over the past year that Gov. Ron DeSantis acknowledged the human toll from COVID-19; 140 more fatalities were reported Tuesday, as the state’s death toll reached 31,696.

— Day One of Session was a time for speeches as the Governor, the Speaker of The House and the Senate President laid out their agendas for the next two months.

— Favorite moments from opening day: Speaker Chris Sprowls promising not to be long-winded.

— There was the part where the Governor lifted a quote from Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar when Mark Antony said, “Friends, Romans, Countrymen … lend me your ears.”

— Another favorite moment was President Wilton Simpson closing his opening day speech with a quote from Dr. Suess.

— Lobbyist Ron Pierce talks about his “Steps for Session” challenge to raise money for guide dogs.

— And finally, a Florida Man was critically injured after being shot while naked and holding a Bible.

It’s Day One of the 60-day Legislative Session. The House Speaker and the Senate President start the show by laying out their agendas, followed by a joint session where Gov. Ron DeSantis delivers the traditional State of the State address.

Also, on today’s Sunrise:

— The saber-rattling begins. On the eve of the Session, the Governor joined Republican leaders to announce bills to crack down on China for interfering in Florida.

— Democrats say this is just a part of the campaign to “own the libs” this year. GOP leaders are also refusing to schedule any of the bills for social justice and police reform filed by Dems.

— Now that the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine was approved, the Governor signed an executive order allowing people aged 50 and older to be vaccinated — but only certain people. It all depends on your job.

— But the Governor’s executive order also changed the policy for vaccinating people under age 65 with severe medical conditions. A note from the doctor is not enough. The new order says the doctor must certify that the patient meets “defined eligibility criteria” that have not been made public yet.

— DeSantis is complaining about the new COVID-19 rescue bill in Washington. He says Florida is being shortchanged because its economy is improving and he doesn’t want states still suffering to get any more than Florida.

— The Sierra Club of Florida just issued its 2020 report card for the Governor; their top concern is the climate crisis.

— DeSantis ended up with a grade of D-minus. State Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried — who may run against DeSantis next year — didn’t do much better. Sierra gave her a C-minus.

— And finally, a Florida Man got 20 years in prison for cutting off another man’s penis.

The 2021 Legislative Session is about to begin.

Also, on today’s Sunrise:

— The Session beginning tomorrow is like nothing we’ve seen or heard before, thanks to the COVID-19 crisis. The people who run the legislature have imposed new restrictions and have all but closed The Capitol to the public in order to reduce the threat of infection. But by doing so, they may have cut the public out of the process.

— Officials with the League of Women Voters, Florida Rising, Common Cause and the Southern Poverty Law Center all believe lawmakers are taking advantage of the pandemic limits on public participation to advance a far-right agenda without having to look their victims in the eye.

— Speaking of conservative agendas, Gov. Ron DeSantis had a starring role at the CPAC convention in Orlando over the weekend. The Governor used that platform to unveil the “DeSantis Doctrine,” saying this is NOT your father’s GOP.

— DeSantis urged conservatives to follow the example set by Rush Limbaugh, who turned talk radio into a partisan political weapon after repeal of what was known as the “Fairness Doctrine.”

— The Governor signed an executive order modifying the COVID-19 vaccine program. Shots are still set aside for seniors, but the new order allows physicians, nurses and pharmacists to vaccinate people under the age of 65 if they have medical conditions making them extremely vulnerable to COVID-19. It will be interesting to see how many people suddenly discover they have those conditions.

— Speaking of COVID-19, the state reported 126 new fatalities Sunday; 1,127 names were added over the past week over the past week and the death toll has reached 31,406.

— And finally, two Florida Women who were dealing with stun guns and parking problems.

The official death toll from COVID-19 passed 31,000 on Thursday. But vaccine supplies are increasing, and Gov. Ron DeSantis says he’s trying to figure out when to lower the age limit, allowing people under 65 to get their COVID-19 shots.

Also, on today’s Sunrise:

— DeSantis is a big fan of the new single-dose vaccine by Johnson & Johnson. The efficacy rate may not be as high as the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. but the Governor says it’s his choice and he’s putting his arm where his mouth is.

— More help could be on the way from D.C. Congressman Charlie Crist says the House plans to vote today on the American Rescue Act, President Joe Biden’s plan to step up the fight against COVID-19 and start rebuilding the economy.

— Cities would get a cut of the $1.9 trillion rescue package, but cities in Florida are gearing up for trouble in the Legislative Session that starts next week. The League of Cities is trying to fend off a bill that would strip them of their zoning authority over home-based businesses.

— And finally, a Florida Man dressed up as an alien to steal a package off a porch. He even paused for the door camera so the homeowners would get a good shot of his mask as a souvenir.

The FDA approved the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, which Gov. Ron DeSantis calls “huge.” The Governor was at a senior community in Brooksville to open another vaccination site and identify a mysterious sound in the background.

Also, on today’s Sunrise:

— The Governor also took the opportunity to attack Congressman Charlie Crist, who has accused DeSantis of playing politics with his choice of vaccination sites.

— Speaking of which, Florida added 129 names to the list of the dead Wednesday… and more than 7,000 new cases of COVID-19.

— If you lost health insurance during the pandemic, there’s an alternative. Tampa Congresswoman Kathy Castor says the feds reopened enrollment for the Affordable Care Act.

— Florida Politics began its annual list of Tampa Bay’s 25 Most Influential Politicians. Janelle Irwin-Taylor discusses the series.

— And finally, a Florida Man is arrested after taking matters into his own hands while watching a sleeping sunbather.

Gov. Ron DeSantis is announcing the next group of people for vaccinations. He wants cops and teachers 50 and over to get their shots as the feds set up new vaccination centers.

Also, on today’s Sunrise:

— The state reported 5,600 new cases of COVID-19 Tuesday and 154 more fatalities. The death toll is now 30,749.

— The Governor has been accused of playing politics with the COVID-19 vaccine by setting up sites in affluent neighborhoods instead of underserved communities. His response: it’s the other side playing games.

—No one attacked DeSantis for vaccinating seniors … they questioned the governor’s apparent preference for affluent neighborhoods. But if you don’t like the question, just answer the one you wish they had asked. Is it any wonder the Governor ended up on The Daily Show?

— Throughout the COVID-19 crisis, the Governor used emergency orders to set the safety rules … pre-empting the authority of cities and counties. But Ben Wilcox at Integrity Florida says the legislature has taken preemption to the next level.

— Florida Politics publisher Peter Schorsch talks about the upcoming legislative session. He says the No. 1 priority or Republican leaders this year is to “own the libs.” 

— The Suwannee River Water Management District approves a permit allowing Nestlé to suck more than a million gallons a day out of Ginnie Springs and Rep. Joy Goff-Marcil says it's a threat to the entire state.

— And finally, a Florida Woman is accused of robbing a bank on a motorized wheelchair.

Florida will be receiving a record amount of COVID-19 vaccine this week — more than 400,000 doses.

Also, on today’s Sunrise:

— Remember when Gov. Ron DeSantis opened a vaccination center in the whitest and wealthiest area of Manatee County at a development built by a donor? And when he responded to critics by saying if you don’t like it, we’ll take it away? Congressman Charlie Crist is now asking the Justice Department to investigate what he calls the Governor’s “blatantly political” vaccine distribution decisions.

— The number of new COVID-19 cases continues to decline in Florida, but the number of fatalities remains sky-high: including 161 reported Monday by the Department of Health.

— DeSantis says he’ll order state flags at half-staff on the day Rush Limbaugh is buried. That’s an honor usually reserved for heroes and long-time public servants. Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried says her agency will not lower its flags to honor hate speech, bigotry and division.

— Florida lends a hand in the blackout state. A 30-member Incident Management Team from the Forest Service is now running a supply center from an airbase near San Antonio, shipping truckloads of food and water to dozens of hard-hit Texas counties.

— The 2021 Legislative Session starts next week, and House Speaker Chris Sprowls says one of the first things on the agenda is protecting businesses from lawsuits over COVID-19.

— While they rush to pass that bill for biz, Republican leaders have shown little interest in dealing with people issues like evictions, foreclosures and fixing the unemployment system. Sprowls says that doesn’t mean they’re putting business ahead of people struggling during the crisis.

— And finally, a Florida Woman sent to federal prison for a charity scam is appealing today. Former Congresswoman Corrie Brown claims she didn’t get a fair trial because a juror who said the Holy Spirit told him she was not guilty. The juror was removed from the jury.