Florida Legislature approves social media ban for kids under 16 & Surgeon General defies CDC amid measles outbreak
February 23, 2024 — This Week's Top Stories in Florida
Welcome to this week’s edition of Floridian Today, a newsletter about all things Florida — from politics, business, real estate, and climate. Reporting from the Sunshine State, these are the most important stories you need to know. To never miss an update, subscribe here:
Here’s the latest from Florida…
Florida Legislature approves ban on social media for kids under 16
In a groundbreaking move, the Florida Legislature has passed a ban on social media for children under 16, citing concerns over mental health and the addictive nature of certain platform features. The bill now awaits the scrutiny of Governor Ron DeSantis, who has expressed reservations about its provisions, including the absence of any options that would allow parents to override the ban. If signed into law, the bill could face legal challenges, with social media companies likely to contest its constitutionality for free speech violations. The ban targets platforms with addictive features like infinite scrolling, push notifications, and auto-playing videos, and will require users over 16 to verify their age with a third party. House lawmakers overwhelmingly voted for the measure in a 108-7 vote, with GOP members criticizing the tech platforms for knowingly exploiting minors for financial gain. While DeSantis is likely to negotiate on aspects of the legislation, if a version of the bill moves forward, social media giants are certain to challenge the law. They have successfully contested similar bans in other states, but House Speaker Paul Renner (R-Palm Coast) says this bill differs as it targets platforms with “addicting features.” Under the bill, all Floridians accessing social media would need to verify their age which would potentially involve facial scans, drawing additional legal concerns related to mandatory personal information collection. Moms for Liberty, a prominent parental rights group, opposes the prohibition as government overreach and the erosion of parental choice. The bill currently awaits action by Gov. DeSantis.
Florida Surgeon General contradicts CDC, advises parents it's OK to send unvaccinated kids to school amid measles outbreak
Diverging from established public health guidelines, Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo has granted parents permission to send their unvaccinated children to school amid a measles outbreak in South Florida. The guidance by the state’s top health official was issued in a memo this week, contradicting Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations, drawing concerns from public health experts and raising potential legal ramifications. Ladapo defended his decision as a move that protects parental rights and empowers them to decide their children’s school attendance regardless of vaccination status. He cites "high community immunity" and the "burden on families" as additional justifications for this guidance. Scott Rivkees, Florida’s former surgeon general and now a professor at Brown University, emphasizes that this issue is not about parental rights but rather community safety. Measles, a highly contagious and potentially deadly virus, can spread rapidly among unvaccinated individuals, hospitalizing about 20% of those who contract the illness. The CDC recommends unvaccinated students stay home for three weeks after exposure due to the virus's airborne transmission and the risk of sharing the disease through surface contact like in cafeterias and classrooms. With the recent surge in measles cases across several states and an outbreak in Broward County, a record number of parents have sought exemptions from school vaccine requirements in 2023, bringing the child immunization rates to a 10-year low. Ladapo's directive follows the Florida Health Department’s similar departure from conventional public health recommendations during the COVID-19 pandemic, which espoused skepticism over immunization guidelines and emphasized personal discretion. The latest move underscores the broader trend of vaccine hesitancy and political influence on public health policy in Florida and across the nation.
Property insurance focus of Senate’s $900M tax relief package
Amid continued concerns over property insurance affordability in Florida, the GOP-controlled Senate Finance and Tax committee unveiled a $900 million tax relief package (SB 7404) this week, including a one-year exemption for residential property insurance policyholders. The proposal aims to alleviate the burden on homeowners facing soaring premiums, with provisions such as a one-year exemption on taxes, fees, and assessments for certain policies. Homeowners with a 12-month policy between July 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025, and coverage of $750,000 or less shall be provided a tax credit by the insurer equal to 1.75% of the net premium, according to the bill. The proposal would also exempt premium taxes for flood insurance policies during the same one-year period. Democrats have criticized the GOP-led legislative efforts as insufficient as many Floridians have experienced doubling property insurance premiums in recent years. However, Senate President Kathleen Passidomo (R-Naples) emphasized her priority of reducing taxes associated with property and flood insurance premiums to ease the financial strain on families. Governor Ron DeSantis previously called for similar tax relief measures on home insurance costs in his budget plan, and advocated for a permanent tax exemption on flood insurance policies – differing with the Senate's one-year proposal. Meanwhile, the tax relief package unveiled last week in the House does not include any exemptions for property or flood insurance policies.
Tensions arise between DeSantis and lawmakers on legislative priorities
As the 2024 60-day legislative session nears its end, tensions between Gov. DeSantis and Republican lawmakers are becoming more apparent. Recent actions by legislators suggest a shift in state political dynamics, with lawmakers backing proposals that the governor has criticized. For example, House Speaker Paul Renner (R-Palm Coast), a DeSantis ally, has pushed to send a bill banning social media access for minors to the governor’s desk, despite DeSantis expressing public skepticism with the measure. How sharp the divide is between lawmakers and the governor’s office will be on full display as DeSantis will either sign or veto the legislation that is a priority of GOP leadership, especially if they consider overriding a likely veto. Lawmakers' willingness to challenge DeSantis on various issues, such as bringing a casino to Fontainebleau Miami, adding funds to the Florida State Guard civilian defense force, and easing restrictions to property purchases by Chinese residents, indicates the governor's political influence is weakening after a failed bid for the presidency. This was speculated after suspending his national campaign in January as the two-term governor enters his final three years in office with an uncertain future ahead. Before this year’s legislative session, DeSantis held a tight rein on the Republican supermajority in the state House and Senate, witnessing his agenda being fast-tracked with little to no opposition. However, he still retains enough influence over some of his legislative priorities, such as stiffening penalties for retail theft and regulating homeless encampments – two bills poised to pass the Legislature.
Piney Point, site of major ecological disaster, nears closure
In March 2021, Piney Point captured national headlines as it became the site of one of Florida’s worst ecological disasters when about 215 million gallons of contaminated wastewater from the phosphate mining plant were released into Tampa Bay. Three years after the crisis, the troubled plant is edging closer to closure after a judge ordered the facility to be placed under the authority of an independent receiver in August 2021, who would oversee closure. The state estimates the site will be shuttered in December 2024, but workers at Piney Point say it may be closer to mid-2025 as the process is slow, arduous, and costly. The cleanup includes chemically treating water from the polluted retention ponds before sending it thousands of feet underground, allowing the empty pond, also known as a phosphogypsum stack, to dry out before adding a plastic liner, topsoil, and planting grass over the top. Crews have already closed one stack in September 2023, and have turned their attention to closing the remaining two, including the largest on the property which contains hundreds of millions of gallons of untreated wastewater. More than 100 million gallons of treated water have been removed from Piney Point into the underground well that leads to a saltwater aquifer, which Florida environmental regulators agree is safe and effective despite concerns from local environmental advocacy groups. Despite the lengthy steps being taken to shutter the facility, the year began with around 31,500 gallons of polluted water dumping onto the Piney Point property due to a mishap when removing an existing pipe. Meanwhile, ongoing research is uncovering the environmental impacts of the Piney Point disaster, with findings suggesting that polluted water spread over 30 miles and may have contributed to the serious red tide and algal blooms seen in summer 2021. The historic seagrass loss in Tampa Bay is also believed to be related to the environmental crisis. Environmental groups have filed lawsuits alleging mishandling by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), leading to mediation efforts. Nearly $200 million of taxpayer funds have been allocated in response to the disaster and its ongoing closure efforts, emphasizing the priority of closing the phosphate processing plant.
Public sector unions in distress following 2023 ‘anti-union’ law
Last year, Florida lawmakers passed legislation making it harder for public sector unions to maintain their representation, requiring 60% of all eligible dues-paying employees to join and prohibiting paycheck deductions for union dues. Since then, 33 bargaining units, including those for teachers and non-faculty school employees, have lost certification, prompting concerns about job protections and the favorable contracts that they negotiate. Since the passage of the law supported by Gov. DeSantis, the decertification of public sector unions has resulted in tens of thousands of workers across the state losing representation, including unions for city employees, non-instructional school workers, and non-faculty state university employees. Several Association of Federal State County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) bargaining units across the state have been especially hit hard, losing more than 42,000 state employees as members due to decertification. Teachers unions in eight separate counties also face trouble ahead after failing to collect union dues from at least 60% of its membership. As the legislation navigated through the legislature last year, it faced fierce opposition from union members and Democrats, who decried the bill as “anti-union.” While this new law has led to a decline in union representation, the mandated decertification means the bargaining unit is no longer valid nor are the contracts negotiated with employers, including agreed-upon pay raises. Public sector unions are required to report their membership numbers and financial details to the state’s Public Employees Relations Commission annually. Unions that are under the new 60% membership criteria can file a petition for recertification containing signatures from at least 30% of eligible union members, triggering a subsequent election. A simple majority of workers must vote in favor of keeping union representation intact.
Gov. DeSantis visits South Carolina ahead of GOP primary
Governor Ron DeSantis made a surprising appearance at the South Carolina Capitol on Tuesday, sparking further speculation about his future political ambitions. While visiting the South Carolina State House, he advocated for a constitutional amendment imposing term limits on Congress. Despite suspending his presidential campaign weeks earlier, DeSantis denied any connection between his visit and the impending Republican primary in the Palmetto State, insisting that his focus was solely on promoting constitutional reforms. The Florida governor engaged in discussions with South Carolina lawmakers about the importance of implementing term limits for members of Congress by emphasizing the need for reform to combat political stagnation and entrenched interests in Washington Speaking at a press conference, DeSantis expressed his desire to use his platform to advocate for initiatives he deems to be a priority and encourage action. This goal aligns with his broader strategy of addressing national issues to maintain relevance and position himself as a leading voice within the Republican Party. But while in South Carolina, he also seized the opportunity to wade into the GOP presidential primary race, continuing to voice support for Donald Trump and criticizing his opponent, former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, for appealing to Democratic voters. In the Florida Legislature, DeSantis is backing HCR 693, a resolution moving forward that would serve as "the state’s application to Congress under Article V of the United States Constitution to call a convention” that would propose amending the constitution to impose term limits on members of Congress.
High school athletes may soon be able to profit off name, image, and likeness
The Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) is poised to discuss a proposal permitting high school athletes to profit from their name, image, and likeness (NIL). The draft policy, up for discussion at Monday's FHSAA board meeting, aims to align Florida with over 30 other states embracing this evolving area. Under the proposal, high school athletes could monetize their NIL without jeopardizing their playing eligibility, including advertising and commercial endorsements, social media, and other promotional activities. However, certain restrictions apply: they cannot engage in deals related to adult entertainment, vaping, alcohol, or promote gambling or firearms. Deals must be negotiated independently without intervention or direction from schools, school employees, boosters, or FHSAA, and athletes cannot use school logos or equipment for NIL purposes, even on social media. The guidelines also forbid players who transfer schools mid-season from making a NIL deal unless given an exemption by FHSAA. Among the most notable stipulations under the proposal would mandate any signed deals by high school athletes conclude upon their graduation.
DeSantis backs leadership changes for Republican Party
While in South Carolina to promote term limits for members of Congress, Gov. DeSantis weighed in on intraparty politics as he endorsed calls for a change in leadership at the Republican National Committee (RNC). Emphasizing the need for a stronger GOP ahead of an expensive general election in November, the Florida governor advocated for fresh leadership at the RNC, particularly following the party's disappointing performance in the 2022 midterm elections, stressing the importance of resource allocation for the upcoming presidential election. The RNC “is basically broke,” DeSantis said when comparing the party to Democrats' fundraising efforts ahead of November and Biden’s well-financed reelection bid with more than $117 million on hand. He said Republicans need to unite with a collective message against Biden and focus on motivating voters to turnout.
Miami-Dade Mayor gains important endorsements
Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava's re-election campaign has gained support from the county chapters of two influential unions in South Florida – the International Association of Fire Fighters and Teamsters unions. Metro Dade Firefighters Local 1403 and Teamsters Local 769, representing thousands of first responders, transportation, and logistics professionals, reaffirmed their endorsement of Levine Cava. Praising her leadership through the COVID-19 pandemic, the unions highlighted Levine Cava's commitment to public safety and workers' rights, citing her track record of advocating for fair wages and safe working environments. She faces five long-shot challengers for the position she has held since 2020.
Pasco County approves 49-acre mixed-use development
Pasco County commissioners have greenlit the Tibbetts Land at Gowers Corner development, slated to bring 400 apartments and 300,000 square feet of commercial space to the area along U.S. 41 and State Road 52. The project, designed for walkability and employment generation, aligns with the county's growth trajectory as it seeks to balance development with environmental preservation. Additionally, in a separate action, commissioners voted to consider acquiring a nearby 1,000-acre tract for future conservation or passive recreational use, aiming to balance development with preservation.
Thanks for reading this edition of Floridian Today. To never miss an update, subscribe for free:
In the meantime, if you learned something or found this read interesting, please consider sharing it to grow our community!