HEPATITIS A There have been 2,034 hepatitis A cases reported to the state between January 1 and July 29, according to the Florida Department of Health. on August 2nd, state Surgeon General Scott Rivkees declared a public health emergency. Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez announced that the Florida Department of Health is working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to increase vaccination outreach in the state.
STATE CAPITAL MOVING? In a word – no. The 2019 Legislative Session saw another attempt to move the state capital out of Tallahassee. A bill to study the question never received a hearing. This follows a failed referendum in 1853 to abandon Tallahassee and the 1881 veto by the Governor to move the capital to Gainesville.
STATE SATELLITE OFFICES The Lieutenant Governor will be able to maintain her residency in Miami, her hometown, thanks to a provision added to the implementing bill. The Legislature authorized the use of state funds to cover travel expenses, but they cannot be used to lease an office. Provisions in the law also allow Supreme Court Justices travel reimbursement should they not live permanently in Leon County.
AIRBNB SANCTIONS Governor DeSantis and the State Board of Administrations have lifted sanctions against Airbnb after they reversed a policy that removed listings on Israel’s West Bank. The State had added Airbnb to its “scrutinized companies” list and barred state workers, contract employees and vendors from receiving travel reimbursements when staying in an Airbnb.
DRIVER’S LICENSES The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles revamped security features for new and renewed driver’s licenses and identification cards. There is now a tactile security feature on the front of cards and no longer a magnetic strip on the back of cards.