Florida ranks No. 1 in Affordable Care Act enrollment & lawmakers seek to require teaching communism in kindergarten
February 16, 2024 — This Week's Top Stories in Florida
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Here’s the latest from Florida…
Florida No. 1 in Affordable Care Act enrollment
The Sunshine State has once again secured the top spot in Affordable Care Act enrollment across the U.S., with over 4.2 million residents signing up for healthcare coverage for 2024. This marks a 31% increase from the previous year and reflects a continuing trend of rising enrollment since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. This increase is largely attributed to federal subsidies made available through the American Rescue Plan that expanded eligibility to people with incomes over 400% of the poverty line. The state's growing population, the lack of Medicaid expansion, inflation, and the rising cost of living have forced many individuals to turn to the federal marketplace for affordable coverage options. Florida has the highest total marketplace enrollment of any state, with 1,148,789 plan selections. Texas was No. 2 at 890,734 open enrollment plan selections in 2024.
State lawmakers advance bill requiring communism lessons beginning in kindergarten
Florida lawmakers are moving forward with a bill that would mandate instruction about communism in public schools across all grades. The proposal, sparking a heated debate about its appropriateness and potential divisiveness, would require lessons on communism and its history starting in kindergarten. The Republican-controlled House PreK-12 Appropriations Subcommittee voted 10-2 to advance the bill. Supporters argue that teaching about communism's history and impact is essential to understanding the “increasing threat” of the ideology, while opponents express concerns about potential divisiveness in the classroom and the need for balance in the curriculum that examines various points of view. Republican lawmakers defended the bill, emphasizing the importance of educating children about the atrocities of communism and the need to learn from history to prevent its recurrence. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Chuck Brannan (R-Macclenny), would require “age-appropriate and developmentally appropriate” teaching about “the events of the Cultural Revolution in the People’s Republic of China and other mass killings from Communist regimes.” It also establishes a Communism History Task Force to recommend curriculums and academic standards for teaching about communism. If it becomes law, the lessons would be implemented during the 2026-27 school year.
Rare 4.0 magnitude earthquake rumbles Florida coast
A rare 4.0 earthquake jolted the east coast of Florida last week, sending tremors across Palm Bay. The temblor, the largest ever recorded off the state's east coast, struck 101 miles east of Cape Canaveral at 10:48 PM last Wednesday, with accounts of mild shaking reported. No damage was sustained. The state rarely experiences earthquakes due to the absence of major fault lines. The strongest ever earthquake to hit Florida was on January 12, 1879, and measured in at 4.4 on the Richter scale.
Florida Republicans reveal 2024 legislative priorities
The Florida GOP unveiled its 2024 legislative priorities during its annual executive meeting, aiming to address a range of issues from gun laws to LGBTQ rights and historical monument protection. Among the proposed bills are measures to reduce the minimum age for firearm purchases, term limits for county commissioners, combating pronoun usage in the workplace, preventing rainbow flags from being displayed on government buildings, and defining the male and female biological sexes while requiring health insurance companies that cover gender transition surgery to also pay for de-transition surgery. Additionally, the party seeks to protect historic monuments by preempting local authority to remove structures by granting the state oversight over such removals. Other legislation of focus includes implementing unauthorized public camping and sleeping regulations and passing a resolution calling for a U.S. constitutional convention that would add amendments requiring a balanced federal budget and congressional term limits. These outlined priorities of Florida Republicans have already been introduced by lawmakers during the 2024 legislative session, but few are poised to pass. For example, HB 1223 by Rep. Bobby Payne (R-Palatka), which would lower the minimum age to purchase a firearm from 21 to 18 has not moved since January 31, as of this writing, and the Senate has not taken up a companion bill. The GOP’s legislative agenda has sparked criticism from the Florida Democratic Party, with Chairwoman Nikki Fried questioning their focus on addressing the needs of Floridians.
State GOP endorses Trump’s presidential bid
Florida Republicans have voted to endorse Donald Trump for the GOP's presidential nomination at their annual meeting in Wesley Chapel over the weekend. The decision reflects the party's widespread belief that Trump is already the presumptive nominee despite still facing a primary challenge from Nikki Haley. The endorsement underscores the desire to coalesce around a sole candidate and the loyalty of the state’s GOP members to Trump, who has received backing from influential Florida Republicans like Gov. Ron DeSantis and Sens. Rick Scott and Marco Rubio. During the same meeting, party members elected state Sen. Joe Gruters as the new national committeeman and formally opposed a proposed ballot amendment to incorporate abortion rights in the state constitution.
Environmental advocates threaten lawsuit against EPA over Florida’s phosphate-industry
Environmental groups have taken steps to sue the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) over regulations concerning phosphate-industry waste, citing environmental and health hazards. Phosphate mining is big business in Florida, making up half a billion acres and providing about 80% of the phosphate used in the United States. The Florida Phosphate Council says the industry is responsible for $5.03 billion in annual economic output and nearly 8,400 direct jobs in the state. The coalition, including organizations like the Center for Biological Diversity and the Sierra Club, issued a formal notice threatening legal action in 60 days if the EPA does not address a 2021 petition calling for regulations on phosphogypsum waste. This waste, a byproduct of fertilizer production, is stored in hazardous phosphogypsum "stacks" in the state, alongside contaminated wastewater, which drew renewed attention after a massive discharge into Tampa Bay in 2021 after a reservoir breach at the Piney Point phosphate plant site. The notice alleges that the EPA has not responded timely to the 2021 petition, highlighting the need for regulation under federal laws such as the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act.
DeSantis blames high insurance rates on EVs
Gov. Ron DeSantis has attributed the state’s sky-high auto insurance rates to the increasing popularity of electric vehicles (EVs), stating that they are more expensive to repair. DeSantis made the remarks while discussing the Consumer Price Index report, stating that EVs represent a 20% increase in year-over-year auto policy costs. However, many EV and hybrid owners may in fact find their insurance costs elevated as the purchase price of battery-powered cars tends to be higher, making them also more costly to repair and replace. Additionally, despite these cars having fewer moving parts, those components tend to be more expensive, and specially trained technicians to fix EVs can be harder to find. The governor’s statements came while touting the My Safe Florida Home program as a measure to potentially reduce home insurance rates, with the Senate recently approving an additional $100 million for the program to address backlogs in home improvement grants. During his now-suspended presidential bid, DeSantis made comments about the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) movement, climate change, and other left-wing ideologies as a major determinant in driving up costs.
Scrutiny builds for St. Petersburg’s redevelopment plans of Historic Gas Plant District
National civil rights law organization the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) has initiated an investigation into the major redevelopment plans for St. Petersburg’s Historic Gas Plant District, home of the ballpark for the Tampa Bay Rays, Tropicana Field. Attorneys from SPLC have visited the area and interviewed residents, expressing concerns over the city's original acquisition and management of one of the oldest Black neighborhoods in the 1980s. As city leaders focused on redeveloping the Gas Plant area in an attempt to revitalize a stagnant economy and lure an MLB team to St. Petersburg, minority families were forced to leave their homes and Black businesses had to relocate, which largely failed to survive the move. SPLC is particularly interested in how the city utilized federal redevelopment funds to buy out the Black neighborhood and whether it met the conditions for sustainable employment and affordable housing. While no lawsuit has been filed, the center's involvement signals a potential legal challenge to halt the 65-acre redevelopment project, which recently received preliminary approval from the city’s appointed advisory council. The investigation underscores the scrutiny and community activism surrounding St. Petersburg’s controversial redevelopment plans, stemming from the failed promises of new affordable housing and well-paying jobs that had been promised to the once-Black community.
Bill preventing those under 21 from working at strip clubs moves forward
A bill prohibiting individuals under 21 from working in adult entertainment venues like strip clubs is advancing through the Florida House and Senate, receiving approval from their respective committees with little opposition. Sponsored by Rep. Carolina Amesty (R-Windermere) and Sen. Clay Yarborough (R-Jacksonville) both chamber’s versions of the bill aim to combat human trafficking by raising the minimum working age in such establishments from 18 to 21. The proposed legislation adds criminal penalties to an “owner, manager, employee, or contractor” who hires a person under 21 years of age in an adult venue. Lawmakers in support of the measure have emphasized the importance of protecting young individuals from exploitation, highlighting the risks associated with working in adult entertainment and some venues’ potential affiliation with human trafficking activities. This puts young people in vulnerable positions, proponents say, and prohibiting anyone under 21 from working in these establishments reduces their exposure to possible harm. Florida ranks third in the U.S. for human trafficking cases, according to the National Human Trafficking Hotline.
Florida’s child health insurance expansion faces delays
The expansion of affordable health care for the state’s low-income children faces potential delays as the DeSantis administration filed a lawsuit against the federal government over eligibility rules for KidCare, a federally subsidized health insurance program for children. The lawsuit argues that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid overstepped its authority by requiring continuous coverage for children even if parents stop paying premiums. State officials say this poses financial threats to the program's stability. This could further delay covering an additional 42,000 children despite Florida lawmakers' previously voting to raise the family income limit for KidCare eligibility. The planned expansion has already been delayed to at least April due to the state's failure to file for a waiver necessary to obtain federal funds.
Disney, Universal Studios enter the affordable housing market
Major Orlando-area theme parks, including Walt Disney World and Universal Studios, are taking steps to address their employees' housing struggles by creating more affordable housing options nearby. With an estimated 110,000 people collectively employed by these parks, the initiative aims to alleviate the burden of soaring housing costs in Central Florida facing many of these company’s workers. Universal Studios is set to construct a 1,000-unit mixed-use development called Catchlight Crossings to be opened in 2026, donating 20 acres near the Orange County Convention Center for the project and partnering with local developer Wendover Housing Partners. The development will accept applications from anyone – not just Universal employees – who meet the specified income thresholds and other requirements. Meanwhile, Disney announced plans in 2022 to donate 80 acres for a proposed 1,450-unit affordable development near Flamingo Crossings Village. These efforts come as housing costs in the Orlando region have surged as it attracts new residents from across the nation seeking a more affordable area than other hotspots in South Florida. Central Florida continues to experience a significant shortage of affordable housing units as a result. The theme parks' investments in employee housing underscore their commitment to supporting their workforce and addressing critical needs in the community.
Orlando Magic retires Shaquille O'Neal’s No. 32 jersey
Shaquille O'Neal's illustrious career took flight in Orlando, where he made history as the first No. 1 overall draft pick, All-Star, and Rookie of the Year for the Magic. The Magic honored O'Neal by retiring his No. 32 jersey on Tuesday night, marking the first jersey retirement in the team's history. O'Neal, who also has jerseys retired by the Lakers and the Heat, remains sixth on the team’s list of all-time scorers and third in rebounds for the Magic. Franchise CEO Alex Martins hailed O'Neal's pivotal role in putting Orlando on the map, solidifying his legacy as a basketball icon. With this honor, O'Neal joins the ranks of legends like Wilt Chamberlain and Pete Maravich as one of the few players with jerseys retired by three franchises.
Senior primary care provider files for bankruptcy
Miami-based primary care provider Cano Health, specializing in senior care and serving over 310,000 patients, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. With offices across the state and more than 1,000 employees, the company listed $1.2 billion in assets and $1.4 billion in debt in its filing. Cano Health aims to emerge from bankruptcy with a $150 million debtor-in-possession financing commitment to support operations and complete a turnaround, hoping to exit bankruptcy by the second quarter. The company's struggles began in early 2023 amid rapid growth and liquidity issues, leading to significant layoffs and operational changes, including divesting operations in certain states and projecting substantial cost reductions by late 2024.
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