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Government watchdog Florida TaxWatch offered up a dozen ideas for balancing the budget in the wake of the pandemic.

They include collecting the tax already owed on internet sales to delaying more than $900 million in pay raises slated to take effect July first.

“Florida TaxWatch believes that the payriases for teachers and state employees were overdue and well deserved, however if the budget situation calls for drastic measures we are offering as an option reducing the cost of those raises in 2021. This should only be done by delaying them, not eliminating or reducing them,” said Kurt Wenner, Vice President of Florida TaxWatch.

The Governor has two weeks to act on the budget.

As we reported Wednesday, he is promising to veto hundreds of millions in projects, including his own initiatives.

More than a hundred thousand Florida companies who do business with the state are getting a letter asking about their ownership.

The letter seeks to determine if the companies are owned by the Chinese government, and at least one viewer isn’t happy with the letter’s tone.

Florida spends more than $50 billion a year on outside vendors.

Those vendors are being contacted by CFO Jimmy Patronis, asking if they are owned by the Chinese government.

His goal, be prepared to withhold payments if sanctions are sought over the coronavirus.

“There’s no two ways about it. The state of Florida has seen loss of life. We’ve had loss of economic opportunity, loss of jobs. So there is a huge debt to be paid back to the state of Florida. I think having that data in hand is critical,” said Patronis.

The letter caught the attention of a viewer who called it intimidating.

“The veiled threat is in the second paragraph, where it says you are hereby requested to respond in 30 days by verifying your status…in order to avoid necessary followup by the Department,” said the business owner, who asked to remain anonymous. “What are they capable of? They could easily knock me out of the cue for a bid. Or flat out deny me an award.”

Patronis told us no intimidation was intended.

“Read the letter. It’s very clear. We ask them to participate. Its simply an ask,” said Patrons.

“But how can it be voluntary if I need to avoid a necessary followup by the department?” said the business owner.

The letter cost at least $50,000 in postage, not including any printing or prep costs.

The CFO calls it money well spent.

Much of the information the CFO is seeking is also available on the state’s corporate filing website, but it would not include companies registered in other states who are also vendors in Florida.

Governor Ron DeSantis is rejecting the notion the state is experiencing a spike in coronavirus cases, despite more than 14,000 residents testing positive in the past week.

The Governor plans to go full steam ahead with reopening and is rejecting calls to impose mandatory safety precautions.

Governor Ron DeSantis attributes the 15 day streak of over 1,000 daily cases to increased testing.

“We’re not shutting down,” said DeSantis.

The state is conducting about 30,000 a day.

“As you test more you will see more cases,” said DeSantis.

He also said hotspots are largely isolated to certain industries like agriculture.

“When you have a virus that disproportionately impacts one segment of society, to suppress a lot of working age people at this point I don’t think would likely be very effective,” said DeSantis.

Florida Democrats have criticized the Governor’s dismissal of the spike in cases.

“Governor DeSantis has lost control of Florida’s COVID-19 response. His policies are simply not working, and he’s recklessly reopening Florida despite the data screaming for caution,” said Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Nikki Fried in a statement.

And a caravan of protestors at the Capitol Wednesday argued the Governor has a roll to play in ensuring adequate protection for workers.

“Workers need to be protected on the job and we are seeing in certain industries statewide and nationally that protection has been pretty lax,” said Michael Newberger with the Florida AFL-CIO.

On Tuesday physicians called on the Governor to mandate face masks in public places.

Just a few hours later DeSantis shot the idea down.

“We should be trusting people to make good decisions. Floridians have shown they can do that,” said DeSantis.

Dr. Ron Saff with the Physicians For Social Responsibility said the Governor’s argument reminds him of those made when people protested seatbelt laws.

“And I suspect some of those people are the same ones that are fighting the mask idea. It makes good sense to wear a mask just like it makes good sense to wear a seatbelt,” said Dr. Saff.

And while daily cases numbers have set multiple new records in the past week, the overall positivity rate in the state remains below six percent.

As of Wednesday the state’s dashboard reported 1.4 million Floridians had been tested, with almost 83,000 testing positive.

Florida’s $93.2 billion budget was written as the pandemic began, and the Governor is promising massive vetoes to meet the state’s balanced budget requirement.

The Red Wedding is a famous massacre scene from the HBO series Game of Thrones.

Governor Ron DeSantis referenced the series when we asked about coming budget vetoes.

“There’s going to be a lot more vetoes. Its gonna be a lot of red. It’s kind of the veto equivalent of the Red Wedding from Game of Thrones. There’s gonna be things that are in my budget that I’m definitely going to veto,” said DeSantis.

State revenue was down almost $900 million in April.

May’s numbers won’t be out next week.

A caravan of workers protesting at the Capitol Wednesday are worried cuts could run deep, including a $400 million state worker pay raise.

“But I certainly hope that workers for the State of Florida, who have not seen any increases in many years is not a group of people that’s going to suffer the consequences of potentially calling a special session and making sure they are taken care of,” said Florida AFL-CIO President Michael Williams.

Not bringing the Legislature back, basically deprives Democrats of a forum for criticism between now and the election.

Democrat State Senator Janet Cruz told us teacher raises, affordable housing and environmental spending are now more critical than ever.

“And its unfair that I represent the folks in my district and I don’t get to have any input as to what will happen here,” said Cruz.

But after lawmakers passed the budget in March, what stays in and what gets cut is solely up to the Governor.

Also due this Friday are new unemployment numbers for May, which could help gauge any economic turnaround.

About three dozen cars of protestors participated in a caravan to the State Capitol Wednesday morning.

The event, organized by the Florida AFL-CIO was intended to encourage politicians to implement policies aimed at furthering economic and racial justice.

Their list of demands include added safety for those working through the pandemic, paycheck and pension protections, continued funding for schools and the postal service and an expansion of health insurance for workers.

“And finally the fifth one is we are calling for a reinvestment in our infrastructure. We are in the midst of a pretty dramatic unemployment crisis. Rebuilding our infrastructure will provide good jobs as well as helping preserve our economic lifeblood and get the country moving again,” said Michael Newberger with the Florida AFL-CIO.

On a national level the group hopes to see the passage of the HEROES Act, which is the latest stimulus package passed by the US House.

It’s still awaiting approval in the Senate.

The state’s coronavirus dashboard recorded a record 2,776 new cases Tuesday.

It marks the 14th day in a row of over 1,000 new COVID-19 cases.

Now, a group of physicians is calling on the Governor to mandate the use of face masks in order to stop the spread.

Call it COVID-Burnout, physicians in the state’s capital believe after three solid months of pandemic panic Floridians are beginning to drop their guard and their masks.

“You may not like wearing a mask, but it beats wearing a ventilator,” said Dr. Ron Saff, a member of Physicians for Social Responsibility.

More than 10,000 cases have been reported in the last week alone.

“If we do not do better in responding to this spread another 100,000 people or more may die of the same disease,” said Dr. Howard Kessler President of PSR-FL.

They’ve asked the Governor to make face masks mandatory in public places by issuing an executive order.

“He has a moral and leadership obligation to reduce sickness and deaths among Floridians and to set and example for the nation,” said Dr. Donald Axelrad, who is on the board of PSR-FL.

The physicians said by simply wearing a face mask you’re six times less likely to spread or contract the virus.

“People should have the courtesy and respect for others to wear a mask. Unfortunately, voluntary requests to wear a mask seem to be falling on deaf ears,” said Dr. Saff.

With the Governor having largely taken a libertarian approach to the pandemic response, putting the onus on the individual to either heed or ignore guidance, it’s unlikely he will take any enforceable action on face masks.

Fourteen states and the District of Columbia have mandatory face mask requirements in public spaces.

A dog may be a man’s best friend, but a North Florida dog trainer wants his trained dogs to be the coronavirus’ worst enemy.

50 dogs at Top Tier K9’s training facility are in line to be among the first in the country to be trained to sniff out the coronavirus.

Jeff Minder is a former survival instructor for the air force.

He has a patented 50-point dog training system and saw a need.

He told us the virus-sniffing dogs could prove useful in areas where people congregate in large groups.

“Immediately is churches, and then the airports where people feel safer traveling,” said Minder.

Uzi, a Belgian Malinois, is his personal dog and has compiled a record more accurate than testing.

“Their success rate at finding that virus is, actually, for the last two weeks, has been 100 percent. But it’s 95, 96 percent based on all the work I’ve done,” said Minder.

We weren’t exposed to the virus for the training session, and Minder wouldn’t say how he got the virus samples… only that they were expensive.

“I don’t fear the virus, I don’t fear men, I don’t fear governments. I do what put me on this earth to do without fear,” said Minder.

Depending on the breed, it will take anywhere from eight months to two years to train the dogs.

Once trained, adding the virus to a dog’s portfolio can take up to an addition eight weeks.

“There are independent individual odors within that virus that these dogs are finding. We think we know exactly what part of the virus they are finding, but that’s very hard to prove,” said Minder.

And working with scientists and public health officials, Minder believes his dogs can help prevent future pandemics.

“The first day the virus hits there. Now we’re searching the mail rooms, and we’re searching the airports, and we’re keeping people funneled in and we’re testing them now for these viruses,” said Minder.

Minder said about half of the dogs in training already have a potential owner.

If the virus mutates, Minder said the mutation will be on how it affects people, not on how it smells to a dog.

Florida State University expects to reopen its campus this fall, but most classes will remain online and plans being presented to the Board of Trustees are subject to change.

FSU students were first told they wouldn’t be returning to the classroom after leaving for Spring break.

“Who could have imagined in January that we would have ended the semester this way?” said FSU President John Thrasher in a May video released by the university.

Now the university has released its draft plan for students to return in the fall.

Testing of students and staff will be a priority.

“We are hoping that most of our students will in fact be tested,” said FSU Provost and Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs Sally McRorie.

The university also plans to conduct COVID-19 testing throughout the semester.

If a case is found, they’ll be quarantined in Rogers Hall on campus and a team will work to trace any and all contacts.

“And make sure that they get tested and that we keep everybody as safe as possible,” said McRorie.

Some parents have complained that sporting events will be permitted to resume, while many classes will still be conducted online.

The university told us classes like arts and lab courses will take priority for in person instruction, but other courses may be offered face to face as well.

“Really important classes for people before they enter their majors for example, or that are really critical classes for them,” said McRorie.

Karen Morian, President of the United Faculty of Florida said the plan appears to align with their own recommendations, highlighting the need for flexibility.

“If we get to the point where the pandemic has resurged so much in Florida that we may have to go to an entirely different plan,” said Morian.

The last two weeks of the semester following Thanksgiving break will be conducted virtually.

Prior to that, any significant outbreak could trigger a return to distance learning.

The University will finalize its reopening plan Thursday and reviewed by the Board of Governors next Tuesday.

Move in is scheduled August 10th and the semester is set to begin the 24th.

Candidate qualifying for state and local races across Florida ended at noon Friday.

It wasn’t without some last minute maneuvering.

Generally the final day of qualifying at the R.A. Grey Building in the state capital is bustling with last minute business, but not in this age of COVID.

Still, in the last ten minutes before the noon cutoff, a Democrat from Osceola filed her paperwork to run for the State House.

“Just something I’ve always wanted to do and I didn’t want to have any regrets,” said Kristen Arrington.

Several operatives were in place monitoring any last minute surprises.

As the clock ticked, Virginia Fuller dropped off her paperwork for a long shot House seat in Tallahassee.

And as the clock struck noon, some arrived too late to make the cut.

Rules are rules.

The deadline was 12 noon, not 12:01.

The first test of the 2020 election is just ten weeks away.

The Primary is August 18th.

Look for innovative ideas at marketing.

One example, a bumper sticker face mask.

“You have to play to win and you can’t play if you are not in the game,” said Florida Democratic Party Chair Terri Rizzo.

Rizzo said more campaigns will boost turnout.

“When local candidates run, it brings more votes. People run on local issues,” said Rizzo.

Both Democrats and Republicans are pushing vote by mail, but it comes with pitfalls.

To make sure your vote by mail ballot is counted, you will should monitor it and correct any signature problems with your local supervisor.

We reached out to State GOP Chair Joe Gruters for this story, but did not hear back.

The Governor and Commissioner of Education released the state’s recommendations for school districts to open in the fall and it has largely been received positively by education groups.

The 143 page reopening guide lays out recommendations for social distancing and sanitation.

It sets the goal of returning schools to full capacity in the fall, but acknowledges the potential for staggered scheduling or even potential returns to distance learning.

“The commissioner is very enthusiastic about us starting school and I think he should be,” said Fedrick Ingram, President of the Florida Education Association.

Ingram told us the key takeaway is that districts will be able to decide what works best in their area.

“How they start school, what parameters are in place for safety, for academic success,” said Ingram.

And Andrea Messina with the Florida School Boards Association applauds the recognition that many students will need special attention after a five month classroom break.

“We have to recognize them early and we have to get in there with whatever supports we need to be able to get in there with to try to catch them up,” said Messina.

FEA did criticize the plan for its high emphasis on the economic need to return to school.

The labor union argues student health should be the top priority.

And with the state seeing ten straight days with 1,000 new cases, a fall reopening is far from guaranteed.

“But we’re in this situation and we need to be in it together and we need to be by, for and about children,” said Ingram.

The state expects to spend almost $1 billion in CARES Act funding on K-12 education.

An additional $173 million will be at the disposal of the Governor to help hardest hit areas.

In the event schools do have to return to distance learning, the state plan recommends districts use some of the federal funding to ensure all students have access to adequate technology and internet connectivity.

And the school boards association is urging Floridian’s to get involved with reopening plans in their communities by contacting their local officials and letting them know what their expectations are.

During a Tallahassee protest two weeks ago, the driver of a red pickup truck inadvertently drove into the middle of a protest march.

Witnesses say and video confirms he was accused of being with the KKK and that the passenger was punched in the face.

The Georgia man was taken into custody and questioned.

Now the State Attorney has announced no charges will be filed.
“It’s actually necessity that allowed him to drive through other innocent bystanders who were in front of the car. And basically, the common way to say it is that people are allowed to run away. So, if you are in a situation that scares you and you turn and your are honestly and for good reason scared, you knock somebody down as you run away, you are not criminally responsible for that. The law has some common sense to it,” said State Attorney of Florida’s 2nd Judicial Circuit Jack Campbell.

Two people received minor injuries.

The State Attorney also praised officers who protected the driver and passengers from the angry crowd, saying they prevented what could have been life threatening injuries.

While the Governor and Commissioner of Education Thursday pushed to fully open schools this fall, the Governor still hasn’t received the new budget, which takes effect in July.

In it are significant raises for teachers and others, but those raises may no longer be something the state can afford.

Florida lawmakers set aside $500 million for teacher raises, another $400 million for state employees, and $54 million for an additional boost for correctional officers.

But with the pandemic, all bets are off.

In late March, the Governor, without being asked, put the teacher raises in play.

“You look at the teacher compensation, obviously, we put a lot into that. And we’ll see what happens with the budget, but that’s important,” said Governor Ron DeSantis.

April’s revenue expectations were down more than $800 million.

May’s numbers are likely to be just as bad.

Enter Florida TaxWatch.

It is recommending at least $136 million in vetos of projects that did not get proper review.

There is also $500 million in member projects that could be in their sights.

“We’re asking the Governor to take a close look at all member projects,” said Kurt Wenner with Florida TaxWatch.

To make up pandemic losses, TaxWatch is also recommending the state sign a new gaming deal with the Seminole Tribe.

TaxWatch President Dominic Calabro estimates collecting sales taxes from online sales could be worth more than $1 billion.

“I suspect by the second or third year, we’re looking at two billion,” said Calabro.

A new gaming deal and collecting taxes already owed on remote sales could together raise almost $3 billion a year after fully implemented.

Asked specifically about whether it would recommend vetoing the raises, Calabro said it’s a possibility.

“We’ll be looking at those, among many others-among many others. We’ll be looking at all of those things. Everything is and should be on the table,” said Calabro.

The state does have over $4 billion in reserves and that much and more from federal pandemic relief, but that may not be enough to cover the economic damage expected for months to come.

Starting Monday, Floridians will once again be able to apply for a concealed carry permit online and the Department of Agriculture will open its first regional licensing branch since the start of the pandemic.

The Department of Agriculture closed all nine of its Division of Licensing branches and suspended online concealed carry applications in mid-March.

“Now it is time for the next step,” said Commissioner of Agriculture Nikki Fried Thursday.

Fried announced the regional licensing office in the state capital will be the first to open its doors and online applications will resume starting next week.

“We’re going to continue with a cautious methodical plan for reopening and we will announce additional offices in the weeks to come,” said Fried.

But Jeff Hinkle, who helped coordinate a pending lawsuit against the Department of Agriculture alleges the Department’s actions during the pandemic violated Floridians’ 2nd Amendment rights.

“You are required in the Florida state law to actually provide these services such as finger printing etcetera and it doesn’t give any options to not do it. It says you have to do it,” said Hinkle.

Fried said Thursday the decision to reopen was her own.

“I certainly as an attorney do not follow the whims of a frivolous lawsuit on our decision and policy making,” said Fried.

Despite the closures the Department renewed and issued 84,000 licenses since March 1st.

That’s down about 30 percent from the same time last year.

Hinkle said the statistics are proof Floridians have had a more difficult time applying for concealed carry permits, given record setting gun sales this year.

“Background checks in March just for Florida were 192,000. That absolutely smashed the prior record from 2018,” said Hinkle. “So really, that two thirds less than they were issuing, it really should have probably been a third more than normal that they were issuing.”

The reopening announcement hasn’t slowed the lawsuit.

Hinkle said Floridians in other parts of the state shouldn’t be expected to travel to Tallahassee to get fingerprinted if their local police department or tax collector still isn’t collecting them.

At the office in the capital city employees will wear face masks, shields and gloves while collecting fingerprints.

Visits will be by appointment only and can be scheduled by calling 850-245-5300.

On Tuesday many small rural counties felt they were being discriminated against because the state was withholding federal pandemic funds that nearby big counties were already spending.

Late Wednesday, the state notified Chris Doolin and the Small County Coalition that it was releasing part of the $1.2 billion.

“These are a game changer. They will be used for community relief in our small and rural counties. They experienced job losses. These businesses have experienced impacts related to closures. So, yes, we worked pretty hard for 75 days to get what Congress intended to have happen when they adopted the CARES Act back at the end of March,” said Doolin.

Under the initial state plan, 25 percent of the $1.2 billion would be distributed, but the counties are still negotiating the details, including how much they will initially receive.