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Duval County has become the eighth school district to enact a mask mandate for schools, as other county school boards consider bucking the state and executive order.

Parents seeking to throw out the state’s ban on mask mandates rested their case Tuesday.

The lawyers representing parents in the school mask suit rested their case just before noon, after calling three doctors and a parent.

Lesley Abravevanel was asked why she brought the suit.

“Because we’re throwing out children pretty much into a petri dish right now,” said Abravevanel.

Abravevanel is the mother of 10-year-old twins.

She testified she was scared to send her kids back to class.

“I’m very nervous. I’m sorry. I’m very very nervous,” said Abravevanel.

She told the court masks were not a matter of choice and should be mandated.

“God forbid, a school shooter, and now we have to worry about them catching a deadly pandemic,” said Abravevanel.

Three doctors called by the plaintiffs said kids 12 and under were are greater risk.

“I currently have a child in kindergarten and one in second grade, and they both wear masks to school,” said pediatrician Dr. Grace Huute.

Cases are increasing.

“My current understanding is that Florida is second only to Mississippi in the number of hospitalized children,” said pediatrician Dr. Mona Mangat.

Dr. Tony Kriseman with John Hopkins Children’s Hospital testified masks are one of the effective tools.

“There was difference with ventilation and there was a difference with masking. And the ultimate conclusion is that they are both very effective measures that should be introduced in a layered fashion,” said Dr. Kriseman.

After lunch, the State asked for the case be dismissed, but the judge said no.

The state spent the afternoon relying on the same doctor the Governor has recruited when making past decisions, even showing a 50 minute clip of a roundtable.

“And there’s literally no randomized evidence whatsoever for these masks in schools,” said Stanford University COVID Researcher Dr. Jay Bhattacharya in the July video.

The case wraps up Wednesday with closing arguments, but no decision is expected until at least Thursday.

Both sides are expected to appeal if the decision goes against them.

Parents from across the state with children who have heath considerations are in court today, the first of three days, over whether the Governor has more authority than local school boards when it comes to deciding who wears a mask. As Mike Vasilinda tells us, the number of districts defying the state order is growing.

The number is now seven districts who are not giving parents an opt out from mask mandates.  The number grew over the weekend as Leon County made masks mandatory for kids in K through 8th grade, after previously allowing an opt out.

“We should have mandatory masking in schools” said retired Judge Charles Dodson, who is not representing parents in the suit to require masks in schools.

In an unusual twist, the former judge who ruled against the state  and was later overturned, when it required students to go back to the classroom, is now representing parents like Hillsborough mom Amy Nell. She believes in parents rights, but wants every child in a  mask.

“But if your choice puts others in harms way, or doesn’t support the public health in general, then, it becomes more of a community issue” Nell testified.

Michael Abel, the Governor’s and DOE attorney countered that the Governor’s order is not forcing anyone to go maskless.

“The freedom of parents to choose whether their own kids  have their faces covered at school.”

The appellate court decision in last years school re-opening case found that that decision was up to politically accountable…not health officials.

The case surfaced in opening remarks from the Governors lawyer.

“So at the conclusion of the trial, we’re going to ask this court to enter a judgement for the defendants and dismiss the case” Michael Abel told the court.

But the year old decision also opened the door for local school boards to prevail.

USF researcher Thomas Unnasch told teh court the difference this time was the behavior of the virus.

“The Delta virus is potentially a much more explosive virus in terms of its spread.”

And whatever the outcome of this trial, it is sure to be appealed to the First District Court of Appeal, the same court that sided with the Governor last year when it came to opening schools.”

So far, only Alaucha and Broward counties have been told by the state they are in violation of law. The notice is the first step in levying penalties.

The state’s unemployment rate rose by a tenth of a percent in July and now sits at 5.1 percent.

State economists say it’s due to more than 83,000 Floridians rejoining the labor force and seeking jobs, but even with the steady economic recovery, some sectors are continuing to deal with chronic staffing shortages.

The Education and Healthcare services saw the third highest gains in July, with 10,000 jobs added.

But the sector is still only 79 percent recovered compared to pre-pandemic levels.

Currently there are almost 9,000 vacancies in Florida schools.

“From last year to this year we have 63 percent increase in vacancies for instructional staff,” said Andrew Spar, President of the Florida Education Association.

Spar argued low interest in the profession is being driven primarily by low wages, despite beginning teachers getting large increases in the last two years.

“Florida ranks 48th now in the nation in average teacher pay,” said Spar.

There are also over 8,000 nursing vaccines across the state.

“This is important. Healthcare is a critical part of the state’s economy,” said Mary Mayhew, President of the Florida Hospital Association.

Mayhew said the stress of the pandemic has caused an exodus from the industry.

“Had a workforce shortage before the pandemic, it is now exacerbated because of the pandemic,” said Mayhew.

While education and healthcare jobs are in the spotlight due to their frontline role in the pandemic, state economists said the trouble finding workers isn’t unique to those industries.

“Every job category, class, industry, sector is experiencing some level of tension in the labor market,” said Department of Economic Opportunity Chief Economist Adrienne Johnston.

As for education and healthcare staffing shortages, there isn’t likely a short term solution.

Both industries said bolstering training programs is the key to ensuring the supply of workers can meet the demand.

Even as the Delta variant began to surge in July, state economists said the rise in cases didn’t impact the economic recovery.

They also said the continued economic growth in July suggests ending federal unemployment benefits early drove more Floridians back into the workforce.

Beginning with a primary in the St. Petersburg mayoral race next week, Florida will hold 82 municipal elections before the end of the year, and voting rights activists are worried recent changes to Florida’s election laws will make it more difficult for some to vote.

The activists are pining their hopes on national legislation.

Before the end of the year, 29 counties will hold 82 local elections.

One of the biggest and most important will be the mayoral race in St. Petersburg, which has a primary next week.

“We didn’t new barriers to accessing drop boxes,” said State Representative Fentrice Driskell.

Activists say this year’s changes could make voting harder.

“St. Pete has a very large African American population, ,I just want to make sure they have been well educated in what these changes are going to mean for them,” said Driskell.

All Voting is Local is pushing Federal legislation to override Senate Bill 90.

“I mean, that’s why we need these national protections in place. Allowing people to register the day of the election,” said Brad Ashwell with All Voting is Local.

But the sponsor of the voting legislation, State Senator Dennis Baxley, argued opening registration to Election Day would create problems, not fix them.

“When you’ve got people registering in the middle of voting, that’s how you get mishaps,” said Baxley.

During the Zoom, a former Congresswoman said that GOP lawmakers nationwide had introduced over 400 election bills.

She suggested a conspiracy.

Sponsor Baxley answered the question this way.

“Well, that’s one I haven’t heard, so I hardly know how to respond. I had no trouble putting one bill together,” said Baxley.

The biggest test of SB 90 will come in November when Broward County will hold a special congressional election.

The outcome will either fuel the efforts to change the law, or perhaps prove the Florida Legislature right.

A Federal lawsuit seeking to have this years election law changes declared unconstitutional is pending.

Governor Ron DeSantis is now saying school districts imposing mask mandates without the option for parents to opt-out aren’t defying him, he says they’re breaking the law.

Despite the threat of sanctions from the Board of Education, Hillsborough, Palm Beach and Miami-Dade have joined Alachua and Broward and removed parental op-out options.

With a total of five districts now defying Department of Health rules mandating a parental opt-out from mask mandates, the Biden Administration has announced it will look into potential legal action to thwart Florida’s mask-optional mandate.

“I really appreciate it. Every single county looks different,” said Hillsborough School Board Member Karen Perez regarding the potential federal help.

For Perez, the staggering 10,000 plus quarantines in the first week of school made her decision to remove the opt-out requirement easy.

“Because right now they’re out of the classroom. We want them in the classroom,” said Perez.

Between school staff and students, 0.89 percent of her Bay Area district has been infected with COVID while operating under the prior mask optional policy.

That’s compared to 0.77 percent in Alachua, where masks were mandated since day one.

We asked if the relatively similar case rates between the two counties factored into her decision to remove the parental opt-out.

“At 10,000 quarantined, I’m not gonna wait until that number gets higher,” said Perez.

Districts have not challenged the opt-out requirement in the courts yet, but a Circuit Court Judge heard a lawsuit brought by parents challenging the state policy Thursday afternoon.

The hearing was on the state’s motion to dismiss the suit, but the judge ruled he would allow the case to go forward.

The state argued by allowing the case to go to trial the Judge would find himself in the position of legislating from the bench.

“The court would be walking squarely into a non-justiciable political question,” said the state’s attorney Michael Abel.

What sanctions districts who remove parental op-out options will face is still unclear.

Multiple possibilities including removal from office have been floated, but there had been no official announcement as of Thursday afternoon.

In response to the potential for federal interference in the state’s masking policy, DeSantis Press Secretary Christina Pushaw told us in a statement, “Forced-maskers often criticize Governor DeSantis for overruling “local control” in his defense of individual rights. Yet they support Biden’s blatant federal overreach. CDC bureaucrats and their inconsistent, politicized “guidance” does not supersede the rights of parents to make health and education decisions for their own children.”

The NCAA is ratcheting up the pressure on universities scheduled to hold championship games, requiring them to reaffirm their commitment to nondiscrimination, including against trans athletes.

Trans activists say it’s further evidence the state will lose money due to its ban on trans athletes in women’s sports, but Republican lawmakers aren’t deterred.

The NCAA is requiring future championship hosts to commit to its nondiscrimination policy, which allows trans women to compete in women sports under certain circumstances, but a new state law allows only biological women to compete in women sports.

“This legislation has put in peril some of those important championships and sporting events, but really more than anything it’s putting in peril our young people’s opportunities to play on teams and learn critical lessons that come from sports,” said Jon Harris Maurer with Equality Florida.

But supporters of the law dubbed ‘The Fairness in Women’s Sports Act’ aren’t backing down.

“If they want the University of Florida or Florida State or our other schools to leave the NCAA, that may be up to them,” said State Representative Randy Fine.

At the time of the bill’s signing, activists estimated the law could cost the state 50 events and $75 million in economic activity.

But so far, championships have continued to be held in the Sunshine State.

Rep. Fine said he believes the association’s threats are a bluff.

“Look, they’re a bunch of clowns and they will fold and we’re not worried about it. Look, we’re going to stand for women,” said Fine.

There’s also a lawsuit filed in federal court challenging the law, which claims it violates Title IX and the 14th Amendment.

Attorney Rosalyn Richter, who is representing the 13-year-old trans teen named in the suit, said rulings from the US Supreme Court and two federal courts have backed up those arguments.

“These types of laws are sex discrimination under Title IX,” said Richter.

But supporters believe the law will be upheld.

“Men should not be able to play women’s sports period,” said Fine.

The state has until August 23rd to respond to the suit.

As for the position universities are stuck in, having to decide whether to follow state law or the NCAA, Representative Fine said, “The public universities know who writes the checks”.

The first seven months of this year have seen a record 900 plus manatees die.

The total is expected to hit as many as 1200 by the end of the year.

The Save the Manatee Club and two other nonprofits have given the US Fish and Wildlife Service warning they plan to sue if more isn’t done to protect the sea mammal.

State data shows 905 Manatees have already died this year, breaking the record of 830 in 2017, and it’s only going to get worse according to Pat Rose of the Save the Manatee Club.

“We’re looking at the potential of hundreds of more dying from starvation,” said Rose.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission was told the problem is a lack of sea grasses, particularly along the east coast.

“If its a red tide,, it comes and goes. If it’s a cold kill, it comes and goes. This one we’re uncertain how long the impact is going to be, but we know this forage not going to come back overnight or even in a few years,” said FWC Research Institute Director Gil McRae.

Three nonprofits, including Save the manatee Club have filed notice they intend to sue the US Fish and Wildlife Service, to try and force more funding to deal with the deaths.

The lack of food is so severe, state and federal agencies along with nonprofits are exploring putting stressed manatees in rehab centers or even proving food this winter.

“Manatees can eat up to a hundred pounds of food or more a day in terms of aquatic plants. If you times that by a thousand or two thousand manatees, that’s a monumental task,” said Rose.

Rose believes the the FWS will concede that there is a problem without having to file the suit.

“We think that this will work out in a way to the benefit of the manatees,” said Rose.

Before seagrasses began disappearing, the manatee, statistically, had just a half percent chance of becoming extinct in the next one hundred years, but with the water quality issues, there is now a six percent chance.

Two Florida congressmen have filed a bill to move the manatee from threatened status to endangered, which would free up more money and staff to save the population.

The state recorded 31,752 new COVID cases in Floridians aged 19 and younger last week.

There were also two new deaths of Floridians under the age of 16.

The new stats come as the debate over school mask mandates continues to escalate.

The state’s largest teachers union is tracking school related cases, quarantines and deaths.

It’s found more than 5,400 infections of students and staff and more than 8,500 quarantines since August 1st, but union President Andrew Spar noted the actual number is likely much higher.

“About a third of the school districts are reporting COVID cases publicly on their websites this year, but two thirds aren’t,” said Spar.

The Florida Education Association has also tracked three deaths of Florida children and 16 faculty members since July.

“We had 46 [faculty deaths] in total all of last year, a 12 month period. So it is quite concerning,” said Spar.

Seminole County student JJ Holmes, who has cerebral palsy, is worried he could become one of those statistics unless masks are mandated in schools.

In a virtual press conference with Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Nikki Fried, Holmes criticized the Governor’s insistence that masks be optional.

“Governor DeSantis is taking away my rights so he can give more freedom to other people,” said Holmes.

Only two districts, Alachua and Broward have bucked the state’s parental opt-out requirement from mask mandates.

The Board of Education is set to vote on whether to withhold funding from those districts over the issue Tuesday.

The funding withheld would be equal to the salaries of the school board members and superintendents in the districts.

In a letter sent to the Governor and Florida DOE, US Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona indicated school districts could use federal relief dollars to supplement the salaries if they’re withheld.

In response to the letter the Governor’s Press Secretary Christina Pushaw told us in a statement, “What we’re doing in Florida must be working, for Secretary Cardona to prioritize funding the salaries of politicians over students, parents, and teachers.”

Fans and worshipers arrived early this morning to say a final goodbye to Bobby Bowden, the famed FSU coach who died last Sunday at the age of 91. As Mike Vasilinda tells us, todays emphasis was on faith.

While the messages mirrored Bowdens philosophy of making faith family and football a priority, Mike Vasilinda tells us, todays emphasis was on faith.

At least 200 people waiting outside when the doors opened an hour and a half.

“He knew where he was going. He was sure of his salvation. He was going to live eternally. That’s the way I feel” said Vernon.

Chris McKinnon and his mom Pat came because Chris spent 8 years attending Bobby Bowden’s youth foot ball camps.

“I couldn’t wait to go to it every summer. I was so excited.”

Inside they were treated so years of highlight films, including this pep talk before a big game.

“If they don’t score, we win, and we do want to win, right?” Bowden is seen telling players.

Players, including Warrick Dunn, who played from 1993 to 96,  told stories of how they grew to be men under Bowden.

“He stood up for me in the most difficult time in my life. I am forever grateful for that, and I wouldn’t be here today without coach” Dunn told the audience, concluding with a classic Bowden line…dadgumit.

Mickey Andrews, who spend 20 years  coaching for Bowden, says he learned to be tough.

“He stood for doing your best. And he was going to hold you accountable to it.”

The program includes a letter to his children in 2004, telling them he was going to heaven…and he would consider his life a failure if they weren’t eventually there too.”

The letter was written a week after Bowdens daughter Ginger lost her son and husband in a car crash. She chose to read from a 1949 love letter sent wife Ann.

“Dearest Ann, I will see you later. Forever yours. Bobby Bowden” read the daughter to her mother.

The finale was one of the few that placed emphasis on football. The FSU band playing the fight song and the crowd doing the FSU Chop.

Consultant/Sport Writer Don Yaeger told us the program was just what Bobby would have wanted.

“I think he would be proudest that football really only did come in sparingly this entire discussion.”

Indeed.

Bowden will lie in state at his alma mater, Samford tomorrow evening. He will be laid to rest during a private ceremony in Trussville Alabama.

Most Florida school districts wrapped up their first week of classes Friday, almost all with a parental opt-out for face masks.

The Department of Education has threatened to withhold funding equal to the salaries of the superintendents and school board members in Alachua and Broward County if they don’t come into compliance before next Tuesday.

It’s more than a week before a lawsuit attempting to block the state’s opt-out mandate is expected to be ruled on.

The lawsuit brought by parents from across the state is attempting to put the decision of masking back in the hands of local school districts.

The parents’ attorney Charles Gallagher told us the first week of school has been difficult.

“I’m hearing of classrooms being closed down. I’m hearing kids contracting COVID on the second day of school, third day of school,” said Gallagher.

Commissioner of Agriculture Nikki Fried painted a similar picture of school re-openings in virtual press conference Friday.

“As of last night there were 440 students in Palm Beach County schools that were quarantined after exposure to COVID,” said Fried.

The parents’ lawsuit got it’s first hearing later in the afternoon, but a final ruling isn’t expected until the 25th.

Already, judges in Texas and Arkansas have temporarily blocked bans on mask mandates.

“The trend certainly does appear to favor a resolution that does protect students, and gives school boards the right to govern themselves,” said Gallagher.

In a statement the Governor’s Office noted the decisions in Texas and Arkansas have no bearing on Florida.

“We are confident in the legal basis for protecting parents’ freedom to choose whether their own children wear masks or not,” said DeSantis Press Secretary Christina Pushaw.

With no ruling expected before the next meeting of the State Board of Education, where members are expected to vote to withhold the salaries of officials in districts out of compliance, school officials are going to have a tough choice to make: Forego a paycheck or pay themselves and take money from other areas of their school budget.

At least two members of Broward’s School Board have committed to forgo their pay.

“I personally am prepared if the Governor goes that route to take our salaries, to give up my salary,” said Broward County School Board Chair Dr. Rosalind Osgood.

“I am prepared to go without a paycheck,” said Broward School Board member Sarah Leonardi.

State Senate Democrats have pledged to start a GoFundMe, to pay the salaries of the school officials if DOE follows through and cuts funding.

Also, in Alachua, County Officials have vowed to supplement the salaries of their Superintendent and School Board members.

The reality of the passing of Bobby Bowden started sinking in for fans, former players and friends of the legendary coach as they paid tribute to the coach as he lie in state in the Historic State Capitol Rotunda Friday.

Bowden was described as a man of faith, tough, and having a heart of garnet and gold.

Burly state troopers struggled with a casket weighing 700 pounds empty.

The family and FSU president John thrasher paid their respects first.

Afterwards Thrasher was visibly moved.

“I’m emotional, emotional. But God bless him and his family. He was a wonderful man,” said Thrasher.

A steady flow or mourners paid their respects over the three hour memorial.

Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony told us Bowden was responsible for his successes.

“All those things that were part of practice, part of football, turn into the foundation for how I even lead my organization to this day,” said Tony.

The consensus of many who came her today: FSU would never have become the powerhouse it has become without Bobby Bowden.

“He said Sue, I’m looking for a momma for my team,” said Sue Hall, Bowden’s former assistant.

It was a role she held for 23 years.

“I think he cared so much for his team and they knew it. He had a lot of faith, and god helped him, I believe,” said Hall.

“He knocked the cane on the floor.”

At least a dozen former players shared stories with each other.

“He would go to those lockers when he knew kids were hurting and he would sit at those lockers everyday after practice and talk to them,” said Jordan.

Bowden passed at the age of 91.

We’re told Bowden approached getting older, by saying he wasn’t going to let the old man in.

Now that the Department of Interior has allowed the gaming compact between the state and Seminole Tribe to go into effect, opponents of the increased gaming being given to the tribe are readying a suit to stop it.

The Seminole gaming Pact was signed in April, approved by lawmakers in May and allowed to go into effect by the Department of the Interior when the 45-day review period expired without a comment.

“We plan to do what it takes to make sure this is in front of the courts, both at the federal level and the state level,” said John Sowinski with No Casinos Inc.

No Casinos Inc. is now readying a law suit to stop the compact.

“The compact that’s been approved violates at least three federal laws. The Indian gaming Regulatory Act, the online gaming act, as well as the Federal Wire Act,” said Sowinski.

The compact allows sports betting starting October 15th, as well as craps and roulette, none of which are currently legal in Florida.

Because of that, No Casinos believes that only voters can approve of more gaming.

“Amendment 3 is under assault. An amendment that seventy two percent of the people of Florida voted for is being ignored,” said Sowinski.

But the Governor and Tribe are hanging their hopes on Section C of the amendment passed by voters in 2018 .

“And I think it satisfies Amendment 3,” said Governor Ron DeSantis in April.

But No Casino’s disagrees.

“And the Legislature does not have the authority to duly authorize within our state sports betting, roulette, craps, any other form of casino gambling unless the voters of Florida approve it,” said Sowinski.

Florida voters have turned down casino gambling in 1978, 86 and 94.

They only narrowly approved slot machines in 2004, but only for south Florida.

No Casino’s contends the Indian Regulatory Gaming Act only allows gaming already legal in a state to take place on tribal lands.

A judge is likely to have the final say.

CDC data shows Florida reported a record 24,753 cases yesterday and the continuing spike in cases has the Governor suggesting a return to daily data reporting from the Department of Health might be on the table.

For the first time since the Florida daily COVID dashboard was taken down in June, Governor Ron DeSantis has indicated it might be a good idea to start daily reporting again.

“In terms of breaking it down by county, you know, that might not be a bad idea going forward. I know we used to look at that a lot,” said DeSantis in a Thursday press conference.

In a virtual press conference held later in the day, Democratic state lawmakers’ response amounted to: What took so long?

“It’s like going into a football game and trying to make halftime adjustments and you’re down 70 points,” said Rep. Ramon Alexander.

The Governor’s comment comes after the Department of Health got in a public spat with the CDC via Twitter.

The federal agency published three days of cases over the span of two, artificially inflating the number to a would-be-record of over 28,000 cases for two consecutive days.

Democrats point to the incident as all the more reason for the state to publish the data itself.

“The information should come directly from the source and it should be blanketed and universally given out on a daily basis to everyone,” said Rep. Christine Hunschofsky.

Most, if not all, of the stats Democrats are asking for from the state is already reported by the CDC, but Democrats argue the detail and the frequency of the data is what’s missing.

“The more concrete data and localized data that we can give to our communities, the better equipped they will be to make the decisions they need to make to keep their families and communities safe,” said Rep. Hunschofsky.

What exactly local governments could do in response to daily data from the state is limited.

Mask mandates are banned and lockdowns are forbidden under state laws passed earlier this year.

Since June the state has been releasing a weekly report on COVID and vaccination stats.

That report does include county positivity rates, all 67 of which last week were above 14 percent.

The CDC considers anything above a 10 percent positivity rate an area of high transmission.

Ten school districts opened their doors Wednesday, joining the 45 that opened earlier in the week.

While threats from the Department of Education were enough for some districts to back track on parental opt-outs for masks, one district has started the school year under a mask mandate.

The Alachua School District is the only one open and not allowing parents to opt their kids out of wearing a mask.

The district is requiring a doctor’s note instead.

“They are not allowed to be on campus if they will not follow our policy and that’s just how it is,” said Alachua Superintendent Dr. Carlee Simon.

She told us some parents have pushed back.

“We have parents who are not happy about their two options. I’ve received emails from quite a few of them,” said Simon.

Simon said only 25 medical exemptions have been submitted.

Concerningly, she said, 13 came from the same doctor.

“And we are looking into that,” said Simon.

As for students who show up without a mask or a doctor’s note Simon said they will receive an absence from school

The Governor’s Office in a statement called the policy, “Detrimental to kids’ academic, emotional, and social development”.

However, the Governor’s Office was happy to see that in the Capital County, the district reversed course at the last minute and allowed parents to make the call on masks.

“But to strongly encourage all of our children to wear masks while they’re indoors,” said Leon County Superintendent Rocky Hanna.

Though the Governor did not directly make the threat, he does have the power to remove Leon’s Superintendent because it’s an elected position.

It was a key factor in the district’s decision.

“I don’t do anyone any good if I’m not in that seat anymore and the Governor ends up appointing the next Superintendent of Leon County Schools,” said Hanna.

In Alachua and Broward, removal from office isn’t a concern, as their superintendents are appointed.

While not back to school yet, Broward is also going to require a doctor’s note.

“I’m really proud of the decision that we made,” said Broward School Board Member Sarah Leonardi.

Leonardi said the district is preparing to sue over the state’s opt-out mandate.

“It is our right and purview under the Florida Constitution to make these kinds of decisions,” said Leonardi.

If a court rules differently, Superintendent and School board member salaries are on the line – a risk Leonardi is willing to take.

Leon is also preparing for legal action in the event local health conditions go south.

Alachua also has indicated it’s looking into a lawsuit to challenge the opt-out mandate.