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ICYMI
Orange County’s positivity rate soars, Matt Gaetz’s ex-girlfriend testifies, Trump shades DeSantis and other news you may have missed
» Orange County COVID-19 positivity rate crosses 40%
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Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings revealed last week that the 7-day positivity rate in the county was north of 40%. The astronomical rate dwarfs previous records and is eight times as high at the one-time benchmark for reopening the county safely. Wastewater tests in Seminole County’s Altamonte Springs recently found a 70% positivity rate for those that were on the sewer system. “Four out of 10 people in our community are testing positive,” Demings said. “We have thousands of tests here that are being done here within this county, and that’s a staggering number.” Due to the outbreak, Demings encouraged masking and social distancing, though laws passed by the state of Florida have turned such moves into mere suggestions.
» Trump all but calls DeSantis a coward over coy response to
COVID-19 booster questions
In an interview with One America News, Donald Trump appeared to take a shot at Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who has declined to say whether he’s taken a shot. The former president called out politicians who refused to go on record with whether or not they’ve received a COVID-19 booster, after DeSantis ducked a reporter’s question on the matter in late December. “I watched a couple politicians be interviewed and one of the questions was, ‘Did you get a booster?’ Because they had the vaccine and they’re answering like — in other words, the answer is ‘yes’ but they don’t want to say it, because they’re gutless,” Trump told OAN last week. DeSantis spox Christina Pushaw pointed out that Trump didn’t mention DeSantis by name.
» Gaetz’s ex-girlfriend appears to be testifying in ongoing sex trafficking probe
CNN spotted Matt Gaetz’s ex-girlfriend arriving at Orlando’s federal courthouse with her lawyer, leading to strong speculation that she is testifying in the ongoing probe into whether the Panhandle politician. The woman dated Gaetz around the time that federal investigators are researching. Reports from NBC News claim the grand jury investigation is focusing on three charges: sex trafficking, violating the Mann Act (crossing state lines for the purposes of prostitution) and obstruction of justice. NBC also reports that she might be seeking an immunity deal, protecting her from prosecution in exchange for information about Gaetz.
» Proposed Senate bill would allow businesses to block local ordinances
Local government officials raised concerns last week about a Senate proposal that would block enforcement of new ordinances when challenges arise over the projected impacts to businesses. The Republican-controlled Senate Community Affairs Committee voted 7–2 along party lines to approve SB 280, which would require counties and cities to produce a “business impact statement” before passing ordinances and to suspend enforcement of the ordinances amid legal challenges. During the meeting, Sen. Tina Polsky, D-Boca Raton, pointed to the potential power lawmakers could provide to block local ordinances. “A national corporation could veto an ordinance voted on by a duly elected official local body, in a majority vote, that had open public comment for an extended period of time,” Polsky said.
» Florida senators suggest creation of a no-oversight $1 billion emergency fund for DeSantis
Senators revived a proposal to create a $1 billion fund that Gov. Ron DeSantis could use at his discretion during emergencies he declares in situations such as hurricanes, wildfires and the COVID-19 pandemic. The Senate Appropriations Committee backed a pair of bills (SB 96 and SB 98) sponsored by Sen. Danny Burgess, R-Zephyrhills, to set up an “Emergency Preparedness and Response Fund” so the governor wouldn’t have to wait for the Joint Legislative Budget Commission to convene to approve spending. Burgess’ proposed fund would take the money out of the state’s general revenue fund.
8 ORLANDO WEEKLY ● JAN. 19-25, 2022 ● orlandoweekly.com
