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Florida lawmakers gavel into session with key bills looming

The Florida Legislature opened a 60-day session Tuesday that will take on the business of running the country’s third most populous state while tackling a slate of potentially controversial measures — from shielding businesses against COVID-related lawsuits to clamping down on protesters who turn violent.

The state Senate and House gaveled into session with members donning face masks on the floors of their respected chambers. Bouquets festooned House desks and the dais of the Senate floor.

During his State of the State address, Gov. Ron DeSantis said he would looking forward to working with lawmakers on the key issues facing their state.

'Calamitous Reality': DeSantis Speaks On Virus, Vaccines And Elections In State Of The State

Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis claimed success Tuesday for his own handling of the pandemic and urged state lawmakers to pass reliably conservative measures, including what he described as “anti-rioting” proposals, changes to election rules and limits on social media companies kicking users off their platforms.

In his annual State of the State address on the opening day of Florida’s Legislature, DeSantis said the economy was better than expected here despite the pandemic, with most public school classrooms open for students, most businesses up and running and efforts focused on vaccinating the elderly.

He derided pressure to expand quarantine protocols by what he called the “largely affluent Zoom class” of people who can work online.

Gov. DeSantis touts COVID-19 response as he highlights 2021 goals

Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis reflected as much on the past year as he did his priorities for 2021 during a State of the State address Tuesday that touted his response to the coronavirus pandemic.

DeSantis, a staunch opponent to lockdowns and business restrictions, said Florida is in much better shape than other states because it is open for business.

“While so many other states kept locking people down over these many months, Florida lifted people up,” DeSantis said. “Florida’s schools are open -- and we are one of only a handful of states in which every parent has a right to send their child to school in-person. All Floridians have a right to earn a living -- and our citizens are employed at higher rates than those in the nation as a whole. Every job is essential.”

Three Years After The Shooting, Parkland Cares Awards More Grant Money For Mental Health

Last month marked three years since the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland. One organization, Parkland Cares, is working to fulfill its promise to make sure avenues for mental health counseling in the community are funded in the years to come.

The fundraising nonprofit Parkland Cares recently distributed a new round of grant money to four local mental health providers, totaling $100,000.

The money, which the fundraising arm raised through donations, has specifications that it only goes towards therapy for direct service for the MSD community.