The Webster Wire

Listening to Floridians

Dear Friends:

While May’s jobs report was encouraging news, Friday’s unemployment claims report reminds us that many are still waiting to be able to return to work. Today, the Florida Department of Health reported 1,758 new positive cases at 11:30 a.m. While our positivity rate on 6/11 hit 6.2%, on 6/13 it was back down to 4.46% with more than 50,000 test results reported. Today, 34,300 tests were reported and the positivity rate is 5.4%. Specifically, in my district the results by county as of 10 a.m. are:

• 150 cases in Citrus County with a positivity rate 2.6%.
• 141 cases in Hernando County with a positivity rate of 1.5%.
• 482 cases in Lake County with a positivity rate of 2.2%.
• 315 cases in Marion County with a positivity rate of 1.8%.
• 267 cases in Sumter County with a positivity rate of .4%.

The “safer at home” actions taken earlier this year were taken to flatten the curve to ensure our healthcare systems were not overwhelmed. Of the more than 77,300 positive cases in Florida as of 11:30 am this morning, only 12,015 are currently needing hospitalization.

Click here for reminders of simple daily precautions you can take to protect yourself, others and help stop the spread.

 

  



 

(Testing, Total Cases, and Hospitalizations Across the United States via  The COVID Tracking Project)

Hurricane Season and COVID-19

• 10 million masks for shelters,
• 12 million N95 masks ordered through agreement with Honeywell, and
• 50 generators – the most Florida has ever owned.

Updated guidance has been provided to county emergency managers and plans for shelters that allow for social distancing and smaller groups are underway. Please visit my webpage, https://webster.house.gov/disaster-preparedness, for important information on creating a plan and emergency supply kit.

State Distributes CARES Funding to Counties

Congress provided more than $100 billion in the March CARES Act to assist state and local governments cover unexpected costs due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On Wednesday, Governor DeSantis announced the plan to begin to disburse $1.275 billion to counties with a population less than 500,000.  Florida Division of Emergency Management (FLDEM) will oversee the disbursement of funding. County leadership must contact FLDEM to enter into a funding agreement which is required to be eligible to receive this funding. Counties with populations that exceed 500,000 have already received funding from the U.S. Treasury.

Unemployment Work Search Requirements Waived

As of June 14, FLDEO has paid 1,385,990 claimants a total of $6.2 billion ($6,207,349,698). Governor DeSantis has continued to waive the typical state work search and work registration requirements by claimants to receive state unemployment benefits.  The current waiver goes through July 4th. Additionally, the state “waiting week” requirement will continue to be waived through August 1, 2020.

As a reminder, FLDEO is also processing Federal Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) program. The Federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program provides unemployment benefits to those that may not otherwise be eligible under Florida’s State Reemployment Assistance program. Eligible claimants may include independent contractors and individuals who are self-employed. If you believe you may be eligible for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, visit www.FloridaJobs.org and select “File a Claim” to apply and be considered for PUA.  If you are already receiving these benefits you must return to the CONNECT system every two weeks to request your benefits or “claim their weeks.” In doing so, you are confirming that you are still unemployed and acknowledge that you are able and available for work should it be offered.

Guidance for Safely Re-Opening Schools

• Step 1 – June – open up campuses for youth activities and summer camps.
• Step 2 – July – expand campus capacities further for summer recovery instruction.
• Step 3 – August – open up campuses at full capacity for traditional start of the academic year.

• Summer A and C Semesters – state colleges, technical colleges and universities are generally virtual, with the exception of first responder and some CTE programs.
• Summer B Semester – open state colleges and technical colleges for in-person summer learning.  State universities continue to remain virtual as they have already decided for Summer B.
• Fall Semester – open state colleges, technical colleges and universities at full capacity for traditional start of the academic year.

Defunding Police Is Not the Answer

Many among the far left, including Rep. Ocasio-Cortez and others, are calling on state and local government to “Defund the Police.” This is not a realistic or constructive response. We are a nation of laws and our police officers put their lives on the line every day to protect and serve their communities. As I have said before, we must ensure law enforcement officers receive proper training and law enforcement policies require the utmost performance, transparency, and accountability. The vast majority of the brave men and women in law enforcement that serve our communities are selfless servants that work tirelessly to protect us and our families from evil and ensure that our laws are upheld. I thank these law enforcement officers who wear the badge for the right reasons and work tirelessly to keep our communities and neihborhoods safe, protect the vulnerable, mentor youth, and render aid to those in need.

Make no mistake, there are officers who fail to uphold their oath yet are protected from accountability or dismissal. This recently happened in our own state, where the Broward Police Union successfully challenged the firing of the Broward Sergeant who failed to fulfill his duty to act to protect the students of Stoneman Douglas High School. As we review current policies to ensure law enforcement officers who violate their duties are held accountable, unions and local leaders must also review and reform collective bargaining agreements that protect “bad apples.”

Wednesday, the House Judiciary Committee held a hearing to discuss law enforcement accountability and police practices. Members of the committee heard moving testimonies from George Floyd’s brother, Philonise Floyd, and Angela Underwood Jacobs, whose brother, a law enforcement officer, was killed during recent riots. Thursday, President Trump held a roundtable with law enforcement and community leaders in Texas. He announced four steps his administration was taking and advocating for to improve safety, opportunity and dignity. Learn more about these four steps here. I’m glad to see his steps are not solely focused on police and law enforcement reforms, but also include workforce development, improving access to quality healthcare and one of my longtime passions – school choice.

House Democrats have rushed to file legislation without engaging in any discussions or working with Republicans. In the Senate, U.S. Senator Tim Scott is taking the lead on drafting legislation. While the bill text is still being developed, he has shared a framework for the proposal. Once bill text is released, as always, I will review language of each carefully before making my vote decision. 

President Trump Further Reduces Federal Footprint

Earlier this month, President Trump signed an executive order, Accelerating the Nation’s Economic Recovery from the COVID-19 Emergency by Expediting Infrastructure Investments and Other Activities. This order builds on previous ones that have sought to streamline outdated and cumbersome agency regulatory rules and practices. These rules and practices served mainly to obstruct hardworking Americans from achieving success than protect the environment or manage growth. Specifically, the order states that agencies must, “take all reasonable measures to speed infrastructure investments and to speed other actions in addition to such investments that will strengthen the economy and return Americans to work, while providing appropriate protection for public health and safety, natural resources, and the environment, as required by law.”

History has proven that when government gets off the back of hardworking Americans and stops picking winners and losers in the economy, our country prospers.  For too many years, unaccountable bureaucrats have weaponized regulatory review processes to push a political agenda. I applaud President Trump and his administration for taking action to reduce red-tape and allow infrastructure projects to move forward, while helping Americans get back to work.

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First Lady Melania Trump has announced Building the Movement: America’s Youth Celebrate 100 Years of Women’s Suffrage. This exhibit will honor the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th amendment, which gave women the right to vote. 

The exhibit launches in August showcasing artwork from students in grades 3-12 depicting this historic anniversary. The White House will be selecting one piece of artwork from all 50 states and territories. All applicants will receive a thank you note signed by Firsts Lady Melania Trump, thanking them for their submission honoring the women’s suffrage movement. 

Submission applications can be found here. Entries must be received by July 6, 2020, at 5:00 p.m. ET.

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In closing, I am excited to announce that my office will once again participate in annual Congressional App Challenge for middle and high school students who reside or attend school in Congressional District 11.

Officially launched in 2015, the Congressional App Challenge is a nationwide event intended to engage students’ creativity and encourage their participation in STEM fields. This competition allows students to compete with peers in their own district by creating and exhibiting their software application for web, PC, tablet, mobile devices and other platforms of their choice.  For more information visit: https://webster.house.gov/appchallenge

Your servant,

Daniel Webster
Member of Congress

Constituent Corner

A constituent contacted my office regarding an issue she was experiencing with the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (FLDEO). The constituent had applied for unemployment several weeks before contacting my office. Upon approval of the claim, she was told that her payment had been issued. However, she informed my office that no benefits had been awarded to her account. Our office submitted an inquiry to FLDEO on her behalf, and shortly after she notified us that her benefits had been issued.

Constituent services is a critical element of our congressional office. The federal government is a massive operation, and my office is available if you ever need assistance in navigating the bureaucracy or cutting through red tape. We are here to serve you. 

Survey

Have you returned to work as Florida continues to safely re-open?

• Yes
• No

submit your response

Results of last week’s survey which asked… “Do you agree with the call to “defund” police departments?” Yes – 6%, No – 91%, Unsure – 2%