April 29, 2020
Hand Law is providing updates on what government responses to COVID-19 mean for you. This article focuses on citizen participation. Local, state and federal officials have made numerous COVID-19 decisions which impact individuals and businesses. Now they are looking ahead and discussing plans for re-opening the Florida economy. The most important advice they can receive on past, present and future COVID-19 policy is from 20 million Florida citizens. Each of us has the opportunity – and responsibility – to share our views.
COVID-19 PUBLIC HEALTH UPDATE
The latest State of Florida report (Wednesday, 4/29 at 10:37 AM) shows 33,193 total cases. Please track statewide data and county information.
FLEX YOUR CITIZENSHIP MUSCLES WITH ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES
Former Illinois Governor and Ambassador Adlai Stevenson said it well: “As citizens of this democracy, you are the rulers and the ruled, the law-givers and the law-abiding, the beginning and the end.” Each of us holds the most important title in American democracy: Citizen. But that title only matters if we use the skills of effective citizenship to make government respond. Below are ways to voice your COVID-19 policy recommendations.
Start with Local Government. Former U.S. House Speaker Tip O’Neill often observed that “all politics is local.” That wisdom still applies. City and county government decisions have the most direct and immediate impact on local communities. Identify & contact your county officials.
Contact the Re-Open Florida Task Force. Last week, Governor Ron DeSantis appointed task force members “to discuss the re-opening of Florida’s economy.” You can follow past or future task force meetings. The task force has established a portal for citizen input.
(Thanks to Katie Ross for providing information on the Task Force to Re-Open Florida comment portal.)
Stay in Touch with State of Florida Officials: In the last election, Floridians elected four Cabinet officials (Governor, Attorney General, Chief Financial Officer, Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services) and 160 members of the Florida Legislature (40 Senate, 120 House). This means that each of us has six directly elected officials – the four Cabinet members, one Florida Senator, and one Florida Representative – with whom to share our views on State of Florida COVID-19 responses.
Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services Nikki Fried
Florida Senate: Find your Senator
Florida House of Representatives: Find your Representative
Don’t Forget Washington. While Congress has adopted several COVID-19 assistance measures, it will consider more relief legislation in early May. Let your representatives know how she or he can help.
U.S. Representatives: Find your Representative
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