TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — “I’ll be seeking advice and ideas on pretty much everything under the sun.”
That's what Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said about re-opening Florida amid the coronavirus pandemic. And, he's assembled the Re-Open Florida task force to get the state open and running again.
However, the governor's 22-person task force does not include Nikki Fried, the Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services, who represents the state's multi-billion-dollar agriculture industry. Fried is also the only Democratic statewide elected official.
Commissioner Fried sent the following statement following the Governor's announcement of the task force:
“This is sadly more of the same politics over state from the Governor. I was not asked to serve alongside my fellow Cabinet members on the task force, which has no voice on its membership representing Florida’s $137 billion agriculture industry.
That is deeply concerning given the impacts of COVID-19 on Florida’s second-largest industry, and given the progress my team has made working with federal, state, local, and retail partners to reduce negative impacts to Florida agriculture. It’s equally concerning that the Governor neglected to mention agriculture on the initial call – I hope he will join my commitment to supporting our farmers and feeding our families.”
Helen Ferre with Gov. DeSantis' office sent 10News this explanation in response:
Governor DeSantis asked Senate President-Designate, Wilton Simpson, a farmer by trade, to lead the task force committee that includes agriculture which will meet tomorrow (Thursday) morning. Florida farmers are cheering this selection. Senator Simpson’s family business, Simpson Farms, is one of the largest egg farms in Florida and his personal and business experience gives farmers a real voice at the table. That practical perspective is critical in helping guide the important conversations had by the Governor’s Re-Open Florida Task Force to help agriculture re-open and prosper in Florida. Additionally, there will be input received from multiple stakeholders in the agriculture industry throughout the working sessions of this task force.
Fried says Florida’s farmers may face $522 million in crop losses due to COVID-19. She and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services released an impact report providing data on crop losses facing Florida farmers.
Fried is hopeful that federal aid and what she's calling a "consumer conscious awakening" will help save Florida's sinking agriculture industry.
In an effort to help Florida farmers, as well as consumers and businesses, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is working to connect you to Florida producers. It's a website called "Keep Florida Growing."
Back in March, Fried urged Governor DeSantis to issue a stay-at-home order.
At the time she said, “Shutting down one of the nation’s largest states is a decision that will have an economic impact – but it is a decision that will save lives.”
Here's who's on the Re-Open Florida Task Force:
- Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez
- Jimmy Patronis, Chief Financial Officer
- Ashley Moody, Attorney General
- Bill Galvano, Senate President
- Speaker Jose Oliva, Florida House of Representatives
- Sen. Wilton Simpson, Incoming Senate President
- Rep. Chris Sprowls, Incoming House Speaker
- Richard Corcoran, Commissioner of Education
- Jamal Sowell, President & CEO, Enterprise Florida, Inc.
- Mayor Carlos Gimenez, Miami-Dade County
- Mayor Dale Holness, Broward County
- Mayor David Kerner, Palm Beach County
- John Couris, President & CEO, Tampa General Hospital
- Josh D’Amaro, President, Walt Disney World Resort
- Todd Jones, CEO, Publix Super Markets
- Syd Kitson, Chairman, Board of Governors for the State University System
- Paul Reilly, Chairman & CEO, Raymond James Financial
- Alex Sanchez, President & CEO, Florida Bankers Association
- Eric Silagy, President & CEO, Florida Power & Light Company
- John Sprouls, CEO, Universal Orlando Resort, Executive Vice President, Universal Parks & Resorts
- Patrick Sunderlin, Vice President, Global Supply Chain, Lockheed Martin Corporation
- Joe York, President, AT&T Florida and Caribbean
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