Manatee leaders plan to support DeSantis on new laws against COVID vaccine mandates
Ahead of the Florida Legislature’s special session on vaccine mandates, the Manatee County Commission plans to send a letter to Gov. Ron DeSantis noting their support for the upcoming laws.
DeSantis, who first signed legislation preventing the use of vaccine passports in Florida earlier this year, recently doubled down on his position. He said the purpose of the special session, set to begin on Nov. 15, is to protect employees who may be subject to vaccine mandates at their jobs.
“Your right to earn a living should not be contingent upon COVID shots,” DeSantis said in a statement last week.
Speaking with her fellow board members during Thursday’s Land Use Meeting, Commissioner Vanessa Baugh said she was in full support of the special session. She asked commissioners to support sending the letter to Manatee’s state lawmakers and DeSantis.
“I’m not against vaccines, but I think everyone should have that choice,” Baugh explained.
Baugh said she believed it was important for the board to send a message to residents who may be afraid of losing their jobs because of vaccine mandates. While there haven’t been widespread reports of this practice in Florida, where vaccine passports are already banned, she said she supported proactive measures.
“Some of our professional people, EMS and the sheriff’s offices around the state and nurses have been released from their jobs,” Baugh said. “This is happening in other states. We need to show our support to make sure it doesn’t happen in the state of Florida. This isn’t just Manatee County. This is the whole state.”
In recent months, several board members have encouraged vaccination among county residents, but they’ve stopped short of the vaccine incentives or mandates that a handful of other Florida counties have approved.
As of Oct. 28, 68% of Manatee County’s eligible residents have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, according to the Florida Department of Health.
DeSantis has also engaged in a legal battle with the Biden administration, pushing back on the president’s vaccine requirements for businesses with more than 100 employees and federal contractors.
According to a press release, DeSantis is asking state legislators to pass new laws that prevent discrimination based on COVID-19 vaccine status, set aside money to investigate vaccine mandate complaints, and prevent school district mask mandates.
Commissioners said they weren’t aware of many businesses with mandates in Manatee County, but several officials took the opportunity to voice support for DeSantis’ proposals.
“We should let people go work and make their own personal medical decisions,” Commissioner James Satcher said. “I appreciate the governor and what he’s doing.”
Other board members said they would prefer not to vote on a letter that they haven’t had a chance to review. As of Thursday’s discussion, the letter hadn’t been written yet.
“I’m not opposing this. I personally believe everyone should have the right to choose, but I would like to understand your letter by seeing it,” Commissioner Misty Servia told Baugh.
“I totally support not mandating the vaccine. I think that’s what we’re here to decide today, but how can we vote on a letter that we haven’t seen?” Commissioner Carol Whitmore asked. “I’m not putting my name on it unless I see it.”
Baugh, who serves as chairman of the board, contested that commissioners have instructed her to write and send letters without them being reviewed in the past. She agreed to write the letter and bring it to the board’s next meeting at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 9.
Commissioners are expected to vote in favor of the letter. Commissioner Reggie Bellamy, the board’s sole Democrat, said he would review the letter on Tuesday before making a decision.
“We all have different thoughts on vaccines. If you’re vaccinated, it saves lives,” Bellamy said. “I would have to read the letter to say whether I’m going to or not going to participate.”
