GOVERNOR ISSUES SAFER AT HOME ORDER FOR FLORIDA
Governor Ron DeSantis has issued a Safer at Home order for all of Florida.
The order went into effect
today at 12:01 AM
and will last for at least thirty days.
Read the order here.
The order states that
all persons in Florida shall
limit their movements
and
personal interactions
outside of
their home to
only those
neces
sary
to
obtain or
provide
essential services or
conduct
essential activities.
The Florida Forestry Association worked with the Governor's Office before the order was put in place to ensure that forestry would be included as an essential service. As requested, the order refers to the listing of essential services provided by the Department of Homeland Security's
Guidance on the Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce, v. 2 (March 28, 2020)
,
which includes forestry as follows:
"Workers who support sawmills and the manufacture and distribution of fiber and forest products, including, but not limited to timber, paper, and other wood and fiber products."
Ag Commissioner Nikki Fried has provided a suggested letter that can be personalized and given to employees for use in facilitating their travel to and from work and other duties as assigned.
Individual counties across Florida had previously instituted their own orders. In a separate executive order issued Thursday, Gov. DeSantis said that the state order supercedes any county orders.
PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM OPENS TODAY
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act allocated $350 billion to help small businesses keep workers employed amid the pandemic and economic downturn. Known as the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), the initiative provides 100% federally guaranteed loans to small businesses.
Importantly, these loans may be forgiven if borrowers maintain their payrolls during the crisis or restore their payrolls afterward.
Small businesses and sole proprietors can begin applying on April 3. Independent contractors and self-employed individuals can apply beginning on April 10. The
program is open through June 30, but potential applicants are encouraged to act quickly because of the program's loan cap.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has issued a comprehensive guide to help small businesses and self-employed individuals check eligibility and prepare to file for a loan.
Read it here.
More resources:
REMINDERS:
DOT TRUCK WEIGHT ORDER INCLUDES FORESTRY
The Florida Department of Transportation announced the suspension of truck weights up to 95,000 pounds for divisible loads on any vehicles transporting emergency equipment, services, supplies, and necessary agricultural commodities for the purpose of COVID-19 Public Health emergency response. We were successful in our efforts to expand the order and timber is now included as a necessary ag commodity.
IRS, TREASURY EXTEND TAX DEADLINE
The Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service has extended the federal income tax filing due date from April 15, 2020, to July 15, 2020.
Taxpayers can also defer federal income tax payments due on April 15, 2020, to July 15, 2020, without penalties and interest, regardless of the amount owed. This deferment applies to all taxpayers, including individuals, trusts and estates, corporations and other non-corporate tax filers as well as those who pay self-employment tax.
COVID-19 RESOURCE PAGE
The Association has created a
COVID-19 resource page
on our website as a means of keeping the information you need at your fingertips.
In these disruptive times, it is especially important to stay updated and to follow the guidance of local, state, and federal agencies. We have compiled information on applicable legislation, regulations, and programs at all levels, as well as other resources we think will be helpful. The page will be updated continually.
