“Green for the blue: Jimmy Patronis backs reimbursing police who lost pay because of COVID”
Tallahassee Democrat
CFO Jimmy Patronis
December 7, 2021
To read the full op-ed, click here. 
 
It’s a tough time to be in law enforcement.

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So far this year, we’ve already had 71 officers nationwide who have fallen to this terrible virus. If that’s not enough, now police are being fired because of vaccine mandates. Thank God for leaders like Gov. Ron DeSantis who said “enough is enough” when it comes to mandates.
 
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When COVID was hitting our nation the hardest, I issued a directive covering state first responders for workers compensation. I know that at the end of the day, however, workers comp claims just don’t cover all the bills.
 
That’s why this session the Legislature should consider covering the lost pay of any law enforcement officers who were hospitalized as a result of contracting COVID.
 
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I am about as tight with the State of Florida’s purse strings as it gets, but the state’s coffers are filled to the brim, and I cannot imagine a better use of some of these funds.

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About CFO Jimmy Patronis 
Chief Financial Officer and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis is a statewide elected official and a member of Florida’s Cabinet who oversees the Department of Financial Services. CFO Patronis works each day to fight insurance fraud, support Florida’s firefighters, and ensure the state’s finances are stable to support economic growth in the state. Follow the activities of the Department on Facebook (FLDFS) and X (@FLDFS).