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Florida Dems Seek Extension Of Eviction Moratorium

An overhead shot of a neighborhood filled with houses.
Photo by Breno Assis
/
Unsplash
An overhead shot of a neighborhood filled with houses.

Democratic Florida lawmakers say a Florida Supreme Court order suspending evictions doesn’t go far enough. 

An overhead shot of a neighborhood filled with houses.
Credit Photo by Breno Assis / Unsplash
/
Unsplash
An overhead shot of a neighborhood filled with houses.

The order stops law enforcement from serving eviction notices, called “writs of possession” but it doesn’t stop tenants from incurring fines and fees. Florida’s high court order expires on April 17. 

“We have to think about this from a longer term perspective," said outgoing Sen. Oscar Braynon. "We have to assume this is going to happen for a while. And if you look at some other states, they’ve put in place eviction moratoriums until the end of the crisis. And that’s what we’re asking for.”

The Florida Supreme Court’s order was issued before the federal government extended social distancing guidelines until the April 30 th.

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Lynn Hatter is a Florida A&M University graduate with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. Lynn has served as reporter/producer for WFSU since 2007 with education and health care issues as her key coverage areas. She is an award-winning member of the Capital Press Corps and has participated in the NPR Kaiser Health News Reporting Partnership and NPR Education Initiative. When she’s not working, Lynn spends her time watching sci-fi and action movies, writing her own books, going on long walks through the woods, traveling and exploring antique stores. Follow Lynn Hatter on Twitter: @HatterLynn.