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Florida Senate votes to boot Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel

Photo: Aaron Davidson/Getty Images for Habitat for Humanity of Broward

The Florida Senate voted 25-15 on Wednesday to finalize Gov. Ron DeSantis' executive order suspending Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel.

The big picture: Israel's leadership had been in question for his department's response to two mass shootings, including the 2018 attack at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland and the 2017 Fort Lauderdale Airport shooting. Lawmakers from both parties voiced concerns over DeSantis' removal of a locally elected official, pushing instead for the issue to be sent to voters. Proponents of Israel's ousting argued it's a matter of accountability.

  • Florida law does permit the governor to suspend a sheriff, but leaves the Senate to determine if the action is with merit, CNN notes.
  • Israel argued that DeSantis removed him to score political points, with DeSantis being a Republican and Israel a Democrat.
  • Deputy Scot Peterson, a school resource officer involved in the Parkland shooting, also resigned amid backlash for his response to the event. Peterson is facing charges including culpable negligence, perjury and multiple counts of felony neglect of a child.

What's next: Israel has said he intends to run for sheriff again in 2020.

  • If he were to win re-election, DeSantis indicated he "will not suspend him for previous actions of neglect of duty and incompetence," a spokesperson told CNN.

Go deeper: Be smart: Why school resource officers won't solve school safety

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Trump blocks banks from limiting loans to gun and oil companies

Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios

Big banks are no longer allowed to reject business loan applicants because of the industry in which they operate, according to a new rule finalized on Thursday by the Trump administration.

Why it matters: Wall Street has curtailed its exposure to industries like guns, oil and private prisons, driven by both public and shareholder pressures. This new rule could reverse that trend.

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Ursula Perano
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Former FDA commissioner: "Reliable drug supply is absolutely critical"

Axios' Caitlin Owens and former FDA commissioner Mark McClellan. Photo courtesy of Axios Events

Having a reliable supply of pharmaceutical drugs throughout America will be "absolutely critical" to boosting affordability in health care during the Biden administration, former Food and Drug Administration (FDA) commissioner Mark McClellan said at a virtual Axios Event on Friday.

The big picture: McClellan, who served under President George W. Bush, says drugs having limited supply and limited competition leads to elevated pricing. He considers drug supply to be a national security and public health issue.

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Felix Salmon, author of Capital
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Source: Census Bureau; Chart: Axios Visuals

Americans spent more money at stores and restaurants in 2020 than they did in 2019 — even in the face of a devastating global pandemic that shut down broad sectors of the economy.

Why it matters: The monthly retail sales report this morning came in well below expectations, and showed consumer spending falling on a seasonally-adjusted basis. Total expenditures were still higher in December 2020 than they were a year previously, however.

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