Looking Back: Perhaps one of the biggest news stories of 2020 for local leaders and cities here in Broward County, was the story regarding Gov. DeSantis’ issuance of Executive Order 20-244. The Order moved the State to Phase 3 of the reopening plan in September 2020; it removed state-level restrictions on businesses and suspended all future and outstanding COVID-19 related fines and penalties to individuals. Below the surface, this Order had far reaching effects on Broward County and our 31 municipalities’ home rule authority. In an unprecedented fashion, it prevented local governments from taking action to protect their residents during an emergency.