Take, for just one example, the plight of Epilepsy Florida.
The non-profit, which helps people affected by the seizure-inducing neurological disorder, gets money from a state trust fund that receives $5 for every seat belt infraction. Even before the pandemic, the group was already hurting because fewer people are getting nicked for seat belt tickets these days, leading to a massive drop in revenue.
Now, as Florida budget officials plan for deep revenue shortfalls for the coming state fiscal year, groups such as Epilepsy Florida are bracing for an uncertain 2021.
“We’ve been able to maintain staff but we’ve been doing it by the skin of our teeth. It’s not just court fines. Donations are down too,” said Karen Basha Egozi, the president and CEO of Epilepsy Florida. “Extraordinary cuts would mean we probably need to cut back hours of staff to survive.”
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