We have to fine you for not wearing a mask because we've got serious budget issues

County commissioners and city councils across the state of Florida have passed (and voted against) mandatory mask ordinances over the past few weeks, but in doing so they' re finding themselves in the rather awkward position of explaining their votes to constituents. 

Peel away the onion layer and you get to the bottom line motive: cash--strapped cities who deflect from the budget shortfalls they're facing.

Take the City of Sanibel.

The fraught-with-exceptions mask ordinance they passed by a vote of 3-1 was opposed by member Jason Maughan, a candidate to succeed State Rep. Ray Rodrigues, R-Estero who is running for State Senator. 

Maughan argued that a mask rule would put police in an "untenable position" in enforcing the rule, resulting in public mask-shaming. Per the Sanibel order:

"Violations are subject to fines of $50 per violation. Businesses or other places of public accomodation are encouraged to post signage of this Proclamation and adopt a "no mask, no service" policy to facilitate enforcement. are encouraged" 

The City of Sanibel faces a budget deficit in the millions and a reported $600,000 shortfall in beach revenues.

Then there's Martin County. 

They too have a fraught-with-exceptions mask mandate that passed unanimously 5-0. Their ordinance shall be enforced by county law enforcement agencies, who are now being placed in situation of not stopping or preventing REAL crimes but serving as revenue agents.

"The ordinance will be a noncriminal infraction but "shall be enforced by county law enforcement agencies." A person cannot be arrested for violating the proposed mandate.

Offenders could be fined $50 on the first offense, $100 for a second offense and $250 on a third offense."

Martin County commissioners will hold their budget workshop July 20-21.

But it was Miami Mayor Suarez equating the wearing of a mask to that of the mandatory wearing of seat-belts in automobiles.

Wearing a mask is no different than being forced to wear a seat-belt!! The headline read.

Well the purpose of states passing mandatory seat-belt laws was so they would be eligible for Federal funds.And to be eligible for Federal funds law enforcement needs the authority to issue citations.

So there you have it. The mandatory mask ordinances have ZIP, ZERO, ZILCH to do with illnesses, viruses and everything to do with using your tax dollars against you in an effort to compensate for the revenue shortfalls their local governments are facing.