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Monday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
Florida was the most prized swing state for decades. That won’t be true in 2024.
For decades, Florida was an essential element of every candidate’s strategy for winning the presidency. Its status as a swing state — with victory within reach for either party — and the enormous trove of electoral votes for the winner often made it the nation’s most hotly contested election battleground. In 2024, much of that time, energy and money will be traveling to other states — not Florida, whose voters aren’t likely to be sought after as they’ve been in most of the presidential elections since the ultra-close 2000 contest between George W. Bush and Al Gore.[Source: Orlando Sentinel]
Budget conference: Visit Florida spared, gets funding boost to $80M
Florida’s tourism marketing group is not just getting saved, it’s getting a $30 million funding boost. House and Senate budget negotiators agreed Friday to give VISIT FLORIDA $80 million for the fiscal year that starts July 1. House leaders originally zeroed out its funding but eventually came to the Senate preference. But the public-private group, which has been targeted for elimination by the House before in 2017, will be moved under the Department of Economic Opportunity, which will be renamed as the Department of Commerce in HB 5. [Source: Florida Politics]
6 things to know about the case that will decide the future of abortion in Florida
Florida’s six-week abortion ban is in limbo. Its future depends on the conservative Florida Supreme Court and how the justices rule in an ongoing challenge over the state’s current law banning most abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy. The six-week ban, signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis on April 13, would limit most abortions at that point in a pregnancy. In cases of rape, incest and human trafficking, abortions would be permitted up to 15 weeks, and exceptions for medical necessity exist beyond that. But the law only goes into effect if the state gets a favorable ruling on the court case over its 2022 abortion law. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
Florida is the No. 1 U.S. state retirees are moving to—here’s where else they’re going
Retirees are flocking to Florida. The Sunshine State saw a massive influx of residents over 60 in 2021, according to a recent SmartAsset study. Over 78,000 seniors moved to Florida from other states during that time — more than to any other state, and more than three times as many as Arizona, which ranked second on the list. [Source: CNBC]
Tornado guide for Floridians: What to do when you see a watch or warning
Forecasters had urged residents to be cautious as severe weather moved in from the Gulf of Mexico this weekend. Florida has many tornadoes each year, data shows. This is a short guide for what to do whenever a tornado watch or warning is issued in your area. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Tampa owner of Outback, Fleming’s aims to keep prices steady in 2023
After a year of inflation that prompted price hikes at its restaurants, Outback Steakhouse parent company Bloomin’ Brands said Friday that it’s looking at a year of price and profit stability. During an earnings call with investors Friday, the Tampa company said traffic at its restaurants — which include Carrabba’s Italian Grill, Bonefish Grill and Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar — ticked up in December and reached record levels over Valentine’s Day week.
› Flying incognito: How travel on private jets in South Florida has taken off
On a recent rainy Friday afternoon, travelers Pia and Carsten Trolle casually strolled into the JSX private jet terminal at Miami International Airport. After setting down their bags, the couple, comfortably attired in athleisure clothing, sat down to play with their two dogs. There were no lines, no crowds of harried passengers and a single non-invasive security scanner.
› › ‘On a roll,’ Universal’s theme parks set earnings record
Universal parent company Comcast’s executives are hopeful this year’s sizeable theme park investment will pay off as the division set an earnings record last quarter and the company’s international theme parks “roar” back from COVID restrictions. Universal Orlando’s performance remains above pre-pandemic levels while construction progresses on the resort’s upcoming third theme park, Epic Universe. Much of the $1.2 billion Comcast added to its theme park spending budget this year is going toward the attraction.
› Redistricting court battle heads to Jacksonville voters for final say
The Jacksonville redistricting lawsuit that drew national headlines is headed toward a settlement after months of legal battles, but the jury is still out in the political arena about how the court-ordered map will will affect the election of Black candidates to City Council. The results of City Council elections in District 9 and 14, both located west of the St. Johns River, will be pivotal in determining the impact of the redistricting lawsuit. Those districts each feature a competitive runoff contest between a Black Democrat and a white Republican.
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