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Monday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
Florida Legislature's tough-edged session ends with budget, tax breaks and cultural scars
Florida lawmakers ended a two-month legislative session filled with divisive, conservative policies condemned by critics as cruel but crafted to power Gov. Ron DeSantis’ expected bid for the Republican presidential nomination. In one of the last acts Friday, the House and Senate approved a $117 billion state budget backed by a $1.3 billion package of tax cuts which could fuel DeSantis’ national messaging about his skills leading Florida’s go-go economy. More from Florida Today, the News Service of Florida, the Tampa Bay Times, and Sarasota Herald Tribune.
Tax collections beat forecast in March
State general-revenue collections topped projections by $167.7 million in March, with corporate-income taxes and sales taxes leading the way, according to a report released Friday by the Legislature’s Office of Economic & Demographic Research. General revenue totaled nearly $3.69 billion during the month. General revenue is closely watched as it plays a key role in funding programs such as education, health care and prisons. [Source: News Service of Florida]
COVID hospitalizations are down in Florida but viral loads are up in parts of the state
Although Florida COVID case counts remain elusive because state health officials no longer report them on a weekly basis to the federal government, hospitals continue to show a disease in decline statewide while sewage shows a spike at a popular Florida tourism destination. The good news Friday came from the World Health Organization, which declared COVID-19 over as a global health emergency. [Source: Florida Today]
‘Just another baby for them.’ Parents, feds fight for kids stuck in Florida nursing homes
The state likes to boast of its stellar finances — the $117 billion budget approved this month set a record. At the same time, it tightly rations funds for the care of children and others who require help. Regardless of need, lawmakers decide what they want to spend on Floridians with severe disabilities and medical needs. When the money runs out, that’s it. And for those left out, it’s sorry, maybe next year. It’s why Floridians needing social services languish on waiting lists for years, even decades. [Source: MiamiHerald]
Florida professor says expanding E-Verify could have a chilling effect
An immigration bill moving through the Florida House and Senate will require all businesses in the state with 25 or more employees to use E-Verify, which is the federal online system where employers can confirm whether prospective employees are eligible to work in the U.S. [Source: WUSF]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Could Miami Grand Prix move to night? And Mahomes, Tom Cruise, more celebs flock to race
The first two years of the Miami Grand Prix have been a rousing success for both Formula One and the Dolphins, but both parties are already thinking about ways to improve the race and keep the event fresh. One possibility could be following the lead of the Las Vegas Grand Prix, which will run its inaugural race in November, and racing at night.
› As Pinellas hears another no on beach-erosion fix, what’s next?
The Army Corps of Engineers has denied a waiver that would have let a massive, already-behind-schedule beach renourishment project move forward in Pinellas County. The thumbs-down from the Corps’ headquarters signals that it’s digging its heels in amid a years-long standoff with the county over the replenishment of sand on a critically eroded stretch of coastline.
› Will Orange County back Pat Williams’ $1.7 billion stadium plan to lure Tampa Bay Rays?
He’s trying to bring baseball to Orlando. Although it seems like the longest of longshots that he can lure the Tampa Bay Rays or a Major League Baseball expansion franchise to Central Florida with the promise of a new stadium, at least Pat Williams is trying. At 83 years old, Orlando Magic co-founder Williams obviously still has lots of life left in him because he is refusing to let Orlando’s baseball dream die.
› The largest container ship to call on Jacksonville is coming. Here's how you can see it.
Nearly a year after JaxPort celebrated the completion of a $420 million project to deepen 11 miles of the St. Johns River to 47 feet, the largest container ship to ever call on Jacksonville is expected to arrive at the port’s Blount Island Marine Terminal on Tuesday. That’s when One Stork, sailing under the flag of Japan, will mark a new era for Jacksonville’s port first signaled a year ago when JaxPort Chairwoman Wendy Hamilton said, "The future is here and JaxPort is equipped to meet the needs of the nation's supply chain for generations to come."
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