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Wednesday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
These bills could roll back Florida child labor restrictions. What do they do?
Two proposed bills in Florida’s Legislature could roll back child labor protections and allow some teenagers to work longer hours on school days and in hazardous professions. The bills resemble legislation in several other states. The House bill is backed by a national conservative advocacy group based in Florida. Legislation in the Senate is backed by the Associated Builders and Contractors and Florida Home Builders Associations, two powerful industry lobbying groups. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
Florida Trend Exclusive
Rising executives: Building success
What’s the single biggest challenge facing the construction industry right now? Mandy Weitknecht knows the answer: a serious shortage of skilled workers. “With the boom in construction and the continual growth, we haven’t seen that slow down over the past few years. We’re seeing such a strain on the qualified labor market, especially with subcontractors,” Weitknecht says. “They’re strapped for workers. They can only handle so many jobs at a time.” [Source: Florida Trend]
What to expect with homeowners insurance in 2024
As 2023 ends, Floridians remain concerned over high costs of living and insurance rates. Earlier this month, Gov. Ron DeSantis unveiled his 2024-2025 budget proposal, which includes a one-year exemption on taxes, fees and assessments for homeowners insurance policies. A news release from the governor’s office claims the tax holidays will save taxpayers $409 million and lower the average insurance premium by up to 6%. [Source: WLRN]
Lawmakers start weighing DeSantis budget plan
Describing Gov. Ron DeSantis’ proposed 2024-2025 budget as “very responsible,” House and Senate Republican budget chiefs on Tuesday brushed aside concerns about the $114.4 billion spending plan. Democrats have said they hoped to see more in the proposal to address issues such as stemming rising housing and insurance costs and making improvements at the Florida Department of Corrections, where plans are being extended for members of the Florida National Guard to help with staffing shortages. [Source: News Service of Florida]
'Simply terrible': Florida inmates desperate for reform in food and living conditions
Inmates use one word to describe life within Florida's prison walls: deplorable. They say molding food, improper portions, sauna-like temperatures in the cells and other factors are making their lives unbearable. Complaints about their quality of life come just weeks after inspections shined light on the questionable conditions plaguing Florida's prison system, but inmates say these problems existed long before reports were released — and the state's incarcerated are desperate for change. [Source: Florida Times-Union]
Year-end charitable giving strategies
While individual and corporate charitable giving receives a high profile during the holiday season and year-end, it should be a year-round endeavor. Americans gave $499.3 billion to religious groups, charities and nonprofits in 2022; corporations gave $21.08 billion. That’s only the “treasure” component of the philanthropic giving triad that also includes time and talent, or volunteerism and expertise. [Sponsored report]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› A $44 million lottery ticket sold in Central Florida has expired. What happens to the money?
The deadline of midnight Monday passed and no one claimed the winning $44 million lottery ticket sold in Kissimmee. Since the money was not collected, 80% of it will go toward state education funds. The remaining 20 percent will go toward future drawings. Since the lotto launched in the 1980s, there have been 30 jackpots that have gone unclaimed.
› Floridian Social Club in St. Petersburg is looking for someone to buy it
The Floridian Social Club in downtown St. Petersburg, which will turn 100 next year, is now on the market after a sentimental purchase and renovation gave the old building a new life as a cosmopolitan social club. The historic spot at 687 Central Ave. was previously known as the State Theatre and in the last century it has mirrored the downtown that grew around it.
› Why so many restaurant closings in Gainesville? Rising costs are hitting the industry hard.
"What's going on?" That's the questions many in Gainesville are asking after three local restaurants in less than a week announced plans to close in December. Eric Godet, president and CEO of the Greater Gainesville Chamber, said rising costs across the U.S. on everything from transportation and insurance to utilities and labor have impacted all businesses, but that restaurants, which typically have smaller margins, are more susceptible to the increases.
› Miami must cut $25 million after contentious budget vote exposes rifts on commission
Miami’s city government needs to cut $25 million from its billion-dollar budget, the latest result of a commission grappling with the fallout of a corruption scandal and a shift of power following the November election. The city faced the potential of losing $63 million in tax revenue after state regulators told the city its September vote on the property tax rate was invalid after former commissioner Alex Díaz de la Portilla was removed from office amid corruption charges.
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