Time running out for Florida sales tax break on clothing, school supplies
Time is running short for Floridians who want to save money by not paying sales tax on clothing, school supplies and computer gear. Florida's one-month "back-to-school sales tax holiday" ends at midnight Aug. 31. Then, the tax will once more will be added to the price of the merchandise. A new law passed this year makes the month of August a sales-tax holiday for certain items every year. The state estimates that this sales tax holiday will save consumers $217 million this August. [Source: Florida Today]
Column: Public university research delivers big wins for Florida taxpayers
Florida has long held the crown as the No. 1 higher education system in America, thanks in large part to the $3 billion per year in groundbreaking research under way at our state universities. Not only does this research — much of it funded by federal tax dollars — lead to new medical, agricultural, science and engineering breakthroughs, it also helps prepare our students and our industries for the 21st-century economy. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
South Florida business bankruptcies spike nearly 50% in first of half of the year
Business bankruptcies in South Florida are on the rise as companies grapple with mounting national and local economic pressures. Firms based in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties that filed for Chapter 7 liquidation or Chapter 11 reorganization in U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida jumped nearly 50% in the first half of the year. A total of 152 businesses filed during this period, up from 103 filings in the same timeframe last year. [Source: South Florida Business Journal]
Supercharged hurricanes mean more 'ghost boats' haunting waterways
Thousands of abandoned, derelict vessels—many ruined by climate-fueled tropical storms—pollute oceans and waterways, disrupting local ecosystems. Addressing the problem can be time consuming and costly, often averaging more than $24,000 to remove a single boat. Many states lack a protocol for dealing with this supersized litter. To help fill in the gaps, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is working with nonprofits to fund projects for tackling abandoned vessels. [Source: WUSF]
From robo-dogs to 360-degree cameras: How AI is reshaping what's being built in Florida
From robots that map out blueprints overnight, to a four-legged “robo-dog” that walks job sites with a 360-degree camera, artificial intelligence is transforming what’s being built in South Florida. Suffolk Construction, one of the nation’s largest building contractors, has integrated AI tools and robotics into every project nationwide — including nine projects currently underway in Florida. The goal, company leaders say, isn’t to replace workers but to make the industry more efficient and ready for the future. [Source: NBC Miami]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Facing looming budget crisis, Sarasota County commissioners still seek major cuts
Last month, Sarasota County commissioners directed Administrator Jonathan Lewis to work with constitutional officers to find the cuts needed to halt a looming shortfall projected to sink county finances into the red within three years. But since then, the Tax Collector’s budget instead went up, the Sarasota Sheriff has held firm on a $25 million increase, and commissioners are now blasting what they contend has been a lackluster effort to trim excess spending without raising taxes.
› Construction could start on USF’s Fletcher District as early as spring
If everything stays on track, construction on the University of South Florida’s proposed Fletcher District development is slated to start as early as next spring. The first phase — developing 27 acres — is set to include an estimated 700 student and 150 multi-family housing units, 60,000 square feet of retail space, a hotel, conference center and an academic research building.
› South Florida becoming epicenter for ‘credit bust outs,' an emerging auto scheme
An emerging criminal trend is creating a headache for car dealerships and banks and potentially hiking up your insurance premiums. It’s called a “credit bust out,” and investigators say South Florida has become the epicenter. "We’re just starting to scratch the surface losses are in the millions and millions and millions of dollars," said Detective Anthony Alonso of Miami-Dade County Sheriff's Office auto-theft crimes task force.
› CSX announces nationwide intermodal service agreement with BNSF
Amid continuing speculation that Jacksonville-based CSX Corp. might seek a merger with BNSF Railway, the two companies announced an agreement Aug. 22 to provide coast-to-coast intermodal freight services. CSX is one of two major U.S. eastern railroads, along with Norfolk Southern Corp. Fort Worth, Texas-based BNSF is one of two major western railroads, along with Union Pacific Corp.
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› Punta Gorda Airport eyes expansion with hopes of landing new airline
Punta Gorda Airport officials are ramping up efforts to bring another low-cost carrier to Charlotte County, as passenger traffic continues to break records. During the airport’s Aug. 21 budget workshop, CEO James Parish confirmed that PGD leaders are in talks with two potential low-cost carriers. The push comes at a moment of opportunity.
› With storms getting stronger, only 6 percent of Central Floridians have flood insurance
Only 6% of Central Florida homes now carry flood insurance, a worrisomely low figure, experts say, as storms become increasingly powerful and deliver greater amounts of rain, sometimes to neighborhoods once seldom impacted by deluges. In the past five years, four major hurricanes — Ian, Helene, Idalia and Milton — have barreled into the state, causing more than $60 billion in damage from catastrophic flooding with severe impacts in Orlando and surrounding communities.
› South Florida’s drought may make mosquitoes even worse. Here’s why.
South Florida’s severe drought has unfortunately not meant a drought of mosquitoes. In fact, dry weather can tee up massive hatches of the thirsty bugs. That may seem counterintuitive, since many mosquitoes lay their eggs in water, but experts say the bugs have work-arounds, and the end of a drought can mean the beginning of massive swarms.
› Tervis names new president, chief revenue officer
After announcing its acquisition by JV2 Innovative Products, a newly formed, Delaware-based company, earlier this month, Tervis—the drinkware company founded in South Sarasota County in 1946—has named Roger Parsons its new president and chief revenue officer. Parsons’ appointment takes affect Aug. 25. He replaces outgoing CEO Hosana Fieber, who joined the company in 2023.