Floridians today would vote to reduce or eliminate property taxes
As affordability concerns persist, two in three Florida voters say that if the issue were on the ballot today, they’d support a constitutional amendment to reduce or eliminate property taxes. It’s an issue at the forefront of Sunshine State politics, near the top of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ to-do list and one about which lawmakers have been convening meetings and filing legislation this month. And according to new polling from the James Madison Institute, a Tallahassee-headquartered think tank, 65% of Floridians said they’d now vote “yes” to cut or end property taxes. [Source: Florida Politics]
These Florida laws are going into effect on Oct. 1
A more than decadelong push by business groups will pay off next week with the end of a state sales tax on commercial leases. The tax, widely known as the business rent tax, will go away Wednesday after 57 years as part of a wide-ranging tax package that lawmakers passed in June. The change will come as nearly 30 new laws hit the books Oct. 1. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
Push is on to cut Florida property taxes. Who’s helped and who’s hurt?
Florida lawmakers are navigating a political minefield: whether to radically reshape or even eliminate property taxes that cities and counties use to pay for critical services, including police and fire-rescue. “This is a shift in the paradigm,” state Rep. Griff Griffitts, a Panama City Beach Republican, said as lawmakers wrapped up two days of in-depth hearings on the issue. “We have to figure it out, doing (so) in a very conscientious way.” What, if anything, to do around property taxes involves a thicket of complicated policy questions. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Florida minimum wage boost takes effect Tuesday
Starting Sept. 30, Florida workers will see a pay increase. The state's minimum wage is going up again as part of a gradual plan voters approved to reach $15 an hour. Florida's minimum wage will rise to $14 an hour. For tipped employees, that means a base wage of at least $10.98 an hour, plus tips. This change is part of a state constitutional amendment passed by voters in 2020. [Source: Spectrum News]
Florida coast feeling effects from passing Tropical Storm Imelda
Tropical Storm Imelda slogged through the Bahamas on Monday but its effects on Florida were forecast to be diminished, according to the National Hurricane Center. As of the NHC’s 5 a.m. advisory, the center of Imelda was located about 60 miles south of Great Abaco Island and 295 miles southeast of Cape Canaveral. It is moving north at 8 mph with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph. Tropical-storm-force winds extend out 175 miles from its center. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Fort Myers Beach sees major recovery as businesses and beach bounce back
Fort Myers Beach continues its journey of recovery three years after Hurricane Ian, with significant progress in rebuilding efforts. Vice Mayor Jim Atterholt said the community is moving forward with a notable resurgence in businesses, hotels, and the beach itself. Officials now refer to the current stage as the "Functional Paradise Phase," focusing on restoring essential services like grocery stores, gas stations, restaurants, and hotels.
› New operator picked for Tampa Bay ferry, plans to buy two vessels
A local family famous for private charters, dolphin cruises and ferry services has been selected to bring back ferry service between Tampa and St. Petersburg. Hubbard’s Ferry, a subsidiary of fishing and cruising venture Hubbard’s Marina, announced Friday it has been selected by the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority to operate the Tampa Bay Ferry, with daily, year-round service expected to start next year.
› Orlando layoffs surge in 2025, signaling cooling job market and economic uncertainty
Metro Orlando layoffs are up nearly 14% in 2025 compared to the same period last year, signaling a cooling labor market and rising economic uncertainty. From Jan. 1-Sept. 23, employers in the region announced more than 2,227 job cuts, up from 1,955 during the same timeframe in 2024, according to Florida Department of Economic Opportunity filings.
› If the state reopens part of Apalachicola Bay, it could change the area’s economy again
The Apalachicola Bay is known worldwide for its oysters. They were a major economic driver in the area for decades. But the bay has struggled for a generation. Five years ago, the state closed the bay to wild oyster harvesting, and now, as the state considers a partial reopening, some who live on what’s called the Forgotten Coast wonder if their economy is changing yet again.
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› Enterprise Leasing of Florida settles age discrimination suit for $1.8 million
The Enterprise Leasing Company of Florida has agreed to pay $1.8 million to settle a lawsuit by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission over age discrimination. The EEOC sued the company -- which operates National, Enterprise and Alamo car rental services in Florida -- two years ago. It claims Enterprise discriminated against older applicants for its management trainee positions. The Florida company, based in Coconut Creek, is a subsidiary of Enterprise Holdings.
› Cape Coral City Council raises developer fees after 19 years
Cape Coral City Council voted Sept. 25 to raise developer fees for the first time in 19 years, but five out of eight council members said the increase falls short of covering basic infrastructure costs and could leave residents facing higher taxes. “Let’s face it, by doing it that way it’s going to be on the residents,” council member Joe Kilraine said.
› Blue Origin’s new Space Coast moon lander factory open for business
Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin has sunk $3 billion to build up its manufacturing plant and launch pad on the Space Coast in the last decade. On Friday, it invited visitors for a rare media tour of the plant where it constructs its heavy-lift New Glenn rockets while touting its latest addition: the facility where the company will construct its Blue Moon lander to take astronauts back to the lunar surface.
› Colombian company now in Boca bringing healthy botanical beverages to US
Soda and candy are out, veggies and whole foods are in – that is the message several states are sending as they ban the purchase of sugar-filled soft drinks and other so-called “junk food” from what their government assistance programs, such as SNAP (supplemental nutrition assistance program) will cover. That leaves an opening for healthier options, says Terry J. Ingram, chief executive officer and chairman of Inaam LLC – Inaam Botanical Sodas.