Multiple constitutional amendments proposed to slash property taxes in Florida
As Gov. Ron DeSantis continues a push to let voters decide whether to slash property taxes, House Speaker Daniel Perez this week rolled out a series of proposed constitutional amendments for next year’s ballot. The House’s plans seek to cut taxes on homesteaded properties without impacting funding for schools and law enforcement. Another proposal (HJR 205), sponsored by Rep. Juan Carlos Porras, R-Miami, would exempt people ages 65 and older from paying non-school taxes on their homes. [Source: News Service of Florida]
Tropical threat, located very near Caribbean, could develop by midweek
A tropical wave, which was located very near the islands in the far southeastern Caribbean on Sunday, could develop this week — potentially into a tropical depression or tropical storm, experts said. Tampa Bay area meteorologists say the chances of the weather system getting near Florida appear low, but that it cannot be ruled out. They suggest that Floridians keep an eye on it. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
Gas prices have hit a new low mark in Florida. See the cheapest places to pump
Gas prices are still sliding. After a double-digit plunge last week, prices have inched down in Florida this week, dipping about 2 cents a gallon. State prices are averaging $2.89 a gallon on Monday, Oct. 20, the lowest since December 2023. “Florida gas prices continue to fluctuate week to week, but the overall trajectory is downward,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman for AAA - The Auto Club Group. “Robust global oil supplies and the seasonal dip in gasoline demand have helped push pump prices to their lowest level in almost two years.” [Source: Miami Herald]
How the Everglades saved a tribe, and how the Miccosukee use science to save the Everglades
In 1830, the Indian Removal Act was used to force Indians to give up their land in Florida and move to west. The Miccosukee fought back, taking part in the Seminole Wars. In the process, they left other parts of Florida and fled to the Everglades. The swampy wilderness saved them from thousands of U.S. troops. Brutal conditions favored the Indians, and the tree islands provided them with hiding places, homes and food in the form of deer, turtles and fish. Tribal members today descend from a few hundred survivors of those wars. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Florida CFO boasts of record $58M in unclaimed assets returned to Floridians in September
Florida’s Chief Financial Officer is touting a record-breaking $58 million that his office returned to residents in September. CFO Blaise Ingoglia announced that last month’s total is more than any other month in Florida history. The money is part of the Florida Treasure Hunt program. State data shows that 1 in 5 Floridians have unclaimed funds. The program invites residents to search for those assets on its website. [Source: Florida Politics]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Federal government shutdown hitting Brevard County tourism industry
The federal government shutdown has already made itself felt across Brevard County's tourism sector, and the situation could get worse as the shutdown drags on into its third week, making it the third-longest in history, a potential blow to a Space Coast economy that relies on government-related travel. Because Brevard is home to the Kennedy Space Center, Patrick Space Force Base and a large number of government contractors, many of the "tourists" staying at hotels and eating at restaurants are actually corporate and federal employee travelers in the area on government-related business.
› The smoke and mirrors behind Kissimmee’s Magic Development
The founders of Magic Development promised to bring high design, sexy architecture and a world-famous luxury brand to Kissimmee’s W192 corridor. But in the end, it was a magic show, based on illusion and sleight of hand. This is the story of developers who collected $87 million in deposits from hundreds of investors, but six years later have closed on just 18 units.
› Take a look inside the Queen Elizabeth as ship makes Miami home for first time
Passengers boarding the Queen Elizabeth cruise ship in Miami first saw the bellhops, standing stiffly and wearing formal English uniforms. At the entrances to the port terminal and aboard the vessel, men and women wore long red jackets tightened by gold buttons and donned black pants with gold stripes. They could have been mistaken for the Royal Guard standing outside Buckingham Palace. Their presence is meant to evoke Cunard’s long history, including an era “when only the rich could travel,” Wade Menard, business development manager for the cruise line, said.
› Gecko's co-founder to be named Florida Restaurateur of the Year
A nonprofit trade association dedicated to Florida’s hospitality industry plans to recognize a Sarasota entrepreneur as its 2025 Restaurateur of the Year. The Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association will honor Mike Quillen with the award this month and induct him into the FRLA Hall of Fame. Quillen co-founded Gecko’s Grill & Pub in 1992 and has since launched multiple hospitality groups that combined employ more than 800 workers.
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› Two companies are partnering to recycle solar panels in Tampa
Two energy companies are partnering up to bring solar panel recycling to Tampa Bay. Facilities tied to GreenTech Renewables and Qcells in Tampa and Palmetto are the first to accept decommissioned or damaged solar panels from residential and commercial owners to be recycled. The purpose of the partnership is to recirculate parts of solar panels for future use.
› Ascension St. Vincent’s wins grant to expand maternal telehealth
Ascension Florida will expand its telehealth services for pregnant people after the award of a $7.8 million grant from the Florida Department of Health. Ascension Florida Chief Clinical Officer Dr. Syed Jafri says the program will be fully operational in early 2026. Jacksonville Today thanks our sponsors. Become one. The health care system, with four hospitals in Northeast Florida including Ascension St. Vincent’s in Riverside, expects to hire people this fall.
› Meet the 5 tech founders who pitched at eMerge Americas’ ¡Celebrar!
The start of October brings spooky season, pumpkin spice lattes, and (by Miami standards) cooler weather. It’s also a time to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, honoring the vibrant cultures that have shaped our community through their history, food, language, and music. Adding to the month’s celebrations, eMerge Americas, Miami’s premier global tech conference, hosted its ¡Celebrar! Pitch Competition, part of the eMerge eMpower Series.
› Sizzle Dining sells more than 87K restaurant meals
Southwest Florida’s Sizzle Dining restaurant fundraising event this fall sold a record-breaking 87,483 meals. Executive Director Guy Clarke said this year’s Sizzle Dining event was the biggest and best one ever with the participation of 127 restaurants in Collier and Lee counties. The Sept. 3-30 event was extended to four weeks for the first time.