Families, businesses pay most of Florida’s sales tax, state analysis shows
Roughly two-thirds of Florida’s sales tax proceeds comes from households in the state, the latest analysis prepared by state economists shows, while tourists account for about 16% of the revenue collected. Florida levies a 6% sales tax on retail, admissions, transient lodgings, and commercial real estate rentals, unless expressly exempted. A House legislative analysis shows that sales tax is projected to account for nearly 74% of the states general revenue in state fiscal year 2024-25. [Source: Florida Phoenix]
Florida’s Cubans, once a protected class, face new immigration threats
For years, Cubans who arrived in the United States were treated differently from other immigrants. Over the past decade, that’s changed. What was once an open embrace of their arrivals has become far more complicated for Cubans, putting them in the same shoes as other migrants. Last month the U.S. Department of Homeland Security revoked the status of 532,000 people who arrived on temporary humanitarian permits from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
Column: Floridians still feel the burden of the ‘tort tax’
Florida is entering a pivotal period for civil justice reform, as the economic impact of the "tort tax" continues to burden the state. In the years ahead, the Florida legislature must not only work to advance additional reforms but also work to safeguard the successful measures already in place that are driving positive change. [Source: Tampa Bay Business Journal]
Florida is No. 1. That's not good when it comes to hurricane season predictions.
Florida has the highest risk of being impacted by a named storm this season compared to every state along the East and Gulf coasts. By far. And that's not the only concerning ranking: Florida also ranked No. 1 when it comes to the probability of a hurricane and major hurricane coming within 50 miles this season. [Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
Florida gas prices rise but crude oil costs fall
Gas prices in Florida have been on the rise for the last week, working their way further into the three-dollar range. Even as the pressure at the pump is renewed for Sunshine State drivers, a downward trend in the cost of crude oil may bring lower prices in the near future. According to a report from AAA the average cost of a gallon of gas in Florida rose 15 cents in the last week, bringing the figure to $3.22. [Source: News Daytona Beach]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› American Magic headquarters cost rise above $15 million budget
The estimated cost of the new American Magic headquarters at the Port of Pensacola has risen to north of $17 million, which is at least $2 million over the $15 million budget for the project. The city and the America’s Cup sailing team plan to compensate for the shortfall by having the team pay the lease payments upfront before the project is finished. The upfront payments will total a little more than $3 million by September.
› Brazilian investment company to open Miami headquarters
Brazilian holding and investment company Fictor is expanding to the U.S. with a global headquarters in Miami. The company will offer payroll-linked consigned credit services to the private sector beginning this year. The credit is used to offer loans or lines of credit to individuals with stable income.
› Construction to start on $100 million Straz Center expansion
Public officials and leaders at the David A. Straz Jr. Center for the Performing Arts gathered in Tampa for a groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate a $100 million expansion of the center. The new facility “will take advantage of our convenient location on the Riverwalk and provide opportunities to people who never intended to come to a show to come to the Straz Center,” said Bill West, chair of the board of trustees for the theater.
› Carnival Cruise Line to send new ship to Port Canaveral
Carnival Cruise Line announced Sunday details on new ships including its next sister ship to Carnival’s Mardi Gras coming to Port Canaveral. Carnival Festivale will be the fourth of the line’s Excel-class ships debuting in the spring of 2027 and taking over Mardi Gras’ longer Caribbean itineraries. Mardi Gras will remain at the port but shift to short three- and four-night Bahamas voyages.
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› Miami AI Agent Summit offered up knowledge, conversation and inspiration – and a bigger event is in the plans
We’re hearing it every day – artificial intelligence is taking over. But the real question remains: is that a good thing, or a bad one? According to the #MiamiTech community, it’s a great thing – and on Saturday, April 5, at The LAB Miami in Wynwood, more than 250 tech enthusiasts gathered together to prove why.
› Chase Stadium ups its food game to match Lionel Messi/Inter Miami status
Soccer fans can score a gourmet goal with new food and beverage venues while they cheer on Inter Miami CF at Fort Lauderdale’s Chase Stadium. Chefs Michelle Bernstein, Bradley Kilgore and Karla Hoyos have joined the team, bringing some chic culinary concepts for elevated matchday meals.
› Jacksonville's first Mormon Temple coming to Mandarin. See what it could look like
Plans for Jacksonville's first Mormon Temple are officially underway with a location chosen and rendering announced. The church announced plans for a 6.6-acre property in Mandarin. Described as “a single-story building of approximately 29,000 square feet” with a single attached central tower, two instruction rooms, two sealing rooms and a baptistry, this will be the fifth LDS Temple in Florida.
› Massachusetts restaurant software firm grows Florida presence
A Massachusetts point of sale software firm that’s been in business for nearly 90 years is expanding in Florida, with an office in Fort Myers. The firm, Forbes Snyder, serves thousands of restaurants, liquor stores, retail markets and garden centers, according to a statement, with “high-performance systems (that) streamline operations, reduce customer wait times and integrate payroll and scheduling.”