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Friday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
May consumer sentiment falls to near Great Recession levels
Consumer sentiment in Florida deteriorated for a second month in a row in May to 61.5, down 2 points from a revised figure of 63.5 in April. May’s reading is the fourth lowest level on record and is only 2.7 points above the record low of 58.8 from June 2008. Among the five components that make up the index, one increased and four decreased. [Source: News Service of Florida]
Business Beat - Week of June 3rd
Get top news-to-know with Florida Trend's headline-focused video newsbrief, hosted by digital content specialist Aimée Alexander.
Colorado State updates storm season outlook, calling for more hurricanes — and more chance for US coastline landfalls
Colorado State’s outlook for an active hurricane season became slightly more active with Thursday’s update, which forecast 20 named storms, 10 hurricanes, and five major hurricanes this year. But another note from its update sounds an ominous note for Floridians. “We anticipate an above-normal probability for major hurricanes making landfall along the continental United States coastline and in the Caribbean,” the updated outlook said. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
DeSantis vetoes $3.1 billion in projects from $109.9 billion state budget
Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a record $109.9 billion state budget at a campaign-style event at The Villages on Thursday, while also slashing $3.1 billion in spending, including key projects of legislative leaders, some of which he called “pork.” Among the most significant cuts were the governor’s veto of $20 million for two new aircraft for other state officials to use, another $20 million for a new Moffitt Center cancer treatment facility in Senate President Wilton Simpson’s Pasco County district and Simpson’s $350 million Lake Okeechobee water treatment project. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]
Florida Supreme Court ruling keeps DeSantis' redistricting plan in place
The Florida Supreme Court on Thursday declined to jump into a congressional redistricting fight, leaving in place a lower-court decision that would clear the way for using a controversial plan that Gov. Ron DeSantis pushed through the Legislature. Justices, in a 4-1 ruling, rejected a request by voting-rights groups to stay a decision by the 1st District Court of Appeal. That appeals-court decision effectively would allow the DeSantis plan to be used in this year’s elections as legal battles continue. [Source: News Service of Florida]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Florida's red flag law is taking guns from thousands of people
Passed in the wake of the horrific 2018 mass shooting at a Parkland high school, the state law provides police a path to ask a judge to temporarily bar dangerous individuals from possessing or purchasing a firearm. Since its creation, Florida judges have acted more than 8,000 times to keep guns out of the hands of people authorities deemed a risk to themselves or others, according to data maintained by the Office of the State Courts Administrator.
› Special Olympics USA Games kicks off with opening ceremony in Orlando this weekend
Event producers, performers and Special Olympics athletes are gearing up for a full week of sporting events and festivities in Orlando, all of which will kick off with great fanfare this Sunday. The Special Olympics USA Games start with the ceremony at Exploria Stadium beginning 9:30 a.m. June 5. The celebration will feature celebrity ambassadors, a parade of athletes, live performances and 5,500 athletes and coaches from all 50 states and the Caribbean. Though the main focus of the event is highlighting athletes, their determination, talents and drive, the opening ceremony will also feature a little Disney magic.
› Miami-Dade County taxable property value posts first double-digit growth since 2007
Property values in Miami-Dade County increased at an overall annual rate not seen in 15 years, according to data released Wednesday by the county’s property appraiser. The taxable value of properties rose by $34 billion to a total of $372 billion, or a whopping 10.2% jump, between 2020 and 2021.
› Hawaii-based coffee shop plans major expansion into Wesley Chapel, Clearwater, St. Pete
Say aloha to Bad Ass Coffee. The Hawaii based coffee concept is looking to break into the already bustling Tampa Bay caffeine scene with intentions to open 5 shops within the next few years in the region. Operator are already eyeing St. Petersburg, Wesley Chapel, and downtown Clearwater as spots to set roots in.
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