What’s passed during Florida’s legislative session — and what’s ahead
Florida’s 2023 legislative session has been one for the books — and it’s only halfway done. Republican lawmakers have wielded their supermajority in the state’s House and Senate to move quickly on legislation long-sought by their party: more abortion limits, tort reform and school vouchers. But with many of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ priorities yet to gain traction before he gears up for an expected presidential run, the Legislature is going to be busy for the next 30 days. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
Florida Trend Exclusive
Florida Icon: Peter Golenbock
The sports writer tells us: "When I was 12, I read a book called The New York Yankees: An Informal History by Frank Graham. I still have the book. I was enamored. There were discussions with Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig and Joe DiMaggio, and I thought: ‘How fabulous is this?’ So, when I went to Dartmouth, I joined the sports staff of The Dartmouth student newspaper and very quickly discovered that I was pretty good at sports writing. By my junior year, I was sports editor, and I was writing articles for the New York Times and the Boston Globe, and I was just enjoying the hell out of my life." [Source: Florida Trend]
Life after Hurricane Ian: A firsthand look at Fort Myers Beach, Sanibel’s recovery
“I want to know, have you ever seen the rain?” went the well-known Creedence Clearwater Revival refrain, sung by a local guitarist perched on his stool inside MudBugs Cajun Kitchen on Sanibel Island. The island saw more than its fair share of rain during Hurricane Ian, which inundated the island with 12 feet of storm surge and flooded some homes up to the roofs. The storm has become a fact of life and a collective lived experience for everyone in this area, the elephant in the room that nobody can stop talking about. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]
Gov. Ron DeSantis escalates Disney clash with threat of new taxes, tolls
Gov. Ron DeSantis again raised the temperature in his yearlong fight with the Walt Disney Co., saying that the corporation’s latest legal maneuvers will not only be invalidated by state lawmakers, but that it will face additional penalties for its actions. “The Legislature is going to void anything Disney did on the way out the door,” he said during an appearance Thursday at the conservative Hillsdale College in Michigan. More from the Tampa Bay Times and the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
As abortion ban looms, Florida may soon authorize ‘baby boxes’ for unwanted infants
In the medieval ages, mothers would emerge under the cover of night, head to the church, and place their unwanted newborns in turntables embedded in the walls, where, on the other side, a nun would take them. A version of the practice may soon return in Florida. A bill passed unanimously in the House and advancing in the Senate would allow fire departments, hospitals and EMS stations to install high-tech “newborn infant safety devices,” commonly referred to as “baby boxes,” into their walls. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]
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ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Office Depot closes deal to sell South Florida headquarters for $104 million
ODP Corporation, the parent company of Office Depot, closed on a deal to sell its Boca Raton headquarters for about $104 million. Boca Raton-based Pebb Enterprises and Aventura-based BH Group closed on its contracted deal with ODP Corporation (Nasdaq: ODP) to acquire the 28.9 acre property.
› What would it take for a Buc-ee's to open in Orlando? Experts weigh in.
In late February, leaders in Marion County gave approval to a zoning change to make way for a new Buc-ee's — the Texas-based chain of massive convenience stores with a cult following. If built, it would be the third Buc-ee's in Florida, following a store that opened in St. Augustine in February 2021 and another that opened a month later in Daytona Beach.
› Sarasota Ballet plans two world premieres, looks for challenges for a growing company
With a new contract extension that will keep him as the artistic leader of The Sarasota Ballet for 10 more years, Director Iain Webb has put together a new season that will include two world premieres, hoped-for company premieres and new looks at past productions designed to challenge a growing and changing company.
› DeSantis is planning a trade trip to Japan, report says
Gov. Ron DeSantis’ international travel plans might be expanding, as The Japan News reported Friday that DeSantis will visit Tokyo this month as part of a state delegation to promote business with Japan. “Republicans have … taken an increasingly hardline stance on China and attention would be strongly focused on what DeSantis had to say about the Japan-U.S. alliance and policy toward Beijing,” The Japan News reported. “DeSantis is also coordinating visits to South Korea and Israel, following his planned sojourn to Japan.”
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› 'The Pickleball Club' set to open in May in east Sarasota with 12 indoor courts
Brian McCarthy doesn’t strive to be known as the Potentate of Pickleball. “I don’t know if I want to be king,” the 77-year-old said, “but I really think it’s important that we’re part of the community.” If early buzz is any indication of long-term success, the community will be a big part of McCarthy and his latest venture.
› Religious leaders fear Florida bill could make it a crime to take immigrants to church
Some Florida church leaders fear a proposed crackdown championed by Gov. Ron DeSantis could criminalize giving immigrants without legal status rides to services, Sunday school or doctor’s appointments. State lawmakers are considering a sweeping immigration package that would make “willfully and knowingly” concealing or transporting a person who is in the country illegally a felony crime punishable by up to five years in prison.
› Lakeland Challenges Approval of Duke Project
Pointing to concerns about its water supply, Lakeland is challenging a decision by the state Department of Environmental Protection to approve a permit for a new Duke Energy Florida high-voltage power line in Polk County. The challenge, filed Thursday at the state Division of Administrative Hearings, alleges that the project could damage a city wellfield that plays a key role in Lakeland’s water supply.
› Jacksonville Planning Commission approves plan to put legal notices on city website
The Jacksonville Planning Commission voted 5-0 on April 6 to approve the staff recommendation to support Ordinance 2023-187 allowing the city to begin posting public notices on its website instead of using private newspaper companies. In recent years, the state has made changes to its public information laws to allow news organizations to post legal notices on the internet and later allow county and municipal governments to post them on government websites as long as the cost to do so is less expensive than posting through a private company.