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Thursday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
Florida government projects face major delays. Here's why
Local government projects in Florida — ranging from an airport terminal expansion to roads and pipeline construction — are feeling the impacts of increased costs. Some are even facing significant delays. In Palm Beach County, for example, supply-chain issues, high labor costs and inflation have created havoc with more than a half-billion dollars’ worth of county construction projects, forcing delays of as long as a year. [Source: Florida Today]
Florida Trend Exclusive
Key milestone
Two hundred years ago this month, the Florida Territorial Legislature created Monroe County — which contains all but one of the Florida Keys — as Florida’s sixth county. Five years later, Key West was incorporated as a city and became the county seat. The Florida Keys include 1,700 islands stretching over 220 miles. The Calusa and Tequesta tribes were the original inhabitants of the islands. [Source: Florida Trend]
Florida emergency officials are urging residents to take heat precautions
State emergency management officials are advising Floridians to ensure safety amid stifling heat. "With the heat index value reaching an upwards of 110 degrees in some areas, it’s important to take breaks from the heat and drink plenty of water," Division of Emergency Management Executive Director Kevin Guthrie said in a prepared statement. "I urge all Floridians to practice heat safety and remember it is never safe to leave children or pets alone in a parked car." The National Weather Service on Tuesday said a lengthy and dangerous heat wave will continue in South Florida and other parts of the country. [Source: WUSF]
Florida economist breaks down the state's unique inflation problems
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics last week released Consumer Price Index data for June ahead of the Federal Reserve’s July meeting next week. University of Central Florida’s Institute for Economic Forecasting Director Sean Snaith tells WMFE's Talia Blake that the report shows we’re heading in the right direction to bring down inflation nationally, but Florida continues to deal with unique problems. [Source: WUSF]
Canada wildfires: Could we see smoke clouds from Florida?
More than 67 million Americans across the U.S. awoke to air quality alerts this weekk as smoke from wildfires burning across Canada continues to fill the sky, leading to potential health hazards. What began as "unhealthy" air quality levels across parts of the West has pushed off to the east at the start of the workweek, leaving a smoky haze in places such as Boston. The distant Canadian wildfires are creeping into parts of Florida. [Source: WOFL]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Leon County declares Florida PACE Funding Agency a 'public danger' over home improvement loans
Leon County is taking legal steps against the Florida PACE Funding Agency over its refusal to comply with regulations on home improvement loans designed to protect consumers from high tax bills and foreclosures. County commissioners voted unanimously July 11 to declare FPFA "a danger to the public’s health, safety or welfare" and repeal a resolution allowing the entity to operate its financing program locally.
› How a toxic chemical infiltrated the Floridan Aquifer, tainting Seminole County tap water
The toxic chemical in the drinking water of thousands of Seminole County homes has properties that can seem sinister. 1,4-dioxane turns water into its Trojan Horse. Colorless and smelling mildly sweet, it does that because it is infinitely soluble, or entirely dissolvable in water. With that trick, it masquerades among crystalline currents deep underground in the Floridan Aquifer where Lake Mary, Sanford and Seminole County obtain drinking water.
› Miami tech influx slows, still strong
After the height of the post-pandemic technology sector relocation and expansion trend, Miami continues to attract tech firms and startups at a reduced level, still depending on local talent and business incentives. Technology has been a targeted industry for recruitment efforts for a long time, said James Kohnstamm, executive vice president of economic development at the Miami-Dade Beacon Council, the county’s public-private partnership for economic growth.
› Proposed Pinellas budget includes raises, public safety, steady tax rate
Pinellas County commissioners got their first look this week at a proposed budget of $3.8 billion for the 2024 fiscal year, which begins in October. The plan includes $2.8 billion for day-to-day operations and another $946 million for capital projects such as roads, buildings and parks. County Administrator Barry Burton, presenting the proposal to the County Commission, said the budget focuses on “the things that make our residents feel safe,” with emphases on public safety, mental and behavioral health resources and transportation infrastructure.
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