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Tuesday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
Floridians will travel in record numbers for the holidays
More Americans are expected to fly or drive far from home over Christmas than did last year, but they are not expected to match the pre-pandemic record for holiday travel. In Florida, AAA is predicting a record-setting 6.6 million residents will travel 50 miles or more. They're expecting nearly 218,000 (3.4 percent) more Florida travelers than last year (the previous record high), which does not include visitors from out of state. More from CBS Miami and Florida Politics.
$6.5 million is waiting for 14,000 Florida employees who got shorted on pay, feds say
You might be one of over 14,000 Florida workers owed a part of more than $6.5 million in unclaimed wages. If you are, the U.S. Department of Labor would like you get you and your money together. If you’re one of those employees, it’s money you earned but didn’t get paid. Labor’s Wage and Hour Division got the money from businesses which were investigated and found to have underpaid workers by running afoul of federal wage laws. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
Florida is one of 14 states passing laws in 2023 limiting foreign ownership of real estate
Florida recently enacted a bill that limits some foreigners from owning property in the state — a move that shocked some, likely because the Sunshine State is such a popular destination for visitors from other countries. But as it turns out, Florida is just one of 14 states that have passed such laws in 2023. A few have gone even further. [Source: Miami Herald]
Florida Trend Exclusive
Reimagining racetracks
The nearly century-old Hialeah Park thoroughbred racetrack has hosted luminaries Harry Truman, Winston Churchill, Jackie Kennedy and Elizabeth Taylor — along with the iconic flock of American flamingos seen in the opening credits of Miami Vice in the 1980s. In a few months, the historic site will host something new: Renters. Dog racing's demise and a decline in horse racing are opening up redevelopment opportunities around the state. [Source: Florida Trend]
Florida bill would allow people to kill black bears without a permit
Will Florida put black bears back in the crosshairs? Some conservationists think so. Florida's proposed “Self Defense Act” allows lethal force to kill a bear without a permit or authorization if people or private property are threatened. The bill will go before a Florida House Committee on Tuesday. [Source: Florida Today]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Princess parks 2 newest ships at Port Everglades, but ups game at Port Canaveral
Princess Cruises is set to welcome its newest and biggest ship ever, the Sun Princess, to Port Everglades this coming fall but announced Monday it will send its sister ship there as well, while also amping up the future hardware for what will be its second season ever out of Port Canaveral. The Star Princess doesn’t debut until August 2025, and won’t begin sailing from South Florida until after its arrival on Nov. 5, but the ship will share Eastern and Western Caribbean duties with Sun Princess as the cruise line keeps its two newest ships in the same port for the winter.
› University of Florida health and financial technology graduate center quietly making progress
When plans for a University of Florida health and financial technology graduate center in Jacksonville were unveiled in February 2023, the news broke with a bang during a City Hall media event in which leaders from Tallahassee, Gainesville and Jacksonville praised the project. Former Mayor Lenny Curry described the school as a “generational game-changer” for Jacksonville. UF President Ben Sasse said it could benefit the entire state by attracting private investment and boosting Florida’s skilled workforce statewide. Lately things are quieter about the school.
› Decision that blocked One Park Sarasota development at The Quay headed to appeal
An attorney for the master developer of The Quay filed an appeal last week of a Sarasota circuit judge's decision that blocked plans for the reported $600 million condo project One Park Sarasota. One Park Sarasota — first announced in late 2021 — had proposed a 123-unit luxury condominium overlooking The Bay Park along U.S. 41 in downtown Sarasota in the 15-acre property called The Quay.
› Miami-Dade mayor pushes to pay $133 million over market value for old office buildings
Mayor Daniella Levine Cava wants Miami-Dade County to spend $205 million on a 1970s office complex that two appraisals said is currently worth about half of that. The deal for a new West Dade Government Center is set for a final vote Tuesday without committee review or the detailed look at long-term costs the administration had planned to give county commissioners this week.
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