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Tuesday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
Florida Jobless Rate at 2.9 Percent
The November rate was an increase from 2.8 percent in October and represented 324,000 people out of work from a labor force of 11.19 million, according to a report released Friday by the Florida Department of Commerce. After spending the first half of the year at 2.6 percent, the rate has slowly risen since July. The state's record low was 2.4 percent during the housing boom of 2006. [Source: News Service of Florida]
Several new Florida laws going into effect on January 1
The Ethics Requirements for Public Officials Act, which institutes a more in-depth financial disclosure form, is perhaps one of the most controversial laws coming into effect next week. The incoming law requires small town council members to share their net worth and the dollar amount of every asset they have over a thousand dollars. Several local city council members have already resigned before the end of the year, citing invasion of privacy and security reasons. [Source: WTVT]
Florida audit trends show fewer discrepancies with local government agencies
The 1,438 audit reports filed with the Auditor General were reviewed for 1,689 entities including 302 county agencies, 299 municipalities and 1,088 special districts. Audit reports for 1,391 entities contained no significant findings, while 298 had 520 issues found, 22% less than the 2020-21 fiscal year. Around 186 of those 520 issues were also reported in the 2020-21 and 2020-19 fiscal year audit reports. [Source: The Center Square]
Gas in Florida just went up 16 cents a gallon
“After 13 straight weeks of decline, average gasoline prices have edged higher due to optimistic comments from the Fed on cutting interest rates in 2024, coupled with Houthi attacks on vessels in the Red Sea, boosting concerns of a disruption to global shipping, including oil shipments," says Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. "For now, the price of gasoline has already jumped, but could ease slightly this week ahead of the New Year." [Source: Miami Herald | Yahoo News]
Florida, Other States Fight Carbon Rule
Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody joined 20 other states, last week, in challenging a Biden administration rule aimed at reducing transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions. The lawsuit, filed in U.S. district court in Paducah, Ky., alleges that federal transportation officials overstepped their authority in the rule, which was published Dec. 7. In part, the rule requires states to track emissions and set emissions-reduction targets. Defendants in the case are President Joe Biden, the Federal Highway Administration, the U.S. Department of Transportation and the agencies’ leaders. [Source: News Service of Florida]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› A Florida company’s mistake caused recalls from Whole Foods Market stores nationwide
riday’s recall from Tampa Bay Fisheries, based in the Tampa suburb of Dover, concerns 365 Whole Foods Market Beer Battered Cod and Beer Battered Pollock fillets. Both contain soy, which is an allergen.
› D.C. developer poised to buy Ormond Crossings
The "future" of Ormond Beach is about to get a new owner.
› Florida Real Estate’s Record 2023 Helped by New Wave of International Buyers
One in five of all US international home sales happen in the Sunshine State and half of those are in Miami
› Disney World: A year in review
Ride openings, company layoffs, employee raises, surprise closures — a lot happened at Disney World in 2023.
Go to page 2 for more stories ...
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