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Tuesday's Afternoon Update
What you need to know about Florida today
Florida cities, counties may soon have a harder time raising taxes
City and county boards would face a higher threshold for approving property-tax hikes, under a proposal that started moving forward Monday in the Legislature. In a 15-7 vote, the House Ways & Means Committee backed a bill (HB 1195) that would require two-thirds votes by city, county and special district governing boards to approve increases in millage rates, which represent dollars assessed per $1,000 in property value. More from the News Service of Florida.
Space Florida seeks more land and tax exemptions during the 2024 Legislative Session
Leaders in Florida’s space industry are looking to expand aerospace infrastructure and make spaceport bonds tax exempt. Jim Gregory, Dean of the College of Engineering at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, said Space Florida's expansion plans are an indication that the aerospace industry is on the rise in the Sunshine State. He points to the record number of launches we saw in 2023. More from WFIT.
JAXPORT inks lease with Enstructure for $136M near downtown
Northeast Florida’s main port operations will soon be expanding cargo capacity on 79 acres of riverfront property near downtown Jacksonville after a substantial public-private partnership was announced this week. JAXPORT, Jacksonville’s port authority, approved a 30-year lease agreement with logistics company Enstructure LLC. The terms call for a notable $136 million lease payment to JAXPORT over the length of the agreement. More from Florida Politics.
Is Gasparilla really the third-largest parade in the U.S.?
After thousands of buccaneers nurse hangovers after plundering Tampa this weekend, Gasparilla’s event organizers will be waiting for a final crowd estimate. The number is expected to be high. After all, the Gasparilla Parade of Pirates is known as the third-largest parade in the nation. But is it really? More from the Tampa Bay Times.
Brightline Central Florida ridership rises through end of 2023. See what's next.
Brightline passenger train service wrapped up 2023 with the continued growth of ridership on its new route to Orlando, which may mean revenue growth that can lead to new stations, additional routes, new jobs and more. The Miami-based intercity rail charted more than 115,683 December riders between South Florida and Orlando International Airport, up from 93,184 in November. More from the Orlando Business Journal.
Business Profile
Co-Space
At the Miami Gardens workspace Co-Space, the energy is more similar to the welcoming vibe of a close family member’s house than a stuffy office environment where people tap away at their laptops all day in silence. The lighting is warm, the walls are painted in calming neutral tones and smooth R&B music plays in the background. That’s just what Co-Space founder Joy St. Clair wanted.
» More from the Miami Herald.
Florida Trend Exclusive
The reluctant developer
Monroe County Sheriff Rick Ramsay sometimes feels like he’s running “a training ground for police.” Young recruits come to work in the Florida Keys, but too many leave for other jurisdictions after a few years, unable to afford a place to live even with salaries starting at $58,689. Monroe County is Florida’s most expensive for fair market rent, the National Low Income Housing Coalition says. It takes a salary of nearly $81,000 to afford housing, and in Key West some 41% of residents are at the United Way’s ALICE threshold or below. “Paradise,” Ramsay says, “is not cheap.”
» Read more from Florida Trend.
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