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Monday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
Florida's population growth could slow in 2024
Florida’s population is expected to grow by another 225,000-275,000 net new residents in 2024. This growth, while still positive, is slower than the growth what was seen last year. The demographics of Florida’s population are going to shift, as Florida sees higher growth for ages 70+ than in the age range of 20-65. Population declines for those ages 9 and under, ages 25-35 and ages 50-60 are creating further gaps in the talent supply as essential working age populations leave Florida. [Source: Villages News]
Florida leads nation in immigration court backlog as cases surge across US
According to federal data collected by Syracuse University’s Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse, the U.S. court backlog has surged past 3 million cases in the last year, including cases of asylum-seekers and immigrants, some who have been in the country for years, seeking permanent residency. Florida’s backlog of cases is more than 481,000, a massive jump compared to 2012, when there were only 17,000 pending cases. The four states with the next-highest numbers of backlog cases are Texas (458,630), California (348,138), New York (344,505) and Illinois (211,096). [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
Column: Florida’s economy is in decent shape. Why are Floridians still feeling ‘meh’?
Floridians don’t feel great about the economy. The overall sentiment remains well below average, and while our collective outlook has ticked up in recent months, it isn’t improving as fast as the nation as a whole. unshine State finding it harder to cast off the economic blues? It’s hard to know with certainty. Consumer sentiment isn’t like counting vehicle sales or measuring employment. It’s even less exact. Much more about feelings — literally. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
Risk of mosquito-borne illness on the rise for Floridians in 2024
Early forecasts warn of a rainy, wet year ahead, providing an ideal environment for mosquitoes to grow and thrive and creating increased risk for humans of contracting a mosquito-borne illness. This warning, shared at a press conference, comes after historic mosquito-borne illnesses last year, including the largest dengue fever outbreak in more than 75 years and the first locally transmitted case of malaria in Florida in more than 20 years. [Source: Florida Politics]
Florida State Guard could operate outside of the state, if new bill becomes law
The Florida State Guard, revived by Gov. Ron DeSantis, could operate outside Florida and be called into service anytime he “deemed necessary,” under a bill approved Thursday by a House panel. The House Local Administration, Federal Affairs & Special Districts Subcommittee voted 11-3 to support a proposal (HB 1551) that would remove part of a law that keeps the State Guard’s activities only in the state. Bill sponsor Mike Giallombardo, R-Cape Coral, described the bill’s proposed changes, which also include lessening training requirements, as “technical.” [Source: News Service of Florida]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› NextPlay Technologies could be delisted from Nasdaq
NextPlay Technologies, a Sunrise company that reportedly offers digital games, in-game advertising, crypto-banking, connected TV and travel booking services, is at risk of being delisted from the Nasdaq. On Jan. 18, the company received a notice from Nasdaq warning it is not in compliance with a rule that requires the timely submission of all financial reports with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, according to public filings.
› Synapse Summitt announces speakers, themes for 2024 event
Synapse Summit, a highly anticipated annual event designed to “connect, catalyze and celebrate Florida’s innovation leaders,” has announced its main schedule and themes. The event will take place Feb. 28 at Amalie Arena in Tampa, according to a statement. “Synapse has been steadfast in its mission to enable Florida’s innovation leaders to thrive,” says Lauren Prager, CEO of Synapse Florida.
› Air travel surge: Jacksonville International Airport sees record 7.4 million passengers
In 2023, a record number of passengers passed through Jacksonville International Airport, which also surpassed its annual pre-pandemic passenger record for the first time. According to figures released by the Jacksonville Aviation Authority, 7,446,084 passengers departed from or arrived at JAX in 2023, a 13% increase over the previous year and surpassing the previous record of 7,186,639 from 2019.
› Squeezed by Osceola’s development, Kissimmee neighbors want to buy a buffer zone
Across Osceola County residents complain of mushrooming development, filling public hearings to let city and county commissioners know they’re angry over traffic, crowding and visual clutter. The Luxs took a different approach. Banding together with fellow residents in their neighborhood of one-acre lots and half-million-dollar-plus houses, they are asking local government and the developer to let them purchase a half-acre or more behind each home to ensure a buffer from the proposed subdivision.
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