SHARE:
Thursday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
25 bills that died this session but are likely to come back next year
Florida lawmakers handle a lot of bills. Some center on hot-button issues sure to attract ample attention and at least a few hearings. Others die without a hearing, either due to the disinterest or distaste of committee Chairs, technical issues with the legislation or because the bills fell through the proverbial cracks amid a landslide of other, more eye-catching proposals. [Source: Florida Politics]
Florida insurance market 'still fragile'
Last year’s reinsurance renewal season not only marked a steep increase in costs of coverage but more restrictive terms for that critical financial backstop that have forced Florida property insurance companies to take on more risk, according to Lockton insurance brokerage Senior Vice President Chip Storm. [Source: Orlando Business Journal]
Florida plans to renew toll rebates for commuters. Here’s what to know.
In Florida, commuters who make at least 35 toll road trips per month are poised to continue saving money as state lawmakers finalize a plan to extend a multimillion-dollar toll relief program for another year. The rebate program would apply to all toll roads in the state, including bridges and causeways that require tolls. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
China land law changes in Florida scrapped
The Florida Senate on Wednesday backed away from proposed changes that supporters said were needed to clarify a controversial 2023 law that restricted people from China from owning property in the state. The proposed changes, which were opposed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, could have affected which people and businesses are subject to the restrictions. [Source: News Service of Florida]
What will this year's solar eclipse look like from Florida?
A total solar eclipse will slice a diagonal line across North America on April 8, 2024, which falls on a Monday. It will start in the Pacific and first reach land over Mexico around 11:07 a.m. local time, NASA predicts. The Sunshine State, true to its name, will not be in the path of totality, but that doesn't mean we won't see anything at all. [Source: WESH]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› More SpaceX Starship-Super Heavy details revealed for proposed launches at Cape Canaveral
SpaceX officials hope a new Starship-Super Heavy launch complex becomes operational by 2026 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, pending environmental approval. First, the Air Force is preparing a Starship environmental impact statement alongside NASA, the Federal Aviation Administration and the U.S. Coast Guard studying the mega-rocket tandem, which may someday transport astronauts and large-scale payloads to the moon and Mars.
› Hillsborough commission votes to cut election chief’s budget by $200K
In an unusual 4-3 vote Wednesday, Hillsborough County commissioners agreed to cut the county election supervisor’s already-approved 2024 budget by $200,000. Commissioner Josh Wostal called for the reduction of longtime Supervisor of Elections Craig Latimer’s $18 million budget, pointing to what he called “a historic and unexpected 11.5% drop in active registered voters” for 2024.
› Central Florida man among NASA’s newest astronauts known as ‘The Flies’
NASA’s astronauts corps swelled with a new class of graduates Tuesday, including one man who grew up watching space shuttles launch from his Volusia County schoolyard. Luke Delaney, 44, who was born in Miami but raised in DeBary, was one of 10 NASA astronaut candidates along with two international candidates from the United Arab Emirates chosen as members of the 23rd astronaut group in December 2021 from among 12,000 applicants.
› Economist says future of Florida Panhandle lies in economic development
The panhandle’s business and community leaders are meeting in Sandestin this week for Florida Power & Light’s annual economic symposium. FP&L continued the tradition Gulf Power started decades ago. From county commissioners to small business owners, attendees learned the current economic status of Northwest Florida and the country.
Go to page 2 for more stories ...
In case you missed it:
