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Tuesday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
Conservation easements don't always protect land 'forever' in Florida
Conservation easements are supposed to shield land from development forever, not enable it years down the road. But in Florida, at times key road connections — or political connections — trump the habitat connections biologists say are vital for wildlife. Conservation easements are legal agreements between property owners and government or a nonprofit to preserve the land as a farm or open space. In exchange, landowners keep the title and get tax breaks or other benefits. [Source: Florida Today]
Realtors and Florida's lodging industry clash on a new vacation rentals bill
A persistently contentious debate about regulating vacation rentals has escalated into a clash between two powerful industry groups after the Florida Legislature passed a measure that would significantly restrict how local governments can oversee the properties. The bill, finalized in the waning days of the 2024 legislative session, has drawn intense opposition from vacation-rental management companies, coastal community leaders and Florida Realtors, an influential real-estate industry group that is urging Gov. Ron DeSantis to veto the measure. [Source: News Service of Florida]
Florida bans social media for children under 14 as of 2025. Here's what happens next
Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday signed a bill blocking most kids from social media websites, setting up an expected court battle that could prevent the legislation from ever taking effect. The legislation also blocks all minors from adult websites, requiring all visitors to prove their age before viewing content. Florida follows a handful of other states, from California to Arkansas, that have placed similar limits on kids’ social media use in response to rising rates of teen depression and suicide. More from the Tampa Bay Times and the Gainesville Sun.
Why Florida rents are falling
The cost of renting is falling across Florida after reaching skyrocketing heights in the past few years due to a build-up in demand and an influx of new residents attracted by the state's good weather and quality of life. The average rent in the Sunshine State was $2,400 in February 2024, down $33, or 1.37 percent, compared to January, according to real estate market website Redfin. The average rent price of houses in the state was $2,476, while that of apartments was considerably lower, at $1,912. [Source: Newsweek]
Here’s when we’ll know the fate of Florida’s abortion, marijuana amendments
Floridians will soon find out whether they’ll get to vote on allowing recreational marijuana and expanding abortion access. The state Supreme Court heard arguments over the two proposed ballot initiatives in recent months. Since then, supporters and opponents have been waiting to see whether the high court gives the go-ahead. With a key deadline looming, here’s what to know about what happens next. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› New North Port zoning could fix its tax base, but opponents fear overgrowth
North Port’s origins — products of both bad actors and bad luck — have left it to atone for the sins of its creators for the past 65 years. The dilemma dates back to around 1958, when the General Development Corp. cut what would become Port Charlotte, Port St. Lucie, North Port and other unclaimed areas into “pre-platted” single-family plots. The company sold those lots and told clients it would build homes on them, but it failed to deliver the infrastructure to support them.
› Judge cancels Miami-Dade expansion of UDB for development
A judge in Tallahassee overturned the Miami-Dade County Commission’s approval for an urban development boundary expansion of 379 acres near Homestead to allow a major industrial development. The March 22 ruling, by Leon County Circuit Court Judge Lee Marsh, is a major setback for the South Dade Logistics & Technology Park, which would have totaled 5.9 million square feet and created thousands of jobs.
› Sustanee developers sue to build 1,800-home project in rural east Orange
Persistent developers who lost a fight to change land-use rules to build 1,800 homes on idle ranchlands east of the Econ River have sued to set aside the Orange County commission vote against them. Lake Pickett North LLC, which had proposed the so-called Sustanee development on the former Rybolt cattle ranch in rural east Orange, filed the action this week asking a judge to order the county to transmit the land-use change for a state review.
› JaxPort board approves contract extension with Carnival
A month after the Jacksonville Port Authority landed a second cruise line, the JaxPort board approved a contract extension with the company that has provided cruise service from Jacksonville since 2004. The revised agreement with Carnival Cruise Line will keep the company in Jacksonville through 2026 and includes renewal options that extend through 2030. Carnival’s agreement was set to expire May 31, 2025.
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