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Wednesday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
Florida consumer sentiment tumbles despite positive national outlook
Following five consecutive monthly increases, consumer sentiment among Floridians dipped 2.1 points in March to 72, down from a revised figure of 74.1 in February. This decline contrasts with the national consumer sentiment, which increased 2.5 points. “The drop in consumer sentiment was largely driven by Floridians’ views on their personal financial situation a year from now, which plummeted sharply in March,” said Hector Sandoval, Director of the Economic Analysis Program at UF’s Bureau of Economic and Business Research. More from UF News and Florida Politics.
A federal trial is underway for Florida’s controversial voter registration law
A federal trial is underway for a case that alleges Florida’s voter registration law infringes on political speech and civic engagement. The law, Senate Bill 7050, was passed in 2023, and it bans non-U.S. citizens from working or volunteering for third-party voter registration organizations (3PVROs). [Source: WUFT]
Florida features 4 out of top 5 fastest growing metro areas in U.S.
It’s no secret that Florida is one of the fastest growing states in the U.S. But a U.S. Census Bureau analysis recently released shows that out of the top 5 fastest growing metro areas in the country, four are in the Sunshine State. The Wildwood-Villages area, which nearly splits the distance between Ocala and Orlando, is the nation’s fastest growing metro area, according to the Census report. The population of that area now stands at about 151,000 people. More from Florida Politics and WFLA.
Mysterious python parasite threatens Florida’s native snakes, pushing toward their ‘extreme decline’
A mysterious parasite from Asia is infecting snakes over most of Florida, and researchers believe it was likely brought here by invasive Burmese pythons. The first documentations of the 3-inch-long lungworm in Florida occurred about 10 years ago. Since then it has spread to 27 counties in-state, and just two weeks ago, biologists found it for the first time in Palm Beach County. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]
Bankers keep pushing for changes to legal aid funding rule
The Florida Bankers Association is hoping to reach a settlement on an issue that’s pitted the state’s bankers versus lawyers over how much interest is paid on trust accounts, money that goes toward paying for legal aid programs. The FBA's senior vice president of government relations, Kenneth Pratt, says work is underway to “solve the problem” without the need for lawmakers. [Source: Business Observer]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Approval of FPL fuel charge cut will reduce prices for consumers
A significant rate decrease has been approved for Florida Power & Light residential customers heading into the year’s peak season for electricity use. Florida’s Public Service Commission on Tuesday approved the “mid-course correction” sought by FPL to adjust for plummeting costs of natural gas, which fuels the utility’s electricity plants. The correction will save consumers $662 million through the end of 2024, the PSC reported.
› Miami Hack Week returns with new partnerships and immense opportunities for founders and developers
Miami Hack Week returns with new partnerships and programming that highlight the different depths of the tech industry. This year attendees can expect major changes as Miami Hack Week has partnered with both Founders Fund, one of the world’s most prominent venture funds, and Miami Tech Week to provide developers with a week of programming from April 7-14.
› How Jacksonville's new small business center looks to spur growth
During the JaxUSA Partnership Luncheon last week, Mayor Donna Deegan unveiled plans for a new small business center in Brentwood on what was the proposed site of a long-contested liquor store in the area. The center is designed to focus on workforce development and entrepreneurship and to serve as a business resource center.
› Clearwater residents irate after Duke Energy cuts down their trees
Over the past few months, dozens of trees in Clearwater have been cut down or marked to be removed by Duke Energy in what a spokesperson said is critical maintenance to prevent power outages from limbs or trees falling into high-voltage transmission lines. But the work has confused and outraged residents, who in the past have seen the power company trim the trees instead or leave them alone for decades.
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