Over 200 Florida laws are taking effect July 1st: These are the most controversial
Over 200 laws passed by the Florida Legislature and signed by Governor Ron DeSantis are set to take effect on July 1st. A handful of these laws have drawn national attention and sparked some controversy, with significant changes expected in sex education, immigration policies, and firearm regulations, among other areas. [Source: WOFL]
Florida’s insurance crisis goes to Washington
Florida homeowners and insurance experts testified Wednesday at a Senate Budget Committee hearing about how much climate change was to blame for Florida’s insurance crisis — and how what was happening in the state offered a glimpse of what homeowners nationwide could face. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
‘We’re not gonna barbecue our way out of this’: Wild pigs, conquering all Florida counties, are now taking over the U.S.
Wild hogs, an invasive species first brought to Florida by Spanish settlers in the 1500s, have now appeared in at least 35 states as their numbers continue to grow at a rapid pace, leading officials to warn of a devastating population explosion called the “feral swine bomb.” The biggest threat the pigs pose is to agriculture, rolling around in the dirt to cool off, rooting for food and eating crops. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Liberty Mutual ordered to repay millions of dollars for overcharging Florida policyholders
Liberty Mutual Insurance Co. was ordered to repay millions of dollars for premiums it overcharged on car insurance policies in Florida. The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation conducted an investigation and found that the massive Boston-based carrier had overcharged 46,053 policyholders since March 2023, according to a consent order filed last week. [Source: Orlando Business Journal]
Florida's Wildlife Corridor protects state from floods, fires, climate change, study says
So many people are moving to Florida each day researchers compare it to "adding a new Miami" to the state each year. The influx of new residents and development adds to the pressure to find balance by preserving wild, natural spaces. Now, there's a new incentive to do so. A first-of-its-kind study shows that protecting Florida's Wildlife Corridor stands to protect all of the state's residents and developments. [Source: WPTV]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Central Florida sees 1,200 unsheltered in homeless count, more than double last year
The Orlando region’s bout with homelessness has hit a critical point, with the number of people sleeping outside or in cars more than doubling from last year, according to the Homeless Services Network. In the annual Point-In-Time count, 2,883 people were found to be homeless on Jan. 22 in Orange, Seminole and Osceola counties, with 1,201 of them considered unsheltered. That’s up from 587 unsheltered last year and 426 the year before.
› Three Tampa Bay cities among the fastest growing in the nation
U.S. News and World Report has ranked three Tampa Bay cities as the fastest growing in the nation. The factors analyzed for these rankings include net migration, job market, affordable housing and location. Sarasota ranked No. 10 on this year's list, an increase from last year, followed by Tampa at the 13th spot and Lakeland at No. 18.
› Miami Shores, Hialeah property values are up more than 10%. One town climbed even higher
Real estate values in Miami-Dade remain sky high, with no signs of cooling, according to the latest property values report from the county appraiser’s office. All 34 municipalities saw values increase as of early 2024. Taxable property values across Miami-Dade rose an estimated 10% by the end of 2023, from a total valuation of $425.8 billion to $468.6 billion, figures that include existing commercial and residential buildings, as well as new construction.
› Orange County TDT revenue falls 10% — biggest drop-off since 2021
Orange County’s hotel tax revenue fell 10% year-over-year in April — the biggest drop off since early 2021. The county’s tourism development tax (TDT) generated about $30.3 million in April, according to the latest numbers. “April 2024 collections were lower than April 2023 collections by $3.3 million or 9.9%,” Orange County Comptroller Phil Diamond said.
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› Popular West Coast food chain to expand to Florida
Jack in the Box will expand to Orlando and Tallahassee, the fast food chain announced Monday. The details for the franchise expansion plans include future development commitments for five locations in Tallahassee and 10 in Orlando, with no specific locations named for either city.
› Pasco commission OKs new tax on park upkeep but questions road assessment
Pasco property owners will be seeing something new on their tax bill this fall, possibly two new taxes to help keep up with maintenance of the county’s existing roads and parks. But during the hearing to move forward with those plans Tuesday, commissioners said yes to the new parks tax but had questions about the new tax for road maintenance because it changed significantly since the last discussion in late 2022.
› Miami Beach moves to speed construction of convention hotel
The Grand Hyatt Miami Beach Convention Center Hotel continues to be atop Miami Beach’s project list as plans for the long-awaited hotel advance. Commissioners passed at first reading last month a resolution amending the city code to “authorize the review and approval of certain requests for funding from the Redevelopment Trust Fund of the Miami Beach Redevelopment Agency to support the development of public areas of the convention center headquarters hotel.”
› Jacksonville would spend $1.47 million on parking lots and drainage upkeep on top of stadium work
The city would pay about $1.47 million to resurface two parking lots and remove silt from a large drainage pipe as part of a proposed stadium renovation agreement with those expenses being on top of $775 million from the city for work on the stadium itself. City spokesman Phillip Perry said the work on the city-owned parking lots and the city-maintained drainage pipe would need to be done regardless of the stadium renovation.