Florida officials predict higher tax revenues in coming months
Florida officials predict tax revenues in the Sunshine State will continue to increase compared to last year's numbers. The Office of Economic & Demographic Research held a revenue estimating conference on Aug. 23 and predicted general revenue will grow from August's estimates of 7.14% to an estimated 8.5% in September. General revenue is expected to increase in dollar amounts from August's $3.5 billion prediction to $4.1 billion in September. [Source: The Center Square]
Florida Trend Exclusive
Southwest Florida innovation zone
Ave Maria, a Barron Collier master-planned community in eastern Collier County, was first conceptualized in the mid-2000s. Almost two decades later, more than 4,600 of its 11,000 homes are now completed. The community adds as many as 500 units a year alongside commercial businesses and amenities, all based around Ave Maria University and the town’s landmark church. In 2015, the community created its Innovation District — a 200-acre county zone designed to promote development and diversify the local economy. [Source: Florida Trend]
Hundreds of thousands of eligible Floridian seniors missing out on benefits
Are you 65 or older? You could be missing out on money or help with healthcare costs that's available to you. Last week, the National Council on Aging released an interactive map to show how many American seniors were eligible for benefits programs but not enrolled. They found about nine million of them. [Source: Tallahassee Democrat]
Hemp industry backs group fighting against Florida marijuana legalization
Some in the hemp industry are concerned about the potential passing of Amendment 3 which would legalize the recreational use of marijuana for adults in Florida. If marijuana is legalized, some are concerned that consumer interest in hemp-based products like delta-9, which has fewer effects, will drop dramatically. [Source: News 4 Jax]
West Nile virus has infected people in Florida. Is it in your county?
It's peak season for West Nile virus, and five human cases have been documented in Florida so far this year. Since March, cases have been documented in Collier, Duval, Marion, Orange and Walton counties, according to the Florida Department of Health. Three cases occurred in July, one in March and one in August, according to department data. [Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Pasco scallop season reopens Wednesday after temporary closure
The recreational bay scallop harvest in the Gulf of Mexico off the Pasco County coastline will reopen Wednesday, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Last month, Florida wildlife officials paused scalloping in the Pasco Zone after detecting high levels of the saxitoxin neurotoxin and Pyrodinium bahamense algae in the water.
› Review board dedicated to holding Miami cops accountable will be disbanded. How come?
For more than 20 years, the City of Miami’s Civilian Investigative Panel was the bridge between police and the community — enacting needed reforms within the department, among other key accomplishments. Now, after a new state law went into effect, the panel is slated for disbandment.
› Florida regulators weigh TECO rates
Florida regulators this week dug into a proposal that would lead to Tampa Electric Co. raising base electric rates, with representatives of consumers and businesses arguing the proposal should be scaled back. Tampa Electric is asking the Florida Public Service Commission to approve a $287.98 million increase in 2025, followed by increases of $92.37 million in 2026 and $65.47 million in 2027.
› Royal Caribbean could be getting 3 more Icon-class ships
Royal Caribbean introduced Icon of the Seas in Miami this year taking on the title of world’s largest cruise ship with sister ship Star of the Seas coming to Port Canaveral in 2025. A third unnamed Icon-class ship is already under contract, but Royal Caribbean Group, the parent company to the cruise line, announced Tuesday its plans for a fourth ship to be built out of the Meyer Turku shipyard in Turku, Finland with an option for a fifth and sixth ship in the future.
Go to page 2 for more stories ...
› Tampa nonprofit plans female-staffed psychiatric hospital in Tampa
Helping patients work through trauma is part of everyday life at Gracepoint. But the nonprofit believes it can make that journey easier for some of its female patients by caring for them at an all-women staffed behavioral health hospital. In June, the group began construction on the $16 million Mariposa Women’s Hospital on its 23-acre Tampa campus.
› Florida lawmakers struggle to curb roofing fraud in insurance market
Florida has become a hotbed for property insurance litigation, with the state accounting for 79% of the country’s property insurance-related lawsuits in 2022, despite making up just 9% of the nation’s insurance claims. Lawmakers point to roofing schemes as a significant factor in these lawsuits.
› SRQ lands deal with aircraft manufacturer to construct 17-acre facility on airport campus
A major deal between the Sarasota Bradenton International Airport and a specialty aircraft manufacturer was signed, sealed and delivered as of Monday. SRQ and Swiss aircraft manufacturer Pilatus inked a deal for the company to construct a new sales and service facility on the north side of the airport Monday. The first phase of the facility, which will eventually span 17 total acres, is expected to be fully operational by mid-2026.
› Brightline offers new deals to celebrate first year of service between South Florida and Orlando
If traveling is on your radar, Brightline has a deal for you. Brightline is celebrating its first year of service between South Florida and Orlando with a week of special deals. From Sept. 3 to Sept. 7, email subscribers will get access to daily discounts on rides. Brightline says the celebration will include major enhancements to the rider experience.