Florida legislature to leave Tallahassee without a budget. No word on a return
Florida lawmakers are getting next week off after a grueling two-month session that failed to reach a compromise on a balanced budget. But when they will return to finish their constitutional duty, which requires them to approve a state spending plan, is up in the air. The two chambers are still about $4.4 billion apart on a state budget despite several offers and counteroffers over the past several weeks. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]
Business Beat - Week of May 2nd
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State parks in Florida appear off-limits to development as lawmakers react to outcry
State parks would be protected from pickleball courts, golf courses and hotel development under a bill passed unanimously by the Florida House on Thursday in response to last summer’s statewide outcry over plans for these kinds of projects. The bill now heads to Gov. Ron DeSantis for final approval, and his office hasn’t said if he’ll sign it. More from the AP and the Tampa Bay Times.
Solar power on the rise in Florida
The Sunshine State is increasing its reliance on solar energy. Florida had about 18,547 megawatts of solar generating capacity through the end of last year — the third highest amount in the United States. Florida leads the Southeast in solar, trailing only California and Texas in capacity nationwide. [Source: Gulfshore Business]
Mockingbird keeps its perch as Florida’s state bird
The northern mockingbird has done it again. Known for its ability to vocally mimic at least a dozen other species, the gray-and-white bird held off challenges for a fourth consecutive year in the Capitol to unseat it from its perch as Florida's state bird. Lawmakers this year even tried some new strategies. [Source: WLRN]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Is the cure for slowing Alzheimer’s a vitamin? Benfotiamine trials underway in South Florida
Four South Florida clinics are enrolling patients in a nationwide trial for a vitamin that may offer a solution for slowing memory loss and halting the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. The trial will study benfotiamine, a laboratory-made form of thiamine, also known as vitamin B1, as a treatment to slow Alzheimer’s disease.
› As turtle nest season begins, Brevard beach renourishment projects wrapping up
Brevard County beaches received over $120 million worth of sand replenishment due to erosion from Hurricane Ian, Tropical Storm Nicole, and rising sea levels. Beach renourishment projects are paused by May 1st for sea turtle nesting season, but the North Reach project has an extended deadline of May 15th with environmental protections in place.
› Port Canaveral investing $500 million in upgrades and enhancements across all facets of its operations
Port Canaveral, Florida’s premier seaport, is investing upwards of $500 million in landside and waterside improvements as part of its comprehensive “Port Canaveral Advantage” plan to expand capacity and capabilities across all aspects of its business operations. “Port Canaveral has been a driving force for the Central Florida economy for over seven decades and the continued prosperity of our Port community depends on our continued success,” stated Capt. John Murray, Port Canaveral CEO.
› How a small Bay Harbor condo met Florida’s tough rules. And kept costs down doing it
Soon after the catastrophic collapse of Champlain Towers South in Surfside in 2021, board officers at an aging condo in neighboring Bay Harbor Islands realized they had better get their act together. The Golden Key was facing its 60-year recertification, and — as in many other condos in South Florida — owners of mostly limited means had avoided saddling themselves with assessments for the expected repairs.
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› Broward readies for Sawgrass Expressway expansion to I-95
Vital steps are being taken this year in the eventual expansion of the Sawgrass Expressway from its current end at Florida’s Turnpike to Interstate 95. The expansion would make trips easier for thousands of drivers who commute through the area in Deerfield Beach each day. The Spanish design and development firm OHLA recently announced it was starting the planning phase of the long-discussed project funded by the Florida Department of Transportation.
› St. Augustine nixes sculpture after spending $87K on it
The St. Augustine City Commission is calling off a plan to install a sculpture at the peanut-shaped intersection on San Marco Avenue and May Street. Although the city had already spent $87,500 on the project, a majority of the City Commission admitted Monday they had cold feet about the sculpture.
› America's fastest-growing cities: Four Orlando metro areas make list
Florida is home to some of the fastest-growing cities in the nation, including four in the metro Orlando region. This comes from new research by StorageCafe, which examined over 2,500 U.S. cities with populations of at least 10,000, ranking them by the percentage of population change between 2014 and 2023.
› New, "Big Bin" program changing trash pick-up in Manatee County
Big garbage bins are on their way to homes in unincorporated Manatee County, and the change means possible consolidation of trash, recycling and yard waste pickup days. Manatee County Utilities customers soon receive the larger 96-gallon trash bins as part of a initiative billed the “Big Bin Advantage,” which is an effort aimed at streamlining waste-collection services for residents in unincorporated areas.