Florida consumer sentiment rebounds
Consumer confidence had declined sharply in recent months, largely driven by falling spending intentions and growing pessimism about the national economy. In May, however, the rebound in sentiment was supported by a marked improvement in both Floridians’ willingness to make big-ticket purchases and their long-term outlook on the U.S. economy. [Source: Florida Trend]
Lawmakers agree on Everglades, citrus money
Florida lawmakers Wednesday continued slowly trying to bridge differences on a new state budget, with the House agreeing to a Senate stance on money for the Everglades and $104.5 million for citrus research. As for the Everglades, the House started at $165 million but matched the Senate by backing a series of projects that total $614 million, the same amount of money in the current fiscal year. [Source: News Service of Florida]
Florida’s National Guard will soon leave state prisons
More than two years after being deployed amid a major staffing crisis, the National Guard is set to leave Florida prisons after this month. Gov. Ron DeSantis in 2022 announced a plan to use the National Guard to help the understaffed state prisons, which were short more than 5,000 correctional officers. To fill the gap, the Department of Corrections was shelling out millions of dollars in overtime pay. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
Florida marijuana ballot question clears key hurdle for 2026 vote
A ballot initiative to permit recreational use of marijuana for adults in Florida obtained enough signatures this week to trigger a legally-mandated financial and judicial review. Smart and Safe Florida, the group sponsoring the constitutional amendment, gathered more than 377,000 signatures verified by local elections supervisors, according to the state Division of Elections website. This surpasses a threshold of 220,000 signatures for the state-required review. [Source: TC Palm]
Ghost orchid eyed for endangered status
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will seek endangered-species status for the ghost orchid, a swamp-dwelling, flowering plant found in Florida’s Hendry and Collier counties and in Cuba, the agency said Wednesday. “It is one of the most famous flowers in Florida, but its population has declined to fewer than 1,000 plants in the United States,” the Fish and Wildlife Service said in a news release. [Source: News Service of Florida]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Carnival Cruise Line marks 35th anniversary of sailing from Port Canaveral
Carnival Cruise Line is celebrating its 35th anniversary at Port Canaveral, as the cruise line with the longest continuous presence at the port. Carnival's tenure at the port dates back to the deployment there in 1990 of the Carnivale, which offered three- and four-day sailings. Carnival currently sails the Freedom, Glory, Mardi Gras and Vista year-round out of Port Canaveral, with a fifth ship, Carnival Venezia, offering seasonal sailings. In 2027, Carnival will base its Carnival Festivale — which now is under construction — at Port Canaveral.
› Disney World to close iconic Frontierland attractions for 'Cars'-themed expansion
Walt Disney World's plans to reimagine Frontierland will ramp up with the closure of iconic attractions, beginning as early as next month. The Disney Parks Blog on June 3 revealed details on expansion plans at Magic Kingdom which will lead to a new land themed after Disney and Pixar's "Cars" film franchise. Piston Peak National Park will be the name of the new feature replacing areas which currently include Rivers of America, Tom Sawyer Island and the Liberty Square Riverboat.
› Developer shelling out big bucks for Palm Beach County development rights
GL Homes is paying significantly higher prices for development rights in Palm Beach County's Agricultural Reserve. The company is using a strategy of preserving and unpreserving land parcels to meet open space requirements while maximizing development. This practice, while legal, has raised transparency concerns with some county officials.
› Tampa Starbucks employees want vote to join union
Baristas at a Tampa Starbucks are looking to unionize and if successful will be the third of the Seattle company’s local cafes to organize. The baristas filed a petition last week with the National Labor Relations Board seeking permission to hold a vote. If approved, and the majority of employees approve the measure, the Carrollwood Starbucks would become part of the 11,000 baristas at more than 580 locations in 45 states that have already voted to unionize.
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› Experts envision a Gas Plant District without Tampa Bay Rays stadium
In 2020, St. Petersburg Rick Kriesman put out a request for proposals to build a new baseball stadium for the Tampa Bay Rays and transform the surrounding 86 acres where a Black neighborhood called the Gas Plant District once stood. Five years and two collapsed deals later, the dream of replacing the now-dilapidated Tropicana Field seems all but dead. But as that door closes, it opens the possibility for a whole new kind of development in the historic Gas Plant District.
› CEO of Jacksonville-based nonprofit Ability Housing to depart in December after 22 years
Shannon Nazworth is ending her almost 22-year career as president and CEO of Ability Housing, a Jacksonville-based nonprofit developer of affordable housing that expanded into Central Florida during her tenure. Nazworth, who plans to depart at year's end, said she was neither retiring or headed to another position.
› Orange County approves new homeless shelter where it earlier shut one down
More than a year after shuttering an Orlando church’s unpermitted homeless shelter, Orange County commissioners approved a rezoning request for the church to build a new shelter on the same site. So long as Kaleo Ministries can meet the county’s conditions, the church may move forward with its plan to build a 240-bed shelter on six acres of residential land it owns in east Orlando, the county board agreed Tuesday.
› Sarasota County to raise fare for increasingly popular Breeze OnDemand
Breeze OnDemand, Sarasota County’s public ride-sharing program, has exploded in popularity since its launch in 2021. Now, as demand grows and the federal grants that sustain it seem more uncertain, the County Commission voted on Tuesday to slightly raise its fares. A one-way trip with Breeze OnDemand will now cost $3 for the first 3 miles and $1 for each additional mile – with a $6 cap. The previous base fare was $2.