Florida budget, tax package set for final vote
The Florida budget came together gradually, then suddenly. Lawmakers released the final product Friday, two weeks before a deadline that would’ve sent the state government into a never-before-seen shutdown. But there’s still work to do. The Legislature is planning on meeting late Monday to officially vote on and pass the budget. From there, it goes to Gov. Ron DeSantis, who has line-item veto power over things he doesn’t like. Also on Monday’s agenda: a tax package that was a point of friction in negotiations between the House and Senate. More from WUSF and the Orlando Sentinel.
Fate unclear for ban on oil drilling along Apalachicola River in north Florida
The fate of a bill to ban oil drilling along the Apalachicola River in internationally acclaimed north Florida wetlands is uncertain. There's unconfirmed rumors of a veto by Gov. Ron DeSantis, and a planned rally in Apalachicola to boost the ban. The measure – by Rep. Jason Shoaf, R-Port St. Joe, and Rep. Allison Tant, D-Tallahassee – is in response to a 2024 announcement by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection that it intended to issue a permit to Louisiana-based Clearwater Land and Minerals for an exploratory well in Calhoun County, 60 miles west of Tallahassee. [Source: Tallahassee Democrat]
Florida plans for peak hurricane season amid storm of FEMA reforms
Hurricane season is now in full-swing, and with more experience in storm recovery than any other state, Florida’s local emergency management officials are trying to stay focused on staying prepared. With the most active, historically volatile stretch a couple months away, county emergency managers have no time to plan for possible changes at FEMA. Instead, the state’s disaster recovery network has decided to rely on itself — even if they may need federal assistance down the road. [Source: Politico]
High prices charged by Florida insurers revealed by cost-per-$1,000 analysis
Collectively, Florida-based property insurers charge significantly higher rates per $1,000 than companies headquartered outside the state charge. Owners of condominium units in Florida pay twice as much per $1,000 to insure their contents than homeowners pay to cover their entire structures and contents. And if you are covered by one of the 17 companies that have helped to depopulate state-owned Citizens Property Insurance Corp., you are paying significantly more per $1,000 of insured value than customers of non-participating insurers. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Native American tribe steps up to protect Florida lands for wildlife
Almost two centuries ago, Native American tribe members sought the protection of Florida’s Everglades during the Seminole wars as they hid from government forces seeking to banish them to Indian territories that later became Oklahoma. Now, the Miccosukee Tribe is stepping up to fulfill what it sees as a “moral obligation” to return the favor. [Source: The Guardian]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Florida Supreme Court halts state Bar’s role in appointments to ABA policymaking panel
The Florida Supreme Court requested The Florida Bar cease appointing members to the American Bar Association's House of Delegates. Chief Justice Carlos Muñiz cited the ABA's stances on political issues as conflicting with The Florida Bar's neutrality. This action follows the Trump administration's removal of the ABA's access to review federal judicial candidates.
Strong Space Coast tourism numbers bode well for local economy, employment
Despite concerns about a potential drop in tourism because of the national economic and political climate, the Space Coast registered gains during the key spring travel period. The head of Brevard County's tourism agency says that is a good sign for the coming months. "These numbers bode well for our summer season, as, typically, if spring goes well, then summer follows," Space Coast Office of Tourism Executive Director Peter Cranis said.
› St. Pete kills deal with Blackstone-backed group to redevelop public marina
St. Petersburg has terminated negotiations with a private company that was slated to redevelop the downtown marina and will instead handle the project itself. Safe Harbor Marinas, which was acquired by Blackstone Inc., was selected by Mayor Ken Welch last year after a request for proposals was issued in 2023 to redevelop and operate the city’s Downtown Municipal Marina.
› Galapagos tortoise celebrates his 135th birthday and his first Father’s Day at Zoo Miami
A South Florida zoo’s oldest resident celebrated his 135th birthday and his first Father’s Day on Sunday. Goliath, a 517-pound (234-kilogram) Galapagos tortoise at Zoo Miami, became a father for the first time earlier this month, zoo officials said. One egg out of a clutch of eight laid on Jan. 27 successfully hatched on June 4, officials said. Besides being Goliath’s first offspring, it’s also the first time one of the endangered reptiles has hatched at Zoo Miami.
More stories ...
› How Amazon's Kuiper satellite launches from Florida compete with Starlink
For years, billionaire Elon Musk has dominated the internet-providing satellite business with his ever-growing Starlink constellation. Since 2019, SpaceX's famous Falcon 9 rocket has been regularly delivering to orbit batch after batch of Starlink satellites from launch sites in Florida and California. And since 2019, the venture has essentially gone unchallenged. But that's beginning to change.
› Small Business Administration loans $29 million to Treasure Coast businesses, homeowners
The U.S. Small Business Administration has loaned nearly $695 million to businesses and individuals across Florida — including nearly $29 million on the Treasure Coast — as a result of damage from hurricanes Milton and Helene, agency spokesperson Ileana Alamo said. The agency is extending the deadline for businesses to apply for disaster recovery assistance until July 11.
› UCF and Florida Polytech hosting engineering conference in Orlando
Florida Polytechnic University along with the University of Central Florida (UCF) are co-hosting top industrial engineers and managers from more than 40 countries this week at a conference in Orlando. The 10th North American International Conference for the Industrial Engineering and Operations Management Society takes place from Tuesday through Thursday in Central Florida. The conference will feature participants and speakers from academia and the professionals from the engineering industry.
› Shaquille O'Neal makes Florida return with opening of Tampa-area restaurant
Shaq is back. Shaquille O'Neal, the National Basketball Association legend who spent parts of his playing career in Orlando and Miami, returns to Florida on June 16 with the grand opening up of one of his fast-food chicken restaurants in Westchase, the Tampa suburb. This will be the first Florida restaurant for the Big Chicken chain.