Florida Chamber says property insurance market shows improvements
A consumer advocacy group tied to the Florida Chamber says property insurance reforms have stabilized a market that some, not that long ago, worried was on the brink of collapse. The Consumer Protection Coalition in a statement this week says legislative reforms approved two years ago are leading to steadying and declining premiums, as well as a drop in the number of policies held by Citizens Property Insurance Corp. [Source: Business Observer]
DeSantis plans ‘DOGE’ audits of cities and counties that didn’t voluntarily comply
State officials are preparing to conduct “on-site audits” of cities and counties across Florida, starting with Broward County and Gainesville, Gov. Ron DeSantis said Tuesday in press conferences in each place. Blasting local governments for DEI policies and administrators’ salaries, DeSantis said he plans to announce between 10 to 15 similar audits in the coming weeks, targeted at agencies that didn’t voluntarily comply with his request to turn over financial data to his new Department of Governmental Efficiency, or DOGE. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]
Coral reefs fuel Florida’s economy—restoration ensures their future
In the Florida Keys, restoring coral reefs isn’t just an environmental priority—it’s a strategy to safeguard ocean ecosystems and sustain a tourism economy worth billions. Healthy coral reefs make the Florida Keys’ economy tick. By restoring degraded reefs within the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, NOAA and its partners help support almost 20,000 local jobs tied to tourism, fishing, and ocean recreation. [Source: NOAA Fisheries]
Florida has a new CFO. What does he do?
Florida has a new chief financial officer. Blaise Ingoglia was sworn into the position Monday. The CFO is one of four Florida Cabinet positions. It’s the newest, officially coming to the state in 2003 after voters approved a 1998 constitutional amendment restructuring the Cabinet, which makes various executive branch decisions. As CFO, Ingoglia will lead the Department of Financial Services. According to its website, the department has more than 2,000 employees in its dozen divisions. [Source: Jax Today]
Florida’s high-speed rail rattles investors, defying its promise
The Brightline train running from Miami to Orlando, lauded as an alternative vision for the future of American rail travel, is making some investors anxious. The concerns have amped up since Bloomberg reported earlier this month that Brightline was going to delay an interest payment on $1.2 billion of bonds it issued through the municipal-bond market, one of several different types of debt issued by various arms of the company. [Source: Bloomberg]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Florida Blue members facing loss of in-network rates for Memorial Healthcare System services
Florida Blue policyholders are being notified that Memorial Healthcare System may no longer be in the health insurer’s network. The change would affect as many as 31,000 patients and take effect on Sept. 1. It would mean that Florida Blue policyholders — including individual members, members of employer-based plans, marketplace members, and Medicare Advantage members — would pay higher rates to access certain services and inpatient visits to Memorial’s medical facilities.
› Foundation run out of a townhouse won millions from Tallahassee, Miami-Dade. Why?
From a West Miami townhouse, the A3 Foundation has spent its first two years in existence racking up nearly $2 million in government funding from Miami-Dade County and the state. This year, the nonprofit led by a top official in the city of Miami’s government came out of Florida’s legislative session with a $950,000 allocation of state money — nearly double what the charity had requested.
› Pop star Pink surprises Sarasota restaurant with performance during ‘amazing night’
A pop star who's been seen in the Sarasota area before recently ate and even gave an impromptu performance at a local restaurant. Grammy-winning singer Alecia Beth Moore-Hart, better known by her stage name Pink, visited the Portuguese-Italian fusion eatery Amore Restaurant just east of downtown Sarasota on 180 N. Lime Ave. on Sunday night, with the restaurant sharing photos and video of her visit on its Facebook page.
› FPL says proposed base-rate increases will provide stability while critics call it 'extravagant'
FPL is seeking approval from the regulatory commission for increases of $1.545 billion in 2026 and $927 million in 2027. Florida Power & Light says its proposed base-rate increases will provide stability and keep customers’ electric bills below the national average. Opponents describe the multibillion-dollar proposal in terms such as “extravagant” and “excessive” and say it needs to be reduced.
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› National wealth management company invests in Sarasota financial firm
A New Jersey-based investment advisory company focused on high-net-worth clients has made a strategic investment in a Sarasota financial firm. Summit Financial, which helps advisors provide family office services and optimize growth, has invested in LPF Advisors. LPF Advisors oversees more than $277 million in client assets as of April 15, according to a statement.
› In Daytona, a motorsports hall that has it all, from land to sea to air
There’s an Earhart (Amelia) and an Earnhardt (Dale). A Roberts (Fireball) who raced on four wheels and another (Kenny) who preferred two. A Ford (Henry) and two Chevrolets (Louis and Gaston), a France (Big Bill) and another France (Bill Jr.). A Humpy (Wheeler) and a Smokey (Yunick). The Motorsports Hall of Fame of America might not be the most famous hall devoted to the competitive motorized world, but it’s certainly the most diverse.
› St. Petersburg Waldorf Astoria penthouse sells for record-breaking $27 million
A luxury condo set to be the tallest in St. Petersburg is also shaping up to be the city’s most expensive. The duplex penthouse at the Waldorf Astoria Residences sold for $27 million, marking the biggest condo sale in Tampa Bay history. The developers behind the project, PMG, and Feldman Equities along wi City Office REIT, launched sales for the building in April. No timeline for construction has been announced.
› Judge rules that Miami election date change was unconstitutional
Miami’s decision to postpone its 2025 election to 2026 without voter approval was unlawful and unconstitutional, a judge has ruled. Miami-Dade Circuit Court Judge Valerie Manno Schurr on Monday issued a written opinion in a lawsuit filed by Miami mayoral candidate Emilio González. The former city manager sued the city after the Miami City Commission passed an ordinance that postponed the upcoming November 2025 election to November 2026 without voter approval.