Rent law repeal, other laws to take effect
A more than decade-long push by business groups will pay off next week with the end of a state sales tax on commercial leases. The tax, widely known as the business rent tax, will go away Oct. 1 after 57 years as part of a wide-ranging tax package that lawmakers passed in June. The change will come as nearly 30 new laws hit the books Oct. 1. The elimination is projected to collectively save businesses nearly $1.15 billion during the current fiscal year, which will run through June 30. That amount is projected to increase to $1.53 billion next fiscal year. [Source: News Service of Florida]
Making the grade: Latest Florida bar exam results are in. Who's on top?
The University of Florida and Jacksonville University were the only schools to have graduates score over 90 percent on July's bar examination, according to results released Sept. 22. The overall passing rate for the July exam was 78.4% for those taking it for the first time, marking a steady increase from 76.6% in July 2024 and 71.6% from July 2023 – an overall jump of 6.8 percentage points over the two years. [Source: Gainesville Sun]
Own your income: America’s ‘solopreneur’ business model is booming, in Florida and around the nation
The nation’s 29.8 million solopreneurs — businesses with no paid employees — contribute $1.7 trillion to the U.S. economy, representing 6.8% of total economic activity, according to the most recently published U.S. Census Bureau data. California led the way with 3,502,950 solo businesses in 2022, but Florida was tops in per capita solo start-ups, with about 13.3 non-employer establishments per 100 people. [Source: CNBC]
Florida proposes diverting millions for ‘cleaner technology’ from electric vehicles
Nearly $41 million Florida still has left over from a federal mitigation fund to “replace diesel emission sources with cleaner technology” won’t be used for any more electric bus or electric vehicle charging projects, according to a draft proposal from the state’s Department of Environmental Protection. Instead, the agency’s pitch is for Florida to use the money to fuel freight trucks with alternative energy sources like “new diesel” and compressed natural gas. [Source: Miami Herald]
Florida public defenders to seek across-the-board starting salary
Pointing to problems attracting new lawyers, a Northeast Florida public defender said Friday that state lawmakers will be asked to approve an $80,000 starting salary for attorneys in public defender offices. “What we’ve seen is that it is harder and harder to get quality attorneys coming out of law school who are willing to work in public service,” Matthew Metz, public defender in the 7th Judicial Circuit, said. Starting salaries in some circuits are now $75,000 to $80,000, while in other circuits they are $65,000 to $70,000. [Source: News Service of Florida]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Boca-based Office Depot parent sold in deal valued at close to $1 billion
ODP Corp., parent of the retailers Office Depot and OfficeMax and a long-time fixture of Palm Beach County’s corporate community, has agreed to be sold to a private equity firm in an all-cash deal valued at nearly $1 billion, the companies announced Monday. The buyer is an affiliate of Atlas Holdings of Greenwich, Conn., which owns an array of 29 manufacturing and distribution businesses worldwide.
› Lake County gas tax hike could fund road repairs, faces mixed reactions
Currently, Lake County’s gas tax sits at 7 cents per gallon, but commissioners are considering a bump up to 12 cents per gallon. The proposed increase could generate millions for the county to go toward road repairs and maintenance. The Office of Economic and Demographic Research shows Marion, Seminole, Osceola, and Volusia counties also have a 12-cent gas tax.
› See which banks snagged the most new deposits in Tampa Bay this year
The total volume of deposits at banks in Tampa Bay rose measurably over the last 12 months as competition for customers’ dollars remains fierce among the largest institutions in the market. Deposits increased by approximately 5.6% from $127.7 billion to $134.9 billion over 2024 across the 74 banks with market share in the seven-county region, according to the annual summary of deposits released by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.
› Mosaic Co. aims to inject fertilizer production wastewater 8,000 feet underground
The Mosaic Company aims to inject wastewater contaminated during fertilizer mining and processing deep underground in Polk County, and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection has already granted the first permits necessary to make the effort a reality. Mosaic states the process is safe and highly regulated, but it would be a first for an active fertilizer plant in Florida.
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› Abel Harding tapped as JAX Chamber Chair-Elect for 2026, bringing financial and civic expertise
The JAX Chamber has tapped Abel Harding, a longtime Jacksonville business and civic leader, to serve as its Chair-Elect for 2026. Harding, who is Financial Advisor and Area Manager for Pinnacle Financial Partners, will collaborate with incoming 2026 Chair Misty Skipper of GATE Petroleum Co. and Chamber President & CEO Daniel Davis to shape the organization’s strategic agenda and strengthen member value over the coming year.
› Legoland unveils 'Galacticoaster,' the park's first indoor coaster
Legoland Florida has officially announced "liftoff" on its first-ever indoor coaster. The theme park is revealing a look at Galacticoaster, taking part of a new space-themed land launching in early 2026. Galacticoaster is inside a 30,000-square-foot building and towering over 50 feet high, with over 400 concrete trucks and 1,500 feet of track used in its construction.
› West Palm Beach's e-bike voucher giveaway draws huge demand, more on the way
A recently launched electric bike voucher giveaway program in West Palm Beach is proving a hit, with demand far outpacing supply and program organizers promising more. Nearly 100 people who live or work in West Palm Beach, especially those unable to afford cars, have been helped by vouchers given away by local nonprofit WPBgo, the organization says in a new report on their program, dubbed goRide.
› Israeli medtech company to open US HQ, add 100 jobs in Manatee County
sraeli medtech company Ossio is opening a 30,000-square-foot U.S. headquarters in Manatee County, where it will manufacture metal-free implants and train surgeons. Ossio will begin recruiting this fall and plans to hire 100 employees over the next five years to staff the Manatee County facility. Manufacturing will begin there in spring 2026.