How Florida could be affected by a government shutdown
Government shutdowns happen when Congress fails to agree on and pass appropriations bills, which fund the government's operations for the upcoming fiscal year. Federal agencies classify workers as either “essential” or “nonessential." Essential workers continue to work, but may not receive immediate payment. Nonessential workers are furloughed, meaning they are unable to work or receive pay until the government reopens. As of Sept. 2024 there were 95,167 federal employees in all agencies in Florida, about 1 in 20 of all federal employees nationwide. More from Florida Today and the Tampa Bay Times.
Cities, counties challenge growth law
Twenty-five cities and counties filed a lawsuit Monday challenging a new state law that blocks local governments from approving “more restrictive or burdensome” changes to growth plans for the next two years. The challenge, filed in Leon County circuit court, contends that the law (SB 180) effectively freezes all local land-development regulations and comprehensive plans through Oct. 1, 2027, violates home-rule authority and, using “ambiguous and vague” preemption language, strips the ability of cities and counties to manage their growth. The changes took effect June 26, when Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the law, and are retroactive to Aug. 1, 2024. [Source: News Service of Florida]
Report: Florida 17th in 2025 top states for business
Corporate site selection and economic development magazine Area Development ranks Florida a solid destination in the 2025 Top States for Business. Georgia is first for the 12th consecutive year. Across 15 categories judged, Florida did snag top 10 in them three times: fourth in corporate tax structure; eighth in overall cost of doing business; and ninth in water availability. [Source: The Center Square]
Six largest Florida metro areas post highest vacancy rates among U.S. housing markets
A new study of American real estate markets reveals that Florida has the top six residential real estate areas with the highest vacancy rates. Lance Surety Bonds examined both housing and commercial real estate vacancy rates nationwide and found that Florida is leading the trend of empty residential properties. The half dozen Florida markets with the most vacancies in the U.S. constitute nearly every major metropolitan area in the state, according to the study. [Source: Florida Politics]
Here's what Florida police, sheriffs are spending on immigration crackdown
More than 30 local law enforcement agencies across Florida are asking the state for millions in reimbursement for immigration-related costs. Thirty-two agencies, both sheriff’s offices and police departments, have in total applied for approximately $10.4 million in grant funds to cover expenses for detention beds, transportation, bonuses and equipment, among other things, according to state records reviewed Sept. 29. [Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Entrepreneurship conference coming to Tampa
Entrepreneurs and aspiring business leaders from across the country will come together next week in Tampa. TiECON Florida 2025, a conference focused on entrepreneurship, is scheduled to take place Oct. 8 at Centro Asturiano de Tampa in Ybor City. The event will be hosted by the Tampa chapter of the IndUS Entrepreneurs (TiE Global). The international organization was founded in 1992 by Indian-American business leaders.
› Miami is the most expensive city in the country for dining out, study says
You might think the most expensive cities for dining out in the U.S. are obvious. New York. Los Angeles. Washington D.C. Maybe San Francisco or Seattle? Perhaps Chicago? But no. According to a global study by an international food magazine, Miami is the most expensive city in the country for dining out.
› DB Insurance acquiring Jacksonville-based Fortegra in $1.65 billion deal
South Korean-based DB Insurance Co. Ltd. announced Sept. 26 it is buying Jacksonville-based specialty insurance company Fortegra Group Inc. for $1.65 billion. The deal comes 11 years after Connecticut-based investment company Tiptree Inc. bought then-publicly traded Fortegra for $218 million. Fortegra has grown significantly under Tiptree’s ownership.
› Central Florida mostly ignored push to lower property taxes
Despite relentless urging from the DeSantis administration to slash property tax rates, cities and counties in Central Florida largely chose to ignore the pressure. At least 20 local governments in the four-county area have decided to keep their same property tax rate as last year, according to a Orlando Sentinel review of decisions made as municipalities approached the annual Oct. 1 deadline to set their so-called millage.
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› Orlando seeks bids for city's 'largest construction project ever'
The City of Orlando is accepting bid packages in October for its “largest construction project ever” at Camping World Stadium. Extensive construction at Camping World Stadium is scheduled to begin in December. The $400 million overhaul, which includes adding and upgrading upper bowl seats, lighting and the stadium’s exterior, is expected to last 21 months through August 2027.
› 'Save Boca' group clears milestone in fight over downtown campus project
Boca Raton residents are moving closer to having a say on the future of the city's downtown government campus. The "Save Boca" group, a citizen-led effort organized to limit how the city can lease or sell public land, has reached a milestone. City officials confirmed that an ordinance petition submitted by the group was certified as sufficient by the city clerk, following verification of more than 3,600 signatures.
› Gainesville may use RTS for paratransit service. Current operator says city 'not equipped'
The company that has provided paratransit services in Alachua County for more than two decades says city of Gainesville officials are planning to eliminate its contract without a transition plan in an effort to save funds for its RTS bus service. MV Transit claims the city is not equipped for the transition and has offered over $500,000 in savings to keep the contract.
› This $500M redevelopment is underway to transform downtown Fort Lauderdale
In the beginning, there was FAT Village, two blocks of squat warehouses offering art classes, cozy coffee shops and a monthly art walk in downtown Fort Lauderdale. Today, there is a bustling construction site where developers say they’re ushering in a bigger and better version of the city’s art district. The highly anticipated $500 million redevelopment of FAT Village, an acronym for Flagler, Art, Technology, is well underway in Fort Lauderdale’s up-and-coming Flagler Village.