Florida ranks 5th in competitive taxes
Tied for the top spot in individual income tax rank, Florida is fifth among 50 states in competitive taxes as judged by the Tax Foundation’s analysis. Policymakers, taxpayers and business leaders can gauge tax systems state to state many ways, including through the 2026 State Tax Competitiveness Index. It compares more than 150 variables in five major areas: corporate taxes; individual income taxes; sales and excise taxes; property and wealth taxes; and unemployment insurance taxes. [Source: The Center Square]
Florida Trend Exclusive
Florida Icon: Karen Moore
The Founder and CEO of The Moore Agency tells us: "I believe everyone wants a legacy. I want to have had a positive impact through the work our company does, through our individual philanthropy. I want to go to bed every single night knowing I’ve had a positive impact on somebody."" [Source: Florida Trend]
Florida voters object to government interference on ballot initiatives, survey shows
By overwhelming margins, Florida voters want to decide important issues like whether marijuana should be legalized or abortion rights protected and don’t want elected officials making the call, according to a new survey by a prominent Republican pollster. “Voters want their voice to be heard. They do not want elected officials to impede their right to participate in the decision making,” Tony Fabrizio, one of the polling firm’s two partners, said. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Why hurricane flooding is about to get even more dangerous in Florida
Corals are one of the most supportive lifeforms on the planet, providing habitat for thousands of species and protecting coastlines. But they are in the midst of a global bleaching event, with more than 80 percent of reefs affected by extreme ocean temperatures. In Florida, the extinction event portends dire repercussions. Coral reefs protect cities from flooding and hurricanes, and scientists say their decline will make storm surge, the floodwaters pushed ashore during storms, more dangerous. [Source: Nattional Geographic]
Florida lawmakers try again to curb sports betting-related corruption
Florida lawmakers are reviving legislation that would make it a felony to place sports bets while knowing the outcome is fixed. The proposal, part of a broader, nearly 100-page gambling reform package, also has provisions tied to fantasy sports, horse racing, and gaming oversight. Given recent sports betting scandals and legislative scheduling, the bill could move quickly. [Source: Yahoo News]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Jacksonville Surf Park developer granted $4.6 million property tax break
The developer of Jacksonville Surf Park will be eligible to receive a tax break of up to $4.6 million after action Nov. 12 by City Council. Council voted 17-0, with members Matt Carlucci and Terrance Freeman away from the dias, on Ordinance 2025-0776, which would support developer Aventuur Inc. in building the mixed-use project in South Jacksonville. The funding comes as a 10-year, 75% Recapture Enhanced Value Grant.
› Dr. Phillips Center CEO unveils major plans that could reshape downtown Orlando
Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts President and CEO Kathy Ramsberger wants to turn a prime downtown Orlando property into a cultural destination that rivals Chicago’s Millennium Park — and she’s willing to donate the land to make it happen. “We realized that we're running the business really strongly, so we felt, let's give the property back to the community and develop it and run it at risk with 1,000 free events,” she said.
› National design firm opens 500K SQ Tampa office as East Coast hub
LGE Design Build, a leading architecture, engineering and construction firm based in Phoenix and Dallas, has opened a new office in Tampa as part of its national expansion. The office at 442 W. Kennedy Blvd. will serve as the company’s East Coast hub. LGE enters Florida with nearly 500,000 square feet of logistics development projects already under contract, showing strong demand for its design-build services in the region.
› High-end office space seen as key to meeting demand in South Florida
High-end office spaces in markets like Wynwood and the flight-to-quality trend where investors seek newer, well-located properties, often Class A, that offer premium amenities are key drivers for demand in the commercial real estate market. The overall office vacancy rate in Miami fell to 15% at the end of the third quarter of 2025, which runs from July through September, according to a report from Cushman & Wakefield.
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› Naples Winter Wine Festival unveils first round of 2026 auction lots
The Naples Winter Wine Festival unveiled the first round of auction lots for its 26th annual event, returning Jan. 30–Feb. 1, 2026, to The Ritz-Carlton Naples, Tiburón. The festival, one of the world’s premier charity wine auctions, has raised more than $336 million since 2001, benefiting an estimated 385,000 children in Collier County. This year’s early highlights span luxury travel, elite sports access and rare wine and culinary experiences.
› Marineland facility to be preserved as Clay County couple's $6.5M bid wins 2nd auction
Months after declaring bankruptcy and the prospect of closing forever, the historic Marineland Dolphin Adventure facility, its staff and animals will be preserved. That is the promise of Jon and Barbara Rubel, a Clay County couple whose $6.5-million bid won a Nov. 10 auction for Marineland. Monday's auction was the second for the Marineland property since it filed for bankruptcy in March 2025.
› Renowned New York architecture firm expands to South Florida
A well-known architectural firm based in the New York City area has tapped South Florida for its first office outside the Northeast. Westport, Connecticut-based Roger Ferris + Partners has inked a long-term lease of 10,000 square feet of space at Phillips Point in West Palm Beach. It marks a major expansion for the critically acclaimed architecture and design firm, which has experience working on a broad swath of projects, both commercial and residential.
› Lakewood Ranch tech company adds AI experts to executive team
Roper Technologies has added two executives to its leadership team, both in newly created roles centering around artificial intelligence. Shane Luke was appointed Roper's senior vice president of AI, while Edward Raffaele was named vice president of AI engineering. The duo will focus on advancing AI capabilities across the company's portfolio of vertical software businesses to bring product innovation and long-term growth, according to a statement.