Monday’s Afternoon Update

Small businesses in Florida could face hiring challenges with new bill

A new proposal in Florida could soon change the way small businesses operate. A bill filed for the 2026 legislative session would require all private employers, regardless of size, to use the federal E-Verify system to confirm the eligibility of new hires to work in the U.S. Currently, only companies with 25 or more employees are required to do so. More from WINK.

'I don't know how to continue living here': Health care costs force difficult choices for Florida residents

The reality that Congress will not renew health care subsidies to start 2026 is now setting in for many who rely on them for health insurance. "I feel like it was expected, unfortunately, but it was definitely still disappointing," said Lauren Koff, a Palm Beach County resident. She is self-employed and has health insurance through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) to manage a chronic health condition. More from WFLX.

How ICE raids and tariffs can hurt Hispanic business in South Florida

If you walk into a South Florida business and see fewer workers, immigration crackdowns could be the reason. As thousands of South Florida workers face pending deportations, a new report from research firm Brookings analyzes how rapid changes in immigration enforcement and tariffs are affecting small businesses and the communities they serve. More from the Miami Herald.

Florida completes $83M purchase of 4 waterfront acres in Destin

It’s a done deal: Florida’s environmental agency on Thursday officially closed on the purchase of a 4-acre waterfront property in Destin, a spokesperson for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection confirmed Friday. The final purchase price? $83,326,520. While buying more land for conservation typically draws broad bipartisan support, the decision to buy the Panhandle property for more than $20 million per acre has been scrutinized by some of Florida’s top leaders, including the Republican chief financial officer appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis. More from the Tampa Bay Times.

Small-business optimism picked up in November

Small-business owners are growing more optimistic about the economy, according to a new study by the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB). The “optimism index” increased by 0.8 points in November settling in at 99, an NFIB news release said this week. That sentiment remains above the 52-year average of 98. The study found that the share owners raising average selling prices rose 13 points over October, to 34%. NFIB officials said that’s the highest that figure has been since 2023 and it’s the biggest increase in the history of the survey. More from Florida Politics.

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