Florida’s resilience to storms and flooding will impact state’s future
The Florida Council of 100 has released Resilience Reimagined: Modern Policy and Innovation for a Stronger Florida, which explores how Florida can strengthen its long-term economic competitiveness and quality of life as severe weather becomes a defining feature of the state’s future. The report outlines key challenges and highlights opportunities to modernize infrastructure, streamline recovery, strengthen building standards, and advance resilience-focused innovation to protect communities and set a national standard. More from Florida Trend and the Floridian.
Column: Why Florida must fund the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program
The decisions made in Tallahassee over the coming weeks will shape the future of our rural landscapes, our food security, and the very character of the Sunshine State. At the heart of this conversation is the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program, a proven, effective, and urgently needed initiative that deserves not just continued, but expanded, support. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
A bill to make Florida electricity more affordable is being endorsed by clean energy advocates
Your electric bill could stop increasing if the Affordable Energy Reform Act — endorsed by clean energy advocates — makes it through the Florida Legislature this session. State Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith, D-Orlando, wants to change the way electricity rate hikes are determined. His measure, SB 1532, would require the Florida Public Service Commission, which regulates power companies, ensure utilities don't recover certain costs from ratepayers, while also capping profits. [Source: WUSF]
Florida strawberry growers file major antidumping petitions against Mexican imports
A group of strawberry growers filed petitions alleging that low-priced imports from Mexico have injured the winter strawberry industry in Florida. Imports covered under this petition include all fresh and chilled strawberries that enter the U.S. and are sold between Nov. 1 and March 31. The Strawberry Growers for Fair Trade filed the petitions with the U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. International Trade Commission, stating the Mexican strawberry industry has distorted the U.S. market and injured the American industry and its workers. [Source: The Packer]
Florida Legislature considers strict caller ID requirements on companies
In Florida’s 2026 legislative session, both chambers will consider bills that would impose strict requirements for caller identification on businesses. The bills target both telecommunications companies and the callers. While the legislation is presumably meant to target telephone scams and robocalls, its broad blocking mandates and authentication requirements would impact any company that places calls or sends texts to Florida consumers. [Source: National Law Review]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Wells Fargo is moving its wealth management office to West Palm Beach
Wells Fargo is moving the headquarters of its wealth-management operations to downtown West Palm Beach, bringing more than 50 senior executives who oversee wealth services for one of the nation’s largest banks, the company said. The office will house some 100 Wells Fargo employees, including the wealth division's CEO and a majority of its operating committee.
› St. Petersburg unveils plan to purchase flood-prone properties
St. Petersburg is finalizing the second phase of its $160 million disaster recovery plan, which includes homebuyer assistance, affordable housing and voluntary buyout programs. The city expects to purchase 14 high-risk residential or commercial properties, help create 582 affordable multifamily housing units and provide 70 low-income households with up to $80,000 in down payment assistance.
› Jacksonville companies rethink foreign worker sponsorship amid stricter federal visa requirements
Jacksonville companies that rely on engineers, health care professionals and technical specialists are facing a tougher hiring environment as new federal visa rules reshape access to global talent. Recent changes to the H-1B visa program — including the elimination of the random lottery system and a proposed $100,000 fee for new applicants — are expected to make it harder and more costly for employers to sponsor skilled foreign workers.
› Miami Beach launches new water taxi across the bay. Will it succeed this time?
Miami Beach has tried running water taxis to downtown Miami before. A pilot program in 2017 failed due to low ridership. Similar concerns doomed the “Poseidon Ferry” in 2020 and 2022. When the Poseidon set sail again in 2024, persistent maintenance issues led to its swift demise. But at the launch of a new, free water taxi service on Tuesday, city officials were bullish.
More stories ...
› ‘Four Seasons Effect’ sparks luxury growth talk in Naples
The “Four Seasons Effect” — a term coined by Gulfshore Business and The Naples Press Senior Editor Tim Aten — reflects expectations that luxury living and high-end concepts will further proliferate in Naples with the opening of the Naples Beach Club, A Four Seasons Resort. That idea was the focus of Tim Talks, the first event of its kind hosted by The Naples Press.
› Pinellas proposes closing, consolidating 6 under-used schools
Six Pinellas County schools are slated for major change as the district works to better use its space in light of steadily declining enrollment. This year, the district has 35,000 more seats than students. About a third of its campuses sit at less than 60% capacity. Superintendent Kevin Hendrick said his recommendations, unveiled at a school board workshop Tuesday after being delivered to potentially affected schools and families, are the first step toward right-sizing the district for more efficient operations.
› Bankruptcy court approves Sun Terra purchase of planned Whispering Hills site in Leesburg
Oviedo-based developer Sun Terra Communities is moving to purchase the proposed site of the huge, 1,088-acre Whispering Hills community in Leesburg out of bankruptcy court for $62 million. According to documents from the U.S. Bankruptcy Court Middle District of Florida, Orlando-based Marsan Real Estate Group — which owns the property as Bellaviva at Whispering Hills LLC — filed for Chapter 11 in October. A liquidation plan was filed last week, a move to clear the way for the controversial development which has lain dormant for four years.
› As tokenization grows up, here’s how Miami builders are turning blockchain into market infrastructure
For years, tokenization lived mostly at the edges of finance. It was discussed at conferences, tested in pilots, and debated in white papers. What it lacked were moments that felt, well, real. That is starting to change, and Miami is increasingly where those moments are taking place. At its core, tokenization is all about modernizing how assets move, settle, and are recorded. That evolution is pulling tokenization out of crypto-native circles and into conversations that look a lot more like traditional capital markets.