Weeks or months? – House passes budget, but Speaker warns against ‘artificial deadline’
The House passed its $113.6 billion budget proposal Thursday, but House Speaker Daniel Perez warned negotiations with the Senate could be rocky, possibly leading to an extension of the legislative session. “Today we have arrived at the turning point of our Session,” Perez, R-Miami, told members ahead of debate on the budget. “What happens in the days ahead will decide if we will be here another three weeks or another three months.” The regular 60-day session is scheduled to end March 13. But the House and Senate failed to agree to a budget on time last year as well, leading to an extra 45 days of session to resolve a dispute over tax cuts. [Source: News Service of Florida]
Business Beat - Week of February 20th
Get top news-to-know with Florida Trend's headline-focused video newsbrief, hosted by digital content specialist Aimée Alexander.
Jobless claims drop in Florida
An estimated 5,618 first-time jobless claims were filed in Florida last week, according to a U.S. Department of Labor estimate out Thursday. The figure is down from a revised count of 5,800 for the week ending February 7 and on par with the weekly average since the start of the year that is now 6,083. Nationally, 206,000 claims were filed last week, down from a revised count of 229,000 the week ending February 14. [Source: News Service of Florida]
Florida's drought conditions worsen
Conditions continue to worsen in Florida, with more than two-thirds of the state now suffering from extreme drought. How much of the state is under various levels of drought conditions? A total of 98.8% of the state is seeing conditions range from abnormally dry to extreme drought. There were 74 wildfires burning 6,114 acres across Florida, according to the Florida Forest Service Feb. 19. [Source: Gainesville Sun]
See also:
» Florida bees in crisis after freeze and drought devastate colonies
Lawmakers not assigning money for Florida home-hardening program
Florida lawmakers are assigning no new money this year for My Safe Florida Home, the popular home-hardening program that awards $10,000 grants to help Floridians upgrade their windows and doors. That’s because about $440 million in the program remains unspent — the result of recent eligibility changes and homeowners receiving free inspections but not upgrading their homes to receive the grants. Not all of that money is available. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Tallahassee tax vote sparks revenue fears in Jacksonville
As Tallahassee lawmakers weigh proposals that could upend how Floridians pay for local government — and even govern their own neighborhoods — the stakes for Northeast Florida are becoming clearer. On Feb. 19, the Florida House voted 80–30 to advance House Joint Resolution 203, a proposed constitutional amendment that would gradually eliminate all non-school property taxes on homesteaded properties by 2037.
› Clearwater insurance firm shutting office, laying off 103
Clarifying, a Clearwater insurance agency, is closing its corporate office and laying off 103 employees, including top level C-suite executives. The company notified state and local officials of its intentions in a letter dated Feb. 18 sent to meet Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act requirements. The letter was short on details and neither the firm's chief legal and administrative officer nor a media contact responded to a request for comment.
› South Florida's defense tech boom: Palantir, Vanderbilt, and new jobs
AI firm Palantir announced it has moved its headquarters to Miami, signaling South Florida's growth as a defense hub. Vanderbilt University plans to build a West Palm Beach campus with a new focus on defense and space technology. Real estate and business leaders are actively working to attract more defense and tech companies to the region.
› Cape Canaveral seeking rocket-launch damage grants with SpaceX Starships coming
Before SpaceX's Starship mega-rockets arrive on Florida's Space Coast, Cape Canaveral City Hall leaders want to explore state and federal grants to mitigate potential infrastructure damages caused by vibrations and sonic booms. The first Florida Starship launch could occur as early as late summer or fall, with Space Force Col. Brian Chatman calling 2026 "the year of the giants" in Brevard at a January space conference in Orlando.
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› Naples area housing market steadies after volatile years
After several years of rapid swings driven by shifting interest rates and uneven inventory, the Naples area housing market showed signs of settling into a more predictable rhythm in 2025, according to year-end data from the Naples Area Board of Realtors. Housing analysts shared the findings during the group’s annual year-end conference Feb. 9 at Naples Conference Center, describing a market that slowed early in the year before regaining momentum in the months that followed.
› Melbourne Orlando airport gets $2.5M grant; 500 high-paying jobs expected
Melbourne Orlando International Airport is undertaking an $11 million total infrastructure investment, a move the airport said is necessary to create some 500 high-paying jobs at the airport. Gov. Ron DeSantis announced this month that the airport was awarded $2.5 million towards the infrastructure improvements from the state as part of the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund, which is designed to "promote public infrastructure and workforce training across the state."
› World-famous doughnut shop from Portland is now open in Miami
The famous pink boxes are here: Voodoo Doughnut has arrived in Miami. The internationally famous doughnut shop, which is known not only for its bold and unconventional creations but also for hosting nontraditional wedding ceremonies, has opened in Wynwood, with the flavors that have transformed it from a cult favorite to a megahit across the country. The Wynwood shop, which will be open almost around the clock, is the 25th location for the brand.
› Sarasota seeks to raise $3.5 million for Bobby Jones Nature Park
Sarasota and the Big Waters Land Trust are seeking $3.5 million to complete improvements at the Bobby Jones Nature Park. The project aims to enhance the 110-acre park with more trees, plants, and trails for both people and wildlife. Officials state the park's restoration will also help reduce flooding and improve water quality in the area.