Florida TaxWatch report: Nearly half of residents consider leaving state over rising costs
The cost of living in Florida continues to rise, with nearly half of residents saying they have considered leaving the state due to affordability concerns, according to a new report from Florida TaxWatch. The report, Cost of Living in Florida: A Mid-Decade Check-In, highlights increasing expenses across ad valorem taxes, rent prices, childcare costs, groceries, and other everyday necessities. Florida TaxWatch President and CEO Jeff Kottkamp said the findings show growing concern among residents struggling to keep up with rising costs. More from Florida Trend and Florida's Voice.
Business Beat - Week of April 3rd
Get top news-to-know with Florida Trend's headline-focused video newsbrief, hosted by digital content specialist Aimée Alexander.
State revenue tops forecast
State general revenue collections for February exceeded expectations by $154.5 million, according to the Legislature’s Office of Economic & Demographic Research. A monthly revenue report released Wednesday shows the state collected $4.01 billion in net general revenue in February, 4 percent above the anticipated amount from a revised forecast in January. The state forecast is intended to help lawmakers make budget decisions. General revenue is closely watched because it plays a major role in funding education, health care and prison programs. [Source: News Service of Florida]
New Florida voting rules could change what you bring to the polls
Florida is changing how residents register to vote after a new law was signed on Wednesday. Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill into law in The Villages that changes how residents register to vote and cast ballots in Florida. The new law requires proof of citizenship during voter registration and mandates a photo ID at polling locations. The state says these changes are intended to enhance election security. Although the law has been signed, the new rules are not scheduled to go into effect until after the 2026 election. [Source: WFTV]
ALEC: Florida 34th in energy retail price
Florida is 34th in energy affordability in the Energy Affordability 2026 report from the American Legislative Exchange Council. ALEC released its analysis on Wednesday. North Dakota and Louisiana were the leaders in the review of electricity prices and energy affordability indicators is measured for each of the 50 states. Florida was 37th a year ago. [Source: The Center Square]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Why PBIA aviation firms are feeling the pinch of flight restrictions
FAA flight restrictions tied to President Donald Trump’s visits to Mar‑a‑Lago have led to a sharp drop in business jet traffic at Palm Beach International Airport, one of the nation’s busiest hubs for private jets. The airport and vendors based there have lost revenue as a result of lost traffic. In January alone, business jet traffic, also described as general aviation traffic, was off by nearly 25% at PBIA, compared with January 2025. In December 2025, the month-to-month decline was even steeper — 35%.
› Entrepreneur adds $25M piece in downtown Winter Garden buying spree
A Central Florida entrepreneur has spent $24.5 million to acquire The Exchange building in downtown Winter Garden, the largest addition yet to his growing portfolio of city properties. James Larweth purchased the three-story, mixed-use office and retail property at 270 West Plant St. which includes a Kelly’s ice cream shop and Foxtail Coffee from longtime locals the Keating family, according to Foundry Commercial. Larweth is the founder of pharmaceutical rebate management company Anton Rx, which has offices in downtown Winter Garden.
› Jacksonville ranks No. 1 among largest US metros for first-time homebuyers in new analysis
Jacksonville’s housing market has become an increasingly rare thing in 2026: a large metro where first-time buyers may actually have a fighting chance. A new Zillow analysis ranked Jacksonville No. 1 among the nation’s 50 largest metro areas for first-time buyers, ahead of Birmingham, San Antonio, Atlanta and Houston. Zillow said the strongest markets are those where affordability, inventory and competition line up in a way that gives first-time buyers a more realistic shot at purchasing a home.
› St. Petersburg outlines timeline as Gas Plant proposals narrow
The city has narrowed development proposals for the Tropicana site down to four, which consist of submissions from ARK Ellison Horus, Blake Investment Partners, Foundation Vision Partners and the Pinellas County Housing Authority. Mayor Kenneth Welch is expected to make a final decision in June, but isn’t unilaterally selecting a proposal. Instead, he’s weighing studies and public input first.
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› Orlando leaders hopeful Jaguars partnership will bring money to the area
With the announcement of the Jacksonville Jaguars moving to Orlando for the 2027 season while their stadium is renovated, local business leaders are hopeful that more money will be pumped into the Orlando community. The Jaguars will play at Camping World Stadium in downtown Orlando, which is operated by Florida Citrus Sports. CEO Steve Hogan said this is a great opportunity to show everyone what Orlando has to offer.
› $200M Phillies stadium deal in play in Clearwater
Pinellas County commissioners are weighing a tourism-funded plan to support a more than $200 million renovation of BayCare Ballpark, tied to an extension of the Philadelphia Phillies’ spring training lease in Clearwater. The project includes a potential $80 million to $85 million in tourist development tax dollars from Pinellas County, alongside about $75 million from the Phillies and a $20 million state grant. The plan ties public funding from bed taxes to a long-term lease extension that would keep the team in Pinellas County through at least 2047.
› United Way of Northeast Florida receives $1 million donation
United Way of Northeast Florida received a $1 million donation from The Jim Moran Foundation to support a housing program in the region. The grant, given in celebration of the foundation's 25th anniversary, will expand United Way’s current home repair program in North Riverside and on the Eastside to New Town and Robinson’s Addition.
› This luxury steakhouse in the Gables was just named one of the best in the world
Daniel’s Miami, the Coral Gables steakhouse that has been open for less than a year, has been named one of the best steak restaurants in the world. The World’s 101 Best Steak Restaurants, an independent ranking curated by Upper Cut Media House in London, has now added the elegant restaurant to its World Best list at no. 40, praising its “confident new direction for Florida’s dining landscape.” It’s the only Florida restaurant to make the list.