March revenue just over forecast
State general revenue collections for March exceeded expectations by $57.6 million, according to the Legislature’s Office of Economic & Demographic Research. On Monday, the office reported the state collected $3.97 billion in net general revenue in March, 1.5 percent above the amount anticipated in a revised January forecast. The state forecast is intended to help lawmakers, who are expected to return to Tallahassee next week, complete the fiscal year 2026-2027 budget. General revenue is closely watched because it plays a major role in funding education, health and prison programs. [Source: News Service of Florida]
Florida Trend Exclusive
Red ink rising
After his parents passed away, Walter Benenati lived off credit cards to put himself through law school. Debt accumulated. He filed bankruptcy in 2008. Now, after nearly two decades as a bankruptcy attorney himself, he sees bankruptcy as a "restart button" for his clients. His team — Orlando-based Benenati Law Firm — filed 909 Chapter 7 filings last year, ranking No. 2 among Florida firms and No. 5 nationwide. In an interview with FLORIDA TREND, he shares what trends are commanding the state's bankruptcy landscape. [Source: Florida Trend]
Florida faces higher energy bills amid growth surge
Florida households spend about 2.7% of their income on electricity, and prices have risen nearly 20% since 2019, ranking the state eighth nationwide for energy burden. The middle-ground number looks manageable on paper, with federal benchmarks typically defining energy burden at 6% of income, with anything above 10% considered severe. Still, it lands differently across income levels. [Source: Gulfshore Business]
Column: Florida runs on trucks. Safety begins with quality training
More than 85% of Florida’s communities depend exclusively on trucks to move their goods. As the saying goes, if you wear it, eat it, or use it, it came to you on a truck. From fresh produce and medical supplies to construction materials and everyday essentials, the state’s economy runs on a massive freight network. But the strength of Florida’s trucking industry doesn’t begin at a warehouse or a port; it starts at the steering wheel. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
Hurricane season is approaching. Who needs flood insurance in Florida
Flood insurance is required for any home or business in a high-risk flood area with a federally-backed mortgage, according to FEMA. Policies are typically effective 30 days after being purchased. Managed by FEMA, The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) provides flood insurance to property owners, renters and businesses, which “helps them recover faster when floodwaters recede,” as few private homeowners' policies offer that coverage. [Source: USA Today]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Brightline admits ‘substantial doubt’ it can avoid bankruptcy
Brightline, the private operator of the high-speed Orlando-to-Miami rail line, is warning of “substantial doubt” about its ability to maintain operations as improving revenues aren’t enough to meet its heavy debt load. Already, Brightline has delayed its interest payments that were due earlier this year. The company has been stating for months that it is working to secure funding by selling a portion of the business but no announcements have been forthcoming. It also acknowledged that it may seek more time to pay its lenders, and to pay its interest in something other than cash, likely ownership stakes in the firm.
› Sarasota County may ask voters for tax hike to fund roads
Sarasota County’s priority transportation goals can be broken down into seven projects, ranging from a hurricane evacuation route for Englewood to extending Lorraine Road north to Fruitville Road, with a projected cost of $322 million. Sarasota County must still find about $26.5 million to upgrade that hurricane evacuation route, known as the River Road Regional Interstate Connector.
› Gearing up for the future: Hollywood paving way for 25,100 apartments on Federal Highway
Hollywood could one day have a big city skyline with dozens of new high-rise residential towers — and city leaders want to do their part to make it happen. Come Wednesday, commissioners are expected to sign off on a plan that would make way in the coming years for up to 25,100 mid-rise and high-rise residences along Federal Highway.
› St. Petersburg wants to redevelop the Gas Plant District. This time, without a ballpark
The City of St. Petersburg wants the public to weigh in on the redevelopment of the Historic Gas Plant District — again. It’s the fourth time in 20 years that the city has initiated a request for proposal (RFP) process for the 86-acre site downtown, which includes Tropicana Field. Last week, the city hosted an open house at the Coliseum to kick-start a 30-day public comment period for the latest round of developer bids, all of which reimagine the site without a ballpark.
More stories ...
› Marion County is 'paving a path' in AI education
Artificial intelligence is coming to Marion County Public Schools, and it starts with South Marion High School, opening in August. The Florida Department of Education awarded a $260,000 grant to SMHS in October 2025 to support its artificial intelligence program. Florida Education Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas, granted $40 million through the Workforce Development Capitalization Incentive Grant Program, Workforce CAP, to expand a focus on in-demand industries, such as artificial intelligence, in secondary schools across Florida.
› Farmers Feeding Florida program permanence represents a win for food banks and farmers in North Central Florida
At Gainesville’s largest food bank, boxes upon boxes of fresh zucchini and squash are hauled off by the shopping cart-full to ministries, pantries and nonprofit organizations across the region. Colorful, farm-fresh produce is the standard. Just days earlier, this produce was simply a product surplus from a Florida farm. Now, thanks to the recent permanence of the Farmers Feeding Florida program, it is a source of valuable nutrition for those experiencing food insecurity in the four counties served by Bread of the Mighty Food Bank.
› Duval Hall set to host Plantmania, Buckethead, Comic Con and more
While construction continues at Jacksonville’s new fairgrounds, one centerpiece is already open and making noise. Duval Hall, a sprawling indoor venue, has begun hosting concerts and specialty events months before the rest of the site is finished. Crews are still building the midway and a new barn ahead of the Greater Jacksonville Agricultural Fair this November. But Duval Hall and its surrounding parking lots are complete and they’re quickly becoming a go-to spot for entertainment in the city.
› Pine Hills pastor’s $75M project would bring affordable housing to church land
The leader of a congregation north of Orlando is hoping to break ground by early next year on a multimillion-dollar project that would see hundreds of affordable housing units rise on church land — the first local manifestation of a state law nicknamed “Yes in God’s Back Yard.” Alandus Sims, pastor of Fellowship Baptist Church of Pine Hills for about three years, leads the congregation of 500 that his father, Arthur D. Sims Sr., founded in 1990.