Just what does Florida’s homestead property tax amendment do?
Florida voters will decide on Nov. 3 whether to approve a constitutional amendment pushed by Gov. Ron DeSantis that creates property tax relief for homeowners while upending the way local governments pay for services. The controversial measure, which would require 60% of voters to approve it, creates a lot of questions about how homeowners, cities and counties, and public employees would be affected. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]
April revenue tops forecast
State general revenue collections for April exceeded expectations by $158.9 million, even with sales tax coming in under the forecast, according to a report released Monday by the Legislature’s Office of Economic & Demographic Research. The report shows the state collected $5.78 billion in general revenue in April, 2.8 percent above the amount anticipated. [Source: News Service of Florida]
Florida tightens dairy cattle import rules amid avian influenza concerns
Florida Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson on Tuesday issued an emergency rule imposing new testing and import restrictions on dairy cattle entering the state in an effort to prevent the spread of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, or H5N1, following recent outbreaks in dairy herds elsewhere in the United States. The emergency action comes as federal officials continue monitoring cases of H5N1 in dairy cattle across multiple states. Florida has not detected the virus in any livestock within its borders. [Source: Florida's Voice]
Gulf Coast is becoming America’s emergency fuel hub, study shows
The U.S. Gulf Coast is becoming the country’s “emergency fuel hub” following the suspension of parts of the Jones Act, a federal law that restricts shipments of energy-related cargoes between domestic ports to American-flagged vessels, according to analyses of maritime data. Shipments of oil, gasoline, diesel, and other liquid fuels went from U.S. refineries to Florida, California, New York and Puerto Rico for the first time in many years. [Source: The Center Square]
Blue Origin secures Space Florida expansion funding after rocket blast
Blue Origin's expansion and rebuilding plans continue unabated on Florida's Space Coast in the wake of last week's tremendous New Glenn rocket explosion at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. On Tuesday, June 2, the Space Florida board of directors approved up to $24.2 million in state funding for Project Horizon, Blue Origin's major expansion of the company's ever-growing Rocket Park footprint near the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. [Source: Florida Today]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Tampa tourism defies statewide slowdown as convention and cruise industries drive growth
According to state data, Florida welcomed just under 40 million visitors between January and March, marking a 1% decline compared to the same period last year. Rising fuel costs have contributed to higher gas and airfare prices, creating concerns about tourism demand heading into the summer months. Despite the statewide slowdown, Tampa continues to post strong tourism numbers.
› Orlando reveals Pulse nightclub artifacts preserved in secret warehouse
The iron-clad red front door. A golden chandelier that once hung over the dance floor. A decorated bar top encrusted with small pebbles. They are what remains of Pulse nightclub, the once-lively spot which closed forever following the shooting death of 49 people ten years ago. For the first time, the city of Orlando has unveiled its collection of artifacts taken from inside Pulse, which was demolished in March. The items have been stored away in a secret location while awaiting their possible inclusion in the city’s planned memorial to the 2016 attack.
› Four Jacksonville companies on 2026 Fortune 500 list
Four Jacksonville-based companies continue to be ranked in Fortune magazine’s annual list of 500 largest U.S. companies, and two others continue on the Fortune 1000 list. GuideWell Mutual Holding Corp., parent company of health insurer Florida Blue, is the top Jacksonville-based company, ranking 140th with $32.9 billion in 2025 revenue.
› St. Pete Pier contract nearly triples amid budget fears, ‘noise’ woes
After sounding the alarm on a potential $75 million loss should voters approve property tax cuts proposed by the governor, St. Petersburg is bringing forward a new contract with a promoter of the St. Pete Pier that nearly triples in cost. The agreement goes before the council for approval Thursday as frustration lingers over the We Belong Here festival held on the pier in December. Complaints about thumping bass and loud music came from as far away as Gulfport.
More stories ...
› Little Greek targets 100 Florida restaurants with new deal
Tampa-based Little Greek Fresh Grill is making its biggest push yet into South Florida, signing a development agreement that could bring as many as 30 restaurants to Miami-Dade and Broward counties over the next decade. If fully built out, the agreement would nearly double the company’s Florida footprint. Little Greek operates 35 locations in the state and 50 restaurants systemwide, and has said it is targeting 100 locations in Florida.
› Smaller Palm Beach County towns will struggle under tax cuts, property appraiser warns
Florida’s push to cut property taxes is “a real concern” for Palm Beach County’s smaller communities that “will really, really struggle in this new world,” the county’s property appraiser warned Tuesday. Many of Palm Beach County’s municipalities are what Property Appraiser Dorothy Jacks considers “bedroom communities.” They lack the hubs of business and economic activity that larger cities have, and instead are made up mostly of single-family homes.
› Space Florida to fund ocean-based space launch company, other secretive projects
Space Florida continues to hold things close to the vest with several ongoing projects as it tries to attract aerospace business to the state — but did reveal the company behind what they had dubbed “Project Manta” to be Seagate Space, for which the state agency will help fund an offshore launch platform. The state’s aerospace finance and development authority held a Board of Directors meeting Tuesday giving the approval to move forward on a variety of space and airline deals in the works with names like Project Jaguar, Project Forge and Project Henry.
› Fort Lauderdale commission approves $2.5 million plan to add pickleball courts to beach
After more than an hour of heated debate over artificial turf, concrete on sand and whether it’s possible to play pickleball in the rain, the Fort Lauderdale City Commission approved a controversial plan to add pickleball courts to the beach. Dozens of residents spoke out for and against the redesign of Fort Lauderdale Beach Park, where there are currently two beloved basketball courts, at the city commission meeting Tuesday night.