Asylum-seeking Florida workers contribute billions to economy, study finds
A study released last week found that 541,000 workers of foreign origin in Florida have filed asylum applications, making the state No. 1 in the country. Nationally, U.S. workers applying for asylum number at least 2.3 million, contributing more than $108 billion to the economy annually in addition to $33 billion in combined taxes. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]
Florida gives millions in tax breaks to data centers
Gov. Ron DeSantis has branded himself as one of the country’s leading skeptics of data centers, arguing that regular people should not bear the brunt of higher electricity bills or scarcer water because of the industry’s hunger for resources. “You should not, as a hard-working Floridian, have to subsidize some of the wealthiest companies in the history of humanity,” DeSantis said when he signed a data center consumer protection law in May. But for years, Florida has granted a sales tax break to data centers, saving them millions of dollars that would have otherwise gone into state coffers. The exemption lifts taxes on the data centers’ construction materials, technology — even their electric bills. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
Disturbance expected to form near Florida, further development possible
A broad low pressure area is expected to form off the southeastern U.S., including Florida, along the western end of a frontal system on Monday or Tuesday, according to the National Hurricane Center's June 28 advisory. Thereafter, the system has a 20% chance of development over the next seven days as it drifts westward. The next named storm of the 2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season will be Bertha. [Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
Florida restaurants, show us your fees: New state law cracks down on hidden dining surcharges
The so-called “Operations Charge” law, signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, requires food-service establishments to identify charges and gratuities for anything that isn’t food or drink “in an obvious and clearly readable manner” on printed menus, websites, mobile apps and the bill itself, according to the statute. The exact percentage and purpose of the charge must also be stated “in a font that is equal to or greater than the font used for menu item descriptions,” the law adds. [Source: South Florida Sun Sentinel]
Florida hospitals act fast to discharge gun victims — especially if they’re not insured
How insurance affects the care of gunshot wound victims has remained shrouded in mystery — until now, due to a new analysis by The Trace and KFF Health News of data that Florida hospitals compile to collect payments from insurance companies and file with the state. When uninsured patients arrive at hospitals in Florida with gunshot wounds, on average, they spend significantly fewer days in the hospital — in some cases half the time — than those with health insurance, according to the data analysis. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Everglades photographer Clyde Butcher reflects on 60-year career amid retrospective shows
Since discovering the beauty of Florida more than four decades ago, Clyde Butcher has become known for his giant black-and-white photographs showing the dramatic majesty of the state’s landscape — especially the Everglades. Though he now makes it his mission to share the Sunshine State’s wild side through his art, there was a time he couldn’t find anything to photograph here after living on a sailboat in California for seven years.
› Sloth imports resume in Florida next month, but with new permitting requirement
The permit process required for importing sloths into Florida is about to change, according to a memo from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The state’s temporary ban on sloth imports is in place through July 10. Once it expires, sloths will no longer be covered under Florida’s “blanket import permit” for certain types of wildlife intended for sale or display.
› $2.4 billion sale of Tampa REIT expected to close July 1
Sila Realty Trust’s shareholders voted Friday morning to approve the sale of the company to the asset management firm Blue Owl, clearing the way for the $2.4 billion sale to close next week. According to a note to investors Friday, 98% of votes cast at the meeting (about 63% of the outstanding shares) voted in favor of the deal. The transaction is now expected to close Wednesday, assuming all other conditions are met.
› Broward’s sand project aims to shore up local beaches, but it’s sparking concerns
A sand-relocation project in the waters off Port Everglades has been underway for over a half-year, making crane and excavator barges a common sight in the area. The initiative has sparked neighbors’ concerns about noise and light pollution, and environmentalists’ concerns about the work’s impact on marine life. The construction effort, known as the Broward County Sand Bypass Project
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› Central Florida schools eye ‘bare bones’ financial year as costs rise
Central Florida’s school districts face a “bare bones” financial year driven by declining student enrollment and lackluster state funding that have prompted fears of multi-million dollar budget deficits and cuts to teaching staff. School districts in Orange, Seminole, Lake and Osceola counties will each approve budgets in the next month and have been busy trying to make the numbers work. Rising costs, a slim 1% increase in per-student funding that doesn’t keep pace with inflation and a projected loss of about 5,500 traditional students have made that job challenging.
› OIG: JEA addressing capacity fee collection failure appropriately
JEA has taken appropriate measures to address its past failure to collect capacity fees, a report from Jacksonville’s Office of the Inspector General found. That report, issued after a three-month investigation, found JEA’s past failure to collect the capacity fees resulted from causes that included historical data gaps and record transitions, technological and systemic failures, organizational silos and communication failures and lack of policy and resource prioritization.
› Major Sarasota redevelopment near downtown moves forward
A planned redevelopment of the southern portion of Midtown Plaza near downtown Sarasota, anchored by award-winning restaurant Michael's on East, received full sign-off from Sarasota's Development Review Committee. A note about the approval appears at the bottom of the agenda for the July 1 meeting of the administrative body. It received partial DRC sign-off in January.
› Church's plan for Jupiter Farms K-12 school faces backlash
Calvary Chapel in Jupiter Farms has submitted plans to build a private K-12 school, a project that has drawn opposition from area residents and raised concerns among Palm Beach County planners. The county's Zoning Commission has recommended that the project not move forward. Opponents contend the project's large scale is incompatible with the community's rural character.