Florida is growing. Can affordable housing keep up?

While Florida is booming in home sales and new construction, the influx of people moving to the state means affordable housing remains an issue, according to a new report from the University of Florida. More than 450,000 people moved to Florida in 2021 and 2022, according to the report. Florida passed the Live Local Act in 2023, which directed $711 million into affordable housing programs and to incentivize investment from developers. [Source: UF News]

Anticipating possible surge of people fleeing Haiti, state deploys forces to South Florida

Anticipating a possible surge in refugees fleeing the gang-fueled lawlessness and chaos in Haiti, Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday ordered more than 250 law enforcement officers, Guardsmen and soldiers from several agencies to South Florida and the Keys. It’s not certain what will happen next in Haiti, where people are increasingly desperate as the government continues to flounder and gangs rule the streets, especially in the capital, Port-au-Prince. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]

‘Tax advocate’ assistance coming soon to Florida. Here’s what that means

State Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis announced that a federal tax liaison will be named in the coming weeks to help state taxpayers navigate issues as they prepare their federal tax returns. “We’re not going to be attorneys, we’re not going to represent you in court,” Patronis said. “We’re going to help you get an answer and this is exactly what the tax advocate is intended to do.” The tax advocate is expected to be hired from a member of the CFO’s team. [Source: Click Orlando]

Why more Florida Hispanic voters are leaning Republican, and what it means for 2024

Republicans and even some Democrats described a broad realignment in Hispanic voters’ political leanings — one that goes beyond conservative-leaning Cuban Americans and largely favors the GOP and Trump. The rightward shift could have wide-ranging repercussions this fall, when Floridians will vote for president and U.S. Senate, and Miami-Dade voters will cast ballots in races for sheriff and elections supervisor, among other contests. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]

Everglades to Gulf Conservation Area takes up 4 million acres. 6 things to know

There's a new conservation area in Florida, and it's huge. The Everglades to Gulf Conservation Area consists of 4 million acres and spreads across southwestern and central Florida from Naples to Lakeland. The Everglades to Gulf Conservation Area is the latest addition to the National Wildlife Refuge System. [Source: Naples Daily News]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Shakeup continues at Disney district a year after takeover [AP News]
The shakeup of Walt Disney World’s governing district more than a year after it was taken over by Gov. Ron DeSantis’ appointees continued Wednesday with the departure of its board chairman who had been highly critical of Disney. Martin Garcia’s departure as chairman of the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District is coming a week after the district’s administrator, Glen Gilzean, left to accept an appointment by DeSantis as interim elections supervisor in Orange County.

› Take a look inside a huge Peru navy ship in Miami. There are blueberries, pisco, tamales [Miami Herald]
You may not realize it, but your clothes, blueberries, and increasingly your avocados come from this country. If you’re stumped, then you may want to head to downtown Miami and look for a massive ship and see what’s on display. The B.A.P. Unión, a four-masted flagship of the Peruvian navy, docked at Maurice Ferré Park on Wednesday morning after more than nine months at sea stopping at 21 ports in 15 countries around the world.

› Suncoast growers feeling effect of citrus decline [My Suncoast]
According to the United States Department of Agriculture, Sarasota and Manatee counties have seen a drop of nearly 1.5 million total boxes of citrus from the season ending in 2021 to the season ending in 2023, largely because of citrus greening. “It is a $6.8 billion economic generator to the state of Florida, employing 35,000 to 40,000 people every year,” says CEO of Florida Citrus Mutual Matt Joyner.

› Brevard residents urge county commissioners to 'stop the shenanigans' at their meetings [Florida Today]
A loose coalition of about 30 county residents from across the political spectrum came to the Brevard County Government Center in Viera on Tuesday afternoon to protest what they felt was bad conduct by county government officials. For an hour, they held a demonstration near the entrance to the complex's parking lot. Then some went inside the County Commission chambers to tell commissioners what they thought during the public comment period at the end of the commission meeting.

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› USDA Agriculture Census shares the data of north central Florida farms [WUFT]
Last month, the USDA released its data from the 2022 Agriculture Census. This nationwide survey attempted to gather demographic and statistical information about farms across the country, broken down by county. In its findings, both the number of farms and total acreage of farms nationwide decreased between the previous census in 2017 and 2022, by 7% and 2% respectively. However, Alachua County’s numbers have increased.

› Walt Disney World offering Florida residents park tickets for just $59 a day [NBC Miami]
Good news for all you Disney lovers living in Florida: you can now experience the magic of the Disney parks for a much lower price. According to Disney’s website, they are now offering a 4-day “Discover Disney Ticket” for “just $59 per day, plus tax” and 3-day ticket for $73 per day. These “Florida Resident Discover Disney Tickets” are valid from April 2 to September 28, 2024.

› City mum, but congressman touts $147 million federal grant for Jacksonville's Emerald Trail [Florida Times-Union]
Jacksonville is getting a $147 million federal grant for work on the long-planned Emerald Trail network of urban green spaces, U.S. Rep. Aaron Bean tweeted Monday evening. “It’s a great day for #FL04’s economy, infrastructure and jobs!” exulted Bean, a Republican freshman whose district includes a huge chunk of Jacksonville.

› Do Brevard recyclables really get recycled or do they end up in a landfill? [Florida Today]
In 2023, about 33% of items brought to the facility are not able to be recycled. Officials would like to see the number in the 20s or even lower. What can and can’t be recycled often changes due to technology advancements. Kevin Smith, recycling coordinator for Brevard County Solid Waste Management Department, said people used to be able to look at certain numbers on products, a 1,2 or 5 inside a triangle, and that would tell them if the item if the item could be recycled.