Tag: Florida
-
Citizens Property Insurance Corporation has moved approximately 350,000 Florida homeowners to private insurance companies as part of its ongoing policy reduction efforts or depopulation program. The state-backed insurer has dramatically decreased its policy count from 1.4 million policies a couple of years ago to 482,570, reducing financial exposure for both Citizens and Florida residents who…
·
-
State Senator Mack Bernard, a West Palm Beach Democrat, has introduced five property tax relief proposals as Florida lawmakers continue debating how to reduce the tax burden on homeowners. One proposal, SJR 270, would exempt seniors aged 65 and older from paying the non-school portion of property taxes if they have maintained a homestead exemption…
·
-
Florida’s Fisher Island, located in Miami Beach, has become the most expensive ZIP code in the United States, according to PropertyShark’s 2025 rankings. The area’s 33109 ZIP code reached a median home sale price of $9.5 million, surpassing Atherton, California, which previously held the top spot. This marks the first time a Florida ZIP code…
·
-
Clocks will fall back one hour at 2 a.m. on Sunday, November 2, marking the end of daylight saving time for 2025, despite years of legislative efforts to make the time change permanent. Over the past seven years, 18 states have passed legislation or resolutions supporting year-round daylight saving time—a movement called “lock the clock“,…
·
-
Florida State Sen. Don Gaetz has filed legislation to expand the Florida Public Service Commission from five to seven members and impose new restrictions on electric utility companies. The bill, SB 126, would cap electric utility returns on equity at the national average and require PSC orders to include adequate support and rationale for their…
·
-
A new bill in the Florida House of Representatives would require students in grades 2-5 to learn cursive writing, with the mandate taking effect in July 2026 if passed. House Bill 127, introduced by State Representative Toby Overdorf, a Republican from Palm City, would require students to demonstrate proficiency in both reading and writing cursive.…
·
-
Florida legislators are considering a bill that would allow exemptions to the state’s minimum wage law, which increased to $14 per hour in September. The proposed legislation, introduced by Republican Representative Ryan Chamberlin of Marion County, would permit individuals to voluntarily request lower pay for internships or similar positions. Supporters say the bill would create…
·
-
Fort Lauderdale has been named the sixth least safe city in America, according to a recent WalletHub report that analyzed safety conditions across more than 180 U.S. cities. The personal finance website compared cities across three key dimensions: home and community safety, natural disaster risk, and financial safety to determine where Americans can feel most…
·
-
Four Florida cities rank among the most “house-poor” in America, according to a recent report by ConsumerAffairs that analyzed census data from cities with populations exceeding 175,000. Hialeah tops the national list as the most house-poor city, where residents spend approximately 36.9% of their income on housing costs. At about $2,200 monthly, housing costs in…
·
-
A Florida state representative has filed legislation that would provide $1,000 annual payments to qualifying homeowners for five years as property tax relief. State Rep. Jeff Holcomb, a Republican from Spring Hill, filed House Bill 71, which would begin distributing checks in 2026 to homesteaded homeowners with properties valued between $100,000 and $450,000. The proposal…
·
-
Some Florida homeowners who participated in the state’s My Safe Florida Home program are reporting higher insurance premiums after completing storm-resilient upgrades, despite expectations of savings. The program, which relaunched in 2022, covers up to two-thirds of costs for hurricane-protection improvements, with a maximum grant of $10,000 per household. State officials have promoted the initiative…
·
-
Florida regulators began a two-week hearing on Monday to consider Florida Power & Light’s request to raise rates for its approximately 12 million customers. FPL is seeking approval for a four-year rate plan that would increase the average household bill by about $2.50 per month starting in 2026, with increases continuing through 2029 to reach…
·
-
Trenton’s Law took effect in Florida on October 1, 2025, named after 18-year-old Trenton Stewart, who was killed by a drunk driver in 2023. The law implements stricter penalties for DUI and BUI (boating under the influence) manslaughter: Belle Isle Police hope the stiffer penalties will make people “think twice” about driving or boating while…
·
-
More than two dozen new laws go into effect in Florida on October 1, 2025, addressing public safety, housing, and criminal justice issues. Criminal Justice and Public Safety: “Trooper’s Law” creates criminal penalties for restraining and abandoning dogs outside during natural disasters. The “Tristin Murphy Act” provides funding for programs diverting individuals with mental health…
·
-
Florida’s minimum wage rises to $14 an hour on September 30, 2025, continuing a gradual increase plan toward $15 an hour. Tipped employees will receive a base wage of at least $10.98 an hour, plus tips. The increase stems from a state constitutional amendment approved by voters in 2020. The plan is expected to reach…
·
-
Tropical Storm Imelda has formed over the Bahamas with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph, becoming the ninth named storm of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season. The storm is currently moving north at 8 mph and is forecast to strengthen into a hurricane by Tuesday. Imelda has become more organized over the past 24 hours,…
·
-
Florida TaxWatch has released five property tax relief proposals for lawmakers to consider as the legislature prepares for the 2026 session, following continued public demand for tax reduction measures. The nonpartisan government watchdog organization outlined options ranging from immediate legislative reforms to gradual elimination of property taxes on homestead properties. The proposals come as Florida…
·
-
Florida lawmakers continued hearings Monday on proposals to cut or eliminate property taxes, facing warnings from city officials that such changes could severely impact public services. The House Select Committee on Property Taxes is examining five options outlined by Florida TaxWatch, ranging from phased elimination of homestead property taxes to targeted exemptions for seniors and…
·
-
Florida lawmakers are meeting this week to discuss various proposals for reducing or eliminating property taxes for homestead owners, continuing Gov. Ron DeSantis’ push for tax relief that began during the 2025 legislative session. The Florida House Select Committee on Property Taxes is holding meetings Monday and Tuesday to review multiple reform options. Any major…
·
-
Florida has experienced a sharp increase in debt collection call complaints, with Tampa ranking among the most affected cities nationwide, according to new Federal Trade Commission data. Florida Sees 179% Spike in Complaints Florida ranks third nationally for debt collection complaints, recording 12,705 reports in the first quarter of 2025 alone. This represents a 179%…
·
-
Florida public schools are seeing significant enrollment declines, with Hillsborough County reporting a loss of about 7,000 students since last year. Much of that decrease is being attributed to a rise in homeschooling. At Ovations Dance Academy in Tampa, the ballet studio has transformed into a part-time classroom. Owner Orlando Peña created a homeschool-friendly space…
·
-
A fiscal oversight group is urging Florida lawmakers to adopt a new law called the Florida Government Efficiency Act that would require state agencies to seek and report cost‐saving measures more regularly. The proposal comes from Florida TaxWatch, an independent government watchdog. What the Proposal Would Do Why It’s Being Proposed Jeff Kottkamp, vice president…
·
-
Florida’s new State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) in Tallahassee is rising quickly and is set to be fully operational by the 2026 hurricane season. The $200 million complex is engineered to withstand winds topping 200 mph while accommodating hundreds of emergency personnel. Its expanded footprint more than doubles the size of the current headquarters, with…
·
-
Florida drivers with Progressive Insurance could soon see refund checks or credits thanks to a state law limiting how much profit auto insurers can earn. According to NBC affiliate WBBH, Progressive has surpassed that cap for the past three years. As a result, the company is required to return a portion of those profits to…
·
-
Florida health officials say they are working to eliminate vaccine mandates, though students are still required to have certain immunizations to attend school. At a news conference in Valrico on Wednesday, Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo said the government should not decide what people put in their bodies. He announced plans to move toward ending…
·
-
Eight insurance companies have been fined in Florida for mishandling claims during Hurricanes Ian and Idalia, state officials announced. Insurance Commissioner Mike Yaworsky said the companies collectively face $2 million in penalties for violations that included using unappointed adjusters, failing to acknowledge claims communications promptly, omitting required disclosure statements, not providing the Homeowners Claims Bill…
·
-
A stationary front draped across Central Florida will shift into a warm front this holiday weekend as it links with an incoming low-pressure system. The change is expected to ramp up showers and thunderstorms across much of the state just in time for Labor Day. With a south-southwest flow in place, storms will mainly develop…
·
-
They hop, move, and even give off the scent of a marsh rabbit — but these aren’t real bunnies. They’re robotic decoys designed to lure out Burmese pythons, one of the Everglades’ most destructive invasive species. The South Florida Water Management District has launched the experimental program in partnership with University of Florida researchers, hoping…
·
-
Florida health officials are reporting an increase in cases of the potentially deadly flesh-eating bacteria Vibrio vulnificus. In just three weeks, four new cases have been confirmed, bringing the statewide total to 20 so far this year, up from 16 in early August. The number of deaths remains at five, reported across Bay, Broward, Hillsborough,…
·
-
Florida regulators have approved another round of policy transfers from Citizens Property Insurance Corp., continuing the state’s effort to shrink the insurer of last resort as private carriers step back into the market. Insurance Commissioner Michael Yaworsky last week signed orders allowing five private insurers to take on as many as 87,925 Citizens policies in…
·
-
A Miami lawmaker says it may be time to do away with homeowners associations in Florida altogether. Republican Rep. Juan Carlos Porras argues HOAs have become overly controlling, mismanaged, and lack transparency. “People just want to live in the free state of Florida without authoritarian boards telling them what they can and can’t do with…
·
-
As hurricane season ramps up, state leaders and disaster experts are voicing concerns that Florida may be less prepared than it has been in years past. They point to Governor Ron DeSantis’ recent budget vetoes, warning that reduced funding for recovery and infrastructure projects could leave communities more vulnerable when the next major storm strikes.…
·
-
Florida’s new high school graduation requirements are drawing pushback from parents, especially families of students with disabilities. The state Board of Education recently eliminated certificates of completion as an option for students who finish coursework but don’t meet full diploma standards. Parents worry the change could leave students with special needs with fewer opportunities after…
·
-
Home sales are falling through at record levels across Florida and the U.S., according to a new Redfin report. Roughly 15% of pending home purchases were canceled in July—the highest share for that month since records began. Florida cities dominated the rankings, with Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville, and Tampa all landing among the top five markets…
·
-
Most Millennials and Gen Z renters say keeping up with housing costs is a struggle, according to a new Redfin survey. The real estate brokerage, which partnered with Ipsos to survey more than 4,000 U.S. homeowners and renters in May 2025, found that nearly half reported difficulty affording housing. Among Millennials and Gen Z renters,…
·
-
Florida drivers are seeing some relief at the pump as gas prices fell 20 cents ahead of Labor Day, according to AAA. As of Sunday, the statewide average was $2.93 per gallon. “Gas prices are moving lower as the unofficial end of the summer travel season approaches,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman for AAA – The…
·
-
The University of Florida will begin construction in November on the Center for Applied Artificial Intelligence, a new 40,000-square-foot facility at the Gulf Coast Research and Education Center in Wimauma, Hillsborough County. Backed by $30 million in state funding and $4.5 million in federal support for equipment, the project aims to push innovation in agricultural…
·
-
After decades of work, Florida and federal agencies have completed the massive restoration of the Kissimmee River, undoing one of the state’s most damaging environmental mistakes: its mid-20th-century canal straightening project. Crews reconnected 44 miles of winding river channel, re-flooded 40,000 acres of wetlands that now act as natural filters for pollution. Within just a…
·
-
Florida welcomed 34.4 million visitors in the second quarter of 2025, setting a new record for the busiest spring travel season in state history, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced. Domestic travelers made up the bulk of the numbers, with 31.5 million U.S. visitors — about 91.5% of the total. International tourism also grew, with overseas visitors…
·
-
Florida has been named the second-most fun state in the U.S. for 2025, according to a new WalletHub report. The Sunshine State scored high thanks to its abundance of restaurants, amusement parks, arcades, and music festivals. WalletHub ranked all 50 states using 26 factors tied to affordability and entertainment, from movie ticket prices to nightlife…
·
-
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Attorney General James Uthmeier announced Tuesday that the state is suing two of the nation’s largest textbook publishers, accusing them of inflating prices and costing school districts—and taxpayers—millions of dollars. The lawsuit, filed in the Second Judicial Circuit Court, names McGraw-Hill LLC and Savvas Learning Company LLC. Uthmeier said the…
·
-
Car shoppers in Florida are being warned to watch out for flood-damaged vehicles hitting the used car market. Carfax reports that many vehicles destroyed in last year’s storms are showing up for sale, despite insurance companies declaring them total losses. “They may look fine on the outside, but inside they’re a ticking time bomb,” Em…
·
-
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has concluded its 2025 Python Challenge, a 10-day competition designed to raise awareness and reduce the spread of invasive wildlife in South Florida. This year’s event set a new record, with participants removing 294 Burmese pythons from the region. Grand prize winner Taylor Stanbury took home $10,000 after…
·
-
Florida Senate President Ben Albritton told a hometown audience Monday to “breathe” when it comes to potential property-tax cuts, assuring residents that lawmakers won’t move hastily. “Everybody breathe. Nobody’s going to do anything crazy,” said Albritton, R-Wauchula, during a Hardee County legislative delegation meeting. “Measure three times, cut once. We’re going to take a measured…
·