Tag: Florida
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House Speaker Danny Perez faces the challenge of convincing two key Florida Republicans—Governor Ron DeSantis and Senate President Ben Albritton—to support a groundbreaking reduction in Florida’s sales tax. On Thursday, neither DeSantis nor Albritton explicitly endorsed lowering the state’s sales tax from 6% to 5.25%. Instead, DeSantis’ team highlighted a video advocating for property tax…
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As the saying goes, there are plenty of fish in the sea—but far fewer chefs who can turn one into an unforgettable meal. To help seafood lovers find the best spots, Yelp analysts have scoured their extensive database of user reviews to identify the top-rated seafood restaurant in each state. Their methodology involved selecting eateries…
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State lawmakers are one step closer to overturning a rule that delayed school start times for middle and high school students. The reversal bill passed unanimously in the Senate and now heads to the House. If approved, local officials would regain control over school start times. This brings middle and high school students closer to…
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According to FEMA, the 2024 hurricanes—Debby, Helene, and Milton—resulted in over 72,000 national flood insurance claims. Specifically, Hurricane Helene alone prompted more than 54,000 claims within a month of its impact. FEMA data from 2003 to 2023 also reveals that 99% of U.S. counties have experienced a flood event, underscoring the widespread risk. In response…
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Florida lawmakers are considering a new bill to address the rise in extreme speeding violations. Senate Bill 1782 proposes strict penalties for drivers who exceed the speed limit by 50 mph or more. Under the proposed legislation, first-time offenders would face a $2,500 fine, a six-month suspension of their driver’s license, and a 30-day impoundment…
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House Speaker Daniel Perez is pushing for a significant state sales tax reduction, aiming to lower the state’s rate from 6% to 5.25%, cutting nearly $5 billion in annual revenue. Perez, R-Miami, directed Ways & Means Chairman Wyman Duggan, R-Jacksonville, to introduce a bill next week to implement the cut. He emphasized that this is…
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With Florida drivers facing the nation’s highest auto insurance rates, state lawmakers are once again considering a repeal of the state’s No-Fault auto insurance system and HB 1181 is the beginning of the process. By conducting studies and consulting with out-of-state drivers, we are examining the potential effects this change could have on your finances.…
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A key Senate committee gave initial approval Tuesday to a bill designed to refine laws requiring safety inspections for aging condominium buildings and ensuring adequate financial reserves for repairs. The bill (SB 1742) seeks to provide condo owners with greater financial flexibility while maintaining safety standards, according to Senate Regulated Industries Chairwoman Jennifer Bradley, R-Fleming…
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On Tuesday, a Florida Senate committee passed a bill aimed at prohibiting insurers from relying solely on artificial intelligence to deny insurance claims, emphasizing that such decisions must involve a “qualified human professional.” The Senate Banking and Insurance Committee unanimously supported SB 794, aligning Florida with other states examining AI’s role in insurance decisions. Bill…
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Florida dominates the list of America’s “most dangerous” beaches, with ten locations earning this label according to a study by Tideschart. The researchers analyzed 528 U.S. beaches, evaluating them based on surf zone fatalities, shark attacks, and hurricanes. Each beach received a score out of 100 to reflect its overall risk level. New Smyrna Beach…
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During a news conference in Palm Bay on Tuesday, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced that property tax relief will be on the 2026 ballot. “We’re working to provide property tax relief, which is much needed in Florida. When properties are reassessed, homeowners often face drastic increases in their tax burden. Just because a neighboring home sells…
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The Florida panther death toll for 2025 climbed higher with the fourth fatality recorded on March 10. This follows a troubling 2024, when the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission documented 36 panther deaths. Environmental groups, such as The Nature Conservancy, expressed concern over the endangered species’ plight but remain committed to collaborating with state…
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Gas prices across the state of Florida have hit their lowest point since December 2023, according to AAA. As of Sunday, the state’s average gas price was $2.97 per gallon—two cents below the previous 2024 low and the lowest daily average in more than a year. This marks a 13-cent drop from both last week…
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Florida, particularly the Tampa Bay region, has some of the highest auto insurance rates in the nation. With rising costs impacting drivers, exploring solutions to bring these rates down while maintaining necessary coverage is essential. Several factors contribute to Florida’s high insurance rates, including fraud, uninsured drivers, and litigation costs. Here’s what can be done…
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Florida legislators are advancing a proposal aimed at addressing challenges that arose during the destructive 2024 hurricane season. The Florida House took steps on Tuesday to push forward new measures, including property tax relief for rebuilt homes and updated election procedures in post-storm conditions. The House Natural Resources & Disasters Subcommittee unanimously approved HB 1535,…
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Fire crews continued battling a massive brush fire Wednesday that temporarily shut down access to the Florida Keys. Both US-1 and Card Sound Road were closed Tuesday as the busy spring break season began. While the 18 Mile Stretch has since reopened, Card Sound Road remained closed as of Wednesday. Monroe County officials advised residents…
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Florida lawmakers grilled the state’s current and former insurance commissioners for three hours last Friday, demanding answers about why they failed to disclose a 2022 report exposing massive financial transfers from Florida insurers to out-of-state affiliates. Property insurers were pleading for legislative relief at the time, citing financial strain from major storms and excessive litigation.…
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For a short time, Florida-bound travelers can snag discounted Amtrak fares. Amtrak is rolling out reduced prices for its Auto Train service, which transports both passengers and their vehicles from Lorton, Virginia—right outside Washington, D.C.—to Sanford, Florida. “Whether you’re chasing the sun, sand, and theme parks down south or venturing to the Northeast’s many hotspots,…
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Two proposed bills in the Florida Legislature may drastically reduce local authority over land development, raising alarms about potential urban sprawl. Senate Bill 1118, sponsored by Sen. Stan McClain, seeks to alter how land-use decisions are made by limiting local government control and requiring a supermajority vote for certain comprehensive plan changes. The bill is…
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A proposed bill in the Florida House, HB 535, could reshape how restaurants apply service charges and automatic gratuities. The bill, titled “Public Lodging and Public Food Service Establishments,” clarifies when a restaurant can remove diners who fail to pay their bill. A recent amendment, however, directly addresses tipping policies. If passed, diners would no…
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The Internal Revenue Service recently revealed that more than $61 million in unclaimed refunds from the 2021 tax year are waiting for thousands of Florida residents. According to IRS estimates, 69,800 taxpayers in the state who have not yet submitted their 2021 Form 1040 are entitled to a combined total of $61,087,200, with a median…
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The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has announced this spring’s license-free freshwater fishing weekend, set for April 5 and 6. This event provides residents and visitors the opportunity to enjoy Florida’s diverse freshwater fishing spots without needing a license. Two family-friendly fishing events will take place during the weekend: Tenoroc Fish Management Area…
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When Trevor Murphy drives up to his father’s 20-acre grove in one of the nation’s fastest-growing counties, he can’t help but notice the uniform, single-story homes crowding the perimeter of his family’s orange trees. “Soon enough, this won’t be an orange grove at all,” says Murphy, a third-generation citrus grower, as he surveys the neat…
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A push for tougher penalties on reckless boaters, driven by a tragic 2022 accident in the Florida Keys that claimed the life of a 17-year-old girl, continued gaining traction in the Senate on Wednesday. While the Senate bill has cleared two committees, key differences remain between it and the House version of what is known…
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Following the devastation caused by recent hurricanes, officials in St. Petersburg and local maritime businesses are intensifying efforts to mitigate storm surge impacts and safeguard the city’s future. Saildrone, a maritime defense and oceanographic survey company headquartered at the Maritime Defense and Technology Hub in the Innovation District, has launched two 10-meter, solar-powered Saildrone Voyager…
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Florida lawmakers are proposing an amendment to an existing bill that would extend the ban on student cell phone use throughout the entire school day, rather than just during instructional time. In 2023, the Florida Legislature passed a law prohibiting students from using cell phones and other electronic devices during class, except when explicitly directed…
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After last year’s hurricanes, coastal residents faced confusion and frustration due to permitting and recovery delays. With a new hurricane season looming, Tampa Bay lawmakers are proposing legislation to cut through bureaucratic obstacles and help Floridians return to their homes. State Senator Nick Diceglie, R-Indian Rocks Island, emphasized the ongoing struggle: “Even now, some residents…
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A new bill, known as the Fallen Tree Act, is set for discussion in Florida’s ongoing 2025 legislative session. Sponsored by Florida House Representative Nan Cobb (R), HB 599 aims to hold property owners responsible for trees, branches, or shrubs originating from their land when they fall onto neighboring properties. “It happens quite a bit.…
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Like many spring breakers, a massive great white shark is making its way down Florida’s coastline. The shark, named “Dold,” measures over 11 feet long and weighs 761 pounds, according to OCEARCH, an organization that tracks shark movements along the U.S. East Coast. On Tuesday morning, Dold was detected just miles off the coast of…
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St. Petersburg remains under a local state of emergency, even five months after Hurricanes Helene and Milton struck, as Mayor Ken Welch’s declaration has been extended through June 30. This extension grants the mayor the authority to bypass typical city procedures when necessary to protect public health, safety, and welfare. It also allows him to…
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The upcoming Atlantic hurricane season, spanning from June 1 to November 30, is predicted to be “near-average,” according to Colorado State University meteorologist Philip Klotzbach. Forecasts from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather suggest a total of 12 named storms and five hurricanes this year. Klotzbach, an expert in Atlantic basin seasonal hurricane forecasting, noted…
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As Florida explores the idea of abolishing property taxes, an analyst cautions that nothing is necessarily free’ Nathalia Steffanetta, originally from Memphis, moved with her family to Seminole Heights six years ago, hoping to settle there permanently. Yet, Steffanetta notes that escalating property taxes have created financial strain. “It’s heartbreaking to see costs spiraling out…
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Governor Ron DeSantis aims to extend the benefits of the “My Safe Florida Home” program, which helps homeowners strengthen their properties against storms. As the 2025 legislative session begins in Tallahassee, discussions around securing additional funding for the program have resurfaced. “We recently proposed in the special session for the legislature to fund the folks…
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The City of St. Pete has introduced Sunrise St. Pete, a new initiative to guide the use of $159.8 million awarded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The funds, part of the Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) program, will support the city’s long-term recovery from Hurricane Idalia (August 2023) and…
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A new bill moving through the Florida Legislature could significantly change how students use their phones during the school day. Senate Bill 1296, introduced by State Sen. Danny Burgess, seeks to launch a pilot program testing the effects of a full-day phone ban in select schools. The proposal follows a law signed by Gov. Ron…
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SpaceX is bringing its Starship program to Florida’s Space Coast with the construction of a massive new facility at Kennedy Space Center. The 390-foot-tall “Gigabay” facility will serve as a hub for Starship production, according to a report from NBC affiliate WESH. The project will employ approximately 600 workers to construct the spacecraft, potentially leading…
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The Preserving State Parks Act, along with its House counterpart, seeks to impose stricter limits on development within Florida’s state parks. Senate Bill 80 and House Bill 209 are currently under review in legislative committees. Sponsored by Republican Sen. Gayle Harrell, the bill enjoys bipartisan backing and has a companion measure in the House. It…
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Between 2017 and 2019, Florida-based insurers reported losses amounting to hundreds of millions of dollars, yet their affiliate companies raked in billions over the same period. This turbulent time coincided with Hurricanes Irma and Michael, which devastated the state and signaled the start of a new financial crisis for the insurance industry. A 2022 report…
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Real estate agent Bettina Geel is showcasing a four-bedroom, two-bathroom home in Brandon, spanning over 2,600 square feet. “This is it! Welcome to your new home,” she greets potential buyers. Listed at $450,000, the home faces increased competition as Florida’s housing market reaches an all-time high. “Right now, there are a lot of houses on…
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A state lawmaker has called for a special inquiry into the profits of insurance companies. Florida House Speaker Daniel Perez announced Tuesday that he is forming a committee to investigate allegations that insurers are shifting billions in profits to other accounts and companies while publicly reporting losses. “I have directed the insurance and banking subcommittees…
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A new state bill is in the works to streamline the permitting process, aiming to help storm-affected residents rebuild and recover more efficiently. This issue has been especially persistent in the Bay Area following hurricanes Helene and Milton, leaving homeowners like Sean Bryan in limbo as they wait to repair their properties in St. Pete…
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Governor Ron DeSantis’ proposed budget includes $600 million for the My Safe Florida Home and Condo grant programs, aimed at strengthening homes against hurricanes and reducing property insurance costs. Of the nearly $600 million allocated for homeowners, $480 million would assist approximately 45,000 homeowners who have completed inspections and are awaiting funding to move forward…
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Two consumer advocacy groups, Florida Rising and LULAC Florida, have filed appeals with the Florida Supreme Court to contest the Public Service Commission’s approval of Tampa Electric Co.’s (TECO) rate increases. TECO began implementing higher rates in January after regulators approved a series of base-rate hikes. On Monday, the two groups formally notified the court…
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The historic ocean liner, destined to become the world’s largest artificial reef, has completed the first segment of its final voyage. The SS United States, a 1,000-foot (305-meter) vessel that broke the trans-Atlantic speed record on its maiden voyage in 1952, arrived early Monday in Mobile, Alabama, nearly two weeks after leaving south Philadelphia’s Delaware…
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