Gov. DeSantis signs $116.5 billion state budget after $1 billion in vetoes
Gov. Ron DeSantis signed into law a $116.5 billion state budget for the coming year after vetoing about $1 billion in programs and projects mostly tucked into the spending plan by fellow Republicans in the Legislature. DeSantis had erased more than $3 billion from the state spending plan in 2022, as federal COVID-19 relief funding wound down. More from Florida Politics and the Tallahassee Democrat.
Who do voters blame for high cost of insurance in Florida?
The high cost of insurance is a constant cause for concern among Floridians. Voters aren’t sure who deserves the most blame, but many identify Gov. Ron DeSantis as the top culprit. A Florida Atlantic University poll released Wednesday found 34% of voters said they hold DeSantis, governor since January 2017, responsible for the high cost of insurance in Florida. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Sales tax cut approved for Florida small businesses, chief financial officer says
Small businesses in Florida will hopefully see a difference after an approved measure at a Florida Cabinet meeting. Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis announced the approval to reduce Florida’s Commercial Lease Sales Tax rate, passed by the Florida Legislature in 2021. [Source: WJHG]
Making marijuana: Behind the scenes of a Florida cannabis farm
According to Florida’s Office of Medical Marijuana Use, there are already 22 licensed Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers in the state. It’s an over two-billion-dollar industry, serving roughly 1 million patients. It’s also a booming business that blossomed from a troubled past, in the US and for one family in Florida: The Cobb’s. [Source: NBC Miami]
EPA is asked to set blue-green algae toxin standards for Florida
Florida’s lakes, rivers, springs and estuaries have some of the nation’s worst toxic algae blooms, which can threaten the health of people and wildlife, while costing local economies hundreds of millions of dollars. The blooms are said to be fueled by nutrient pollution, water-management decisions and climate change. [Source: Central Florida Public Media]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Sarasota County visitors declined in April
The number of visitors to Sarasota County declined in April year over year, according to a new report from Visit Sarasota County, the tourism arm for the area. Overall visitors was one of several data points showing a decrease year-over-year; meanwhile, the rate for lodging saw a slight increase.
› Citrus greening is killing an industry. Meet the Central Florida grove growing a solution
For a long time, growing citrus was Florida’s most valuable export. Today, oranges are more popular than ever, though it’s no secret that Florida’s citrus industry has seen some significant shrinkage — mostly thanks to a tiny bug that causes this thing called citrus greening.
› Amazon Robotaxi fleet to be cruising Miami’s streets by summer
A new fleet of robotaxis will be introduced to Miami streets this summer, allowing the autonomous vehicles to hone their driving abilities before catering to the public. Zoox, an Amazon subsidiary, announced June 5 that it will begin testing its autonomous technology in two new markets, Miami and Austi, TX.
› 8 years after Pulse nightclub massacre, scaled-back memorial planned
Survivors and the families of victims of the Pulse nightclub massacre had hoped by now to have a permanent memorial in place for Wednesday’s eighth anniversary of the attack by a lone gunman who killed 49 people at the gay-friendly club in Orlando, Florida. Instead, new, scaled-back plans are only now getting off the ground following a botched effort to build a multimillion-dollar memorial and museum by a private foundation that disbanded last year.
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› Why a Middle Eastern airline just added a new flight from Miami to South America
A new flight between Miami and Bogotá is boosting options for travelers to Colombia’s capital. It’s also expected to be a bridge between the Middle East’s Gulf countries and South America, with the 305 playing a central role. Emirates, a flagship carrier of the United Arab Emirates, began the daily flight between Miami International Airport and Bogotá on June 3. Long in the works, it’s a continuation of the flight from Dubai to Miami.
› Top exec of Tampa RV giant departs as financial troubles mount
A key Lazydays executive whose management previously sparked shareholder unrest is stepping down as chairman and leaving the company’s board after six years as a director, the company said on Monday. Christopher Shackelton said Coliseum Capital Management, an activist hedge fund he founded and the Tampa recreational vehicle dealership’s largest shareholder, would remain a “supportive partner” to the company as it navigates dire straits in a challenging economic climate for the industry.
› Incentive package for $100 million autonomous vehicle plant clears Jacksonville City Council
The Jacksonville City Council agreed June 11 to offer $7.7 million in incentives to an autonomous vehicle company to build a manufacturing and assembly plant in the city. The 18-1 Council vote approved incentives for Project Link, the company’s code name in city documents, to construct a $100 million, 450,000-square-foot plant on about 40 acres in Northwest Jacksonville.
› Sarasota’s Detwiler’s says no plans for St. Petersburg store — for now
Despite a weekend’s worth of chatter about Detwiler’s Farm Market opening a new store in St. Petersburg, an actual deal for the move is — for now at least — nonexistent. In a statement, Detwiler's said that “We have not secured any locations in the St. Pete area but we are always looking for options in surrounding areas and we never know when opportunities will allow us to expand.”