Senate unanimously approves rural Florida schools, roads, business package
Rural communities are a step closer to a “buffet” of grants, loans, and administrative support for roads, schools, and businesses. SB 110, dubbed by Senate President Ben Albritton as the Rural Renaissance, received unanimous support on the Senate floor Wednesday. It now heads to the House. The measure would create the Office of Rural Prosperity within the Department of Commerce and provide grants focused on infrastructure, housing, and incentives to teachers, doctors, and nurses to practice in rural areas. [Source: Florida Phoenix]
Lawmakers seek ‘transparency’ in higher ed searches
With state universities and colleges continuing to see turnover of presidents, a House panel Wednesday unanimously approved a bill that would repeal a law shielding information about presidential candidates from public disclosure. The bill (HB 1321), unanimously approved by the House Education Administration Subcommittee, also would make a series of other changes about leadership of the higher-education system, including creating term limits for members of the university system’s Board of Governors and university and college boards of trustees. [Source: News Service of Florida]
Report: Florida insurers paid investors millions while raising rates
Hurricane season is just around the corner, and a new insurance report warns some insurers may not have enough to pay out on claims if a big storm hits. The report is the second in just two months that warns many companies are paying out large dividends to investors and leaving their reserves to pay claims low. The news comes as Florida legislators this month launched an investigation into the state’s home insurers. The damning report released by Weiss Ratings claims Florida home insurers shifted $2.1- billion off their books to affiliates, and millions went to investors between 2017 and 2023, leaving some companies unable to pay claims. [Source: Gulf Coast News Now]
This land swap would give 700 acres of North Florida state forest to peanut farm
In a move that has alarmed wildlife advocacy groups, state water managers are considering a land swap that would give nearly 700 acres of North Florida state forest land to a neighboring peanut farming company. The proposal comes more than a decade after a separate peanut operation sought the same swath of Madison County land within the Twin Rivers State Forest — dubbed the Ellaville Tract — in a similar trade offer. But that deal never went through: Citing the risk to endangered species on the property, and a bustling gopher tortoise population, federal wildlife biologists urged state leaders at the time to keep the land for conservation. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
Florida Senate committee approves bill to raise highway speed limits
Highway speeds could increase under a bill that has started moving forward in the state Senate. The Republican-controlled Senate Transportation Committee on March 19 approved a wide-ranging measure (SB 462), filed by Sen. Nick DiCeglie, R-Indian Rocks Beach, which includes boosting the maximum speed on interstates and Florida’s Turnpike from 70 mph to 75 miles per hour. [Source: Orlando Business Journal]
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ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Why this resort area in Florida is becoming more popular for homebuyers
A community on Florida's Emerald Coast has become a hot spot for buyers who might otherwise be priced out of Southeast Florida’s soaring housing market.
Sandestin, described as an "attractive alternative" to nearby markets, has seen a notable uptick in activity, according to The Agency, a global real estate brokerage with more than 130 offices across 12 countries.
› Religious vaccine exemptions on the rise in South Florida schools
A growing number of Floridians are choosing not to vaccinate their children, as parts of the country are currently battling measles outbreaks. At least one measles case has been reported in South Florida.
While most students are vaccinated in Broward and Miami-Dade schools, the number of students with religious exemptions to vaccine requirements has gone up in both counties in recent years, according to data obtained by NBC6 Investigates.
› Red flag warnings issued across Florida. What are they and what should you do?
The National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning for all of east central Florida and South Florida.
The warning extends from Volusia County to the north to the southern tip of Florida.
The warnings were issued as Florida's peninsula continues to suffer from drought conditions. Most recent rains have been concentrated in the Panhandle and North Florida.
› Temenos launches banking tech hub in Central Florida, US
Banking software provider Temenos has opened its new Innovation Hub in Central Florida, aimed at shaping the future of banking.
The new facility will focus on advancing US-specific banking solutions built on emerging technologies such as Generative AI (GenAI).
It will accommodate around 200 technology and product developers, dedicated to driving research and development.
› Agribusiness in Southwest Florida: The Next 25 Years
Southwest Florida’s economy is mostly driven by tourism, real estate & construction, and retail — as well as education, and some local industries. But agribusiness is an important part of the equation. Across Southwest Florida, the agriculture industry contributes more than $1 billion in direct sales and supports a $2 billion regional economy that employs nearly 19,000 people.
› Florida lawmakers looking to ban fluoride statewide
Legislators want to prevent local governments from using “health-related” water additives. Two sweeping bills are moving through Florida’s capitol that would prohibit local governments from adding fluoride to drinking water.
› Forever 21 to close 23 Florida stores — four in region
Forever 21, the fashion retailer long a fixture at local malls, is joining a seemingly ever-growing list of retailers closing stores across the region and country.
› New Florida bill tightening hemp regulations sparks business concerns
A bill is making its way through the state legislature that would place new restrictions on Florida’s hemp industry. SB 438 was proposed by Sen. Colleen Burton, who represents Polk County.
The legislature passed a law in 2024 that blocked the sale of some hemp products, but Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed it, saying it would’ve hurt small businesses.