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Tuesday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
Florida May revenue lands $742M above estimates
Florida continued to soar over revenue estimates in May, pulling in $741.8 million more than state economists expected, a report shows. In total, the state received $4.27 billion in May, which reflects economic activity in April, well above the $3.5 billion estimate. It’s the fourth straight month revenues have come in at least $475 million over the estimate. For the first five months of 2022, Florida has $2.86 billion more than state economists expected, and has collected 98.3% of the entire fiscal year estimate, with the month of June still to count. [Source: Florida Politics]
99% of Florida residents at ‘high’ risk of COVID-19
Florida’s COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations remained stable at “high” levels for the third week in a row. The state recorded 10,640 cases each day last week, on average. By Friday, Florida hospitals had 3,457 confirmed COVID-19 patients, up 4% from the week before. Test positivity hit 22.7% in the past week, the highest rate since January. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
Roe’s end could mean more pregnant women behind bars. Are Florida’s prisons prepared?
Prison reform activists worry the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, the landmark ruling that established a federal right to abortion, could lead to more pregnant people behind bars — a scenario some lawmakers in Florida have been trying to curb for years. Horrific accounts of women being raped and impregnated by guards and giving birth alone in their cells paint a scary picture of what life can be like for pregnant incarcerated people in Florida. With Roe protections gone, and recent efforts by Florida legislators to further restrict abortion, activists fear a post-Roe world would mean more women criminalized and placed in institutions with a bad reputation of caring for them. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]
Listeria outbreak linked to Florida ice cream
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is investigating an outbreak of Listeria infections linked to a Florida brand of ice cream, the agency said Saturday. Big Olaf Creamery is voluntarily contacting retailers to recommend against selling its ice cream products until further notice. The CDC says consumers who have the ice cream at home should throw it away and clean areas, containers and utensils that may have touched the product. The ice cream brand is based in Sarasota and is only sold in Florida. [Source: WFLX]
Florida springs protection rule is overdue and underwhelming, critics say
Legislators left no doubt how they felt when they passed one of the first bills in the 2016 session. Florida was failing to take care of its most treasured springs. One part of the sweeping new law ordered the Department of Environmental Protection to create rules to stop local governments and big businesses from pumping too much freshwater out of the Floridan Aquifer, depriving 30 “Outstanding Florida Springs” of their lifeblood. “Action is urgently needed,” the bill said. Six years later, the state has taken little action on that point. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› The future of Opa-locka Hialeah Flea Market site? A logistics and e-commerce hub
From flea market to e-market. That sums up the dramatic change envisioned by the developers of the Opa-locka Hialeah Flea Market after it closes later this year. Instead of knock-offs and second-hand goods, the business plan of the future is aimed at capitalizing on the booming business in e-commerce and online purchases.
› National lifeguard shortage strains Tampa Bay beaches, pools
Zoe Baumeister grabbed a personal flotation device and sprinted into the surf at Clearwater Beach, dolphin-diving through the waves. When she reached a swimmer needing help, Baumeister, 12, waved her hand and two other girls plunged into the water. Together they carried the swimmer back to shore, completing a water rescue drill that was part of a junior lifeguard camp organized by lifeguards with Clearwater Fire and Rescue. The lifeguards hope the camp fuels the kids’ desire to join their ranks one day, even as the nation grapples with decreasing interest from the public and a shortage of applications for the job.
› Miami gets $5M from Enterprise Florida for World Cup prep
Enterprise Florida will provide $5 million to help Miami host games in the 2026 FIFA World Cup soccer tournament. Gordon Bailey, chairman of the Enterprise Florida Finance & Compensation Committee, said the money will go to the Florida Sports Foundation to help the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau prepare for the games. FIFA announced on June 15 that 16 North American cities would host matches. Miami is one of 11 sites chosen in the United States, along with three in Mexico and two in Canada.
› Jacksonville port invests ahead of volume rebound
The US port of Jacksonville in Florida is working on long-term strategic improvements to support finished vehicle processing as it readies itself for a return of volumes. That includes the investment of $210m to expand and relocate processing facilities for its customer Toyota. The port authority, Jaxport, signed a deal earlier this year with Southeast Toyota Distributors to move operations from two separate locations into on 88-acre (35.6 hectare) property on the Blount Island Marine Terminal.
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