Florida News That Impacts You – April 5th, 2023
Bottom Line: Your daily recap of the biggest news from around the state that impacts you in South Florida. Gas prices continued lower through the weekend.
- Recent movers in the state legislative session included the Senate passing the bill which would ban gender transitioning medical practices for minors. The bill passed the senate along a mostly party-line vote and now heads for the house. The senate unanimously passed the Catalytic Converters bill. The legislation raises penalties for theft of catalytic converters which have been targeted by criminal rings. The bill has a companion in the house with apparent broad support there as well.
- A day after the Senate passed its proposed budget for the 2023-2024 fiscal year, the House passed its version. The House version includes $800 million less in spending and will need to be reconciled with the senate.
- What’s now known as The Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt, the largest collection of seaweed which has ever been monitored, has continued to grow on its approach to Florida according to the University of South Florida’s Optical Oceanography Lab. The record setting 5,000-mile long chain of seaweed reaches from the coast of Africa continuing through the Gulf of Mexico and is estimated to contain 13 million tons of seaweed.
- Gas prices were flat yesterday. Statewide the average price for regular unleaded remains $3.46 per gallon – 7 cents higher than a week ago. In Palm Beach County the average price remains $3.64 per gallon, which is the highest price in the state.