Florida News That Impacts You – April 9th, 2024
Bottom Line: Your daily recap of the biggest news from around the state that impacts you in South Florida.
- Governor DeSantis signed two bills into law on Monday including the Exposures of First Responders to Fentanyl and Fentanyl Analogs bill. The new law adds criminal penalties for those who expose first responders to fentanyl while also adding protections from prosecution for those seeking help for others in good faith. The Revive Awareness Day bill is also now law. The new law known as Victoria’s Law, designates June 6th as Revive Awareness Day which the Florida Department of Health will use as a public awareness day to warn of the dangers of opioid abuse.
- The Florida Department of Commerce announced reduced taxes on commercial rents will be coming sooner than expected. Part of a law enacted in 2021 called for future cuts in commercial rent taxes. The state announced that by June 1st the current 4.5% tax on commercial rents will drop to 2%. The timeline is months earlier than expected and is due to tax revenues for the state’s unemployment program coming in much stronger than expected. The tax reduction will save Florida’s businesses approximately $700 million annually.
- The Indian River Sheriff’s Office has launched a new Fraud Reporting Platform. The website allows fraud victims to make reports through the website. The site also has checklists and tips for those suspicious of potential fraud activity being attempted against them.
- It’ll be a warm and otherwise pleasant day today with highs near 80, a little warmer than usual for this date. Temperatures are expected to gradually rise through Thursday before a cool front moves in.
- Gas prices surged seven cents per gallon on Monday. The average price statewide for regular unleaded is currently $3.53 per gallon. In Palm Beach County the average price is $3.68 per gallon, in Martin the average is $3.54 and in Indian River County the average is $3.47 per gallon.