Florida News That Impacts You – February 22nd, 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.
- Gas prices are a penny higher today. Statewide the average price for regular unleaded is $3.33 per gallon – three cents lower than a week ago. In Palm Beach County the price is flat remaining $3.55 per gallon, the highest price in the state.
- Among the movers on Tuesday in Tallahassee... Florida’s Universal School Choice bill. The bill which would allow Florida’s parents to use school vouchers towards the school of their choice, cleared its first Senate Committee on a 9-3 vote. The legislation has two committee votes remaining in each chamber before potential consideration before the full legislature.
- For a second straight day the Public Safety bill, aka Constitutional Carry, was on the move in the state legislature. After clearing its first Senate committee on Monday, the legislation cleared its final House Committee on Tuesday. The legislation, which would allow permitless carrying of firearms as of July 1st, appears likely to be among the first voted on in the upcoming state legislative session.
- State Senator Corey Simon has introduced legislation aimed at addressing Florida’s teacher shortage. The legislation would extend temporary teaching certificates from three to five years and provides a path for teachers to be able to opt out of having to take the currently mandated General Knowledge exam as long as their performance has been rated effective or better for two consecutive years.
- Florida’s setup for a record year of sargassum on our beaches...in fact, Florida’s beaches have already experienced a record amount of it to start the year. The seaweed washing ashore peaks in summer months, however it’s already been present on some Florida beaches this year. University of South Florida researchers said that in addition to Florida’s usual patterns, there appear to be blooms making their way to our beaches from as far away as Africa now. Blooms are exacerbated by nutrients reaching the water through discharges and chemicals reaching the open ocean.