Florida News That Impacts You – March 28th, 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.
- Governor DeSantis signed the Education, or Universal School Choice bill into law Monday. In signing the legislation which will make school vouchers worth approximately $8,000 per student, per school year available for the school of their choice, DeSantis said: Florida is number one when it comes to education freedom and education choice, and today’s bill signing represents the largest expansion of education choice in the history of these United States. The law is effective as of July 1st, meaning vouchers will be available for all parents for the 2023-2024 school year.
- Recent movers in the state legislative session included the Prescription Drugs bill, which advanced unanimously through its first senate committee. The legislation would mitigate the role pharmacy benefit managers would play in negotiating costs of prescribed drugs. Legislation which would provide the state’s environmental land trust, Florida Forever, $100 million annually for land purchases, advanced unanimously through its first House committee. This is the third straight session Rep. Rich Roth has advanced the proposal. The House Commerce Committee advanced the bill banning central bank digital currencies on a party-line vote. Governor DeSantis called for the passage of the legislation last week. A bill which would create a proposed constitutional amendment for voters to consider making school board races partisan elections advanced through its 2nd Senate committee on a party-line vote. A companion in the House has yet to be acted on.
- Gas prices dropped another penny on Monday. Statewide the average price for regular unleaded is now $3.36 per gallon – 8 cents lower than a week ago. In Palm Beach County the average price is now $3.56 per gallon, which is the third highest price in the state.
- Palm Beaches’ Taboo, a fixture on Worth Avenue for over 80 years has been served an eviction notice after falling further than $500,000 behind in rent payments according to the landlord. A new tenant is set to take over the location with a plan to spend $5 million to upgrade the site.