Florida News That Impacts You – April 4th, 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 Pregnancy and Parenting Support bill - the legislation which limits abortions to six-weeks except in cases of rape, incest or sex-trafficking passed the Senate on a party-line vote. Following the passage of the legislation, several Democrat officials joined a protest outside of the capitol. Among them were Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried and Democratic Senate Leader Lauren Book who were among 11 arrested after refusing to disperse after 8pm last night. Boynton Beach Senator Lori Berman joined the protest; however she cooperated with law enforcement and wasn’t arrested.
- The State Senate unanimously passed a budget totaling $113.6 billion for the upcoming fiscal year which begins in July. The budget is 3% larger than the current fiscal year and calls for a 5.7% increase in K-12 spending for the upcoming year, which is a closely watched figure as the full costs of the state’s recently passed universal school choice legislation is uncertain based on participation levels.
- Governor DeSantis signed the Public Safety, or permitless carrying of firearms bill into law on Monday. As of July 1st CCW permits will no longer be required for a lawful gun owner to posses a firearm in public. Open carry was not part of the legislation.
- A six-month review of the impact of Hurricane Ian by the National Hurricane Center detailed 156 total deaths attributed to the hurricane along with $112 billion in damage. Hurricane Ian stands as the third costliest in U.S history after Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and Hurricane Harvey in 2017. The NHC also confirmed that Ian reached category 5 strength prior to making landfall with top winds at 160 mph.
- Gas prices dropped a penny yesterday. Statewide the average price for regular unleaded is now $3.46 per gallon – 10 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.