Florida News That Impacts You – January 22nd, 2024
Bottom Line: Your daily recap of the biggest news from around the state that impacts you in South Florida.
- Governor DeSantis will once again preside over the state’s legislative session following his exit from the presidential race as business gets back underway in Tallahassee today. The session runs through March 8th.
- As the state legislative session gets underway today a proposed cap on medical malpractice awards will be considered. The Medical Negligence bill would cap noneconomic damages from medical malpractice at $500,000 for health care practitioners, $750,000 for non-medical practitioners and $150,000 during emergency care situations.
- Florida ranks as the third best state to start a business at the onset of 2024 according to WalletHub’s annual report which factors in a state’s business environment, access to resources and cost of operating. Utah and Georgia rank first and second this year.
- A Florida TaxWatch Report reveals that over 49,000 vacation rentals within the state, or about a quarter in operation, are unlicensed and thus are operating illegally. TaxWatch pegs the lost revenue to state and local governments in the millions daily. Also, they estimate that over $21 million in unlawful homestead exemptions are being used for vacation rental properties.
- Today’s forecast is much like yesterday’s as it will be cool and windy with a high near 70 which is 4 degrees cooler than usual for this time of year. Our weather will begin to warm up tonight through tomorrow with highs back in the mid to upper 70’s.
- Gas prices continued to fall through the weekend. The average price statewide for regular unleaded is now under $3 per gallon at $2.99 - 9 cents lower than a week ago. In Palm Beach County the average price is $3.20 per gallon, in Martin the average is $3.10 and in Indian River County the average is $3.00 per gallon.