Florida News That Impacts You – February 1st, 2024
Bottom Line: Your daily recap of the biggest news from around the state that impacts you in South Florida.
- Bills advancing in Wednesday’s state legislative session included...the Food and Hemp Products bill which provides THC caps for many products and that would ban many synthetic products. The bill passed its final Senate Committee with broad bi-partisan support. The Student Transportation Safety bill which would allow charter and private school buses to add cameras for the purpose of identifying vehicles illegally passing buses while students are boarding or existing buses. The Corporal Punishment bill advanced unanimously in a House committee. The bill would limit the use of physical punishment in schools (spanking), allowing only school principals to administer the punishment with parental consent and at least one witness. Corporal punishment would be prohibited for students with disabilities. The Movable Tiny Homes bill advanced unanimously as well. The bill, which is aimed at addressing affordable housing concerns, would fully regulate and permit the permanent use of Tiny homes as a primary residence. Another unanimous mover in Wednesday’s session included the Dangerous Dogs bill which would create a state registry of dogs deemed to be potentially dangerous to the public and would require owners to confine the dogs to a space that would protect USPS employees delivering mail and packages to a home. Liability insurance would also be required for owners of dogs defined as dangerous.
- It was another record year for Florida’s ports in 2023. The Florida Ports Council’s annual Seaport Mission Plan report shows overall cruise and cargo volumes rose 1.5% in Florida’s ports last year, besting 2022’s record year. There were over one million more cruise passengers last year than the previous record year for cruising – 2019's pre-COVID year.
- HUD’s annual report showing changes in “Fair Market Rent” prices, which reflects market conditions year-to-year, shows numerous Florida markets with significant year-over-year increases that are among the largest in the country. In South Florida rent rates have risen fastest in Miami-Dade with a 21% increase over last year. Palm Beach County’s rent rates have risen an average of 19% over last year with Indian River County’s increase at 17%. Rents in Martin County have risen by 9% over a year ago.
- After cooler than usual weather to start the week, today will be a bit warmer with highs in the low 70’s which is right in line with the seasonal norms.
- Gas prices rose for a third straight day on Wednesday. The average price statewide for regular unleaded is now $3.27 per gallon - 2 cents higher than yesterday and 9 cents higher than a week ago. In Palm Beach County the average price is $3.42 per gallon, in Martin the average is $3.33 and in Indian River County the average is $3.28 per gallon.