Florida News That Impacts You – July 1st, 2024
Bottom Line: Your daily recap of the biggest news from around the state that impacts you in South Florida.
- 182 of the greater than 200 bills passed by the state legislature in this year’s session and signed into law by Governor DeSantis take effect as the state begins its new fiscal year today. Among the new laws are Florida’s new education, employment and HOA laws.
- The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that states may criminalize public homelessness in a ruling that green lights Florida’s new homeless law that’s set to take effect October 1st. On Friday the Court ruled in an Oregon case that a town may impose fines and even jail time for public homelessness. Florida’s new law prevents sleeping or camping by individuals on public property.
- The Florida Freedom Month Tax Holiday is underway. The sales tax holiday runs through July 31st and exempts most boating, water, camping, fishing, pool and outdoor recreational activities from sales tax. The exemptions include live events, movies and state parks.
- A mix of clouds sun today with a chance of afternoon showers. Highs will be near 90 - which is warmer than usual for this date. The National Hurricane Center is tracking three systems. Hurricane Beryl is making its way through the Windward islands this morning as a category 3 hurricane with top sustained winds currently at 120 mph. It’s bringing storm surge of 6 to 9 feet along with the powerful winds. The hurricane is expected to track near Jamaica by Wednesday before a second landfall in Mexico later in the week. Tropical Storm Chris developed in the southwestern Gulf last night and is making landfall in Mexico with top winds at 40 mph this morning. Another disturbance is tracking behind Beryl in the southern Atlantic and is expected to develop into a tropical system in the coming days.
- Gas prices dropped a bit over the weekend though they’re still higher than a week ago. The average price for regular unleaded in Florida is currently $3.38 per gallon. In Palm Beach County the average price is $3.52 per gallon, in Martin the average is $3.38 and in Indian River County the average is $3.36 per gallon.