Florida News – Highlights from around the state – January 14th
Bottom Line: Your daily recap of the some of the biggest news from around the state that impacts you in South Florida.
- The 2020 state session kicks off in Tallahassee and will remain open through March 13th. Governor DeSantis’s state of the state address officially starts the session at 11 am. The only mandate is for a budget to be passed. An average of around 200 new laws are created in recent state sessions.
- Governor DeSantis announced that DollarTree will be opening a new distribution center in Marion County. This center is projected to create 600 jobs with a capital investment that is estimated to surpass $200 million: a big win for both Marion County and Florida.
- An estimated 13,000 teachers participated in the FEA’s rally/protest in Tallahassee in advance of the state session. Under state law it’s illegal for public sector unions to strike or create a work stoppage. Polk county has warned 1,200 teachers who participated, that they may be reviewed for termination. No other counties have discussed acting against participating teachers.
- Florida Prepaid has reduced prices for participation by $1.3 billion. 224,000 families who’ve participated in the program since 2008 will receive refunds averaging $4,700. In South Florida, an estimated 95,000 families will receive refunds.