Florida News That Impacts You – March 21st, 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 “Heartbeat” bill which would limit abortions to six weeks with exceptions for rape, incest and health risks to the mother. The bill passed a key senate committee on a partyline vote after advancing in the house last week. Another mover was the bill which would ban the assignment of benefits for auto glass repair insurance claims. A unanimous vote in a key senate committee has left it with just one more committee stop in the senate and house before a full vote before each chamber. Legislation which would restrict classroom instruction of sexual orientation or gender identity until 9th grade passed its first senate committee on a partyline vote. A bill aimed at creating safer custody transfer sites passed its first senate committee as well. The bill would mandate governments set up safe transfer sites for children between parents.
- Governor DeSantis has called on the state legislature to ban centralized bank digital currencies in Florida. The move comes after a March 9th executive order by President Joe Biden to study the issue of the federal government creating its own digital currency. The governor expressed concerns that centralized digital currency could be used to regulate commence and business activity – similar to the use of a social credit score.
- Gas prices dropped a penny on Monday. Statewide the average price for regular unleaded is $3.44 per gallon – 13 cents higher than a week ago. In Palm Beach County the price likewise fell a penny to $3.62 per gallon, which is second highest to Monroe County in the state.
- Florida Supreme Court Justice Ricky Polston, nominated to the post by Governor Charlie Crist in 2008, has announced his retirement from the Florida Supreme Court effective March 31st. Under Florida law the 67-year-old Polston could have remained on the court for eight more years. His resignation clears the way for Governor DeSantis to nominate his fifth Supreme Court Justice in his 4+ years as governor.