Florida News That Impacts You – May 17th, 2023
Bottom Line: Your daily recap of the biggest news from around the state that impacts you in South Florida.
- Governor DeSantis signed four additional bills into law Tuesday including the Sexual Exploitation and Human Trafficking bill which includes additional training, education and emergency response plans for safe houses and foster homes regarding risk factors and signs of trafficking. The related Public Records/Human Trafficking Victims bill which protects confidentiality for victims of human trafficking. The Human Trafficking bill which allows for recovery for victims of human trafficking from their perpetrators. Includes mandatory education on the harm caused by human trafficking for all detained on prostitution and human trafficking charges. The Governor also signed the Firearm and Destructive Device Offenses bill which establishes mandatory minimum sentences for human traffickers when they are in possession of a firearm during the course of their crimes. Related...
- Governor DeSantis established a connection to the rise in human trafficking and prostitution to the increase in illegal border crossers. According to the governor, 72% of all detained human traffickers in Florida are illegal immigrants. Related...
- Governor DeSantis announced he’s deploying FHP, FDLE, FWC, Florida National Guard and Florida Emergency Management personnel to the southern border to assist Texas in their efforts to combat authorized illegal immigration by the Biden Administration. Similar to efforts in 2021, Governor Abbott of Texas put out the call for assistance to governors across the country.
- Gas prices are a penny lower today. Statewide the average price for regular unleaded is currently $3.46 per gallon – seven cents lower than a week ago. In Palm Beach County the average price is $3.69 per gallon, which is the highest price in the state.