Florida News That Impacts You – July 20th, 2023
Bottom Line: Your daily recap of the biggest news from around the state that impacts you in South Florida.
- The Palm Beach County School Board denied rabbi Barry Silver’s attempt to ban the Bible from the District’s school libraries. The vote was unanimous. Quoting Silver – The Bible is at the top of the list for every category established by the governor and the Florida Legislature for banning books. It should be noted that the state hasn’t banned any books – which is a common refrain of critics of the Parental Rights in Educaton law. Instead, schools are to carry material that is appropriate for the age of the students at the schools. The Palm Beach County School District hasn’t removed any books from district schools as a result of the law.
- The School District also voted to adjust the use of the Baker Act in detaining students. The decision came after a federal judge determined that the Act was improperly used to restrain a special needs student leading to a $440,000 judgment against the District. The rule change mandates school resource officers take training specific to the use of the Baker Act.
- The Florida Board of Education met Wednesday to approve the rules for the 2023-2024 school year. A total of 27 actions items – including rules changes to adapt to newly enacted Florida laws were approved.
- An online petition challenging a newly proposed marina in West Palm Beach has been established. The proposal would create an 84-slip marina between Clematis and Fern streets along the waterfront. The West Palm Beach Downtown Neighborhood Association is leading the challenge to the project as they said plans for the marina were accepted by the City without public input. Critics say that the view of the waterfront in addition to character and functionality of the Downtown Waterfront Park would be negatively impacted by the marina. The online petition has gained greater than 1,500 signatures thus far.
- Gas prices rose three cents per gallon on Wednesday. Statewide the average price for regular unleaded is currently $3.46 per gallon – 1 cent higher than a week ago. In Palm Beach County the average price is $3.60 per gallon, which is the highest price in the state.