Florida News That Impacts You – February 2nd, 2024
Bottom Line: Your daily recap of the biggest news from around the state that impacts you in South Florida.
- Bills advancing in Thursday’s state legislative session included the Citizens Property Insurance Corporation bill. The bill, which would allow surplus line companies to assume Citizen's policies, passed a key House committee unanimously. Surplus line carriers focus on luxury homes that are commonly in high-risk areas. The Employment and Curfew of Minors bill advanced. The legislation, which eases work limitations on 16- and 17- year-olds during the school year, passed the House on a mostly party-line vote. Two different versions of the bill are under consideration in the Senate. The Human Trafficking bill, which would mandate that strippers be at least 21 years of age passed through its first House Committee. The state’s analysis notes that 44% of trafficked girls/women are under the age of 21. The Claims Against Assisted Living Facilities bill which seeks to limit lawsuits brought against assisted living facilities advanced in the state House.
- The state legislature has officially endorsed resolutions for two of Governor DeSantis’ four proposed U.S. Constitutional Amendments. The state legislature is officially calling for a constitutional convention to pass a balanced budget amendment to the U.S. Constitution and another for term limits. Two-thirds of all states would have to pass similar resolutions for the proposals to be formally considered.
- Governor DeSantis has announced the largest deployment of troops to the Southern Border to assist Texas to date. A total of up to 1,000 Florida National Guard and Florida State Guard troops will be working with the Texas Guard to attempt to secure the southern border. An annual report earlier this week showed Florida is the top designation for border crossers in the country. Related...
- Martin County Sheriff William Snyder said he’ll be visiting the southern border following what he said is close to a state of emergency with drug traffickers in the county, largely attributed to illegal immigration across the southern border. This has led to an overpopulation problem in the county jail which Snyder said will prompt him to declare an emergency to the county commission.
- It’ll be a bit warmer again today with highs in the mid-to upper 70’s - which is slightly warmer than usual for this date. The weather will be similar tomorrow before another cold front arrives later in the day on Sunday.
- Gas prices dipped a penny yesterday. The average price statewide for regular unleaded is now $3.26 per gallon - 9 cents higher than a week ago. In Palm Beach County the average price is $3.43 per gallon, in Martin the average is $3.32 and in Indian River County the average is $3.27 per gallon.