Florida News That Impacts You – July 17th, 2024
Bottom Line: Your daily recap of the biggest news from around the state that impacts you in South Florida.
- Florida’s financial impact statement that will appear with Amendment 4, the abortion amendment, on November’s ballot will state that there is “uncertainty about whether the amendment will require the state to subsidize abortions with public funds. Litigation to resolve those and other uncertainties will result in additional costs to the state government and state courts that will negatively impact the state budget. An increase in abortions may negatively affect the growth of state and local revenues over time. Because the fiscal impact of increased abortions on state and local revenues and costs cannot be estimated with precision, the total impact of the proposed amendment is indeterminate”. Advocates of the proposed amendment, which would enable abortions up to the point of viability as determined by a health care provider, are suggesting the state is providing misleading guidance to attempt to influence the outcome. The financial impact statement was approved by state officials on Monday.
- The My Safe Florida Home Program has reached its limit for free initial home inspections under the current round of grant funding. According to the state, anyone who received an initial inspection application from July 1st, when this year’s program opened, through last Friday, will be covered. Applications are still being accepted for other services offered under the program including final inspections.
- Delray Beach Police, in conjunction with the United States Postal Service, have taken down a mail theft operation. Called “Operation Checkmate” a 2-year investigation into a theft ring targeting mail carriers led authorities to the arrests of five people between the ages of 21-24. Delray Beach Police said the perpetrators targeted mail carriers for theft of their arrow keys which opened cluster mailboxes and collection boxes. Authorities say there were over 2,000 victims locally with over $1,000,000 stolen from victims.
- A mix of clouds and sun today with highs in the low 90’s. Temperatures will be about 5 degrees warmer than usual for this date. Thanks in large part to a significant Saharan dust cloud, the National Hurricane Center’s map is clear and the NHC isn’t expecting tropical activity for the next 7 days.
- Gas prices dropped two cents per gallon on Tuesday. The average price for regular unleaded in Florida is currently $3.48 per gallon. In Palm Beach County the average price is $3.64 per gallon, in Martin the average is $3.50 and in Indian River County the average is $3.47 per gallon.