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Florida News That Impacts You – August 24th, 2022
Bottom Line: Your daily recap of the biggest news from around the state that impacts you in South Florida.
- Winners in statewide primaries Tuesday included Charlie Crist who easily defeated Nikki Fried in the Democrat’s race for governor and will challenge Governor DeSantis in November. Likewise, Val Demmings easily won her primary for Senate and will challenge Senator Marco Rubio. In the Republican primary for Agriculture Commissioner, Wilton Simpson easily advanced to challenge Democrat Naomi Esther Blemur who won the Democrat’s primary race. The winner will replace Nikki Fried.
- Governor DeSantis loomed large in school board races across the state. DeSantis endorsed candidates routinely won in their races including Roberto Alonso and Monica Colucci in Miami-Dade, with Colucci ousting longtime incumbent Marta Perez.
- Despite record high property tax assessments and an investigation showing gross mismanagement of the 2014 “SMART” bond, Broward voters approved a referendum doubling the special school tax in the county. The new tax will impose an additional $50 in property taxes per $100,000 in assessed property value starting next year and running through 2027.
- Primary turnout statewide totaled 26%, which is 1% below 2018’s August Primary elections. Turnout in South Florida lagged the state with Broward’s turnout standing at 21%, Miami-Dade at 19% and Palm Beach County totaling 24%.
- Gas prices are flat for the third consecutive day. The average price statewide for a gallon of regular unleaded gas remains $3.53. In Southeast Florida prices range from an average low of $3.61 per gallon in Broward, to a high of $3.73 per gallon in Palm Beach County.