Florida News That Impacts You – December 2nd, 2022
Bottom Line: Your daily recap of the biggest news from around the state that impacts you in South Florida. Gas prices continued lower through the weekend.
- Gas prices are flat today, remaining at a statewide average of $3.33 per gallon - eight cents lower than a week ago. In Southeast Florida, prices range from an average low of $3.36 per gallon in Broward, to an average high of $3.51 per gallon in the Palm Beaches.
- More signs that Florida’s economy continues to defy the national trend. The monthly consumer sentiment survey, which tends to be a leading indicator regarding consumer spending trends (which makes up about 70% of the economy), rose by 1.8% in Florida in November – while falling by 3% nationally. Florida’s economy has been the second fastest growing in the country this year with positive economic growth in each quarter – despite a technical recession nationally during the first six months of the year.
- With preparations underway for next year’s state legislative session, the Legislature is crafting policy pertaining to Disney’s Reedy Creek Improvement District after the state revoked its ability to self-govern earlier this year. Bob Iger’s return to Disney appears to be immediately impacting policy. State House Rep. Randy Fine, who authored the dissolution of the Reedy Creek Improvement District earlier this year was cited as saying – It’s easier to shift policy when you don’t have to defend the old policy. Chapek screwed up, but Bob Iger doesn’t have to own that screw-up. The new legislation which is currently being crafted for consideration would leave tenants of the current Reedy Creek District in place with modifications.
- While crime rates have continued to climb nationally, crime in Florida has fallen to a 50-year low. According to the annual Uniform Crime Report, violent crime has fallen by 4.3% over the past year while property crime has fallen by 10.7%. In Palm Beach County, crime declined by 18.6% over the past year. In Martin crime was 14.7% lower and in Miami-Dade it fell by 7.6%.