Florida News That Impacts You – March 16th, 2023
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.
- Recent movers in the state legislative session included an illegal immigration reform bill backed by Governor DeSantis which would mandate E-Verify among a myriad of other measures aimed at making Florida less appealing for those lacking legal status. The bill cleared its first Senate hearing on a partyline vote. A bill which would mandate the state of Florida exclusively use made in America metals received a unanimous vote in its first senate committee hearing. A bill which would mandate that the furthest left lane on highways would only be used as a passing lane unanimously passed its first House hearing. A House panel unanimously advanced a bill which would prevent those lacking a driver's license or permit from driving a golf cart on roads. Legislation which would aid in the restoration of the Osborne Reef and would raise penalties for illegal handling reptiles passed its first committee hearing in the House as well.
- Gas prices continued to rapidly rise on Wednesday. Statewide the average price for regular unleaded is $3.45 per gallon – five cents higher than yesterday and 12 cents higher than a week ago. In Palm Beach County the price rose to $3.62 per gallon, which is the highest price in the state.
- The record setting 5,000-mile sargassum bloom has begun to impact Florida’s beaches. The first reported impact in South Florida is at Fort Lauderdale Beach and is expected to continue to accumulate along our coastline in the days ahead.
- If you’ve been battling allergy issues early this year you’re far from alone. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation has released its annual Allergy Capitals report for 2023 and Florida has the most cities in the top twenty spots. Sarasota is 6th, Cape Coral 7th, Orlando 8th, Miami 14th, Lakeland 15th, Palm Bay 17th and Tampa 18th for the most allergens in the air. Tree, grass and weed pollen are the biggest allergens in our air. Wichita, Kansas is the worst for allergens this year.