Florida News That Impacts You – April 11th, 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 a bill which would allow insurance companies to deny coverage for procedures if the insurer has a “conscience-based objection”. The bill which is aimed at allowing insurance company to opt out of coverage for abortions and trans procedures passed its final house committee on a party-line vote and is ready for a full vote. The senate companion is in a rules committee. The Insurer Accountability bill which would require greater accountability and faster claims payouts by Florida’s property insurers passed a key house vote on a unanimous vote and is ready for a vote before the full chamber. The senate version advanced in committee last week as well. The Drone Delivery Services bill, which would create specified “ports” or drone stations which could be operated for deliveries, passed a final house committee unanimously and is ready for a full vote before the house and senate. The model for the bill is based largely on what Wal-Mart has tested in five Florida cities, including Tampa. The Facility Requirements Based on Sex, or “bathrooms” bill which would mandate adults use public bathrooms according to their biological sex passed its final house committee hearing and is ready for a vote before the full chamber. The senate version has one committee stop remaining. The Year-round School Pilot Program bill unanimously passed a key senate committee. The house version of the bill has already cleared all committees. Under the legislation a 4-year pilot program would be created which would eliminate summer break in favor of year-round education.
- Gas prices were flat over the past day. Statewide the average price for regular unleaded remains $3.58 per gallon – 12 cents higher than a week ago. In Palm Beach County the average price is $3.74 per gallon, which is the highest price in the state.
- According to a new Census Bureau study Florida leads the country in self-employed professionals – including having the top four cities for self-employed professionals in the country and six of the top ten. Those cities are #10 Fort Lauderdale, #8 Port St. Lucie, #4 Cape Coral, #3 Hollywood, #2 Miami and #1 Hialeah.