Florida News That Impacts You – June 1st, 2023
Bottom Line: Your daily recap of the biggest news from around the state that impacts you in South Florida.
- The Atlantic Hurricane Season officially begins today with the National Hurricane Center currently observing a disturbance in the Gulf which has a low probability of development – 20% over the next seven days. NOAA anticipates this year’s hurricane season will be in line with historic averages as we shift from an active La Nina cycle towards a milder El Nino cycle.
- While continuing to campaign for president outside of the state, Governor DeSantis signed eight bills into law on Wednesday. Those included the My Safe Florida Home Program which allows grants of up to $10,000 per homeowner for home-hardening upgrades. Property owners with homes valued at $700,000 or less which are in need of financial assistance are welcome to apply for the first-come first-served program at mysafeflhome.com. $100 million has been set aside for grants. DeSantis also signed the Insurer Accountability bill into law. The bill includes more scrutiny of insurance payouts after declared emergencies with higher penalties for insurers which aren’t efficiently paying out legitimate claims. The Environmental Protection bill is also law. The law prohibits new septic tanks from being installed in many parts of the state, establishes the Indian River Lagoon Protection Program – among other water quality standard improvements.
- Floridians continue to be far more optimistic about the state of the economy than the country overall. The monthly consumer sentiment index showed Floridians slightly more confident than a month ago, while sentiment nationally continued to fall – dropping by 4.3 points reaching fresh six-month lows. Nationally business sentiment reached the lowest level since 2011.
- Gas prices fell a penny yesterday. Statewide the average price for regular unleaded is $3.40 per gallon – two cents higher than a week ago. In Palm Beach County the average price is $3.60 per gallon, which is the second highest in the state.