Biden aims to win over Florida voters with focus on abortion rights & $200M for My Safe Florida Home grant program
April 26, 2024 — This Week's Top Stories in Florida
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Here’s the latest from Florida…
Biden visits Tampa to campaign on abortion rights
President Joe Biden was in Tampa on Tuesday, delivering a fiery speech on the Dale Mabry campus of Hillsborough Community College addressing abortion just days before Florida enacts a restrictive six-week abortion ban. Biden went on the offensive against former President Donald Trump, holding him accountable for the state’s impending abortion restriction and the overturn of long-established Supreme Court precedent in Roe v. Wade. He emphasized Trump's role in this policy shift, criticizing his support for the recent Dobbs decision as a "nightmare." Biden pledged to restore Roe v. Wade if re-elected, rallying supporters to vote in November as the incumbent candidate and Democrats think reproductive rights could sway Florida voters in the 2024 general election. Despite increasing Republican dominance in the state, Biden’s visit signals a push to reclaim ground lost in Florida and reinforce abortion freedom as a way to get there. Meanwhile, Republicans are confident about their political odds in a state Trump won by 3.3 points in 2020, focusing instead on Biden's track record on immigration, the economy, and inflation. Democrats have an uphill battle to win Florida as the party faces a nearly 900,000 registered voter deficit statewide compared to the GOP, and they have struggled to raise funding for down-ballot races.
My Safe Florida Home grant program renewed with $200M boost
Governor Ron DeSantis has approved a $200 million extension of the popular My Safe Florida Home grant program, aiming to assist about 20,000 low- and moderate-income residents in reducing property insurance costs. The initiative will allocate funds for grants of up to $10,000 toward hardening homes against hurricanes, allowing homeowners to qualify for property insurance discounts. DeSantis also expressed his support for an additional $30 million toward a pilot program for condo associations to qualify for inspections and matching grants of up to $175,000. Eligibility is limited to condo associations – not owners – within 15 miles of the coast and grants could be applied to projects that protect against wind damage and prepare buildings for hurricanes. The My Safe Florida Home program proved to be an instant hit among homeowners shortly after it received an allocation of $215 million in 2022 – the first infusion of funding the program received since its creation in 2006. The initiative gained renewed attention as a means to lower property insurance costs as the state faces an ongoing crisis of skyrocketing premiums. In the one year since relaunching, program funding dried up, and a waitlist of nearly 18,000 applications formed, compelling state lawmakers to add another $176 million in funding. Nearly 20,000 Floridians are estimated to benefit from the latest allocation announced for My Safe Florida Home, with priority given to low-income individuals over 60 years old. Homeowners received an average property insurance premium discount of just under $1,000 from participation in the program, per a legislative staff analysis.
Florida Attorney General Moody weighs in on FSU-ACC legal fight
Amid a high-stakes legal showdown between Florida State University (FSU) and the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) over media rights, Attorney General Ashley Moody has thrown her support behind FSU's appeal of a North Carolina judge's decision to allow the lawsuit to proceed. The legal fight, which could have far-reaching implications for college athletics, has drawn significant attention as FSU contemplates leaving the ACC amidst major realignments. FSU is challenging over $500 million in penalties for potential withdrawal from the ACC and tensions escalated when the conference filed a lawsuit in North Carolina mirroring FSU's claims. Moody's proactive stance involved rallying attorneys general from six states with ACC-affiliated universities to join the effort against what she deemed an infringement on sovereign immunity. The North Carolina court denied Florida State’s motion to stay the lawsuit by the ACC, finding the school “waived” its sovereign immunity claim because they have participated in the conference’s “commercial” activities. Moody's letter appealing to her counterparts in six states underscored the need to safeguard state interests and signaled that Florida may be proactive in “taking action” in FSU’s appeal.
Gov. DeSantis announces $50M for beach renourishment
Governor Ron DeSantis visited Redington Shores on Wednesday, unveiling plans to spend $50 million to renourish hard-hit beaches and bolster coastlines in preparation for the looming hurricane season. This would help provide relief to coastal communities across the state as erosion remains a major concern that threatens tourism, property values, infrastructure, and resilience to future storms. Erosion has only intensified following hurricanes Ian and Idalia in recent years. The additional $50 million allocated for beach renourishment comes amid a years-long dispute between many Florida communities and the Army Corps of Engineers. The Army Corps provides federal funding (up to 65%) for beach renourishment projects and carries out the work to mitigate erosion by pumping sand onto the shore. However, the Army Corps requires permanent easements from beachfront property owners that would guarantee public access to the easement area. Many property owners are hesitant to grant perpetual easements, fearing limitations on their land rights and relinquishing complete control over the life of the property. Col. James Booth, district commander for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Jacksonville does not plan to stray from the requirement, saying that the public should be granted access to renourished beaches because tax dollars would fund the project. In Pinellas County, more than 50% of easements need to be acquired from property owners before beach renourishment can commence. The aid announced by the governor represents a small percentage of the total costs for awaiting renourishment projects, but DeSantis says he is committed to coastal resilience, with $550 million invested toward beach renourishment since 2019.
Economic impact of the WWE’s Royal Rumble in St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg’s Tropicana Field was the site of WWE’s Royal Rumble in January, an annual match that promises to be the world’s largest professional wrestling promotion event. More than 48,000 fans from all 50 states and 40 countries attended to witness wrestling's biggest names compete in the premier competition. The Royal Rumble set an attendance record for Tropicana Field and had a total economic impact of $47,047,401, according to a new report by Visit St. Pete/Clearwater (VSPC). The official tourism marketing agency also calculated over $28.3 million in total direct spending and $2.9 million generated in taxes. This was in large part due to the 17,811 hotel nights booked in the area. Nearby businesses in St. Petersburg also saw their profits boost with local sports bar Ferg’s reporting a seven-fold increase in their usual Saturday business, Green Bench Brewing seeing a 10%-15% increase in customers, and the Imagine Museum receiving 25% more visitors on Sunday after the WWE’s premier annual match. The Royal Rumble also contributed to a dramatic uptick in public transit ridership, with the PSTA Sun Runner – connecting downtown St. Petersburg with the beaches – reporting a 95% rise on Saturday. VPSC spent $500,000 in marketing efforts to encourage the WWE to select St. Petersburg over Orlando and Seattle as host of the Royal Rumble, partnering with the Tampa Bay Rays, the City of St. Petersburg, and the Tampa Sports Commission.
Central Florida’s SunRail eyes expansion from Orlando airport to Disney World
The SunRail debuted in May 2014 as a solution to alleviate traffic congestion and provide a safe, convenient option to carry passengers along a 49-mile north-south route through Central Florida. Nearly 4,500 daily commuters rely on the train to carry them to one of 16 stations that span from Poinciana to DeBary as the southern- and northern-most stops, respectively. But ridership lags behind many other commuter rail systems across the U.S. as local residents say the SunRail needs more destinations. Now, they may soon get their wish as SunRail eyes a major expansion, with plans unveiled to extend service from Orlando International Airport (MCO) to Disney Springs. The proposed project, known as the "Sunshine Corridor," comes with a hefty price tag of $4 billion, as outlined in estimates from a recent Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) assessment. Despite the substantial cost, officials believe the expansion would bring immense value to Central Florida and an FDOT study indicates strong support for the project among residents, particularly for extending service to key destinations like MCO, Orange County Convention Center, International Drive, and Disney Springs. The envisioned expansion is projected to boost annual ridership six-fold within the first year of operation. Officials say the added route would be funded through a combination of public and private dollars.
“The Great New York Migration”
Florida continues to draw in droves of New Yorkers, with the Empire State and California topping the list of states from which the most migrants are relocating. The trend surged notably during the COVID-19 pandemic, as Florida's relaxed policies amidst lockdowns appealed to many. According to 2022 U.S. Census Bureau data, South Florida emerged as the hotspot for incoming New Yorkers with Palm Beach, Miami-Dade, and Broward counties the top destinations. Orange County claimed the fourth spot on the list followed by Hillsborough County. Even before the pandemic, data from 2016 to 2020 revealed over 60,000 New York residents made Florida their new home. Conversely, the counties that led outbound migration from the Sunshine State to New York, were Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties, followed by Orange County at No. 4.
$500M expansion approved for TradeWinds Resort in St. Pete Beach
The St. Pete Beach City Council narrowly passed a $500 million expansion proposal for the TradeWinds Resort, concluding a six-plus-hour meeting that saw heated debate over the future development of the beachside landmark. The approved plan outlines an ambitious vision for the resort's transformation, spanning 20 years and four phases. Key components include the addition of 600 new rooms across three hotel towers, restaurants, retail outlets, parking garages, and rooftop bars. Proponents of the expansion tout its potential to enhance the area's tourism appeal and stimulate economic growth, but opponents cite concerns over environmental impact, traffic congestion, and the preservation of the city's character. The developer says Phase One construction could start in 12 to 18 months.
Tex-Mex chain Tijuana Flats announces bankruptcy, closure of 11 stores
The Central Florida-based fast-casual Tex-Mex restaurant chain Tijuana Flats has announced it is filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and closing 11 stores amid a restructuring that includes new company ownership. Following an analysis of financial performance, occupancy costs, and market conditions on a store-by-store basis, executives disclosed that 11 units were closed in the week preceding bankruptcy, with a total of 29 corporate stores having permanently closed since January. At its height, the chain had more than 120 company-run outlets and now boasts just over 90 locations across Florida, Alabama, Tennessee, and North Carolina. New owner Flatheads, LLC. aims to reinvest in the chain while prioritizing aspects such as customer service, food quality and consistency, portion sizes, and the in-store dining experience. Tijuana Flats was founded in 1995 in Winter Park.
Cocoa Brightline station gets closer to reality
The City of Cocoa is edging closer to realizing its long-awaited Brightline station, with the Brevard County Tourist Development Council (TDC) approving $5 million in funding for the project's design and construction. While the decision marks a significant milestone, final authorization rests with the Brevard County Commission. Brightline, the private passenger rail company began daily intercity train service between Orlando International Airport and Miami in September 2023. The company aims to expand regional connectivity by adding a station in Cocoa near State Road 528 and U.S. 1. The City of Cocoa and Port Canaveral have expressed support for adding the local Brightline station for the potential economic impact it will deliver by bringing tourists to the area and transporting cruise ship passengers to and from the port.
Gatorland celebrates 75th anniversary as Orlando’s oldest theme park
Gatorland is turning 75, and to celebrate the occasion, Orlando’s oldest theme park is hosting its fifth annual Gatorpalooza event on May 18 and 19. The “Alligator Capital of the World” opened to the Central Florida community as a roadside attraction in 1949 and has grown to feature thousands of alligators and crocodiles, and attractions such as ziplining, rock climbing, off-road swamp adventures, a splash park, and numerous animal encounters. Gatorpalooza is included with park admission as the event promises family fun, games, live music, specialty food and craft vendors, appearances by the Gatorland Vlog team, a Mechanical Alligator Rodeo, and, of course, plenty of alligator encounters across the 110-acre theme park. Visitors will also get a chance to meet Mystic the Leucistic, a baby American alligator with leucism, which causes unique white skin pigmentation and blue eyes – the rarest genetic variation of the species. Florida residents also receive 50% off single-day admissions with proof of residency.
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