U.S. Supreme Court Backs Florida’s Homeless Camping Ban & Funding for My Safe Florida Home Grant Program Runs Out
July 25, 2024 — This Week's Top Stories in Florida
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Here’s the latest from Florida…
U.S. Supreme Court Backs Florida’s Homeless Camping Ban
A recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling bolsters Florida's new controversial law aimed at reducing homeless camping and public sleeping. The 6-3 decision in the case of City of Grants Pass v. Johnson permits government enforcement of laws restricting camping on public property, finding it does not constitute “cruel and unusual punishment” prohibited by the Eighth Amendment. Similarly, as cities and states across the country grapple with the growing issue of homelessness, Florida's HB 1365 aims to crack down by prohibiting camping on city streets, sidewalks, and parks. Instead, unhoused individuals must be placed in temporary shelters monitored by law enforcement agencies. When shelters are at capacity, the Department of Children and Families can allow temporary, closely-managed campsites with sanitary facilities to be established. Additionally, the state would preempt counties and municipalities from allowing public sleeping or camping on public property without explicit approval. The bill passed along party lines during the 2024 legislative session and received the enthusiastic support of Gov. Ron DeSantis, who signed the measure. Proponents say the bill prioritizes public safety, quality of life, and ensures public spaces can be used as intended and enjoyed. Meanwhile, opponents of the law say it lacks compassion and disproportionately impacts vulnerable populations, potentially exacerbating their hardships.
My Safe Florida Home Grant Program Runs Out of Funds Within 10 Days
The popular My Safe Florida Home Program, which provides matching grants of up to $10,000 to homeowners to harden their homes against hurricanes, has run out of funds for new applicants just 10 days after reopening on July 1. The program was replenished with $200 million this legislative session, but high demand has exhausted funds for initial inspections. This follows a similar shortfall last year. New inspection applications have been paused due to depleted funding, though existing applicants (including those who have already had an initial inspection) can still pursue grants for home hardening grants and final inspections. The program aims to bring down homeowners’ property insurance premiums by making homes storm-ready via improvements and upgrades, with priority given to low-income and senior applicants. Since the My Safe Florida Home Program was created in 2022, 106,000 home inspections have been conducted and 38,500 grant applications have been approved.
State Panel’s Rewritten Abortion Amendment Statement Sparks Outcry
A state panel has rewritten the financial impact statement for Florida's proposed constitutional Amendment 4 on abortion rights, sparking criticism from amendment supporters of misleading voters. The statement, intended to estimate the amendment's effects on government finances, will be included on the November ballot and now mentions contentious issues such as potential government-subsidized abortions and costly lawsuits. The panel’s decision to revise the financial impact statement was influenced by pressure from Gov. DeSantis' office and representatives of the state House, who pushed for inclusion of these issues. The statement’s language now includes the following: “An increase in abortions may negatively affect the growth of state and local revenues over time.” Before adding, the “costs cannot be estimated with precision” and the “impact of the proposed amendment is indeterminate.” However, the Financial Impact Estimating Conference believed it was necessary to highlight that Medicaid-funded abortions would result in the state incurring litigation costs for the state. Critics argue the revisions are inaccurate and politically motivated, aimed at deterring voters. The proposed amendment, set for the November ballot, seeks to protect abortion rights before viability or when necessary for the patient's health.
St. Petersburg Approves $1.3B Stadium for Tampa Bay Rays
The St. Petersburg City Council has approved a $1.3 billion stadium deal for the Tampa Bay Rays, along with the redevelopment project for the surrounding 65 acres of the Historic Gas Plant District. The 5-3 vote clears the way for the project to move forward, pending a vote by the Pinellas County Commission on July 30. The legally binding agreement with the Rays and development partner Hines includes a new stadium, 5,000 residential units, affordable housing, a new African American history museum, office and commercial spaces, and a commitment to affordable housing and workforce development. The plan includes $287.5 million for the City of St. Petersburg’s share of stadium costs and $142 million for infrastructure improvements. The city will sell 65 acres of public land for $105 million, below appraised value, and issue bonds to cover its share of the costs. The Rays will contribute $700 million and cover any cost overruns. The team and Hines have pledged $50 million toward community benefits like workforce housing and development. Critics argue that the deal is a corporate giveaway and lacks enforceable commitments on affordable housing and environmental standards. The decision marks a significant milestone in securing the Rays' presence in St. Petersburg for the next 30 years, and supporters celebrate the project as a major investment in the city's future, with expected economic benefits and job creation. Construction is set to begin next year on the $6.5 billion project.
Federal Trial Begins in Florida’s Terminations of Medicaid Coverage
A federal class-action lawsuit has begun in Florida, alleging that the state improperly cut off Medicaid coverage to patients without an opportunity to prove eligibility. The case centers on accusations that Florida violated patients’ constitutional rights to due process and fair hearings under the Medicaid Act after being notified of their loss of government-subsidized health coverage. Since April 2023, Florida has removed 1.8 million individuals from their Medicaid rolls, with many losing coverage because they were determined to be ineligible as their income surpassed the state's strict limits. The removal coincided with the end of federal COVID-related protections that saw as many as 5.7 million Floridians enrolled in Medicaid through March 2023. Plaintiffs argue that standardized notices failed to explain why they were cut off and didn't offer a fair chance to appeal. The lawsuit seeks to reinstate coverage for those improperly cut off and force the state to reissue determinations. The outcome has implications for hundreds of thousands of patients who could potentially see their healthcare coverage reinstated.
Appellate Court Rules Suspects in DeSantis’ Voter Fraud Crackdown Can Face Charges
Two voter fraud cases that stemmed from the high-profile crackdown by Gov. Ron DeSantis' election fraud office and were originally dismissed have been overturned by appellate courts. The charges were initially rejected by judges in Miami-Dade and Broward counties, who ruled that the attorney general’s statewide prosecutors didn't have jurisdiction. However, the Republican-led Legislature then clarified state law, enabling statewide prosecutors to handle such cases. Now, two appellate courts have ruled that the charges against two South Florida defendants accused of illegally voting can be reinstated, potentially leading to jail time. In 2022, DeSantis announced his newly created Office of Election Crimes and Security arrested 20 people with voter fraud after they were found to have cast a ballot in the 2020 election despite being ineligible due to prior felony convictions. The arrests were widely criticized after it was revealed that the felons were issued voter ID cards by the state, which allowed them to vote in the 2020 presidential election. highlight issues with DeSantis' Division of Elections, which issued voter ID cards to individuals with prior convictions, making them ineligible to vote. The defendants are deciding whether to appeal to the Florida Supreme Court.
Florida Health Department Hack Exposes 20,000 Patient Records
A cyberattack on the Florida Department of Health has resulted in the release of over 20,000 confidential patient records, including HIV diagnoses, lab results, doctor’s notes, and immunization history, on the dark web. The hack was carried out by the international RansomHub group, which demanded an undisclosed sum to prevent the release of records, but the state refused to pay, citing its no-ransom policy. Hackers also exposed patients' personal information, including full names, birth dates, addresses, insurance details, and Social Security numbers. The breach is one of the worst in Florida's history, with the affected system still down. The Department of Health will notify patients whose information was compromised.
Treasury Department Warns Florida’s Anti-Woke Banking Laws Are a National Security Risk
The U.S. Treasury Department is warning that state laws prohibiting banks from considering environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors, such as recent legislation in Florida, could impact efforts to counter money laundering and terrorism financing. In a letter sent to lawmakers, the Treasury singled out a Florida law, signed by Gov. DeSantis in 2023, that restricts state and local government investment decisions and contracting processes from considering non-financial factors when doing business. The law also bans banks and the financial sector from discriminating against customers for their religious, political, or social beliefs and using “social credit scores.” The Treasury expressed concern that “such laws create uncertainty and may inhibit” national security by weakening federal agencies' work; thus, increasing the risk of international and transnational drug traffickers, criminals, terrorists, and corrupt foreign officials exploiting the “U.S. financial system to launder money [and] evade sanctions.”
Florida Supreme Court Justice Under Scrutiny for Conflict of Interest Involving Wife's Campaign Donation
Florida Supreme Court Justice Charles Canady faces conflict-of-interest questions for not disclosing potential conflicts of interest involving his wife, state Representative Jennifer Canady, and a $10,000 campaign contribution. According to reporting by investigative journalism non-profit ProPublica, in December, the Florida Supreme Court received a request to hear a challenge to the Seminole Tribe of Florida’s exclusive rights to sports betting in the state. The petition was filed by a rival gaming company and had significant consequences worth billions to the Seminole Tribe. Just five days after the tribe asked the Court to reject the challenge, they wrote a $10,000 campaign check to the political action committee of state Rep. Jennifer Canady, the wife of longtime Justice Charles Canady. Months later, the Court and Justice Canady voted to reject the challenge and uphold the Seminole Tribe’s gaming compact with the State of Florida. Neither the donation nor the connection to the tribe was publicly disclosed despite adopted ABA guidance requiring such transparency. The Seminoles’ made over 100 donations to state lawmakers in 2023, but few were as large as the contribution to Canady. They told ProPublica that any donation is “purely coincidental.” Additionally, the Supreme Court justice did not recuse himself from a constitutional challenge on Florida’s six-week abortion ban law that was co-sponsored by his wife, which was ruled constitutional in April. Rep. Jennifer Canady is set to become House speaker in 2028, a role that will guarantee outsized influence on crafting legislation and amassing major contributions from influential corporations. Both the legislation and the corporations could potentially come before her husband in the Supreme Court.
Hillsborough County’s Proposed $10B Budget
With revenue growth projected at a slower rate than in previous years, Hillsborough County's proposed $10.1 billion budget for Fiscal Year 2025 includes a property tax shift to enhance fire rescue and sheriff's office services in unincorporated areas. Residents in Tampa, Temple Terrace, and Plant City would see a modest property tax decrease, while funds would be redirected to support growing demands for public safety and transportation services in unincorporated areas. The budget aims to reduce response times by adding personnel and facilities, including one-time capital expenditures that include two new fire stations, three station replacements, and the addition of a new fire rescue unit. The sheriff's office would receive $653 million, with allocations set aside to relocate the sheriff’s headquarters to Brandon, establish a regional K9 training facility, and expand the Medical Examiner's Office. The Hillsborough County Fire Rescue would receive $291 million in funding. The budget also adds infrastructure improvements for roadway pavement preservation, water/wastewater, solid waste, bridges, sidewalks, parks, and trails, the latter would include full funding for the Upper Tampa Bay Trail. $12.7 million will go to a new 50,000-square-foot African American Arts and Cultural Center. Hillsborough County property values are about 7.0% higher than FY 24, with flat sales tax growth and inflation driving higher costs. The proposed budget represents a $1.1 billion increase over the current year's budget, and meet again on July 31 to review and refine it before final approval in September.
Best Food City in America? St. Petersburg?
A new study by InsureMyTrip names St. Petersburg, Florida, as the best food city in America, surpassing notable culinary heavyweights like New York City, New Orleans, Chicago, and San Francisco. The study calculated the average online ratings of restaurants and cafes across 99 of the most populated American cities, factoring in the cost of meals and experiences such as local cooking classes to inform rankings. St. Pete scored 7.16 out of 10, finding the average restaurant held a 4.41 rating and a relatively low dining cost, which was determined at $58 for a three-course meal. Despite the accolade, many locals are skeptical and feel the title may be premature, highlighting the study’s questionable methodology including reliance on online reviews over input from food critics or culinary experts and criticisms that the city lacks ethnic diversity in cuisine. St. Petersburg also lacks a single Michelin-star restaurant. However, what most people agree on is that while St. Petersburg’s food scene is evolving and growing, it has the potential to earn top-tier status in the years ahead.
Tallest in Tampa: Construction Begins on ONE Tampa
Crews have broken ground on ONE Tampa, a 42-story luxury condominium set to become Tampa's tallest residential tower. The 510-foot high-rise is located across from Curtis Hixon Park and will feature 225 units, with condos starting at $1 million. Developed by Kolter Urban, over 50% of the units have already been sold and generated $200 million in sales in just four months. The top level of ONE Tampa will boast three penthouse suites and offer a two-floor amenity deck with a pool, spa, fitness center, social club, F1 racing simulator, golf simulator, co-working space, and guest suites. Initially planned to stand 633 feet tall, the project faced opposition due to height concerns raised by the Hillsborough County Aviation Commission regarding the potential impact on flights to and from Tampa International Airport. Additionally, preservationists voiced their disapproval of the project's demolition of two historic buildings built in 1895 and 1912 to make way for the development. ONE Tampa is set to open in 2026.
Hillsborough School District Sues Hillsborough County
The Hillsborough school district is suing the county for delaying a tax referendum intended to fund teacher salaries. The lawsuit follows the Hillsborough County Commission's unexpected vote on July 17 to postpone the referendum until 2026 after citing concerns over double taxation during high inflation and following public criticism. The school district seeks to place the tax referendum on the November 2024 ballot. The referendum proposes a one-millage property tax increase to boost teacher and staff pay, aiming to make Hillsborough competitive with surrounding districts. The tax hike would provide $177 million for boosting school district salaries and result in an increase of $281 annually for the average homeowner. However, the measure won't appear this fall unless the court rules in favor of the district, who argue that the county violated state law by unilaterally delaying the timing of the referendum. They also voted to reduce the school district's share of the Community Investment Tax, which funds capital projects and school construction, from 25% to 5%. As Hillsborough faces 500 teaching vacancies and about 300 unfilled staff roles, the lawsuit aims for an expedited ruling to meet the August 20 deadline for the November ballot. Meanwhile, Gov. DeSantis weighed in on the issue, criticizing school officials for pushing to raise property taxes amid high inflation.
University of Florida President Resigns
Ben Sasse, the University of Florida president of less than two years, has announced his resignation effective July 31, citing his wife's health issues. Sasse will leave the role to focus on taking care of his wife and family following her recent epilepsy diagnosis that follows an aneurysm and series of strokes in 2007. "Melissa's recent epilepsy diagnosis and memory issues have been hard. Gator Nation needs a president who can keep charging hard; Melissa deserves a husband who can pull his weight," Sasse said in a statement. He plans to remain involved with UF. Sasse is a former U.S. senator from Nebraska, a moderate Republican who garnered scrutiny among some faculty and the student body when he was named a finalist for the job. The university’s board will announce an interim leader shortly and initiate a search for a new president.
Related: Former UF President to Serve as Interim
The University of Florida's Board of Trustees has voted to confirm former president Kent Fuchs as interim president to replace Ben Sasse following his resignation. Fuchs, who served as president from 2015 to 2023, will start August 1. Celebrated for leading the school to its highest-ever national ranking, he entered into a faculty role to teach electrical engineering following his retirement.
Regulators to Decide Double-Digit Increase to Citizens Property Insurance Rates
The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) will hold a public hearing on August 1 to review proposed double-digit rate increases by Citizens Property Insurance Corp. for 2025. Approved by the Citizens Board of Governors, the proposal includes a 13.5% average hike for the most common homeowners' policy, known as "multi-peril" coverage, and a 14.2% increase for condominium-unit owners. All other personal lines of insurance would see an average 14% rise. The OIR can approve or modify Citizens’ rate proposal. The increase would apply to more than 1.1 million policies across the state.
Climate Change Claims a Victim: Rare Key Largo Tree Cactus Goes Extinct as Sea Levels Rise
In a somber revelation, scientists have found that the Key Largo tree, a rare species of cactus native to Florida's John Pennekamp State Park, has gone locally extinct due to the effects of climate change. Scientists believe sea level rise, salty groundwater, and hurricanes are responsible for the Key Largo trees’ demise, making it the first recorded species in the U.S. to face local extinction due to climate change. The tropical cactus once thrived with a population spanning two acres in Key Largo, and other rare species of cacti in the region face a similar risk of being imperiled. While extinct from the U.S. ecosystem, the Key Largo tree cactus can be found in coastal areas of Cuba and the Bahamas.
Polk County Seeks to Fill 300+ Teacher Vacancies
Polk County Public Schools (PCPS) are seeking to fill 314 teacher openings and 150 non-instructional positions with less than a month left before the new school year. The instructional positions available range from pre-kindergarten teachers to high school advanced placement roles. With Polk County being one of the fastest-growing areas in the nation, the district is aggressively recruiting through job fairs, college visits, and national and international outreach. Starting salaries for first-year teachers are $47,500, with additional pay for advanced degrees. The current number of vacancies is lower than last year when the district had 453 openings. There are about 7,000 teachers employed with PCPS.
New Lakeland VA Clinic Opens
Lakeland's Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic has moved into a new, state-of-the-art facility with a ribbon-cutting ceremony scheduled for July 26. The $100 million project located at 2080 Meadowland Park Blvd offers a significant upgrade, with the new two-story clinic boasting 121,000 square feet of usable space, nearly five times larger than the previous location. Equipped with modern features and technology, the clinic has expanded its staff to 235 employees and is expected to serve approximately 23,000 veterans annually, a marked increase from the 9,000 served at the previous site. The new facility began providing care to Polk County's more than 49,000 veterans in May, offering increased access to primary and mental healthcare and a range of outpatient services. The site does not have a walk-in clinic, urgent care, or emergency room capabilities.
Major Florida Donor to Biden Abandons Kamala Harris
Prominent Florida personal injury attorney and major Biden donor John Morgan announced he won't fundraise for Kamala Harris if she's the nominee, citing her progressive policies and slim chances of winning. Morgan, a self-described moderate Democrat, believes Republicans would relish the opportunity to campaign against Harris, believing she is too progressive to win the general election. He informed the Biden National Finance Committee of his decision to halt fundraising after Biden endorsed Harris and interpreted the president’s endorsement as a rebuke to those who pressured him to step aside, suggesting he knows she'll face greater challenges against Trump.
New Pickleball Facility and Restaurant Coming Soon to St. Petersburg
A new pickleball facility and restaurant are set to open at The Factory in St. Petersburg’s Warehouse Arts District. The St. Pete Athletic, Paddle & Social Club will feature 14 indoor pickleball courts, two padel courts (similar to pickleball), and six table tennis tables. The 45,000-square-foot club will include a restaurant, bar, and craft beer spot run by the local owners of Green Bench Brewing Co. and Intermezzo Coffee & Cocktails. The facility will also feature a pro shop, fitness studio, and gym. It will be open to the public, but memberships will be offered to provide early access and discounts on court bookings, savings on food and beverages, and exclusive access to lounge spaces and events. expected to open in early 2025, will offer memberships but remain open to the public. Projected to open in early 2025, the club aims to address the shortage of courts locally and make paddle sports more accessible to all.
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