TVs, playsets, & theme parks: Florida's expanded school voucher program and its eligible expenses
September 15, 2023 — This Week's Top Stories in Florida
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Florida’s expanded school vouchers receive criticism for eligible expenses
The state’s expanded school voucher program has raised eyebrows due to its list of allowable expenses, which includes theme park passes, TVs, playsets, LEGOs, stuffed animals, trampolines, and surfboards for recipients to use at home. The purchases can be made by parents who homeschool their children or send them to private schools if there's voucher money left after paying tuition and fees. The eligible items are included in a 13-page purchasing guide by Step Up For Students. This organization manages the funding and scholarships that comprise the majority of Florida’s school vouchers and features a list of goods that can be purchased with the taxpayer dollars. During this year’s legislative session, lawmakers expanded the eligibility of the state’s voucher program to nearly every school-aged child and increased the per-student amount to $8,000. Critics argue that taxpayer dollars should be spent conservatively on worthwhile educational items. However, supporters see the program as allowing families to customize education according to their children's interests, and needs, and the most conducive learning environment. While some items, like large-screen TVs, may aid students with specific needs, others question the appropriateness of funding theme park passes and other seemingly non-educational expenses with taxpayer dollars. However, critics and advocates of the expanded voucher program and authorized item expenditures both argue for necessary oversight and safeguards by officials to limit the risk of abuse.
Schools removed 300 books from their libraries in the last year over objections
During the past school year, Florida school districts have removed around 300 books from their libraries, according to the state Education Department’s list published last month. The removals from shelves came following over 1,200 objections raised by parents of public school students and other advocates criticizing the materials as “inappropriate.” The eliminated titles include books predominately featuring LGBTQ+ themes or characters, along with acclaimed works such as the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel "Beloved" by Toni Morrison, the National Book-winning fiction work "The Fixer" by Bernard Malamud, and Margaret Atwood’s “The Testaments,” winner of the 2019 Booker Prize. Other discontinued works include controversial award-winning memoirs “Gender Queer” and “All Boys Aren’t Blue,” as well as the illustrated children’s books “A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo” and “And Tango Makes Three.” Responding to criticism of book banning, the education department stated that they do not ban books and that the list comprises information provided by individual school districts on the books they removed based on objections. The compiled list of removed titles marks the first time education officials have collected data on such objections. School districts in 21 out of Florida's 67 counties removed books during the last school year. Clay County banned the most titles, with 177 removals, followed by Martin County with 98 removals. According to a spokesperson in both school districts, these removals were partially attributed to maintaining compliance with the state’s "Don't Say Gay" law and House Bill 1467, which allows challenges to school books. In Clay County, one resident was responsible for more than 90% of the book challenges. Several lawsuits have been filed against Florida school districts for removing books with LGBTQ+ content. The American Library Association's latest report revealed that 2022 saw the highest number of attempted book bans in its history.
New College of Florida faces federal investigation after conservative reforms
The U.S. Department of Education (DOE) is launching an investigation into New College of Florida’s trustees and administration following a civil rights complaint filed in August. The investigation focuses on allegations of discrimination against protected groups, primarily those with disabilities, but the complaint also references poor treatment directed at LGBTQ+ students. The DOE’s Office of Civil Rights will determine if New College “excluded qualified persons with disabilities” from receiving or participating in “programs, activities, aids, benefits, or services.” The civil rights complaint claims leadership has created a hostile environment for LGBTQ+ students that is part of a wider trend of discrimination allegations on campus. The filing, made by a New College alumnae and lawyer on August 22, requested a federal investigation into the college's leadership and urged action to remedy damages. New College has dismissed the allegations as “false” and stated that they are intended to grab attention and sensationalize actions taken within the last year to transition the school into a classical institution with a conservative bent. A spokesperson pointed out that the scope of the DOE’s investigation only includes claims of disability discrimination, despite the allegations made in the formal complaint regarding treatment towards LGBTQ+ groups. New College of Florida has generated criticism and questions after Gov. DeSantis appointed several new members to the school’s Board of Trustees in January, which resulted in the firing of the former president and a series of changes, including dissolving the diversity department, abolishing the gender studies program, and denying tenure to several faculty members.
Oil spill contaminates over 20,000 gallons of polluted water at Port Manatee
SeaPort Manatee is gradually resuming operations after a mysterious oil spill that polluted more than 20,500 gallons of seawater and disrupted the port two weeks ago. A coordinated response effort involving the U.S. Coast Guard, port personnel, and pollution responders has eliminated 99% of the surface oil and water mixture. They've also cleaned up oil-contaminated debris from ships and sea walls. The U.S. Coast Guard reported removing approximately 4,000 feet of floating barriers used for absorbing the oil, along with vacuuming techniques. Initial oil sample analysis suggests that some of the leaked material is heavy fuel oil, a byproduct of crude oil refinement. However, the spill's source, including infrastructure failures or pipeline leaks remains unknown. Environmental concerns persist, with advocates challenging the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's claim that marine life went unharmed, citing potential health risks and environmental impacts. SeaPort Manatee, located at the entrance to Tampa Bay, is essential in the local economy, generating an economic impact exceeding $5.1 billion annually and creating over 37,000 direct and indirect jobs. The port also serves a vital role in cargo handling, moving 11 million tons in and out annually.
Moms for Liberty co-founder appointed to Ethics Commission
Gov. DeSantis has appointed Tina Descovich, co-founder of the conservative group Moms for Liberty to a seat on the Florida Commission on Ethics. Descovich, a former Brevard County School Board member, expressed her honor in being appointed to the influential nine-member commission, which is responsible for upholding ethical standards for public officers and employees, including investigating complaints related to the breach of public trust and issuing public reports. DeSantis has previously spoken at Moms for Liberty events and appeared as a guest on their podcast in July. Moms for Liberty has often been at the center of public education controversies since their founding in 2021, which has largely focused on school book removals, asserting its aim to protect children from adult-oriented material, and combating so-called “woke indoctrination” in the classroom. The group has pushed for parental rights in schools by opposing COVID-19 mandates, LGBTQ+ inclusive curriculum, challenging teacher’s unions, and calling for the elimination of the Department of Education. Critics have accused them of spreading misinformation, promoting hate speech, and engaging in harassment by advocating for book bans, the removal of critical race theory, and intimidating teachers. The Southern Poverty Law Center refers to Moms for Liberty as a “far-right” and “antigovernment organization." DeSantis also appointed South Florida attorney Luis Fuste, founding partner at Fuste Law, PA, to the Commission on Ethics. His law firm focuses on representing labor organizations and small-to-medium-sized businesses. Both appointments to the commission will require Florida Senate approval.
Private insurers get approval to assume 200K policies from Citizens
Regulators in Florida have approved proposals by seven private insurers to take on as many as 202,000 policies from the state's Citizens Property Insurance Corp. This move comes as state leaders aim to shift policies from Citizens into the private market, particularly due to concerns over financial risks posed by major hurricanes that would make taxpayers liable for any shortfall. Policies have been steadily flowing to Citizens in recent years as private insurers have dropped customers, declared insolvency, exited the state, or hiked rates due to financial difficulties. Citizens has ballooned to nearly 1.38 million policies, more than doubling over the past two years and growing to be the state’s largest property insurer. However, homeowners subjected to these "takeout" policies by private insurers may end up paying more for coverage. A law passed in December requires Citizens customers to accept offers from insurance companies if they are within 20% of the cost of Citizens premiums. This development suggests that last year's efforts by lawmakers to bolster the insurance market in the state, such as limiting lawsuits against carriers, may be attracting insurers to the private market. Additionally, from an insurance standpoint, despite Hurricane Idalia's impact, the industry appears to have avoided major losses, primarily due to the storm's path over sparsely populated areas with lower insured property values. The seven insurers can begin taking on policies from Citizens in late November.
Tampa City Council rejects mayor’s tax increase
In a 4-3 vote, the Tampa City Council voted down Mayor Jane Castor's proposed double-digit property tax rate increase. The mayor had argued that the increase was necessary to address a growing backlog of deferred maintenance projects and address the infrastructure needs of a growing city. However, council members decided to maintain current property tax rates after reviewing the budget proposal amid concerns about inflation, rising car insurance costs, a statewide property insurance crisis, and growing utility bills. Castor’s proposal would have increased the property tax rate by 16% – the second increase since 1989 – and generated about $54 million in additional revenue. This would result in the average home’s tax bill rising about $232 per year, with funds being used for street and sidewalk repair, affordable housing, public safety, and parks investment. The tax increase was rejected after four hours of passionate public comment that both cautioned the council of already growing unaffordability in the city and expressed concern about potholed roadways and lack of economical housing. The increase was part of a $1.9 billion budget submitted by the mayor, who acknowledged it was a “bold” ask but necessary to improve issues now before they worsened. Critics of the tax proposal, including several council members, argued that the city could find the money for its priorities elsewhere in the budget, given the rising property values that will add 12% to the city's taxable value. Supporters of the tax increase believed it was necessary to fund long-neglected problems plaguing the city, especially as Tampa has experienced three-plus percent population growth since 2020. The rejection of the tax increase means that Tampa residents will not see their property tax rates increase next year, with Mayor Castor arguing that the city can continue to provide the current level of service but additional revenue will be needed to address demands in the state’s third-largest municipality.
Orange shortage to send prices higher
Florida's orange production has suffered a severe setback this season, leading to rising prices for orange juice and other citrus products. The state's orange yield is expected to be 43% lower than originally forecasted, with production dropping from 28 million boxes to only 15.8 million due to factors like last year’s Hurricane Ian and citrus greening disease that have both destroyed crops. 2023 is estimated to be the lowest production yield of oranges in the state since 1935, with California set to overtake Florida as the No. 1 producer. The state’s shortage has forced overall U.S. orange production to also decline significantly, contributing to price increases at grocery stores. In July 2022, the average cost of orange juice concentrate was $2.89, but it has now risen to $3.36. While consumers have shown a willingness to pay for orange juice, continued price increases may affect their purchasing decisions. Florida's citrus industry, which generates about $6.9 billion in economic activity for the state on average, has been grappling with challenges for years, such as natural disasters and widespread citrus greening disease that eventually kills orange trees. However, this year’s dismal orange harvest is predominately blamed on 2022’s powerful Hurricane Ian and Nicole which caused stress on the industry as it passed over citrus growing regions of the state. Despite the setbacks, industry representatives remain optimistic about the future, with new strategies to combat citrus greening disease and more resilient tree varieties offering hope for a rebound in the years ahead.
Florida joins fight against rising flood insurance rates
Florida is joining several other states to fight against changes to the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) implemented by the Biden administration, which has resulted in significant rate increases for policyholders. Attorneys for ten states have filed a document urging a federal judge to reject arguments that they lack legal standing to challenge the program changes. The lawsuit, filed in June, focuses on the changes known as "Risk Rating 2.0: Equity in Action," which took full effect on April 1, 2023, after being gradually phased in since October 2021. Federal officials assert that these changes are designed to make the NFIP "actuarially sound" and reflect property-specific flood risks. For example, before the changes took place, taxpayers and policyholders across the U.S. covered flood risk costs in coastal states. Under Risk Rating 2.0, policyholders’ premiums are based on their own property’s “true flood risk.” However, plaintiffs argue that the changes are causing unprecedented rate increases and impose “unreasonable” and “unexpected” costs. The legal battle comes as Florida's Gulf Coast grapples with the aftermath of flooding caused by Hurricane Idalia. The NFIP, which holds around 1.391 million policies in Florida, providing coverage worth nearly $367 billion, has been the leading provider of flood insurance in the country, which is often mandated for homeowners with a mortgage. However, the rate hikes driven by the changes have led to a growth in private flood insurance coverage in Florida, with the number of policies up by 30% in 2022 compared to 2021. Other states involved in the case include Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Texas, and Virginia.
Top States to Live and Work: Florida ranks among the worst
Despite leading the nation in net migration since 2020, Florida has been labeled one of the worst states in the country for "living and working," according to CNBC's annual "Top States for Business" report. Texas, another popular state that has seen a large influx of new residents in recent years, joined the Sunshine State at the bottom of the list. The report examined states based on their commitment to "Life, Health, and Inclusion," critiquing Florida for its lack of policies supporting abortion, childcare, LGBTQ+ rights, worker protections, and voting rights. The cable business-news network’s “life, health and inclusion” category is intended to gauge whether people might actually want to live in a location and thus, work. Per CNBC, it represents, the “best places to live and work,” implying that people are more likely to want to work for a company in a place that they would also want to live. Hurting the state’s reputation in this regard is Gov. DeSantis’ so-called “War on Woke,” which was cited for the poor ranking in addition to the concerns over inclusivity and subpar health care. Florida also fell well behind other states on “cost of living,” “business friendliness,” “education,” and “cost of doing business.” Although both Florida and Texas scored low across “living and working” metrics, they ranked No. 1 and No. 2 for their economy, respectively. In contrast, Vermont emerged as the top state to live and work in, joined by other predominantly blue states like Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Washington in the top 10. These states were praised for their comprehensive policies that encompassed inclusive measures, accessible healthcare, worker safeguards, reproductive rights, and improved air quality.
Tampa International Airport forecasts another record year in 2024
After experiencing a year of strong travel demand in which the number of passengers exceeded pre-pandemic levels, Tampa International Airport is anticipating the 2024 fiscal year will see an even greater increase in passenger numbers and higher revenues, reflecting the region's economic growth. The Hillsborough County Aviation Authority, which operates the airport, recently approved the 2024 budget, projecting a record 25.2 million passengers from October 2023 to September 2024 – an 8.5% increase from the previous year. Revenues are expected to rise by $29.1 million to reach $408.6 million, with increased travel demand contributing to higher profits in areas such as parking, concessions, and rental cars. Additionally, the airport is benefiting from rents generated by the newly-constructed SkyCenter One office building, expected to bring in $7.3 million in 2024. Despite increased operating expenses of $198.9 million which includes hiring more staff and infrastructure upgrades totaling over $95 million, officials at Tampa International Airport anticipate that revenue growth will offset these costs. Airport CEO Joe Lopano expressed excitement about future growth opportunities, including the development of the new Airside D terminal which was delayed due to the pandemic, and the potential addition of another terminal, allowing TPA to accommodate nearly 40 million passengers annually within the next two decades.
Football Financial Frenzy: State universities seek millions for stadiums
Florida State University (FSU) is considering taking on $285 million in debt to renovate its Doak Campbell Stadium, becoming the third major state university in Florida to explore significant stadium improvements or projects. The University of Florida (UF) has planned renovations costing around $400 million, while the University of South Florida (USF) is seeking approval for a $340 million on-campus stadium. The proposed renovation at FSU’s football stadium includes the removal of 27,000 seats on the west side, with 16,000 seats to be added back, along with new club seating, kitchen facilities, suites, lounges, and infrastructure upgrades. Additionally, the south end zone will feature new loge boxes and breathable mesh seats. UF’s renovation of “The Swamp” is expected to be completed in 2027, and will focus on fan experience improvement to include upgrades to the seating, widened concourses, a larger high-definition video board, and an enhanced sound system. Tampa’s USF is planning its first-ever on-campus stadium that will feature 35,000 seats in a steep bowl-like environment to create a more intimate, immersive experience for fans. The project will be funded through a combination of debt financing and private donations, with construction slated to begin in the summer of 2024 and open in the fall of 2026.
Tampa Bay’s Beer Can Island was submerged 5 feet during Hurricane Idalia
Beer Can Island, a private island in Tampa Bay between MacDill Air Force Base and Apollo Beach that is known as a popular partying spot for boaters, faced havoc from Hurricane Idalia weeks ago. The surge of the Category 3 storm submerged the property under at least five feet of waves, causing heavy damage and debris but little beach erosion. Structures on the 9-acre island, intended to weather flooding such as sheds on stilts and a tiki bar barge were marred, and a food truck was sent more than 12 feet in the air. The owners of the privately owned offshore hotspot will work to rebuild much of the island and dredge sand to elevate the beaches. Meanwhile, Beer Can Island remains embroiled in a battle with Hillsborough County over how it should be zoned after being accused of code violations.
Florida man faces federal charges for attempting to cross the Atlantic in floating hamster wheel
A Florida man, Reza Ray Baluchi, who embarked on a voyage across the Atlantic Ocean in a homemade "hydro-pod" hamster wheel is facing federal charges. The U.S. Coast Guard encountered the 51-year-old Baluchi about 70 miles off the coast of Tybee Island, Georgia, while preparing for Hurricane Franklin. According to the criminal complaint filed in Miami, Baluchi claimed he was attempting to ride the hydro-pod to England. However, the Coast Guard deemed his journey "manifestly unsafe." When they tried to remove him from the vessel, Baluchi threatened to harm himself and later threatened to detonate a bomb, which turned out to be fake. He was eventually taken into custody on September 1, 2023. Baluchi had attempted similar journeys in homemade vessels in the past and in 2015, was served with a captain of the port order by the Coast Guard that applied to future voyages, which he failed to comply with in 2016 and 2021. He was charged with obstruction of boarding and violation of a captain of the port order in federal court. He posted a $250,000 bond after his arrest.
Tampa’s tallest rooftop bar set to open this month
Florida's second-tallest rooftop bar is set to open this month at the JW Marriott Tampa Water Street, which is guaranteed to become one of the city’s hottest destinations for foodies. Known as "The Beacon," the rooftop bar will be located on the 27th floor of the luxury hotel and offer panoramic views of the city skyline and waterfront. The JW Marriott hotel opened in December 2020, as one of the highlights of the multibillion-dollar Water Street development led by several notable names, including Tampa Bay Lightning owner Jeff Vinik and an investment company owned by Bill Gates. Although the hotel has not announced the exact opening date, it is expected to become the highest rooftop bar in Tampa upon its debut. The Beacon will feature a menu created by sous-chef Roy Bryant, highlighting seasonal flavors and local ingredients, with the bar offering four distinct seating areas, including a shaded terrace, that will open daily at 5 PM.
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