DeSantis Ousts State Attorney, Miami to Relocate Homeless to Virginia Key, VP Harris Announces $1B for Climate Resiliency, 965-Acre Pasco County Development Nears Approval, and more...
August 5, 2022 — This Week's Top Stories in Florida
Welcome to the this week’s edition of Floridian Today, a newsletter about all things Florida — from politics, business, real estate, and climate. These are the most important stories in the Sunshine State that you need to know. If you’d like to sign-up to never miss an update, you can do so here:
Here’s what is happening in Florida…
Gov. DeSantis ousts Hillsborough Co. State Attorney in unprecedented move
During a press conference in Tampa to announce the suspension, DeSantis cited these examples as cause for Warren’s removal from office. “[Warren] has put himself publicly above the law,” DeSantis said. "It is not for him to put himself above that and say that he's not going to enforce the laws.” The Republican governor accused the ousted state attorney of exercising “veto” power over what the Florida legislature does as a rulemaking body. “We don't elect people in one part of the state to have veto power over what the entire state decides on these important issues.” Warren “instituted policies of presumptive, non-enforcement,” DeSantis added.
In suspending Andrew Warren, the governor’s office cited article four, section seven of the Florida Constitution in allowing DeSantis to take the action. As Warren "demonstrated his incompetence and willful defiance of his duty," the Governor felt compelled to act “to ensure that the laws are faithfully executed.” “State Attorneys have a duty to prosecute crimes as defined in Florida law, not to pick and choose which laws to enforce based on his personal agenda,” Gov. DeSantis said in a news release. Warren did not fall in line with that view.
Beyond Warren’s disagreement with recent actions by the state legislature and Gov. DeSantis on abortion and transgender reassignment surgery for youth, he previously ran afoul with lawmakers following the passage of Florida’s anti-riot law in response to police brutality movements. Warren was a sharp opponent of the legislation that became law in 2021, saying that there was “no value in filing charges.” “Prosecuting people for exercising their First Amendment rights creates problems rather than solving them,” Warren said at the time. Just a year earlier, when disruptive protests broke out in Tampa after George Floyd’s death, causing extensive property damage, he dropped charges against 67 protestors after they were arrested for unlawful assembly. These actions, along with additional claims of Warren failing to prosecute individuals for less serious crimes or make a stand against violent crime, puts the ousted state attorney at odds with Republicans. In Florida, Gov. DeSantis has sought the “law and order” label, with a zero tolerance for crime and a penchant for empowering law enforcement agencies across the state to take necessary action to enforce laws.
DeSantis has appointed current Hillsborough County Judge Susan Lopez to serve as the acting state attorney of the 13th Judicial Circuit. Lopez was appointed by the governor in December 2021 to the bench, but she previously served more than 15 years as assistant state attorney for the 13th Judicial Circuit and as a staff attorney of the Second District Court of Appeals.
Ousted State Attorney Andrew Warren defies suspension, vows to fight back
Following Gov. DeSantis’ ouster of State Attorney Andrew Warren from Florida’s 13th Judicial Circuit, the prosecutor vowed to fight back against the action. In a statement released Thursday afternoon, Warren said, "Today’s political stunt is an illegal overreach that continues a dangerous pattern by Ron DeSantis of using his office to further his own political ambition. It spits in the face of the voters of Hillsborough County who have twice elected me to serve them, not Ron DeSantis.” He said that he will not step aside as the county's chief prosecutor, “I'm still doing this job as the twice-elected state attorney.” “The people elected me to serve in this position and I am going to continue doing it to keep our neighborhoods safe,” Warren stated while disagreeing that the governor did not have the authority to take the action.
"In our community, crime is low, our Constitutional rights—including the right to privacy—are being upheld, and the people have the right to elect their own leaders—not have them dictated by an aspiring presidential candidate who has shown time and again he feels accountable to no one," Warren said in a statement.
The Florida State Senate will be required to take up the matter per state law if Andrew Warren appeals the governor’s action. The Senate must submit a notice for an initial hearing on the issue within 90 days of the suspension and make a final decision on whether to reinstate or remove Warren before the end of the next legislative session.
Miami to relocate homeless population to Virginia Key
City of Miami Commissioners approved a proposal to move the City’s homeless population to Virginia Key, a barrier island south of Brickell and north of Key Biscayne, on the site that is currently an empty field at Virginia Key Beach North Point Park. In the plan, officials are proposing to build between 50 to 100 tiny portable homes at the site and relocate unhoused individuals from areas like downtown, Overtown, Little Havana and Wynwood. The project would take about six months to establish the housing and install electricity. The homeless community would allow individuals to receive on-site drug addiction treatment and provide mental health and outreach services, as well as access to health screenings, showers, and meals. A zero-tolerance policy would be enforced that would prohibit the use of drugs, drinking or violence. The plan by City leaders was met with sharp criticism by residents, local business owners, and park goers, largely standing opposed to the location of the project. A petition was created in an attempt to stop the City from moving forward with the homeless camp in the park, but officials say the pilot program will move ahead.
VP Harris in Miami to announce $1B for climate change mitigation projects
Vice President Kamala Harris traveled to Miami this week to announce $1 billion in federal spending to states to address climate change and natural disasters like flooding and wildfires. Harris referred to climate changes as an “immediate” and “urgent” crisis while speaking at Florida International University alongside FEMA Director Deanne Criswell. The funding will come via competitive grants to assist communities in their ability to be resilient against climate-related disaters and will allow states to harden infrastructure. Of the total, $1 billion will be made available for the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program with an additional $160 million earmarked for flood mitigation assistance. The billion-dollar grant program doubles spending from 2021 on programs to combat extreme weather disasters in the country.
Pasco County’s second-largest project in county history nears approval
A 965-acre project near the interchange of I-75 and State Road 52 is a step closer to approval following recent action by the Pasco County Planning Commission. Known as Pasco Town Center, the project will bring a mix of retail, office, hotel, industrial and residential spaces to the area that will bring jobs and a boost to the local economy. It’s one of the most ambitious projects County Commissioners have ever embarked on, estimated to create nearly 6,000 jobs and expected to generate at least $330 million in tax revenue over several decades. It will be the second-largest county development after the Moffitt Cancer Center project that includes a 1.4 million square feet of research lab on 775 acres. Pasco Town Center will deliver over 4.7 million square feet of industrial and corporate office space, 400,000 square feet of retail, 3,500 housing units, and a 300-room hotel. In June, the Pasco Board of County Commissioners approved the project by Dallas-based PTC Boyette with over $55 million in incentives through property tax rebates. The project is expected to be completed by December 2028.
Record heat hits Florida, making July the hottest month in 130+ years
As many parts of the U.S., Europe, and Asia see record temperatures this summer, Floridians have also experienced an unusually hot season. For those in Tampa, they probably felt it was especially sweltering as the City recorded July as the hottest month on record at an average temperature of 86.3 degrees. Not only was July 2022 the warmest month since the National Weather Service began record-keeping in 1890, Tampa also experienced the warmest consecutive months. Before July temperatures exceeded record levels, the previous hottest month for Tampa was September 2018 at an average temperature of 85.8 degrees. June was also a hot month for the City, hitting an average temperature of 85.2 degrees.
Florida’s most expensive cities for renters
Rent.com, an online apartment search engine and marketplace, has compiled the 100 most expensive cities to rent in the U.S. The data showed the average cost of rent increased between from 2021, with the most expensive rental rates located in warmer climates, in western or southern states. Coral Gables was ranked as the most expensive city for renters in Florida, coming in at number 6 in the nation, followed by Ft. Lauderdale at no. 20. Miami wasn’t far behind at no. 33 with West Palm Beach at no. 57. Clearwater was found to have the 75th highest rental rates with Orlando trailing in as 79th. Tampa ended up at no. 97 on the list. The ranking was based on rental data for one- and two-bedroom units in the last year and only included cities with populations of 50,000 or more.
Governor’s race could be decided by LGBTQ+ community, per GLAAD poll
Florida’s LGBTQ+ community could be a major influencing factor of who wins the 2022 gubernatorial race, according to a recent poll by LGBTQ+ advocacy organization. The poll by GLAAD, formerly known as the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, shows 77% of Florida LGBTQ and ally voters strongly agree that it is “more important than ever to vote because basic human rights for women and LGBTQ Floridians are being taken away by state elected officials.” This sentiment comes at a time when Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida legislature has taken action to restrict abortion access, limit classroom instruction of gender and sexual orientation, and has gone on the offensive against other measures designed to protect the LGBTQ+ community. Likewise, 77% of LGBTQ voters have either a very unfavorable or somewhat unfavorable view of Gov. DeSantis. The 2018 gubernatorial race was decided by a narrow margin of 32,463 votes and if LGBTQ voters and their allies rally together it could decide the race altogether. Perhaps of greatest consequence is that the GLAAD poll showed 67% of such voters “extremely motivated” to vote in the 2022 election, with 58% saying they were “more motivated” than in 2020. LGBTQ voters cited their top issues as “restoring abortion rights,” gun safety reforms, addressing housing affordability and inflation, and protecting LGBTQ equality – all issues leading the Democratic Party platform.
South Florida’s housing affordability crisis
The housing market in Florida has grown to be among the priciest in the nation, especially in Tampa Bay and South Florida. In fact, a new study by Florida International University suggests only 8% of households in Broward County can afford a single-family home at median sale price. At a median sales price of $545,000, homes in Broward are in the unaffordable range for most, especially workers in the service or hospitality industry. The median household income in South Florida is $74,405, and spending the recommended 30% of income on housing means they should be able to afford a home up to $223,215. Households would have to make over $180,000 for a home to be considered “affordable” in Broward County. It’s a new reality many Floridians are facing in the Sunshine State, often having to make the decision to relocate out of the areas they have traditionally called home. Since 2021, when the housing market skyrocketed, renters and buyers have been left behind and experts question how tenable the current pace is.
Florida joins national task force against robocalls
Nearly 33 million scam robocalls are made across the country every day, according to the National Consumer Law Center and Electronic Privacy Information Center. Not only are the calls annoying, they also pose a dangerous risk to Americans by attempting to steal personal data or fraudulently obtain financial information. It is reported that there were $29.8 billion in financial losses to Americans in 2021 resulting from robocalls. A new Anti-Robocall Litigation Task Force is hoping to stop the illegal calls with Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody joining attorneys general from all 50 states to investigate “robocalls originating overseas.” In a statement about joining the task force, Moody said foreign scammers act as “government imposters” by masquerading as government agencies in an attempt to steal from Americans. These crimes by bad actors overseas include “fraud against seniors, online shopping scams and many other schemes,” Moody added.
Dolphins owner suspended, fined, and team loses draft picks
The NFL has suspended and fined Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross after investigating former head coach Brian Flores’ allegations that Ross offered him money to deliberately lose games during the 2019 season. The six-month investigation by the NFL into tampering allegations came after Flores filed a lawsuit against his former team and resulted in Ross being fined $1.5 million and suspended until October 17, prohibiting him from representing the Dolphins at events or visiting any of their facilities. The billionaire owner is also removed from all NFL committees indefinitely and cannot attend league meetings prior to the 2023 Annual Meeting. While the NFL did not find Ross offered then-head coach Flores monetary incentives to lose games during the 2019 season, which would have improved their draft selection, the team did make prohibited contact with Tom Brady when he was signed with the New England Patriots and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Dolphins also contacted the agent of New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton without receiving permission from the organization. These actions violated the League’s anti-tampering policy that compromised the integrity of the sport. The Dolphins also faced penalties by forfeiting its first round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft and its third round pick in the 2024 Draft. Dolphins vice chairman and limited partner Bruce Beal was fined $500,000 and banned from attending any NFL meeting for the remainder of 2022.
Pinellas County approves a tenants bill of rights
The most densely populated county in Florida with over 1 million residents has passed a tenants bill of rights, giving renters added protections in the effort toward affordable housing. Pinellas County Commissioners voted 5-2 in favor of a countywide ordinance that would apply to renters across the county’s 24 municipalities. The new measure requires landlords to provide tenants with a 60-day notice of rent increases more than 5-percent for leases exceeding 12 months and mandates late fee notices. It would also require landlords to accept any legal form of payment for rent and prohibit owners from discriminating against tenants possessing government housing vouchers. The ordinance will go into effect on October 3, but cities will have the option to opt out of the measure or create their own rules. The added protections are aimed at assisting renters find affordable housing in a market that has boomed and outpriced many prospective buyers and renters. Landlords were critical of the changes that they say will create unnecessary administrative requirements such as providing tenants with a notice of rights when their lease begins, as now required. Others argue that the ordinance doesn’t address the main issue of rising rent costs.
Florida sees dropping gas prices for seven straight weeks, per AAA
Across Florida, gas prices have dropped for seven straight weeks with the average price for a gallon of gas at $3.91, according to AAA. However, while the news is welcome, the price is 94 cents higher year-over-year. The average gallon of gas in the state is 17 cents lower than last week and down 69 cents from the previous month.
Jacksonville’s first unionized Starbucks go on strike to demand $15/hour
Many commuters and residents in Jacksonville hoping to grab a cup of coffee to start their work week likely found themselves disappointed on Monday. Workers at the first unionized Starbucks in Jacksonville went on strike to a $15 an hour minimum wage, forcing the store to remain closed for many hours. Employees of the Ricky Drive Starbucks at 11441 San Jose Blvd. demanded they see the pay raise that non-unionized Starbucks locations recently received of $15 an hour. Starbucks HQ said they would have to wait until August 29th to see the pay bump, upsetting unionized workers. The store returned to regular operation on Tuesday, but workers threatened additional labor action measures if their demands go unmet.
Sarasota Bradenton International Airport named Florida’s Airport of the Year
The Florida Department of Transportation has named Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) as their pick for Commercial Service Airport of the Year. The airport is the fastest-growing in the state with 61% more passengers passing through their terminals than in 2019, according to FDOT’s announcement. The award weighs airports among three categories – safety, aesthetics, and airport management. SRQ has seen growth in their service offerings as well, adding five new airlines and 41 nonstop destinations in just four years.
126 pounds of cocaine wash up in the Florida Keys
Over the weekend, authorities confiscated dozens of packages of cocaine after it washed up in the mangroves along the Florida Keys. The illicit drugs weighed a total of 126 pounds and were spotted after local residents found the suspicious packages trapped in mangroves near a coastal condo community, according to U.S. Border Patrol officials. The cocaine was estimated at $2 million in street value. It’s unclear where the package originated.
Tony’s Ybor Restaurant in Tampa is closing after 93 years
A Tampa restaurant staple is closing after 93 years of operation, serving Italian food in a family-owned and operated diner atmosphere in Ybor City since 1929. Tony’s Ybor Restaurant will close its doors for good on September 2 after third-generation owner Larry Scaglione made the announcement saying, “it’s just time” for a change. The restaurant will continue to operate a catering business out of a separate location while leasing the current building.
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