TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Today, FloridaCommerce announced that Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) is available to Florida businesses and residents whose employment or self-employment was lost or interrupted as a direct result of the May 2024 North Florida Tornadoes and are not eligible for regular state or federal Reemployment Assistance benefits. Eligible Floridians whose employment or self-employment was lost or interrupted as a direct result of the May North Florida Tornadoes are encouraged to submit a claim at FloridaJobs.org.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of Thomas Hobbs and Brian McElfatrick to the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – On Friday, June 21, Governor DeSantis signed a contentious ethics bill into law that will make it significantly more challenging for Floridians to file ethics complaints against government officials accused of violating the public trust. The law also imposes new restrictions on local ethics boards, such as those in Miami and Tallahassee, which will no longer be able to pursue self-initiated investigations from anonymous credible whistleblowers. This legislation is set to take effect on July 1.
Attorney General Ashley Moody’s Office of Statewide Prosecution has announced the arrest of six individuals accused of stealing nearly $250,000 from Florida seniors through grandparent scams. The Miami-Dade Police Department’s Vice Intelligence Squad reported that the defendants posed as lawyers or legal representatives of the victims' grandchildren, claiming the grandchildren were arrested after hitting a pregnant woman with a vehicle and needed bail money.
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — FloridaCommerce announced today that the Fort Lauderdale metro area led in job gains over the past year in trade, transportation, and utilities (+6,500 jobs); government (+4,500 jobs); and other services (+3,900 jobs). The total nonagricultural employment for the area in May 2024 was 932,200, marking an increase of 21,100 jobs (+2.3 percent) over the year. Private sector employment in Fort Lauderdale rose by 16,600 jobs (+2.1 percent) during the same period.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of Michael Caschette and Eileen LaMarca to the Broward College District Board of Trustees.
Tallahassee, Fla. – Florida TaxWatch released "Social Determinants of Health: Health Care Access and Quality," the first economic commentary in a series exploring social determinants of health as defined by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The taxpayer research institute focuses on health care access and quality in this initial commentary.
Port Canaveral is a world-class, highly efficient deep-water seaport connecting commerce and consumers throughout Florida and the southeastern United States. Located directly on the main Atlantic shipping lanes on the East Coast of Florida, Port Canaveral serves as a unique quadra-modal transportation hub linking sea, land, air, and space with the benefits of easy and efficient highway access, unrestricted air draft, 43-foot deep-water sea access, and multipurpose berthing.
Since the inception of The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) Vessel Turn-In Program in late 2022, the FWC has received 186 applications from owners of at-risk or unwanted vessels. The first two vessels removed through this program were taken from Pasco and Pinellas counties in early March 2023, and the 100th vessel was removed from Wakulla County on June 7.
Today, Governor Ron DeSantis signed four bills into law. The legislation includes CS/CS/HB 885, which addresses coverage for biomarker testing; CS/CS/CS/SB 1582, pertaining to the Department of Health; CS/SB 7072, focused on cancer funding; and SB 7078, concerning public records.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla - FloridaCommerce has expressed support for Governor Ron DeSantis' strategic investments aimed at fostering economic growth and development in the Fiscal Year 2024-25 Focus on Florida's Future Budget. Under Governor DeSantis' leadership, Florida has achieved significant milestones over the past five years, including being named the nation's top economy and ranking first in higher education, talent development, net in-migration, and entrepreneurship. The state now boasts the 14th largest global economy with more businesses formed since 2019 than any other state.
Today, the Office of Financial Regulation (OFR) underscored its achievements following the signing of the Fiscal Year 2024-25 Focus on Florida’s Future Budget by Governor Ron DeSantis.
The country lost a patriot and the conservative movement lost a giant in the battle for liberty. An early founding scholar at The James Madison Institute (JMI) and a member of JMI’s Research Advisory Council, economist Dr. James Gwartney passed away Sunday at the age of 83.
The James Madison Institute (JMI) has released a new policy brief titled "Reducing the Burden of Sales Taxes in Florida." The report, authored by JMI Senior Vice President Sal Nuzzo and JMI Senior Fellow Vance Ginn, Ph.D., provides recommendations for reducing the governmental burden on citizens and businesses in Florida.
The Office of Financial Regulation (OFR) has released a proclamation directed at Florida state-chartered financial institutions and securities professionals concerning Invest 90L, which has led to flash flooding in South Florida
FloridaCommerce has announced the activation of the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program, with $2 million allocated for businesses affected by recent severe weather in North Florida. The program aims to provide short-term, zero-interest loans to small businesses that have experienced economic injury or physical damage due to the tornadoes in May.
Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez announced today that registration for the 2024 Florida Python Challenge® is now open. Participants will have the opportunity to win a share of more than $25,000 in prizes for removing invasive Burmese pythons from the wild. Starting today, those interested can complete the required online training to compete in the 10-day competition, which runs from August 9–18, 2024. The competition is open to both professional and novice participants.