Jimmy Patronis, Florida’s State Fire Marshal and Chief Financial Officer (CFO), stated in a June 5 video that due to litigation reforms led by State Representative Tom Leek, coupled with Florida’s hurricane preparedness program, insurance prices in the state are beginning to drop.
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.
In response to significant flooding in South Florida, Governor Ron DeSantis issued Executive Order 24-115 declaring a State of Emergency in Broward, Collier, Lee, Miami-Dade, and Sarasota counties. The State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) activated to a Level 1 at 8 a.m. for response efforts with the State Emergency Response Team (SERT).
FloridaCommerce has announced the availability of more than $6.5 million for eligible organizations through the Non-Custodial Parent Employment Program (NCPEP). These funds aim to assist non-custodial parents in achieving higher levels of self-sufficiency through employment and training opportunities. Eligible organizations include governmental and quasi-governmental entities, nonprofit corporations, tribal governments, and Local Workforce Development Boards.
The Florida Department of Education and Commissioner of Education Manny Diaz, Jr., have launched the 4th annual Summer Literacy Institute. The three-day event aims to support districts and schools by expanding literacy education resources and effectively implementing literacy education in VPK-Grade 5 classrooms statewide. The Institute provides professional learning opportunities for literacy leadership teams at the early childhood, school, and district levels. More than 1,200 educators and literacy leaders are attending the institute.
The 2024 recreational bay scallop season in the Fenholloway – Suwannee River Zone will commence on June 15 and remain open through Labor Day, September 2. This area includes all state waters in Dixie County, a portion of Taylor County including Keaton Beach and Steinhatchee, and a portion of Levy County.
Governor Ron DeSantis signed the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Focus on Florida’s Future budget into law on June 12, ensuring timely and essential services and support to veterans, their families, and survivors through the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs (FDVA).
Governor Ron DeSantis has signed the Focus on Florida’s Future Budget for Fiscal Year 2024-25, marking the largest single-year investment in Everglades restoration projects in Florida's history. The budget allocates $3.1 billion to expedite critical Everglades restoration projects, protect and restore Florida’s waterways using sound science, and fund infrastructure projects aimed at improving water quality and supply.
Yesterday, Governor Ron DeSantis signed the Focus on Florida’s Future Budget for Fiscal Year 2024-25, allocating over $4.6 billion to the Department of Children and Families (Department). This funding aims to support strong and resilient families across Florida through historic investments in prevention services, resiliency resources, behavioral health services, and technology improvements.
Today, the Florida Division of Emergency Management (Division) commended Governor Ron DeSantis for his commitment to disaster response, recovery, and resiliency through the Focus on Florida’s Future Budget. The 2024-2025 budget includes significant investments in supporting emergency response initiatives and streamlining recovery funding for communities impacted by disasters.
The Florida Chamber of Commerce has announced its first round of legislative endorsements for the 2024 elections. These endorsements are based largely on the legislators' grades from The Florida Chamber of Commerce Legislative Report Card, which evaluates their commitment to promoting free enterprise and job creation.
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 state of Florida offers a variety of benefits and services for children, families, seniors, and individuals with disabilities. The Office of Economic Self-Sufficiency plays a crucial role in determining eligibility for food, cash, and medical assistance to promote strong and economically self-sufficient communities.
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.
On June 12, 2024, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson announced the protection of a 1,800-acre cattle ranch and farm in Okeechobee County through the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Rural and Family Lands Protection Program. With the approval by the Governor and Cabinet, Clemons Oak Creek, a working cattle ranch and farm, will be preserved through a rural land protection easement totaling $6,475,000. These easements prevent future development while allowing agricultural operations to continue contributing to Florida’s economy.
The James Madison Institute (JMI) has released a new report titled “Hold the Line: Florida’s Insurance Reforms and the Path Ahead,” authored by JMI Senior Fellow Christian Cámara. The report urges lawmakers to maintain the recent reforms in Florida's property insurance market, which have begun to show positive effects less than a year after their implementation.
Shortly after the Biden administration released its rule to expand the government’s price controls over credit card late fees, The James Madison Institute issued a statement.
The James Madison Institute (JMI) has released its 2024 Policy Priorities, presenting a comprehensive set of initiatives aimed at promoting liberty and prosperity in Florida. The institute's senior vice president, Sal Nuzzo, emphasized the importance of continuing the momentum from the 2023 legislative session, which he described as "the single most transformational session in the last 100 years…in any state."
Yesterday, the State Board of Education implemented regulations to limit the use of public funds for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs, activities, and policies in the Florida College Systems. Additionally, in an effort to provide students with a factual account of the nation’s past, the State Board of Education also replaced the course “Principles of Sociology” with a general education course in American History.
After ten years of service at The James Madison Institute (JMI), Sal Nuzzo is departing for a new opportunity. Nuzzo has accepted the role of Executive Director at Consumers Defense, a 501(c)(4) policy and advocacy non-profit organization. He will begin his new position on March 1st and will be based in Tallahassee while working across the United States.