Florida News That Impacts You – May 17th, 2024
Bottom Line: Your daily recap of the biggest news from around the state that impacts you in South Florida.
- Florida experienced record tourism yet again last year. Revised annual reporting from Visit Florida shows 140.3 million visitors came to the state last year, an increase of 2.3% over 2022’s record. Additionally Visit Florida announced record tourism for the first quarter of this year with over 40.6 million visitors – the most in any quarter in Florida’s history.
- Governor DeSantis has signed 14 bills into law over the past couple of days. Among them are the Energy Resources bill, which as of July 1st will ban windmills both on land and in Florida’s waters in addition to removing incentives for state and local governments to purchase EVs. The Foreign Investments by the State Board of Administration law immediately tasks the state with an investigation into foreign investments within the state by the Chinese government, the Chinese Communist Party and Chinese companies. The state will the direct the sale of identified assets starting September 1st of this year with completion to occur by September 1st of next year. Other new laws include this year’s Affordable Housing law directing resources across the state for the construction of new affordable housing units, the Student Transportation Safety law aimed at improving school bus safety, and safety for students entering and exiting school buses at stops. The Violations Against Vulnerable Road Users law raises the penalties for moving violations around disabled motorists and vulnerable people on Florida’s roadways.
- Palm Beach County School Board member Alexandria Ayala, who represents District 2, has decided not to run for reelection. First elected in 2020, Ayala says one term is enough.
- Hot again today highs in the low 90’s, which is about 10 degrees higher than usual for this date. Highs in the 90’s are expected throughout the weekend with showers likely Sunday into Monday.
- Gas prices dropped a penny on Thursday. The average price statewide for regular unleaded is currently $3.48 per gallon. In Palm Beach County the average price is $3.69 per gallon, in Martin the average is $3.54 and in Indian River County the average is $3.44 per gallon.