TOURISM NUMBERS VISITFlorida estimates that the state welcomed 35.1 million visitors between July and September 2022, marking a 6.9 percent increase over the same period in 2021. This fifth consecutive quarter of overall visitation surpasses pre-pandemic levels. SPRINGS RESTORATION Thirty statewide springs renovation projects will share nearly $75 million to aid the recovery of, and Read more about Issues of Interest[…]
Appointed by Governor DeSantis: Bay County Board of County Commissioners Appointed was Clair Pease, CEO of Emerald View Resorts. Florida Housing Finance Corporation Appointed were Larry Cretul, a senior government affairs advisor at GrayRobinson, P.A.; Dev Motwani, president and CEO of Merrimac Ventures; Ryan Benson, co-owner of A Vernon Allen Builder; and Sandra Einhorn, executive Read more about Movers and Shakers[…]
BONNETED BAT The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services is requesting public comment regarding the designation of 1.2 million acres as critical habitat for the endangered bat, which lives in 13 Florida counties. The deadline for public comment is January 23, 2023. FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATIVE COMMISSION The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Read more about Florida Wildlife[…]
UNIVERSITY COVID-19 FEES As previously reported, University of South Florida students filed a lawsuit against the university seeking a refund of fees collected during the COVID-19 pandemic when the university was shut down for on-campus classes. The plaintiffs have appealed to the Florida Supreme Court to have the lawsuit dismissed based on their contention of sovereign Read more about Legal Updates[…]
STOP WOKE ACT A U.S. District Court judge has blocked a recently passed law restricting the way race-related concepts can be taught in universities. The preliminary injunction came about as a result of two lawsuits filed by professors and students from several state universities. An appeal is expected by the DeSantis administration. SPORTS BETTING Lawyers for Read more about Legal[…]