State

(The Center Square) — The U.S. Senate passed its version this week of the Department of Defense's funding bill and Florida military bases could receive $582.5 million for construction projects.

The National Defense Authorization Act passed Thursday on an 86-11 vote, setting up a possible showdown with the House, which passed its version of the bill on July 14. The two sides must iron their differences before the $886 billion bill can go to President Joe Biden for a possible signature.

The Center Square -- The Florida Financial Impact Estimating Conference released a report on July 13 finding that approval of the marijuana initiative would generate between $195.6 million and $431.3 million in annual state and local revenue if approved by voters.

The initiative would legalize marijuana for adults 21 years old and older. Individuals would be allowed to possess up to 3 ounces of marijuana (about 85 grams), with up to 5 grams in the form of concentrate.

(The Center Square) - The Economic Estimating Conference met on Saturday to discuss Florida’s booming economy, and some of the shortfalls that could happen in the future.

Florida has had a huge amount of growth, and its general revenue is expected to peak at $46.3 billion in fiscal year 2023, then flatten in 2024 to $45.3 billion.

(The Center Square) — Despite an improving national economy, Florida officials predict temporary aid to needy families will increase for the next four years due to larger-than-expected program use by immigrants lacking permanent legal status.

The data was released by the Office of Economic and Demographic Research, which is the research arm of the Legislature that issues economic and social trend forecasts that affect policymaking, revenues and appropriations. The group holds conferences periodically to brief lawmakers and other state officials.

(The Center Square) — The Middle District of Florida United States Attorney’s Office has announced the results of an investigation into fraud related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In March 2020, the Middle District U.S. Attorney’s Office, along with federal, state, and local law enforcement, combined resources to form the Middle District of Florida COVID-19 Fraud Task Force to investigate and prosecute cases of fraud that happened during the pandemic.

In their 15th year participating in Operation Dry Water, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) officers spent their holiday weekend focused on the safety of people enjoying all that Florida’s waterways have to offer. 

From July 1-3, FWC officers arrested 94 vessel operators for boating under the influence of alcohol or drugs, preventing the possibility of life-altering events from occurring. 

(The Center Square) – XPO Logistics employees ousted the Teamsters Union from their workplace after colleagues in other states also successfully ousted them with free legal assistance from the National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation.

In Hialeah, Florida, XPO Logistics employees, led by Martin Garcia, successfully voted to oust Teamsters Local 769 union officials from their workplace.

In a recent health advisory, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) disclosed that five people have been infected with malaria in the United States within the last two months.

These cases, four from Florida and one from Texas, mark the first instances of locally acquired malaria in the nation since 2003. 

(The Center Square) –  Leaders from Florida law enforcement agencies are praising Gov. Ron DeSantis’ fiscal 2023-2024 budget, which prioritizes public safety to the tune of several hundred million dollars. The budget allocates salary increases for correctional officers, enhancements to officer safety, and additional mechanisms to combat the fentanyl crisis stemming from the southern border.

(The Center Square) — According to data from the Kaiser Family Foundation, more than one million people have lost their Medicaid coverage nationally and Florida had the most who are no longer eligible for benefits.

According to data from KFF — a nonprofit that focuses on health policy and conducts its research and polling — at least 1.35 million people, spread across 22 states, lost their Medicaid coverage as of Tuesday based on the latest available data.