Florida

(The Center Square) — A new bill has been filed by a Florida lawmaker that would divert some of the state’s tourism taxes to subsidize the state’s film industry.

State Sen. Linda Stewart, D-Orlando, sponsored Senate Bill 872. It would authorize using proceeds from counties that impose a tourist development tax to fund incentives for film and television productions. Stewart had filed a similar bill in 2020, but the bill died in the Appropriations Committee.

Under Governor Ron DeSantis’ steadfast leadership, Florida remained one of the country’s top destinations for world-class fishing, hunting and recreation.

The economic impact on our state through these opportunities is tremendous with nearly $15 billion contributing to our state’s economy. Governor DeSantis continues to make conservation a priority, ensuring that residents and visitors benefit from our environmental resources for generations to come.  

(The Center Square) – California is projected to lose four congressional seats after the 2030 Census, with Texas positioned to gain four and Florida to gain three, says the American Redistricting Project based on this week’s new Census data.

According to Thad Kousser, an expert in California and national politics and a professor of political science at UC San Diego, a reduction in California's congressional delegation could have mixed effects.

(The Center Square) – A recent experience with a homeless man has prompted an Orlando suburb to consider a new ordinance banning people from camping on public property, including parks and highway rights of way.

“We had a variety of complaints about a specific individual who had set up an encampment on our sidewalks,” Atlamonte Springs City Manager Frank Martz told The Center Square. “It included a grill, a heavy workout bag, a bunch of pets in cages.”

The man refused to move.

“We didn’t have a tool to address that,” the city manager said. “Now we do.”

• 45% of Floridians admit to re-gifting or selling unwanted presents.
• Though 1-in-3 believe it is morally wrong to sell or re-gift.
• Interactive map showing the value of each state's re-gifting economy. 

The anticipation of Christmas and the excitement o

On Tuesday, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the proposed Fiscal 2024-2025 Focus on Florida’s Future Budget, solidifying his commitment to support the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) mission to protect Florida’s natural resources.

The budget will help provide Floridians with more opportunities to get outdoors and high-priority conservation items including coral reef restoration, derelict vessel removal and habitat restoration initiatives.