State

Freshwater fisheries biologists and managers from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) successfully released 7,800 hatchery-raised

(The Center Square) — Data shows that despite lingering inflation, Florida’s economy is excelling.

The latest data from the Florida Office of Economic and Demographic Research shows tax revenues are up and federal data reveals the Sunshine State had the nation’s 10th lowest unemployment rate.

(The Center Square) — Gov. Ron DeSantis signed three bills that he says are designed to stem corporate espionage and interference in higher education in Florida by the Chinese Communist Party, its agents and allies.

"Florida is taking action to stand against the United States’ greatest geopolitical threat — the Chinese Communist Party." DeSantis said at a Monday news conference in Brooksville.

(The Center Square) — The Florida legislative session has come to an end after state lawmakers made their final votes on the budget on Friday.

Senate Bill 2500, the General Appropriations Act, passed both chambers on day 60 of the regular session and is set to be far higher than initially planned, reaching an estimated $117 billion, $7 billion higher than the previous year’s budget.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) invites you to celebrate Gopher Tortoise Day by getting involved in conservation efforts with our state’s only native tortoise, a state-listed Threatened Species. Gopher Tortoise Day is on April 10 but you can also celebrate year-round.

(The Center Square) — A recent report from the Tax Foundation shows how sales tax and local taxes across the United States vary from state to state with Florida sitting in the middle of the pack.

The report found 45 states and the District of Columbia collect statewide sales tax. Some local sales taxes, which are collected in 38 states, are often larger than the state rate. 

Florida has a combined sales and local tax ranking of 23rd with the state sales tax rate at 6% and local sales tax averaging about 1.02%, which is capped at 2% under state law.

Governor Ron DeSantis appointed James Holton, Dustin Rowland and Robert Stern to the Southwest Florida Water Management District's Governing Board.

Holton, of St. Petersburg, is the president and owner of JWH Properties, Inc., MHH Enterprises, Inc. and James W. Holton, P.A. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Stanford University and his master's degree and juris doctor from Boston University. Holton represents Pinellas County.