IMMIGRATION PAROLE After President Joe Biden announced a program that would offer opportunities for Cubans, Haitians, Venezuelans and Nicaraguans to enter the U.S. legally, 20 states filed suit challenging the program. The states claim the program is executive overreach. In response, the Biden administration has challenged the choice of a Texas federal court as the place of Read more about Legal Updates[…]
SPACE FLORIDA 2022 was a banner year for Florida’s space industry. Over 6,000 jobs were added across 15 companies. The economic impact to the State for these jobs totaled $1 billion. Brevard County and the surrounding area once dominated the space industry job market; today, that number is closer to 40 percent. ADDITIONAL MARIJUANA LICENSES On December 20th, Read more about Issues of Interest[…]
The Florida Legislature completed three weeks of committee meetings in January in preparation for the 2023 Session. House members, who are allowed by the rules to file seven bills, had to submit two of their measures to bill drafting by January 24th. Representatives and Senators submitted bill placeholders that same week on January 26th and 27th Read more about Legislative[…]
The year started with the swearing-in ceremony of the Florida Cabinet in front of the Old Capitol on January 3rd. Governor Ron DeSantis and Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez began their second four-year term, as did Attorney General Ashley Moody and Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis. Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services Wilton Simpson is the newest Read more about From the Capitol[…]
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[…]