Florida signs on Disney district and migrant flights
State House Republican leaders, in coordination with DeSantis, ordered the Legislature to meet in special session to restructure the Reedy Creek Improvement District, as Disney’s government is known. Lawmakers will also consider a proposal to create a state department focused on migrant transportation, after the governor brought a group of South American migrants from Texas to Massachusetts last year in protest of federal border policy. More from the Tallahassee Democrat and AP.
DiBella Chosen to Lead Enterprise Florida
On Monday, the Enterprise Florida Board of Directors formally elevated Laura DiBella to lead the enterprise recruitment agency. DiBella, whose new title is secretary of commerce in addition to being president and CEO of Enterprise Florida, is the first woman to lead the agency. “She speaks both the corporate language and the language of economic development,” Enterprise Florida Vice President Holly Borgmann said during Monday’s online board meeting. More information from Florida News Service and Florida Trend.
Should Florida ban rent control? Why some cities oppose the proposal amid the housing crisis
As a new Florida bill calls for barring cities from enacting rent control measures, it faces fresh scrutiny from elected officials who say it’s another case of state overreach, especially as tenants feel the pressure of the housing crisis. The $811 million affordable housing bill, recently introduced by the president of the Florida Senate, would eliminate the possibility of rent control laws (a cap on rent to prevent price gouging) by “removing the authority of local governments to adopt or maintain laws, ordinances, rules, or other measures that would have the effect of imposing rent controls.” [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Sharks bitten 16 people off Florida in 2022, outpacing the rest of the world
Sharks bit 16 people in unprovoked encounters off Florida waters last year, marking the highest number of reported bites anywhere in the world. Florida again had more reported bites than anywhere else on Earth, according to researchers at the University of Florida International Shark Attack File, which documents shark attacks each year. One of these was the case that drew attention in the Florida Keys when a Texas woman punched a shark to free herself from it. “I felt like she was in a ‘Jaws’ movie at the time,” Heather West said at the time. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Are you ready to declare your taxes? What you should know about Florida deadlines and extensions
Income tax season is upon us again, a sometimes stressful time of year when collecting your receipts, business transactions and W-2 forms could lead to a refund. The Internal Revenue Service opened its virtual doors to begin receiving 2022 tax returns on January 23. This year comes with a few surprises in the form of deadline extensions due to the holidays and destruction from last year’s hurricanes. [Source: Miami Herald]
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› Darden wants more restaurants, but finding the right chain won’t be easy
The Orlando company that owns Olive Garden and LongHorn Steakhouse is looking for another chain, but industry watchers say it will be hard to find the right company at the right price. Darden Restaurants CEO Rick Cardenas said at the ICR annual conference in Orlando last month that the company is looking for someone willing to sell for the price Darden is willing to pay, according to a report in Restaurant Business Magazine.
› CEO of St. Petersburg BayFirst Financial to retire; named successor
A publicly traded St. Petersburg bank has announced that its chief executive is stepping down, and already has a replacement in line. BayFirst Financial Corp. announced Monday that Anthony Leo, who has been with the company since 2013, will retire at the end of the year. The company’s president, Thomas Zernick, will ascend to the CEO’s chair on January 1.
› 10 things to know about the Disney-administered tax district
At the time it was created, neither Orange nor Osceola counties had the utilities to provide power and water to the remote 25,000-acre property where the Walt Disney World Co. proposed to build a recreational development. In 1967, the Florida Legislature, working with the Walt Disney World Co., created a special taxing district, called the Reedy Creek Improvement District, which would act with the same authority and responsibility as county government, according to the county’s website. district.
› Building permits in Northeast Florida in 2023 down 53% from a year ago
The Northeast Florida Association of Builders reported that housing permits in January fell to 847 from 1,052 in December, a 19% drop. Compared to January 2022, when 1,457 permits were issued, the drop is 53%. The trade group said the decline reflects that of January 2019 before the 2020 pandemic. In January 2019, 805 permits were issued.
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