NASA’s Artemis I moon mission delayed, DeSantis suspends Broward County school board members, Crist names a running mate, and more...
September 1, 2022 — This Week's Top Stories in Florida
Welcome to the this week’s edition of Floridian Today, a newsletter about all things Florida — from politics, business, real estate, and climate. These are the most important stories in the Sunshine State that you need to know. If you’d like to sign-up to never miss an update, you can do so here:
Here’s what is happening in Florida…
Launch of NASA’s Artemis I moon mission delayed
Cape Canaveral’s Kennedy Space Center was supposed to be the site of NASA’s historic Artemis I return mission to the moon on Monday, but due to technical issues, spectators and space enthusiasts will have to wait a little longer. The previously scheduled Artemis I mission was scrubbed after a series of issues were detected in the moments leading up to launch. First, a hydrogen leak was identified during fueling, then a separate hydrogen issue began with a “bleed” of the liquid that chills the main engines before flight. The hydrogen was only successful in chilling three of four engines. Lastly, frost appeared inside the fuel tank area which was initially believed to be a possible crack in the tank, but was later determined to be an innocuous seam in the insulation. NASA made the decision to postpone the launch shortly before the previous launch time of 8:33 AM was reached. The delayed moon-orbiting flight didn’t come as much of a surprise to experts, who advised that such issues are expected with a new, complex rocket such as Space Launch System (SLS) used for the Artemis I mission. The SLS is a new super heavy-lift launch vehicle that has been developed by NASA over the last decade to replace previously retired launch vehicles, including the Space Shuttle. The uncrewed mission is scheduled to spend six weeks in space, sending an Orion capsule to orbit the moon before returning to Earth. NASA announced that they will make a second launch attempt for Saturday, Sept. 3, from Kennedy Space Center. The launch window opens at 2:17 PM.
Gov. DeSantis suspends four Broward County school board members
Four Broward County school board members have been suspended by Gov. Ron DeSantis for “incompetence,” “neglect of duty,” and misusing their authority following a statewide grand jury recommendation that investigated the handling of the deadly Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting. School board members Patricia Good, Donna Korn, Ann Murray and Laurie Rich Levinson were suspended immediately, per the Governor’s executive order. "It is my duty to suspend people from office when there is clear evidence of incompetence, neglect of duty, misfeasance or malfeasance," DeSantis said in a released statement. Several board members criticized the Governor for taking the action, with one calling it “political retribution” for refusing to fire then-Broward County Public Schools Superintendent Robert Runcie in the aftermath of the shooting in 2018. However, the Governor’s Office accuses the suspended board members of fraud and mismanaging a multimillion dollar bond for school security, including a safety alarm that has not been installed at multiple campuses. The massive $984 million bond was approved by voters in 2014 for Broward County to undergo “school safety and renovation initiatives” in the school district as part of the SMART Bond Program. The project was supposed to conclude in 2021, but is now estimated to see completion in 2025 at nearly $500 million over budget. The financial straits of the SMART program has forced Broward County Public Schools to empty capital reserves and issue mortgages on its own properties. The grand jury put the blame of the mismanagement on the school board as well as former Superintendent Runcie, who was reluctant or unable to address the problems with the SMART Program despite his awareness of the issues. Following the suspension, DeSantis appointed four new board members as replacements, giving Republicans a boost in the Democratic stronghold of Broward County.
Crist names a running mate in governor’s race
Democratic nominee for governor Charlie Crist has named Miami-Dade County teachers union president Karla Hernandez-Mats as his running mate in his race to defeat Republican incumbent Governor Ron DeSantis. At a rally in Miami over the weekend, Crist announced United Teachers of Dade President Hernandez-Mats as his pick for lieutenant governor, likely putting education to the forefront of his campaign. Hernandez-Mats has served as president of the teachers union in Florida’s largest school district since 2016, but has never held public office. She is a Miami native who has spent her professional career in public education, including serving special-needs students at Hialeah Middle School for nearly a decade. Education is a leading priority for Floridians, but also a divisive issue that will likely put the Crist and DeSantis campaigns at stark odds. As governor, DeSantis has made it a central focus with actions to combat so-called “wokeness” in schools by limiting discussion of race and LGBTQ issues in the classroom and tackling COVID-19. Gov. DeSantis also signed an executive order in July 2021 that gave parent’s – not school boards – the freedom to decide whether their children wear masks in school. He took it a step further this year by establishing a $200 million “School Recognition Fund” that provides funding to schools that did not enforce a universal face mask mandate for students. DeSantis also advocated for in-person learning for Florida’s students while Hernandez-Mats called for a delay on returning to the classroom in 2020. She further supported mask mandates in 2021.
Upon news of the announcement, the DeSantis campaign quickly took aim at Crist’s running mate, calling Hernandez-Mats a “sympathizer” of Cuba’s Castro regime. The Republican Party of Florida seized the opportunity to criticize the choice, calling her an “extremist” and stating that she “would allow the indoctrination of Florida students.” Florida Education Association (FEA) statewide union that represents teachers and education workers defended the choice by saying Hernandez-Mats “cares deeply about children, families and communities.” FEA endorsed Crist before last Tuesday’s primary election and praised the choice for valuing “Florida’s students and respect[ing] our educators.”
Florida puts limits on dosage and supply of medical marijuana
The Florida Department of Health has issued an emergency order that puts limitations on the amount of medical marijuana a person can consume daily, how much is prescribed over a 70-day period, and imposes a 2.5-ounce limit on smokable marijuana purchased within a 35-day window. The "Dosing and Supply Limits for Medical Marijuana" rule became effective on Monday, almost six years after Florida voters approved a constitutional amendment that legalized medical marijuana. For patients that may need to exceed these limits, the emergency rule establishes a process for doctors to apply for an override of the minimums, but an appeal cannot be made if requests are denied. The emergency rule sets a limit on supply of nonsmokable marijuana to 24,500 mg of THC within a 70-day timeframe. Caps on dosage vary for different forms of marijuana administration such as edibles, inhalation and tinctures. Daily THC limits are restricted to 60 mg for edibles; 350 mg for vaporization; 200 mg for capsules and tinctures; 190 mg for sublingual tinctures; 190 mg for suppositories; and 150 mg for topicals. There are nearly 800,000 medical marijuana patients in Florida that will be affected by this new rule.
Gov. Ron DeSantis is set to break national gubernatorial fundraising records
As Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis is in the midst of his reelection campaign against Democratic Congressman and former governor Charlie Crist, he is set to raise the most money than any other candidate for governor in U.S. history. As of the end of August 2022, DeSantis has fundraised more than $172 million in campaign contributions, nearly three times more than the $60 million he raised in 2018, according to OpenSecrets. This sum is also 11 times more than Crist’s $15.3 million that his campaign operation has been able to raise. Most of DeSantis’ campaign contributions have come through his political action committee (PAC), Friends of Ron DeSantis, that has brought in over $144 million since his successful election in 2018. So far, the incumbent Florida governor has broken the record for most money raised by a gubernatorial candidate without self-financing. The title for the most money raised by a gubernatorial candidate belongs to billionaire’s Meg Whitman, who ran unsuccessfully for governor of California in 2010, and J.B. Pritzker, who is the current governor of Illinois. Both of these Democratic candidates were able to self-finance by personally contributing to the bulk of their campaign contribution total. However, DeSantis is on pace to break the overall gubernatorial fundraising record while his opponent, Charlie Crist, is struggling severely to keep up. As of mid-August, the Democrat only had about $1.5 million on hand between his campaign and PAC. For comparison, DeSantis had $132.5 million on hand, with the majority of that sum in his PAC. As a seasoned politician, Crist will have to compete with more than a relatively minuscule budget, but also with DeSantis’ popularity and rising star power that has the Republican governor floated as a possible 2024 presidential contender.
Charlie Crist resigns from Congress to focus on bid for governor
Congressman Charlie Crist is stepping down from his role representing Pinellas County in the U.S. House after nearly six years in office. Crist is likely stepping down to focus on his campaign for governor against Ron DeSantis in the final 69 days of the election cycle. Serving in the seat since first being elected in 2016, Crist called the position “an honor and a privilege” and credited his work “support[ing] veterans” and “expand[ing] solar energy” to the guidance of his constituents. The seat will remain vacant until after the November election and will go to either Democrat Eric Lynn or Republican Anna Paulina Luna. The congressional office staff will remain in place until January to provide casework and constituent services. In 2018, then-candidate for governor Ron DeSantis resigned from his seat in Congress weeks following the Republican primary.
SunPass offers toll savings for drivers
Florida drivers with SunPass, the state’s prepaid electronic toll collection system, will see big savings on toll roads thanks to a new discount savings program rolled out by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT). In making the announcement, Gov. DeSantis said the state’s 400,000 SunPass users who travel on Florida’s Turnpike System and drive through FDOT toll facilities could see up to 25% off on tolls for six months. The toll discount plan will give drivers with at least 40 toll transactions per month a 20% credit to their SunPass account. Customers with 80 or more paid transactions will receive a 25% credit. SunPass drivers using FDOT Turnpike facilities on their daily commute spend an average of $50 per month on tolls. This program could save the average commuter about $10 per month, and even greater savings for commuters who drive more often. The new toll savings program is part of DeSantis’ efforts to offer relief to drivers grappling with inflation and higher gas prices, in which he blamed President Biden. With election on the mind, the incumbent governor said he wants to expand the toll savings as part of a broader 2023 tax-cut package during next year’s legislative session. The savings began on Sept. 1 for Florida’s motorists with SunPass transponder accounts and is expected to deliver $38 million overall in cuts to toll collections statewide.
Fort Pierce awarded $2.7M grant to redevelop downtown
Fort Pierce will be receiving a $2.7 million state infrastructure grant to redevelop the 8 acres of its downtown King’s Landing area, Gov. DeSantis announced on Tuesday. As part of the Job Growth Grant Fund, the state will help fund fixes to aging utility infrastructure, reconstruct a section of Indian River Drive, enhance pedestrian safety, and make improvements to the Moores Creek Bridge. The infrastructure upgrades will serve the mixed-use King’s Landing site that is undergoing a $140 million redevelopment and will include a 140-room Marriott Autograph Collection hotel, restaurants, shops, and more than 100 residences. Fort Pierce city commissioners approved the project in February after revisions to the initial site plan. The Job Growth Grant Fund is funded with $50 million from federal COVID-19 relief dollars and to be used for public infrastructure projects and supporting workforce opportunities to include job training. The state estimates the funding to Fort Pierce will create 1,300 jobs and have a fiscal impact of $5 million.
Federal judge rules against ‘Stop WOKE Act,’ blocks provisions of law
Chief U.S. District Judge Mark Walker has ruled against Gov. DeSantis’ “Stop Woke Act,” the law that restricted race-based conversation in workplaces and schools, including banning instruction of critical race theory in schools and employee training. The 44-page court ruling deems the law unconstitutional by violating the First and 14th amendments. A temporary injunction was issued on provisions of the law that restricts racial concepts discussed in workforce training. In the written decision by Judge Walker, he referenced Netflix’s hit series, “Stranger Things,” citing the “upside down” parallel universe dimension that the state appears to be operating in by limiting free speech of “private actors.” With the injunction in place, the “Stop WOKE Act” was ordered by the court to not be enforced as legal challenges continue. Gov. DeSantis has vowed to appeal the decision. A jury trial is set for April 2023 to hear legal arguments on the law.
State receives $68 million from Volkswagen settlement, funds electric buses
The state is set to receive $68 million in a settlement stemming from the Volkswagen diesel emissions scandal. Gov. Ron DeSantis has announced those funds will go toward purchasing hundreds of electric buses for schools and public transit agencies in 14 counties across Florida to replace existing diesel-operated buses. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) will award grants to counties to purchase 227 electric buses for their public transit agencies and provide grants to seven school districts to purchase 218 electric school buses. Pinellas County’s public transit service, PSTA, will receive the second highest allocation of funding at $18 million. In making the announcement, DeSantis said the funding will “lower emissions” across the state and lead “transit bus fleets to more modern standards.” “This is a win-win for air quality and advancing the state’s efforts to bolster growing electric vehicle usage,” he added.
Developer purchases 25 acres of coveted land between Ybor City, Port Tampa Bay
Tampa has undergone billions of dollars in redevelopment spanning hundreds of acres in the last decade, with notable projects including Water Street Tampa, Channel District, Midtown Tampa, and The Heights. However, one area of Tampa has long been eyed for redevelopment and was once subject to futile discussions as a mixed-use waterfront site in 2007. This property is located on the northernmost portion of Port Tampa Bay, between Ybor City and Tampa’s Channel District, and currently the site of a ship repair and marine services company. Darryl Shaw, the co-founder of BluePearl Pet Hospital and developer of another Tampa-based redevelopment project, Gas Worx, has entered into a deal with the private company on the site to purchase the 25-acre waterfront property. The site is divided into three parcels and according to the terms of the deal, would be purchased in two phases over the next five years. The first phase would include the north and west sides of the ship repair yard and could close late next year. The second phase would follow several years later to allow International Ship Repair to relocate its business elsewhere. In a statement about the deal, Shaw said the “site will be the capstone of the Channel District, providing enhanced connectivity between Ybor City and the surrounding neighborhood, and public access to the waterfront within a vibrant mixed-use neighborhood.” He added, “We look forward to continue working with Tampa’s maritime community, which is foundational to Tampa’s economy and history, and supports 85,000 critical jobs.”
Florida Gators football begins season with new facility, head coach
The Florida Gators football team returns to the field this Saturday to kickoff the 2022 season and they hope their new state-of-the-art facility will give them an added boost. The University of Florida recently unveiled the $85 million, 142,000-square foot James W. “Bill” Heavener Football Training Center that took two years to complete and will serve as the team’s operational headquarters. This modern facility is the most significant addition for Florida’s football program in more than a decade and competes with training centers of rival teams in the Southeastern Conference. With a convenient location to practice fields and meeting spaces as well as expanded amenities, the university hopes the complex will help attract prospective student-athletes to boost recruiting efforts. The Heavener Football Training Center features meeting rooms, locker rooms, a strength and conditioning center, training room, staff offices, a dining hall, lounge area, and a recreation space for players that includes a gaming and golf center. The complex also provides athletes with access to a barber shop and a resort-style pool area complete with nearby basketball courts, a multipurpose lawn, and volleyball courts. The facility will be open for student-athletes of other sports to utilize as well.
The new Heavener Football Training Center isn’t the only new addition for the Florida Gators. They also begin the season with a new head coach at the helm, Billy Napier. Napier joined the Gators as the team’s 28th head coach in December 2021 after a successful stint leading the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns. So far, the Gators odds look good with the team ranking in the top 10 nationally for its 2023 recruiting class. Following a 6-7 season that culminated in the firing of coach Dan Mullen, Florida hopes the Napier-era, with the help of new, state-of-the-art facilities, will propel the team back to the success they were once accustomed to.
The Gators football season kicks off at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium against No. 7 Utah on Saturday, September 3 at 7:00 PM.
Gov. DeSantis takes aim at Crist’s gubernatorial running mate, Karla Hernández-Mats
Less than a week after Democratic gubernatorial nominee Charlie Crist announced his running mate, teacher union president Karla Hernández-Mats, DeSantis took aim at his opponent, criticizing her association to a “sex offender.” Gov. DeSantis alleged Hernández-Mats has ties to a former member of the Miami-Dade teachers union who is currently in jail for child sex charges. Wendell Nibbs, a former Brownsville Middle School P.E. teacher, pleaded guilty in 2020 to sexually assaulting students and was active in the union that Hernández-Mats serves as president. DeSantis criticized Nibbs’ relation to Crist’s running mate, calling him a “top union henchmen” that was elected as a building steward by his fellow teachers and accused the union of protecting him while allegations long circulated about criminal behavior. “They cared more about the power of their union than they did about the best interests of these kids,” DeSantis said. “That is disgraceful. You do not put union politics ahead of middle school students who are in danger of being sexually abused. I think that’s disqualifying to be in any political office, much less Lieutenant Governor of the state of Florida.” The Crist campaign dismissed the accusations and said Hernández-Mats had no hand in the wrongdoing by one of her former union members.
DeSantis denys future presidential aspirations
Gov. Ron DeSantis is considered to be a top Republican presidential contender in 2024 and has been subject of rumors that the Florida governor is certain to make a bid for the White House. These rumors have been so widespread that it has been considered fact by some pundits and Democratic gubernatorial candidates like Charlie Crist and Nikki Fried have used these alleged political aspirations to criticize the governor. However, while DeSantis has never stated he is planning to run for president in the not-too-distant future, he has dismissed the claims on multiple occasions. This includes his most recent denial during a press conference on Tuesday, in which he chalked the rumors up to media speculation. “I think that’s the media just speculating,” DeSantis said. “I don’t think I’m doing. I mean, I’ve got a lot on my plate here, and we’re doing a lot of stuff, so I would not indulge in some of the stuff and be very careful about what you hear,” DeSantis said. This is consistent with previous reactions by the Republican governor, referring to it as a media “obsession” when he’s not dodging the topic altogether. Recent polls show former President Donald Trump and Gov. Ron DeSantis neck-and-neck in a hypothetical 2024 matchup with President Joe Biden. A YouGov poll released on Friday shows the Biden would edge out Trump by three percentage points – 39% to 36%. Meanwhile, with DeSantis challenging the incumbent president, the race would be tighter with 36% saying they would support Biden and 35% for DeSantis. In other polls that don’t include former President Trump, DeSantis is the clear favorite against other possible contenders such as former Vice President Mike Pence and three-term Wyoming Congresswoman Liz Cheney.
Homes along the Gulf Coast of Florida expected to rapidly fall in a recession
A recent study conducted by real estate brokerage company Redfin warns that cities along the West Coast of Florida will see a precipitous drop in home prices if a recession occurs. In fact, these cities, which include Tampa, North Port, and Cape Coral, are estimated to see some of the largest price decreases in the country. Based on the list of cities where homeowners could “see the effects of a housing downturn amplified and home prices decline year over year,” Cape Coral ranks No. 3, North Port follows at No. 4, and Tampa is at No. 9. Further behind is the city of Jacksonville at No. 12, Orlando at No. 15, and Miami at No. 25. Redfin based its list by examining nearly 100 metropolitan areas in the U.S. and weighed indicators such as “home-price volatility,” “average debt-to-income ratio,” and “home-price growth.” Joining the list is Riverside, California; Boise, Idaho; and Las Vegas, Nevada, as the cities that make up the top five.
Tropical systems brewing in the Atlantic Ocean
It’s been an unusually quiet, but welcome Atlantic hurricane season with few named storms and little activity in the warm ocean waters. In fact, August was exceptionally quiet with no named storms – the most docile hurricane season in 34 years. However, that has all changed as we cross the halfway mark for the storm season. Meteorologists with the National Hurricane Center are monitoring three tropical systems in the Atlantic, with two of them having a high probability of developing into tropical depressions. One tropical disturbance sitting hundreds of miles east of the Lesser Antilles is estimated to have a 60% chance of becoming a tropical depression in the next two days, and an 80% chance in the next five. Another system in the central Atlantic Ocean boasts greater chances of forming into a tropical depression with an 80% chance in the next five days. It’s too early to tell if it will pose a threat to Florida, but meteorologists remain fairly confident that the storm systems won’t develop into hurricanes.
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