Demings v. Rubio, DeSantis to resume migrant flights to Democratic states, inflation soars, and more...
October 20, 2022 — This Week's Top Stories in Florida
Welcome to this week’s edition of Floridian Today, a newsletter about all things Florida — from politics, business, real estate, and climate. Reporting from the Sunshine State, these are the most important stories you need to know. To never miss an update, subscribe here:
Here’s what is happening in Florida…
Rep. Val Demings fierce in debate against Sen. Rubio
Rep. Val Demings faced off against her opponent Sen. Marco Rubio in the first and only debate of the election cycle, forcefully going on the offensive against the two-term Republican incumbent. During the 60-minute televised debate from Palm Beach State College, Sen. Rubio highlighted his legislative victories and policy proposals while Rep. Demings accused him of being a liar and a political opportunist. Topics ranged from the hotly contested issues of abortion and inflation to gun violence and immigration, among others. On the proposal of a federal abortion ban with no exceptions, Rubio avoided answering it directly, saying that he has only sponsored or voted for bills that contain exceptions and instead criticized Demings’ position on abortion by claiming the Congresswoman refuses to say what restrictions she would back. The Democrat fired back by saying that her opponent “supports no exceptions” and “can make his mouth say anything today.” On inflation, Rubio called on the Biden administration to cease spending, pointing to pandemic relief dollars that he cites as the contributor to the high rate of inflation. He supported the U.S. increasing domestic oil production and criticized President Biden’s recent announcement to release millions of barrels of oil from the strategic reserve in an effort to bring prices down. Demings, on the other hand, defended spending and pandemic relief funds to support families and businesses facing difficulty during the peak of COVID-19. "Of course, the senator who has never run anything at all but his mouth would know nothing about helping people and being there for people when they are in trouble," the Democratic senatorial candidate said. As the issue shifted to gun control, Demings passionately condemned Rubio for not acting to change laws aimed at preventing mass shootings, including Orlando’s Pulse nightclub killings in 2016 that is located in the Congresswoman’s district. The Republican incumbent pushed back against the claim by arguing that legislation proposed in the Senate would not have prevented mass shootings before he advocated for America’s Second Amendment right.
Rep. Val Demings chastised Sen. Marco Rubio’s character and tenure in the U.S. Senate at every opportunity during the one-hour debate and with every critique leveled toward her, she shot back. When Rubio accused his opponent of being ineffective in Congress and failing to pass any meaningful legislation other than naming post offices after people, a furious Demings noted the buildings were named after fallen police officers. "It's embarrassing that you think that honoring a person who was a hero by naming a federal building after them is nothing," she said. A recurring theme throughout the night was the Congresswoman denouncing her Republican opponent for misconstruing her record and position on issues. "I am really disappointed in you, Marco Rubio, because I think there was a time when you did not lie in order to win," she fired back.. Republican Sen. Rubio maintains the edge over Democrat Rep. Demings with the FiveThirtyEight polling average for October 20 showing Rubio up 47.5% to Demings’ 43.4%. The margin between the two candidates has widened since August. However, the Democrat challenger has raised more in the race with a total of $64.6 million to Rubio’s $44.1 million. Demings has aggressively outspent her opponent by roughly $25 million in the race, spending a bulk of the sum on TV advertising.
Gov. DeSantis to resume migrant flights to Democratic ‘sanctuary states’
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is planning to continue transporting illegal migrants to sanctuary cities in Democratic states via charter flights, according to his administration spokesperson. Two flights that were originally scheduled to fly to Delaware – President Biden’s home state – and Illinois earlier this month are set to resume. Those flights, likely delayed as the state responded to Hurricane Ian, will cost the state $1 million, per newly released records. While it is unknown when the two flights are set to occur following the DeSantis administration’s announcement, they will purportedly deliver 100 migrants to Delaware and Illinois. The flights come a month after Gov. DeSantis arranged for a flight carrying 49 Venezuelan migrants from Texas to Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts, an affluent island enclave home to celebrities and politicians. Local officials were unaware of the incoming migrants and scrambled to house, feed, and provide services to them, before being transported to a local military base. Gov. DeSantis claimed responsibility for the flights to bring attention to what he viewed as the Biden administration’s failed border policies.
Inflation soars in Tampa Bay, experiencing highest rate in the nation
It’s no secret that the U.S. inflation rate has steadily ticked up since February 2021, reaching the highest levels in more than 40 years. However, each metropolitan area experiences unique inflation rates, and several metros pay higher prices for their goods and services than the national average. In Tampa Bay, the inflation rate is the most extreme in the nation at 10.5% year-over-year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index. The U.S. average sits at 8.2%. The area’s hot housing market is a leading contributing factor behind the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater metro’s double-digit inflation rate and is not seen in other cities in the United States. Food, shelter, and gas utility costs were driving the high levels of inflation. The Federal Reserve is expected to make another historic rate hike in November to combat inflation.
Florida homeowners could receive $10K to harden their homes
When the lawmakers convened in May for a special legislative session to address the property insurance crisis, lawmakers approved a broad reform package that re-enacted the “My Safe Florida Home” program. This $150 million program provides homeowners with free inspections to identify storm-mitigation improvements and allocates $10,000 grants to eligible homeowners to make such improvements. To qualify for these grants, the home be a primary residence, has an insured value of $500,000 or less, underwent initial construction before July 1, 2008, and be located in a Wind-borne Debris Region where wind speeds can reach or exceed 140 mph, among other requirements. The Department of Financial Services is tasked with providing a list of approved inspectors and contractors for the My Safe Florida Home program. Following the destruction of Hurricane Ian, Floridians are reexamining how to protect their home and many are likely to take advantage of the program if they meet the eligibility requirements. The home improvements made as part of the program can also save participants money on home insurance.
DeSantis announces $200M for schools demonstrating superb performance
This week, Gov. DeSantis announced the School Recognition Program, an initiative that aims to award schools with funding for showing “sustained and significantly improved student performance” and that demonstrated “teaching excellence” over the previous school year. The program unveiled in North Port provides $200 million to qualifying schools that receive a grade of “A,” improve their letter grade, or get a “Commendable” rating by the Florida Department of Education. Individual schools can receive up to $100 per full time student as part of the School Recongition Program. The funds can be used to hire temporary staff, provide nonrecurring bonuses, purchase supplies and equipment, or buy learning materials to boost student performance. According to DeSantis, 1,400 schools across the state are to divide the funding, with nearly 100 Southwest Florida schools receiving the school recognition bonuses in the counties hit hardest by Hurricane Ian. 27 schools in Lee County and 38 in Collier County will share $3.6 million and $5 million, respectively. Six schools in Charlotte County will also divy up a total of $600,000.
Gov. DeSantis calls for the Parkland shooter to be sentenced to death, vows reform
Last week, a Florida jury recommended life imprisonment for Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooter Nikolas Cruz, a decision that Gov. Ron DeSantis disagreed with. During a weekend campaign stop, the Republican governor said he will call on the state legislature to change the death penalty law that resulted in Cruz receiving a life sentence. Florida state statute requires that a jury unanimously agrees on imposing the death penalty for a defendant, and if not, it is an automatic life sentence. The family members of the Parkland victims are calling on lawmakers to change this death penalty law and DeSantis stands by them. “...when you murder 17 people in cold blood, the only appropriate punishment is capital punishment,” the incumbent governor said at the campaign rally. In 2017, Florida amended its capital sentencing law by requiring a jury’s unanimous recommendation to impose capital punishment. Previously, a judge could impose the death penalty if a simple majority of jurors recommended it, but also, judges could depart from a jury’s sentencing decision and place a defendant on death row even if it conflicted with the jurors’ verdict. The U.S. Supreme Court struck down part of Florida’s law that gave judges generous discretion in a 2016 ruling. Reform to Florida’s sentencing laws will likely be forthcoming in the 2023 legislative session.
Homes sales in South Florida dramatically fall as mortgage rates climb
Home sales in South Florida have fallen a staggering 40% year-over-year as demand wanes amid the highest mortgage rates in 14 years. In locales where the average home price has climbed dramatically in the last few years, like Miami, West Palm Beach, and the Florida Keys, they have also seen the steepest decline in rates of home purchases. The data was compiled by real estate brokerage company Redfin and shows a marked shift from the record housing demand experienced in 2021 and Spring 2022. The three most populous counties in the state, Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach, were among those that saw record asking prices and is now experiencing a 29 to 32-percent slump in sales. However, one of the most dramatic drops came along Florida’s Gulf Coast in Collier County, which is home to Naples, as sales fell 40% from the same time last year. The rural north Florida counties of Holmes and Bradford saw drops of over 47% and 40%, respectively, but these smaller counties only accounted for sales in the dozens. Residential transactions have been on the decline across the United States, likely attributed to rising mortgage rates that have made homeownership too expensive for many. Residential prices that are continuing to soar are also to blame despite the slowdown in the market.
Citrus industry prepares for a dismal year ahead
For nearly two decades, citrus production across the state has experienced a steady decline due to citrus greening disease and severe weather events that have destroyed crops. Adding to the hardship facing the citrus industry, the U.S. Department of Agriculture released forecast numbers for the 2022-2023 growing season that projected overall production down 32 percent from the previous season of 45.1 million boxes of all citrus. Florida’s estimated 31.8 million boxes of citrus for the current season would be the lowest production since the 1935-1936 growing yields. Production peaked in 1997-1998 when 244 million boxes were produced. The citrus industry was dealt another blow recently as Hurricane Ian passed over a wide swath of the state’s citrus groves, damaging trees and prematurely knocking fruit to the ground. In 2017, Hurricane Irma also negatively impacted Florida’s citrus production by destroying roughly 60 percent of crop yields and resulting in an estimated $800 million in industry-wide damage. The state’s orange, grapefruit, and other citrus fruit crops have also been battered by a bacteria disease known as citrus greening. Unfortunately, there is no cure despite millions spent on research, and farmers are often forced to cut down infected trees to prevent the spread of the disease. Citrus has been synonymous with Florida since it began being farmed commercially in the mid-1800s and has turned into a $9 billion industry that employs nearly 76,000 Floridians.
Hurricane Ian causes up to $1.5B in damages to agriculture industry
While the citrus industry is set for a historically tough year ahead, Florida’s agricultural industry is also experiencing setbacks following Hurricane Ian. Wind and widespread flooding to fields and groves have resulted in up to $1.56 billion in estimated losses to the state’s agricultural industry, according to the preliminary assessment by the University of Florida. The assessment targets losses to farmers between $786.6 million to $1.56 billion across 4.77 million acres of land, spanning from Southwest and Central Florida to areas along the east coast of the state. The University of Florida estimates the losses to citrus at $146.9 million to $304.3 million; vegetables and melons at $208 million to $393.5 million; and horticultural crops at $153.5 million to $297 million. The actual impact and cost of damage to the state will be unknown for months as the impact could only be seen at production time for crops, for example, reduced yields or diminished quality caused by flooding or affects from wind.
President Biden to visit Florida in final week before Election Day
With a few weeks left before Election Day, President Joe Biden is scheduled to visit South Florida to campaign for Democratic gubernatorial candidate Charlie Crist in the last week of the campaign cycle. Crist’s campaign confirmed that President Biden will headline a private fundraiser in Fort Lauderdale on November 1, to bolster Crist’s fundraising efforts that suffered as the focus shifted due to Hurricane Ian recovery efforts. The trip will be Biden’s third visit to the Sunshine State since being inaugurated, but his first political appearance in Florida to campaign for Democrats since he lost to the state to President Trump in the 2020 election. As Democratic candidates across the country have distanced themselves from President Biden as he remains unpopular among voters, Charlie Crist has embraced the party leader and defended his policies. However, a recent Mason-Dixon poll shows that Floridians do not hold a very favorable view of the president, with 54% of voters disapproving of his job performance.
Nearly 100 migrants recused off the coast of Florida
The U.S. Coast Guard rescued 98 migrants from an overcrowded boat last week as it made its way from Haiti to about 20 miles east of Boca Raton. The passengers reported to authorities that they had been at sea for a week and without food and water for two days. Onboard the 40-foot boat were 53 men, 35 women, and 10 children, according to the Coast Guard. The migrants were transferred to Bahamian authorities following their rescue.
Miami Mayor Francis Suarez for president?
Miami Mayor Francis Suarez is considering a bid for the White House in 2024, he announced at an event on Monday. The Republican mayor would join a potentially crowded field of prospective 2024 presidential candidates that include incumbent Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and former President Donald Trump. "It's something that I would consider given the right circumstances and given the right mood of the country," Suarez said. The 45-year-old Cuban American has served as the two-term mayor of the state’s second-largest city since 2017 and was previously a member of the Miami City Commission. Mayor Suarez has gained national attention as Florida has been a hotbed of new residents and Miami, in particular, has attracted new corporations and businesses seeking to relocate to South Florida. He believes his age and ethnic background will allow him to appeal to minority voters. "I'm someone who is from the next generation," Suarez said. "I'm not a boomer, obviously. I'm someone who believes in a positive aspirational message. I'm someone who has a track record of success and a formula for success." However, Suarez was careful to avoid making a final decision, saying that he would assess the “mood” of voters leading into 2024.
St. Pete Pier earns global recognition
St. Petersburg’s $92-million pier has become a destination that includes several restaurants, a playground, an environmental education center, and numerous artwork displays across its 26-acre space. Now, the Pier has also gained international recognition by being named one of six winners of the Urban Land Institute’s 2022 Global Awards for Excellence, alongside projects from China, France, Poland, Singapore, and New York City. The pier beat out 152 other projects that were considered for the world-class honor. Additionally, the City of St. Petersburg released numbers that show 2.3 million people visited the pier from May 2021 to April 2022, and calculated the annual economic impact from visitors to the site at $125 million a year.
Florida’s oldest beer brand to make a comeback
“La Tropical,” the oldest beer brand in Florida and Cuba will make a return as it celebrates relaunch on October 20 after vanishing for 61 years. “La Tropical” shares a rich, century-long history, being the first beer to be brewed in Cuba in the 1800s and establishing the country’s beer industry. It was also among the first beers introduced in Florida when the company became the first to be granted a brewing license in 1896 in Ybor City. The Ybor brewery started to produce and sell the beer in 1897, but was shut down in 1961 due to the Cuban embargo and increasing competition. Now, the family behind “La Tropical” is raising the brand from the dead by remaking the original recipe that will be sold in the Tampa Bay area. A relaunch event will take place this week at La Tropical’s former, restored brewery in Ybor City that will feature the historic brew. Cerveza La Tropical will be distributed at local restaurants, bars, and grocery stores across Florida’s West Coast.
$502M Mega Million lotto ticket sold in Hurricane-battered Fort Myers
There were two tickets sold for the $502 million Mega Millions lottery jackpot on Friday night – one in California and one in Florida. The winning ticket in the Sunshine State was purchased at a Fort Myers 7-Eleven, nearly two weeks after Hurricane Ian devastated the area by destroying thousands of homes and businesses. The winnings are timely considering the ruin and wreckage left behind by the storm and are almost certain to bring relief to the unannounced winner. If they elect to take the lump sum cash payout, the winners can expect to take home $252 million. The winnings are the 11th largest in the Mega Millions game’s history.
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