Florida's Wildlife Corridor on mitigating climate change impacts & DeSantis' $1B tax relief package
May 10, 2024 — This Week's Top Stories in Florida
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Florida’s Wildlife Corridor can mitigate climate change impacts
In 2021, Governor Ron DeSantis signed the Florida Wildlife Corridor (FWLC) Act into law, aiming to protect 18 million acres of land for conservation by connecting state and national parks, open land, and ranches. By creating an interconnected network of contiguous public and private lands from the Panhandle to the Everglades, including wildlife habitats, Florida is leading efforts to protect 131 species of threatened or endangered animals. A new study also reveals that the FWLC, if all 18 million acres are protected, would serve a critical role in mitigating climate change impacts and offset development spurred by the state's rapid population growth. Currently, the wildlife corridor protects 10 million acres of the 18 million planned for conservation. The study by researchers from Archbold Biological Station and four major Florida universities – the University of Florida, the University of Central Florida, the University of South Florida, and Florida Atlantic University – forecasts the population movements, trends, and effects of climate change on the state over the next 50 years. According to the report, Florida’s temperature is rising faster than other parts of the world, projected to increase three to five degrees Fahrenheit between 2050 to 2074, with a heat index increase of eight to 15 degrees – exceeding other regions of the U.S. Additionally, the study lays out that the state population is expected to grow to 27.1 million by 2045, up from 23 million people, and is estimated to see 3.5 million acres of land lost to development by 2070.
If the FWLC is completed, it would contain two-thirds of the state's floodplains, so by protecting these areas from development, fewer people will be threatened by flood events, which would also ease the strain on the insurance market. Similarly, with climate change resulting in warmer, drier conditions conducive to wildfires, a connected landscape enables wildland firefighters to conduct prescribed burns in larger areas and better control wildfires. Fewer people and homes developed in the FWLC reduce the fire risk posed to human life, allowing fire management practices like prescribed burns to be carried out in expanded regions. While coastal areas make up about 4% of the protected corridor, they still account for 707,811 acres of essential watersheds, floodplains, marshes, wetlands, and mangroves that can mitigate storm surge, absorb intense rainfall, reduce wave erosion, act as windbreaks, and preserve water quality. One of the primary missions of the corridor is to allow Florida’s native wildlife like the endangered Florida panther to move more easily throughout the state without barriers or threats created by development, traffic, or human interaction. This allows for increased genetic diversity necessary for species survival while avoiding the harms of fragmentation and habitat loss. However, to fulfill this objective, the voluntary conservation initiative’s success will require local land-use planning to align with this goal by incentivizing denser development in clustered areas that are less environmentally advantageous and protect underdeveloped, sensitive land.
DeSantis signs $1B tax relief package
Governor DeSantis signed a $1.07 billion tax relief package on Tuesday, aiming to provide substantial breaks for both families and corporations statewide. The bill signing follows last year’s $2.7 billion tax break package for Florida families which was the largest tax relief plan in state history. Combined with a previously signed bill for $450 million in toll road relief, the total savings to taxpayers this year amounts to $1.5 billion The tax package includes four distinct sales "tax holidays" for individuals and families later this year. These holidays encompass disaster/hurricane preparedness, back-to-school shopping, purchasing tools, and a "Freedom Month" for recreational activities and events. The suspension of sales tax will take place this summer, beginning with the hurricane supplies holiday running from June 1 to 14, and ending with the ‘tool-time’ sales tax on equipment used by skilled trade workers from September 1 to 7. Included in the law is a measure that mandates insurance companies give Floridians a 1.75% premium deduction on residential property policies and flood properties.
Moreover, the package offers significant tax relief to corporations, including doubling tax breaks for charitable donations (up to $40 million) focused on child welfare, creating tax credits for employers supporting childcare programs for their employees, and providing corporate income tax credits (up to $5 million) for hiring persons with disabilities. Governor DeSantis emphasized the importance of these measures in supporting both families and businesses amidst high inflation and economic challenges, while also putting the blame on the Biden administration. Since becoming governor in 2019, DeSantis says he has delivered Floridians nearly $6.7 billion in tax relief. According to a legislative analysis of the tax package, it is expected to cost taxpayers an estimated $439.6 million in the upcoming fiscal year.
Brightline raises fees on high-speed rail commuters
Brightline commuters are bracing for changes in their travel routines as the high-speed inter-city rail company has announced changes to its fare structure this summer. The company disclosed on its website the discontinuation of its popular $10-per-ride monthly commuter pass effective June 1, to be replaced by pricier fixed-rate packages. Brightline is aiming to manage the surge in ridership by raising ticket prices in an effort to accommodate more passengers as trains are reaching capacity at peak hours. The decision has sparked backlash, particularly among South Florida commuters, citing concerns over affordability. Currently, riders can obtain 40 one-way tickets for $399 across destinations from West Palm Beach to Miami, but the upcoming changes may limit purchases to 10-ticket packages with marginal savings. As proposed by the company, 10 single rides originating from and between stations in South Florida will cost $350 for "SMART"-tier riders and $550 for premium commuters. This includes stops in Miami, Aventura, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, and West Palm Beach. Brightline's strategic focus is on its long-distance and more profitable route to Orlando, and the company has restricted ridership on the short-segment routes to reserve capacity on trains to and from Central Florida. Single-ticket prices, including fares to Orlando, remain unaffected.
Florida teacher pay ranks 50th in the nation
Florida's education landscape faces a sobering reality as the state falls to 50th place in the national ranking of average teacher pay, according to a recent report by the National Education Association (NEA). With an average salary of $53,098, Florida falls only above West Virginia in the list comparing teacher pay in every U.S. state and the District of Columbia. Despite Governor Ron DeSantis' efforts to bolster teacher compensation, including more than $4 billion invested for wage increases since 2020, Florida's position remains bleak compared to other states. Last year, it ranked 48th. Additionally, during this year’s legislative session, a Democrat-led effort in the Florida House to boost educator’s pay by more than 37% failed to get any traction. The bill, HB13, would have raised the base salary of teachers from $47,500 to $65,000. The state’s average starting teacher pay currently ranks 16th in the country. The NEA’s report underscores broader challenges as Florida's per-student funding, at $12,488, lags behind the nation at No. 42. Neighboring Georgia allocates $14,083 per student, while New York leads with $30,867. The Florida Education Association advocates for a $2.5 billion annual increase to address teacher pay and other critical needs. Gov. DeSantis’ proposed $114.4 billion budget for the 2024-2025 Fiscal Year called for an additional $200 million to raise teacher and instructional personnel salaries, for a record total of $1.25 billion. While DeSantis has approved salary increases for educators over the last five consecutive years, both starting teacher pay and average teacher pay still lags behind Florida’s livable wage of $58,970 per year.
Delays plague Boeing’s Starliner launch that would be spacecraft’s first crewed mission to space
The highly-anticipated first crewed mission of Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft will launch no sooner than May 17 after a scheduled liftoff on Monday evening was scrubbed nearly two hours before the final countdown. Shortly before launch, engineers identified an issue with a pressure regulation valve on the liquid oxygen tank of the rocket's upper stage, requiring launch preparations to be abruptly halted as the Atlas V rocket was removed from the launchpad for valve replacement. The new launch opportunity is scheduled for May 17 at 6:16 p.m. ET from NASA Kennedy Space Center. The Starliner is Boeing’s answer to SpaceX’s successful Crew Dragon and the inaugural crewed launch of the capsule is a test of its readiness to be contracted by NASA for their Commercial Crew Program. The program is a public-private partnership between NASA and private American companies like SpaceX to send astronauts to and from the International Space Station (ISS), aiming to be a cost-effective solution to ensure safe and dependable human spaceflight. Boeing’s Crew Flight Test mission will ferry two experienced astronauts – Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore – to the ISS for about a week before returning to the U.S. on the Starliner capsule. While Boeing has faced a series of public stumbles related to its commercial airspace operations in the last several years, the company’s Starliner program has also garnered criticism for being years behind schedule and $1.5 billion over budget.
Hospital company with 8 facilities in Florida files for bankruptcy
Steward Health Care, the for-profit operator of eight Florida hospitals, including locations in Melbourne and Rockledge, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, citing it as a necessary step to maintain uninterrupted patient care. The Dallas-based company assured that its day-to-day operations, including hospitals and doctor's offices, will continue operating as usual. CEO Ralph de la Torre blamed the challenging healthcare industry for financial struggles, pointing to “insufficient reimbursement by government payors,” declining reimbursement rates, surging labor costs, and increasing operational expenses due to inflation as the primary culprits driving the need to restructure. Steward, which has acquired several hospitals in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Brevard counties since 2017, disclosed plans to secure $75 million in debtor-in-possession financing from Medical Properties Trust, with an additional $225 million possible if certain requirements are met.
Port Canaveral is key to thriving space industry in Florida, per study
A recent study by Space Florida indicates that Port Canaveral serves a pivotal role in bolstering the state’s commercial space industry. With Florida’s space operations expanding, the study underscores the need for infrastructure enhancements to support phases of the launch cycle, especially spaceflight recovery in the Atlantic Ocean. The 67-page study identifies maritime support to be a significant stress point constraining growth, with the existing infrastructure of the world’s busiest cruise port lacking the capacity to manage future demand. Dubbed the "Wharf study," it proposes six zones for potential development of a wharf area to accommodate loading and unloading cargo for companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin. The preferred option involves access to Port Canaveral, extending the Middle Turning Basin northward, albeit at an estimated cost of $2.1 billion. Space Florida President Rob Long emphasizes the port's critical role in the global space transportation network. Port Canaveral CEO Captain John Murray echoes the sentiment, highlighting the port's decade-long support for commercial space operations and its commitment to collaboration for industry success.
Melbourne’s solution to tackle homelessness, trash downtown
The city of Melbourne has removed benches from downtown sidewalks due to issues with homeless loitering and trash accumulation. The benches, installed in 2012, became hotspots for loitering and littering, according to the City, and residents and business customers struggled to find seating along Main Street due to the occupancy of the benches by the homeless population. The benches were removed in December, and so far, the business community and customers have expressed their support, citing improved conditions downtown. Melbourne has acknowledged the importance of providing spaces for the homeless, pointing them to their parks, but emphasized the need to balance this with the interests of downtown businesses. The City’s long-term plan to address homelessness includes the construction of an affordable housing community called Providence Place near downtown, replacing the nearby shelter the Daily Bread.
Orlando Magic’s season ends in disappointing playoff loss
In Game 7 of the NBA Playoffs, Round 1, the Orlando Magic suffered a final loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers, forcing an end to their 2024 season. The Magic saw their commanding 18-point lead slip away against the Cavs, who surged back in the second half with a stunning 63-41 scoreline. But the Magic’s Paolo Banchero emerged as the standout performer, tallying an impressive 38 points and 16 rebounds, with 24 points coming in the first half alone. Despite their efforts, the Magic struggled from beyond the arc, shooting a mere 10 for 31. This was Orlando’s first playoff run in five years, but the team is young – with an average age of just 24 – and next season holds promise.
Raising Cane’s to open new store near UCF
Raising Cane’s, the Louisiana-based chicken finger joint, is expanding yet again in the Orlando area. Following the company’s previous announcement to open at least a dozen new restaurants in the region, a fourth location is slated to open on Collegiate Way near UCF. The current site is home to Del Taco, but details on construction and the existing store’s demolition remain unknown. The first Raising Cane’s debuted in the Orlando market last November, which was shortly followed by two more locations opening their doors. The chicken-centric fast-food chain plans to open 25 stores in Florida.
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