The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Joe Potter

MiTek to open new manufacturing plant in Zephyrhills in 2026

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Construction technology company MiTek recently purchased 111 acres in the North Tampa Bay Industrial Park in Zephyrhills and plans to construct a 480,000-square-foot manufacturing plant and warehouse there according to the Pasco Economic Development Council (PEDC).

MiTek is expecting to invest nearly $80 million in the facility where steel connector plates and builder products will be manufactured for the construction industry, according to a statement by the company. 

The new location will allow the company to retain 125 jobs and create an additional 25 jobs.

Representatives of Zephyrhills city government along with Pasco County commissioners and members of the Pasco Economic Development Council are shown at the Aug. 6 BCC meeting following finalization of economic incentives for MiTek. The company plans to build a large manufacturing facility and warehouse in Zephyrhills. (Ryan Hughes/Pasco County.)

PEDC and the City of Zephyrhills announced the plan during the Aug. 6 meeting of the Pasco County Board of County Commissioners that was held in Dade City.

“We are excited to put down roots in Pasco County and to be part of the ongoing economic development in this area,” said Douglas Krauss, Senior Vice President, Global Supply Chain and Manufacturing at MiTek.

“This new location is close to our present-day facilities, which will help us retain our talented team members, while also giving us space to increase capacity for raw materials and finished goods. We have a high concentration of customers in Florida, so this is really a long-term investment in MiTek’s future, our customers, and the Pasco County community,” said Krauss.

MiTek serves residential and commercial customers, delivering software, services, engineered systems, and automated solutions, according to a statement by the company. 

The Pasco County site will be developed in three phases. Phase one is currently underway and involves civil, geotechnical, environmental and architectural research to determine the best way to develop the site for MiTek’s specifications. 

Phase two will begin in the coming months as MiTek finalizes permits and contracts and begins site development and building construction, with the goal of breaking ground in the fourth quarter of 2024. 

Phase three includes purchasing equipment for the facility. MiTek is targeting to complete the building in the fourth quarter of 2025 and to begin operations in the first quarter of 2026.

MiTek has received economic incentives from both Pasco County and Zephyrhills for its new facility.

The Pasco County BCC approved a 10-year performance-based Economic Incentive Agreement for ad valorem tax reimbursement, job creation and a workforce training grant up to $3.15 million during their Aug. 6 meeting.

An artist’s rendering shows the front of MiTek’s new facility planned for Zephyrhills. (Courtesy of Pasco Economic Development Council)

On July 22, the City of Zephyrhills approved incentives totaling up to $2.9 million. Their incentive package includes waiving or reimbursing transportation impact fees up to $430,500 and permit fees up to $432,425. Additionally, a job creation incentive cash grant will be provided that will be equal to the amount of 50% of ad valorem city property taxes paid for the first 10-year period.

MiTek is the second major manufacturer to select Zephyrhills as a place to expand their business.

Bauducco Foods purchased 72 acres of the Zephyrhills Airport Industrial Park Ready Site in the third quarter of 2023, county records said. Bauducco, which is a Brazilian multinational company, expects to invest over $200 million in a new 400,000-square-foot light industrial facility that will employ about 600 people.

Bauducco is now one of the fastest growing cookie companies in the United States. Products that are produced at the facility in Zephyrhills will be distributed throughout the U.S., according to Stefano Mozzi, CEO of Bauducco USA. Zephyrhills was determined to be a great location for the location of Bauducco’s new and main production hub for the U.S.A. market, Mozzi added.

Bauducco’s new facility’s development will be completed in two phases and will utilize state-of-the-art production equipment and a sanitary design. The first phase will contain 96,494-square feet and is expected to be operational near the end of 2024 to early 2025, according to county records. The second phase will contain 306,506-square-feet and is anticipated to be fully operational by 2028.

Bauducco also received economic incentives from Pasco County and the City of Zephyrhills for their new facility. The Pasco County BCC agreed last year to provide a 25% ad valorem tax reimbursement not to exceed $4.43 million and a $100,000 workforce-training grant, and Zephyrhills granted Bauducco incentives totaling $8.27 million. 

The company must fill 120 full-time positions with an average annual salary of at least 80% of the median one-person income in the Tampa Bay metropolitan area to qualify for the incentives. The city also agreed to waive or reimburse transportation impact fees up to $331,000 and permit fees up to $606,750 along with providing a job creation grant equal to the amount of 50% of ad valorem city property taxes paid for the first 10-year period, according to city records.

Published August 14, 2024

New preschool opens in Land O’ Lakes

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The Harvester Sheffield Christian Preschool opened its doors on July 1 at 2432 Collier Parkway in Land O’ Lakes. 

Harvester Sheffield Christian Preschool is located in a wing of Harvester Community Church located at 2432 Collier Parkway. (Courtesy of Harvester Sheffield Christian Preschool)

The preschool is named after the late Beverly Sheffield who retired from the U.S. Air Force after serving for many years as a nurse. She’s also being honored for having been a longtime member of Harvester Community Church and for providing funds to help establish the preschool following her death.

Jamilet “Milly” Rodriguez is program director of Harvester Sheffield Christian Preschool which recently opened in Land O’ Lakes.

The new preschool occupies an entire wing of the church that has Russ McKee as its pastor.

Jamilet “Milly” Rodriguez is program director of the preschool that has students who are between two and five years old. 

Rodriguez earned director credentials from Brewster Technical College in Tampa and she also has a Child Development Associate credential from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAYEC), a nonprofit organization based in Washington, D.C.

There are currently two teachers at the preschool along with her as program director, Rodriguez said. Four students are currently enrolled there.  

Both of those numbers are anticipated to increase as more people become aware of the new preschool, Rodriguez said. The preschool will operate 12 months out of the year and will only be closed during holidays and in case of inclement weather.

Having a preschool there was a dream when the church first opened in December of 1995, McKee said. It took 29 years but that dream’s finally been realized according to Rodriguez and McKee.

Anyone desiring additional information about the preschool, including how much it will cost for a student to attend, can call Rodriguez at (813) 949-0096.

Published August 14, 2024

Report: property insurance rates have risen by 42.5% since 2019

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(The Center Square) — A new report shows that insurance rates for property owners in the Sunshine State have increased exponentially over the past few years.

Florida TaxWatch released an in-depth analysis of Florida’s property insurance market, examining underlying factors contributing to its instability and 42.5% rise since 2019. These include damages from hurricanes and litigation, which have put pressure on insurers and forced some to leave the state.

A boat and debris pile sit in front of a house in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, in Fort Myers, Sept. 29, 2022.
(Ricardo Arduengo/AFP via Getty Images)

According to the report, Florida’s property insurance market is fragile and reliant on state-run insurers as a backstop for homeowners who have no other options. Despite being a last-resort insurer, the Florida Citizens Property Insurance Company insures at least 17% of the state’s property insurance market and is also the most expensive.

The report notes that the rising enrollment in Citizens is “alarming” because if funds are exhausted to pay claims, state law requires assessments to be levied, which can then be passed on to every policyholder, including private policyholders, homeowners, renters, automobile and pet insurance.

According to a 2021 report from Florida TaxWatch, approximately 70% of Floridians live in coastal counties and are at risk of chronic flood damage. The report points out that as sea levels rise, more properties are put at risk. This equates to around 64,000 homes, with an estimated value of $26 billion, at risk of severe flooding.

Florida TaxWatch estimates that by 2100, over 1 million homes will be at risk and this increased risk will, in turn, increase property insurance rates even further. Unless the insurance market is stabilized, the high rates could push some residents to leave Florida.

Florida outdoes every other state in insurance costs, accounting for 10.8% of all premium costs in the U.S. According to the report, premiums vary between counties, ranging from $1,824 in Sumter County to $8,162 in Monroe County.

Since 2019, the Legislature has passed a series of reforms in an effort to combat insurance fraud and ease the burden on insurers. The report notes that legislative efforts are beginning to show promise. However, it also advises that lawmakers remain vigilant to prevent the market from spiraling and work to enhance resiliency.

Florida TaxWatch recommends that Florida limit its reliance on Citizens by depopulating the number of policies it holds and encouraging new private insurance companies to enter the state.

Published August 14, 2024

Report: Florida spending additional $2B in new state budget

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(The Center Square) — The nonprofit group Florida TaxWatch released its annual Taxpayers Guide to Florida’s fiscal 2024-2025 state budget, which details the current outlay and provides past data to put it in a historical context.

According to the budget report, the Legislature has more than the $118.6 billion earmarked in the General Appropriations Act, with additional spending occurring in general bills that happens every year, according to Florida TaxWatch.

Florida State Capitol, Tallahassee (Eyecrave Productions/Getty)

What makes this year’s budget stand out, however, is the almost $2 billion in extra funding being spent above the state budget, an increase from the $1.4 billion in additional spending in fiscal 2023-2024’s budget.

A total of 122 new state employee positions have been created, part of the $2 billion outlay, with most funds coming from the General Revenue Fund. More than $800 million is recurring spending, including a $717 million health care bill and another $536 million on landmark environmental efforts.

Florida TaxWatch noted that including all of the extra spending pushes the fiscal 2024-25 budget to a total of $118.6 billion, even after Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed almost $1 billion out of the budget.

Lawmakers using the appropriations act to get funds for the current year, is also commonplace. Florida TaxWatch points out that funds appropriated by lawmakers for fiscal 2023-24 are more than $3 billion, with $1.7 billion coming from the General Revenue Fund.

Over the past three years, the state budget has grown by 28.6%, the largest growth since between 2004 and 2007. This does not include the $26 billion the state received for federal pandemic relief funds.

While Florida TaxWatch praised DeSantis and lawmakers for largely spending taxpayer money responsibly, using funds to improve infrastructure, water quality, and affordable housing, they note that local member projects have ballooned to over $2.8 billion before vetoes. Another $500 million has been allocated to further pay down state debt.

The Sunshine State’s budget surplus is dwindling, falling to an expected $5.7 billion in unobligated general revenue funds, from the $21.3 billion estimated to remain at the end of fiscal 2022-23 and $8.7 billion left in fiscal 2023-24.

Florida TaxWatch further notes that unprecedented growth is not expected to continue in the future and recommends that lawmakers remain responsible with taxpayer money.

Published August 14, 2024

Florida follow-up audit finds discrepancies with economic incentive programs

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(The Center Square) — The Florida Auditor General recently published a follow-up audit of the Sunshine State’s economic incentives programs and found some uncorrected issues remain.

The Florida Department of Commerce assists the governor in working with the Legislature, state agencies, business leaders, and economic development professionals. For fiscal 2023-24, state lawmakers appropriated approximately $1.8 billion.

Together, they formulate plans to implement consistent policies and strategies that help promote economic opportunities for Floridians and serve as the state’s chief agency for business recruitment, expansion, and economic development. State law requires the department to contract an independent third party to verify that recipients comply with the terms set in their economic development incentive agreement.

(d3sign/Getty)

These independent contractors are required to have a level 2 background screening before they can access recipient information. Furthermore, state law requires all employees in positions of trust, responsibility, or sensitive location to undergo level 2 screenings before and during employment.

The auditor general found that the department had failed to evidence that all independent third-party contractors with access to confidential information had all had level 2 background screenings. This issue was found in a previous audit.

According to the audit report, the department had not yet addressed issues regarding access to the Salesforce web-based system, which is used to track the progress of economic development incentive applications and capture related data. The system was found to be available to some incentive recipients, third-party personnel, and division personnel up to 117 days after their employment or association with the department had ceased.

The auditor general recommended the department improve its controls over access to the system, to reduce the risk of unauthorized disclosure, modification, or destruction of department data and IT resources.

The report further noted issues around access controls to purchasing cards, stating that the department’s ex-employees had access to taxpayer dollars after they left their employment, in some instances up to 241 after.

Although there were no unauthorized purchases found, the auditor general recommended the department management work on promptly canceling the employees’ access upon termination.

A similar issue was found with FLAIR, which the department utilizes to authorize payments and record and report transactions. Ex-employees had access to FLAIR up to 450 days after they left department employment. The auditor general recommended that the department again promptly cut access once an employee is terminated.

Published August 14, 2024

Celebrate National Peach Month with peaches by the plenty

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Did you know August is National Peach Month? And rightfully so — August is the peak of peach harvest season. So how can you “celebrate” this versatile, juicy fruit this month? By enjoying them in different ways of course — and maybe learning a thing or two about them.

Have peaches in several ways, whether whole, sliced in a sandwich, grilled or in a jam. (Adobe Stock)

Delight in the sweetness in a variety of ways, courtesy of University of Utah Extension:

  • Fresh: whether as a snack or with a main meal, the sweet flavor of a fresh, ripe peach is hard to beat.
  • In a fruit salad: mix them in with berries, melon, grapes, kiwi, and so on.
  • Grilled: cut in half and grill until they caramelize, or thread through skewers with other fruit to make kabobs, for a more nutritious dessert.
  • In a fruit smoothie: use either fresh or frozen peaches and add in other fruits, yogurt and some orange juice.
  • Peach salsa: dice fresh peaches and add with red onion, cilantro and lime as a side dish, appetizer with chips, or as a topping for grilled fish.
  • Peach cobbler: bake this beloved dessert using sliced peaches, either fresh or canned in juice.
  • Peach jam: if you won’t finish all of your fresh peaches in time, make homemade peach jam or preserves.
  • In a main meal: such as a salad, on top of pork chops, or a peach-glazed chicken. Or swap out the jelly from a PB&J with some fresh peach slices instead.
Sweet homemade peach cobbler crisp with oat topping (Brent Hofacker/Getty)

In addition to the many ways of eating peaches, there are numerous fun facts about them, too:

  • Georgia is not the number one state in peach production. California and South Carolina are the top two, and Georgia is third. In fact, Georgia’s top fruit is the blueberry.
  • This sweet fruit has over 700 varieties.
  • They were discovered in China in 6000 BC. Back then, it was considered a luxury fruit and only enjoyed by those with royal ties. Once peaches spread to the Persian Empire, the Romans called them Persian Apples. 
  • China is the largest producer of peaches in the world.
  • Peaches are about 90% water and are high in Vitamins A, C, and E, fiber, potassium, and antioxidants.
  • Peaches are known for having fuzzy skin from fine hairs (called trichomes). They protect against pests and insects and help to hold moisture (making them extra juicy).
  • Nectarines are a variety of peaches, just with a smoother skin without the fuzz.
  • If the flesh separates easily from the pit, it is a “freestone.” If the flesh sticks to the pit, it is known as “clingstones.” Clingstones are a bit sweeter and best for canning, while freestones are best eaten fresh. You’re more likely to find a clingstone peach at a farmer’s market than a grocery store.
  • A peach is ripe when you notice the aroma and it slightly gives when you gently squeeze it.
  • Store unripe peaches in a closed paper bag on the counter. Once ripe, store at room temperature for one to two days. If you will not eat them that soon, put them in the refrigerator for three to five days.

Shari Bresin is the Family & Consumer Science Agent for the University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Cooperative Extension Pasco County. 

Need more ideas to do something peachy this summer?  Try these recipes from MyPlate.gov:

Peachy Peanut Butter Pita Pockets:

Ingredients
2 pita pockets (medium, whole wheat)
1/4 cup peanut butter (reduced fat, chunky)
1/2 apple (cored and thinly sliced)
1/2 banana (thinly sliced)
1/2 peach (fresh, thinly sliced)

Directions
Wash hands with soap and water.
Cut pitas in half to make 4 pockets and warm in the microwave for about 10 seconds to make them more flexible.
Carefully open each pocket and spread a thin layer of peanut butter on the inside walls.
Fill with a combination of apple, banana, and peach slices. Serve at room temperature.

Chicken Salad and Peach Sandwich:  

Ingredients
4 slices of whole-grain bread
1/2 cup cooked chicken (diced)
1/2 cup canned peach slices (drained and diced)
1 celery stalk
1/2 cup apples (Fuji, Gala or Braeburn)
1 small onion
1 1/2 tablespoons mayonnaise (nonfat)
1 tablespoon chopped walnut

Directions
Mix together the chicken, apples, peaches, celery, onion, walnuts, and mayonnaise in a small bowl.
Spoon mixture onto 2 slices of the bread.

Peachy Pops:

Ingredients
2 peaches
2/3 cup yogurt, low-fat vanilla
2 cups orange juice
6 paper cups
6 spoons

Directions
Wash hands with soap and water.
Use a knife to remove the skin from the peaches, and to chop the peaches.
Spoon the peaches into each of the 6 paper cups.
Place the yogurt in a medium mixing bowl.
Slowly pour and stir the orange juice into the yogurt. Mix well.
Pour some of the juice and yogurt mix into each cup to cover the peaches.
Place a spoon in the center of each cup.
Cut 6 squares of aluminum foil big enough to cover the tops of cups. Stab each spoon handle through each piece of foil. The foil will hold the spoon in the center of the cup.
Place cups in the freezer for at least 4 hours.
Just before serving, peel the paper cups away from the pops to eat.

Published August 14, 2024

Proposed invasive species ordinance uprooted

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The Pasco County Board of County Commissioners (BCC) were informed during their Aug. 6 meeting in Dade City that a proposed ordinance to regulate invasive species such as cogon grass, kudzu and English ivy, has been withdrawn from consideration.

The BCC wasn’t required to take any action on the proposed ordinance. It had been a controversial topic when the Pasco County Planning Commission reviewed it during their July 11 meeting in Dade City, as measures to regulate invasive plant species are already contained within part of the Pasco County Land Development Code (LDC) but haven’t been enforced. 

Cogon grass is considered an invasive species as it crowds out native plants. ((Photo by DeAgostini/Getty Images))

Planning Commission members recommended changes be made to the LDC so steps could be taken to help eradicate invasive plant species and prevent their reoccurrence. Ways to enforce what’s already in the LDC were also recommended.

County staff members are following that recommendation and will present amendments to the LDC to the BCC at a future meeting. 

In other business at the Aug. 6 meeting, commissioners:

  • Approved an ordinance establishing the Hope Innovation District that will consist of roughly 775.6 acres, to be located east of the Suncoast Parkway, south of Ridge Road, and west of Sunlake Boulevard.

This Community Development District (CDD) is the site where Moffitt Cancer Center plans to make a major expansion into Pasco County.  

Plans call for 13,400,000-square-feet of development that will be assessed by the CDD. Types of development that may be assessed include Clinical, Research, Labs/Office, Amenities/Residential, Education, Light Manufacturing, a Future Community Partner Hospital, and Flex space. All internal roadways will be financed, owned, operated, and maintained by the CDD. The CDD will be responsible for maintaining the hardscape, landscape, and irrigation, including bike trails and sidewalks.

The life sciences park established in the CDD will bring together expertise from across fields such as biotechnology and manufacturing to accelerate progress in cancer and other diseases, according to a statement by Moffitt Cancer Center.

  • Approved a revised ground lease agreement with the Peachtree Group that became the new leaseholder for the four-story, 128-room Residence Inn by Marriott on March 29. The hotel’s address is 2867 Lajuana Blvd. in Wesley Chapel. It opened in 2017 and is on county-owned property adjacent to the Wiregrass Ranch Sports Complex. 

Michael Bernath, Peachtree’s senior vice president for acquisitions and dispositions, told commissioners that the current average daily rate (ADR) for occupancy of the hotel is 58.8%. Bernath made his remarks remotely due to inclement weather. 

District 5 Commissioner Jack Mariano expressed serious concerns about that number. He said that Peachtree should try to find some way to get that rate up higher. “We should be shooting for 100 percent,” Mariano said.

An ADR of even 80 to 85 percent would be difficult to achieve, remotely, Bernath said.

Mariano maintained that the higher rate being charged to rent rooms at the hotel is what was keeping the occupancy rates down.

Bernath replied that the rate charged at the hotel would be “what the market will bear.”

Commissioners approved extending the term of lease from 25 years, with three consecutive renewal terms of 10 years each, to 50 years, to accommodate Peachtree Group’s investment timeline and financial considerations.

Peachtree Group originally planned to inform commissioners of the ADR at five-year intervals. Commissioners agreed instead to have that information provided to them every three years during the term of the lease.  

  • Continued until Sept. 9 a zoning change requested by Crossways MPUD – Crossways 301 LLC for approximately 29.5 acres located in east Pasco County. The property is currently zoned A-C Agricultural Zoning District and the applicant wants it to be changed to a Master Planned Unit Development (MPUD) to allow for the development of up to 130 single-family detached dwelling units and associated infrastructure. Some residents in the area near the intersection of Old Lakeland Highway and U.S. Highway 98 have expressed concerns about the increased traffic they think would be created if that many homes were built on that property.

Published August 14, 2024

Florida recreational marijuana initiative has raised $66M

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(The Center Square) – Proponents of ballot initiatives that would legalize recreational marijuana and enshrine abortion rights in the Florida constitution have raised millions.

The two initiatives are among six that will appear on the Nov. 5 ballot and will require a 60% vote to earn a place in the state’s constitution.

Smart & Safe Florida is behind Florida Amendment 3, the Marijuana Legalization Initiative. It would allow residents age 21 or older the ability to purchase and consume marijuana for recreational, nonmedicinal purposes. 

According to the Florida Department of State, the political committee has raised $66.6 million toward the effort and has spent $54 million. 

Nearly $59.8 million since 2022 has come from one donor, Clearwater-based cannabis retailer Trulieve Cannabis. 

The two opposition groups, Florida Voters Against Extremism and Gov. Ron DeSantis’ Florida Freedom Fund, have raised only $125,100. 

In 2016, Florida voters by 71%-29% adopted a medical marijuana initiative.

Amendment 4 would provide a constitutional right to abortion before a fetus was viable outside the womb, or if needed to protect a women’s health. 

Floridians Protecting Freedom is the group that is behind the initiative. According to state data, it has raised nearly $39.6 million and spent $23.2 million. 

The biggest donor is the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation, an Oklahoma-based group that has contributed $5 million. Democrat activist Marsha Laufer has donated $4.6 million. 

Opposition groups such as Florida Voters Against Extremism and Gov. Ron DeSantis’ Florida Freedom Fund have been swamped in the fundraising battle, raising only $368,650. 

The other four amendments on the ballot deal with various issues.

Amendment 1 would change school board elections to partisan beginning in November 2026. Amendment 2 would establish a constitutional right to hunt and fish. 

Amendment 5 would mandate an annual inflation adjustment for the value of the homestead property tax exemption. Amendment 6 would strike a constitutional provision providing public campaign financing for candidates who agree to spending limits.

Published August 14, 2024

Guns-rights group challenges ban on open-carry in Florida

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(The Center Square) – Gun Owners of America and the Gun Owners Foundation have filed a federal lawsuit in Florida that challenges the state’s ban on open carry of firearms.

“Florida lawmakers claim to be pro-gun, but year after year, they’ve refused to repeal the 1987 ban on open carry, leaving Floridians in the very anti-gun company of New York, Illinois, and California where this is also prohibited,” said Erich Pratt, Gun Owners of America’s senior vice president.

(Erich Schlegel/Getty)

“Governor Ron DeSantis has previously expressed support for open carry, but unfortunately, the Republican leadership in the Legislature in Tallahassee has made quite clear they have no intention of repealing this ban,” Gun Owners of America, a non-profit pro-Second Amendment lobbyist group based in California, said in a press release about the lawsuit.

In Florida, the open-carry is only allowed as a self-defense chemical spray or a non-lethal stun gun.

The ACLU has opposed open-carry laws.

“Open carry can disrupt the public square through the intimidating display of lethal weapons,” Florida ACLU said in 2021. “For example, in 2020, armed protesters forced the suspension of the activities of democratically-elected state legislatures in Michigan and Oregon.”

The ACLU didn’t respond to an email seeking comment.

In February 2023, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a law that allowed Florida residents to carry concealed weapons without a government-issued permit.

Published August 14, 2024

Report: Florida receives nation’s second-highest grade for religious liberty

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(The Center Square) — The Sunshine State ranks second in the nation for the protection of religious liberty, according to a new report from the Center for Religion, Culture and Democracy.

The report, “Religious Liberty in the States,” is a project that measures legal safeguards for religious liberty across the U.S. During a panel discussion on the report, Jordan Ballor, director of research at CRCD, was joined by project director Mark David Hall and associate director Paul Mueller.

A list of safeguards was used to measure and compare each state — including a state’s policies on absentee voting, general conscience, abortion refusal, sterilization refusal, contraception refusal, health insurance mandates, non-participation by clergy, religious entity refusal, public office recusal, for-profit business nonparticipation, clergy as mandatory reporters, houses of worship protected from closing, ceremonial use of alcohol by minors, religious freedom restoration act, childhood immunization requirements and excused absences for religious reasons.

The Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Downtown Tampa. (Tony Arruza/Getty)

“Florida improved from number eight in the nation in 2023 to number two in 2024 because it passed general conscience and hospital protections,” Hall told The Center Square. “These laws ensure that medical professionals and institutions are not compelled to participate in medical procedures to which they have religious objections.”

Illinois, Florida, Montana and Arkansas are the top five states for religious freedom, with Mississippi and Ohio tied for fifth.

“The three most improved states this year are Montana, New Hampshire and Florida. These states saw double-digit improvements in how they protect religious liberty and we see that as very promising,” Mueller said.

According to the report, Florida improved by over 13%, moving into second place with an overall score of 73.2%, while Illinois is in first place with an overall score of 80.4%. Data further shows that the Religious Freedom Restoration Act is present in 50% of U.S. states.

The most prevalent safeguards are health insurance mandates, which are found in 89% of states, the immunization requirement exemption, which is in 88% of states and absentee voting, which is in 84% of states.

The report notes the Florida Legislature should be given significant credit for protecting religious freedom. Florida passed several new laws in the past year, namely to add additional protection and expand general conscience provisions intended to protect medical professionals.

A recent study from the Cato Institute, “Freedom in the 50 States,” ranked states based on several factors, including regulations around business, Second Amendment protections, drug legalization, incarceration rates and taxation. Overall, Florida ranks second behind New Hampshire.

Florida also ranks first fiscally for government consumption and government employment, while ranking first overall for being fiscally responsible. Florida comes in the middle of the pack for cash and security assets, health insurance and lawsuits.

Published August 14, 2024