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Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Local News

State unemployment rate continues to trend below national average

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(The Center Square) — Recently released statistics show that Florida’s unemployment rate remains below the national average.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of February 2024, the Sunshine State has an unemployment rate of 3.1%, an increase of 0.3% from February 2023. The national seasonally adjusted unemployment rate currently sits around 3.9%.

(Clem Onojeghuo/Unsplash)

Preliminary data shows that Florida has a labor force of just over 11 million with 345,000 Floridians out of work. While Florida’s seasonally adjusted total nonagricultural employment reached nearly 9.89 million in February, jobs decreased by -0.1% or 5,500 jobs over the month.

Florida is also outpacing the national average for job creation after gaining 226,200 jobs over the past year, an increase of 2.3%, while national job numbers only rose by 1.8%. Miami-Dade County had the lowest unemployment rate at 1.6%, while Citrus County had the highest unemployment rate in Florida at 5.2% in February 2024.

Over the past year, there has also been growth in nine out of 10 major industries, with education and health gaining the most jobs adding over 57,000 jobs, an increase of 4%. Trade, transportation and utilities had an increase of 2.5% and added 48,300 jobs, while leisure and hospitality added over 35,000 jobs, a 2.7% increase.

Florida’s information industry was the only industry to take a significant hit, losing around 900 jobs, a decrease of 0.6%.

The Bureau further reported that North Dakota had the lowest unemployment rate in the nation at 2%, while South Dakota followed closely behind with a rate of 2.1%. California now has the highest unemployment rate at 5.3%, eclipsing Nevada slightly which has a rate of 5.2%.

Alabama saw its labor force increase over the past year, rising from 2.2 million to 2.32 million by February while the overall unemployment rate rose from 2.3% to 3%. Georgia’s workforce increased from 5.26 million to 5.33 million within a year, while its unemployment rate dropped from 3.2% to 3.1%.

Texas has an overall labor force of 15.1 million, having increased over the year from 14.95 million. The Lone Star State also has an unemployment rate of 3.95, a slight improvement from 4% a year ago.

Published April 3, 2024

What families with college-bound students need to know this spring

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(MD Duran/Unsplash)

Perhaps even more nerve-wracking than waiting for your child’s college acceptance letters is learning whether they’ve been awarded financial aid. Recent changes to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) designed to simplify the process have led to unforeseen hiccups and technical glitches, causing academic institutions to delay sending out financial aid award letters. However, once you finally get the results, it can give your family a better idea of what to do next.

“Our research shows that for a majority of parents, figuring out how to pay for college was the ‘road to college’ activity that caused them the most stress. By making a financial plan and prioritizing it, you can be well-prepared to avoid the most common bumps in the road,” explains Angela Colatriano, chief marketing officer, College Ave.

Colatriano recommends using this spring to teach your child these valuable financial skills: how to set up a budget, how to pay bills and how to manage credit. If your family will potentially be borrowing to finance college, students should also gain an understanding of how loans work, and how the different terms of the loan will affect their monthly payments and overall loan cost.

Speaking of budget, you should set a realistic budget for yourself. A recent College Ave survey found that in addition to helping pay for tuition and housing costs, parents also contribute to their child’s phone bill (65%), health insurance (61%), food and groceries (42%), cable and internet bill (35%) and transportation (32%). Be realistic about which expenses you can afford and where you want to ask your child to chip in.=

Decode award letters
Financial aid award letters can look different for each school. Familiarize yourself with their components so that when they arrive, you’ll be ready to decipher them. Here’s what to look for:

  1. Free money: The award letter will list whether your student is eligible for scholarships and grants (sometimes called Merit or Gift Aid). This is money you typically don’t need to pay back.
  2. Federal Work-Study: Your child might be eligible for Federal Work-Study jobs. While jobs aren’t guaranteed, they can be a good opportunity to help cover educational expenses.
  3. Student Loans: Schools will list any federal loans your child is eligible to receive. Helpful hint: They may be grouped with scholarships and grants. You should also note whether the loan is subsidized or unsubsidized. Because unsubsidized loans accrue interest while your student is enrolled and during deferment periods, this will affect the overall loan cost.
  4. Other factors: Check if awards being offered are for all four years and understand what your child will need to do to continue being eligible for them, year-to-year.

To get an apples-to-apples look at the offers, calculate the net direct cost of each school by subtracting offered scholarships and grants from the cost of attendance (tuition, room, board, textbooks and fees). If applicable, you can subtract work-study aid, too. You should also factor in expected increases in tuition, room, board and other fees.

Fill in the gaps
If after doing the math, you find you have a financial gap to cover, look into private scholarships. 

You may also want to consider a private student loan or parent loan. Look for a lender with great rates, flexible repayment terms, and the opportunity to customize the loan to fit your budget.

“The important thing is not to panic. If you filled out the FAFSA, financial aid award letters are on the way. And once you receive them, you and your student can get to the fun part of planning for the future,” says Colatriano.

-StatePoint

Published April 3, 2024

 

Pediatricians can help teens quit vaping and using tobacco

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(E-Liquids UK/Unsplash)

Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death and disease in the United States and it almost always begins during adolescence. According to leading medical advocates, pediatricians have a role to play in getting kids to quit vaping electronic cigarettes and using other tobacco products.

Ten percent of American students report using tobacco products, according to the FDA. And while there have been declines in the use of cigarettes among adolescents, the popularity of e-cigarettes and other smokeless tobacco and nicotine products is on the rise. Smoking and vaping are both harmful to health, particularly to youth, whose brains are still developing and who are uniquely vulnerable to nicotine dependence.

That’s why the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has developed the Youth Tobacco Cessation Progressive Web App. This new, free clinical decision resource, which can be used on a computer, tablet or offline mobile app, leads physicians through the following steps:

  1. Ask: Screen for tobacco use with all youth, during every clinical encounter.
  2. Counsel: Advise all youth who use tobacco to quit and have them set a quit date within two weeks.
  3. Treat: Link adolescents to behavioral treatment extenders and prescribe pharmacologic support when indicated. After the visit, follow up to assess progress and offer support.

The web app also provides a flowchart for clinical interactions, links to product descriptions, an AAP policy and clinical report, sample counseling statements, behavioral support options, such as texting services, quitlines and online resources, and detailed information on pharmacologic support, including nicotine replacement therapy.

There is currently little data on successful youth tobacco treatment strategies. In the meantime, clinicians can leverage existing literature and promising practices to support tobacco cessation in young people. To learn more and to access the Youth Tobacco Cessation Progressive Web App, visit aap.org/HelpKidsQuit.

Tobacco use and nicotine dependence are significant health concerns. Pediatricians can use their vital, trusted role as a source of expertise, support and guidance to provide teens with confidential tobacco cessation care.

-StatePoint

Published April 3, 2024

 

Major Land O’ Lakes intersection to close for paving

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The intersection of U.S. 41 and S.R. 54 will be closed for milling and paving work from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m., Monday through Thursday (April 1 – April 4) nights, weather permitting. All traffic will be directed to turn right at the intersection, according to a Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) email. Drivers who planned to make left turns at the intersection will need to use two of the detour routes listed below. Drivers are advised to plan extra travel time to go through the detours or choose alternate routes.

Detour Routes:

1) Northbound US 41: Traffic will be reduced from three lanes to one lane and detoured to eastbound SR 54, U-Turn at Raden Drive, then go west and turn right to continue north on US 41. Traffic planning to go west on SR 54 will then need to use detour 4.

2) Southbound US 41: Traffic will be reduced from three lanes to one lane and detoured to westbound SR 54, U-Turn at Sophia Drive, then go east and turn right to continue south on US 41. Traffic planning to go east on SR 54 will then need to use detour 3.

3) Eastbound SR 54: Traffic will be reduced from three lanes to one lane and detoured to southbound US 41, U-Turn at Lake Floyd Drive, then go north and turn right to continue east on SR 54. Traffic planning to go north on US 41 will then need to use detour 1.

4) Westbound SR 54: Traffic will be reduced from three lanes to one lane and detoured to northbound US 41, U-Turn at Morgan Road, then go south and turn right to continue west on SR 54. Traffic planning to go south on US 41 will then need to use detour 2.

For project information and to sign up to receive email alerts, visit https://www.fdottampabay.com/project/759/441659-1-52-01-441658-1-52-01.

Father and Son Love Free Food Pantry in dire straits: ‘do or die’ time has arrived

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A food pantry that has provided for thousands of desperate people for nearly six years, itself is now in desperate need of financial assistance.

The monthly rent at the Father and Son Love Free Food Pantry doubled nine months ago, said its founder, Pastor C.J. Johns Sr. 

Ken Waters is associate pastor at the Father and Son Love Free Food Pantry. (Courtesy of Pastor C.J. Johns Sr.)

They now have to pay $6,000 a month for the space they rent at 21418 Carson Drive, Suite A, in Land O’ Lakes. The rent was $3,000 a month until its previous lease expired on April 30, 2023. 

And the rent could be even higher when the new lease is effective this coming May 1, Johns said. He added that he is praying the landlord will lower the rent to $5,500 a month, but he has no assurance that will happen.

The pastor believes the only other way the food pantry, which is a 501c3 nonprofit organization, will be able to stay in business is if five individual corporate sponsors each contribute $10,000 to $12,000, or one sponsor contributes $50,000 to $60,000 over the next year.

The situation is even worse than that — the pantry needs about $15,000 immediately, since it’s been struggling to pay its rent for the remainder of its current lease, Johns said. And a 10% penalty of $600 will be charged for each month in which a rent payment isn’t made on time.

The pantry supports the homeless, elderly, veterans and other people who are barely getting by on low incomes.

An area in the food pantry is decorated with an American flag and caps donated by
veterans of different branches of the United States armed forces. The flag was
actually flown in Vietnam during that war and was donated by a combat veteran.

“The time now is ‘do or die’ for this food pantry,” Johns said.

Applications have already been made for some grants, as the pantry is now in its fourth year of operating as a 501c3 organization. However, competition for those grants is fierce and there would probably be a six-month delay — or longer — in getting funds even if a grant was awarded, Johns said.

The cost to run the facility is an additional $2,000 a month. That extra money is needed to pay for insurance and utilities. Gasoline also must be bought for volunteers who use their own vehicles to pick up food and other necessities. And the electric bill has increased significantly during the summer because the facility must be kept cool so food won’t spoil, Johns added.

The pantry is the victim of a domino effect, said Angel Walker, one of several unpaid volunteer workers who donates time and energy to meet the needs of people who come in.

Walker gave the example of a group of eight people — three adults and five children — who had received groceries valued at $300 earlier on March 19. Several of those people had to move in with another family because they couldn’t afford to pay their own rent.

The food pantry is only able to pay its rent on a wing and a prayer, Johns said. And it won’t be able to pay even a slight amount more when the new lease becomes effective.

Several of the volunteers who donate their time and energy are shown in an area
where people visiting the pantry wait until it is time for them to pick up food
and other things they need.

“This area will be severely impacted if we have to close or to relocate,” Johns said.

A PayPal account is available through which contributions may be made at:

https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=5BZJ5FSHQNUCN.

Any corporate sponsor or individual who contributes to this fundraising campaign will be making a significant investment in improving the lives of possibly thousands of people whom the food pantry will serve — not only in 2024, but possibly in years to come, according to Johns.

He said that the return on investment can’t be measured in dollars or cents because there’s no value that can be placed on helping people who are in need. “We keep fighting for people who nobody wants to talk about,” Johns said.

Pastor C.J. Johns Sr., left, and Ken Waters, associate pastor, head up the operations of the Father and Son Love Free Food Pantry.

He added he estimates more than 100 homeless people who had considered taking their own lives didn’t commit suicide due to the help they had received from the pantry.

The pantry offers a large variety of food, ranging from ready-to-cook meals, canned goods, cereal, pet food and everything in between, according to Walker. People who come in are able to take a cart around and select specific food items that are needed for themselves or for their family. The only restriction is on the amount of food they can take and that’s based on how many people for whom the food is needed, Walker said.

“This is a one-of-a-kind food pantry,” Johns said, adding he doubts any other food pantry in Florida has the products that are available at Father and Son.

And, it isn’t just about food. More than 250 gifts and several bicycles were given to children this past Christmas, Johns said.

Also, hundreds of toys are available at the pantry. A Florida Sheriff’s Youth Ranch in Brooksville donated the majority of them. Children who accompany their parents or guardians to the pantry are given toys.

A trailer in which people could take showers was set up at the pantry on March 12. Also, a hairdresser visits once a month and provides free cuts to people. 

Additional information about the pantry is on its website, at FatherAndSonFreeFoodPantry.org, or their Facebook page. It can be reached at  813-846-9993 and inquiries can be sent to .

Published March 27, 2024

Volunteers prepared the ShowerUp Trailer for use on March 12 when it was at the
food pantry. Many homeless people appreciate being able to have a safe place to
clean themselves.
Different types and brands of cereal are available free of charge at the food pantry.
The package of chicken wings shown here is just one of the many different types of
ready-to-cook meals offered by the pantry.
This poster from the pantry’s Facebook page describes its many available services.

Call it puppy love – Dade City Dogs’ Day packs ‘em in for 14th year

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Every dog has its day, as the saying goes, and organizers of Dogs’ Day in Dade City made sure of that on March 16 with an event that drew plenty of pooches eager to claim their spotlight.

Kathy Jennings, of The Villages, and her 9-year-old Pomeranian, Autumn Grace, are decked out in St. Patrick’s Day attire as they lead off the Dog Wagon Parade, part of the 14th Dogs’ Day in Dade City event on March 16. (Courtesy of Susan Green)

Staged in downtown Dade City for the 14th time since its founding 15 years ago, the event offered dogs and their human companions a variety of opportunities to show off their talents or simply relax and socialize with others.

Since it began, the canine celebration has occurred every year except 2020, when social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic prevented it, said Lucy Avila, who co-founded the event with former Dade City Mayor Camille Hernandez, the Dade City Youth Council and several downtown businesses. 

“We wanted to bring something new into our community,” said Avila, who continues to coordinate the event. “I love dogs, and so does she (Hernandez). I said, ‘Let’s do a dog event.’” 

Dogs’ Day has always been envisioned as “just a fun day for people to come together with their best friend, which is their dog,” she said.

Darla Belevich, of Zephyrhills, and her miniature long-haired dachshund, Honey Bee, see eye to eye on a variety of tricks during the ‘Canine Got Talent?’ competition, one of several activities for dogs and owners attending Dogs’ Day in Dade City.

But along the way, she added, money raised from donations has helped fund numerous community improvement projects, including cleanup stations at the city’s dog park and along the recreational Hardy Trail, support for the Dade City Police K-9 unit, training for dogs of military veterans and pet food for families struggling to make ends meet.

At this year’s event, dogs of just about every size, breed and color — many in costume — packed the city’s Agnes Lamb Park. More than 20 vendors set up shop, offering doggie treats ranging from massages to canine catnip, as well as fresh lemonade, fruit and other refreshments for the two-legged visitors joining the celebration.

“We wouldn’t miss this for the world,” said Gail Yeager of St. Petersburg, who had an elaborately decorated stroller with the sign “Queen of Shenanigans” for her Yorkshire terrier, Hetty, but spent much of the time cradling her furry friend in her arms.

The pair was decked out in St. Patrick’s Day regalia for the event’s costume contest, but Yeager said the real attraction of the event was the camaraderie and the opportunity to spend time with so many different people who love dogs. 

“It’s all-American,” she said.

Aylin the miniature poodle sports a colorful do, as he walks with human companion Sarah Seijas, of Inverness, and Seijas’ two costumed Chinese Crested canines, Maverick and Corrie, who ride in style during the Dog Wagon Parade at the 14th Dogs’ Day in Dade City.

Diane Cole, of Dade City, dressed up as a country music singer with an inflatable guitar, and her miniature poodle, Loki, was dolled up to match with a doggie shirt that made him look like he was playing the guitar. 

“This is dog people’s heaven,” Cole said, adding that she has attended every Dogs’ Day in Dade City event in the past five years.

As in years past, Dogs’ Day opened with a dog wagon parade, followed by several light-hearted competitions for owners and their dogs, including costume contests, a talent

and a race among 30 dog-and-human pairs trying to score the fastest time for eating ice cream and yogurt. 

The rules specified that only tongues could be used to lap up the treats — more of a challenge for the humans licking ice cream out of a cup than the dogs wolfing down yogurt in a matter of seconds.  

Remington, a deaf Australian shepherd, waves his paw on command in response to hand signals from his owner, Bailey Turner. The pair went on to win the ‘Canine Got Talent? competition March 16 during Dogs’ Day in Dade City.

New beginnings amid the fun
While fun was the primary goal for most of the adults, children and dogs that flocked to the park, the event offered something more for Sasha, a blonde cocker spaniel seeking a new leash in life. 

Sasha was among several dogs brought to the event by the Florida Cocker Spaniel Rescue group, which set up a tent and dog pens in one corner of the park. The young spaniel found her forever home with Barbara and Andrew Melanson of Largo.

The Melansons pre-qualified to adopt a new dog and then traveled to Dade City to spend time with the rescue group’s available dogs and introduce them to Reese’s, the couple’s cocker spaniel named for the famous chocolate-covered peanut butter candy. Sasha and Reese’s hit it off, and the Melansons were smitten with her, too.

Carol Cansler, who runs the Wesley Chapel-based rescue group, said she has been bringing adoptable dogs to the Dade City event for years. She said attendees often fall in love with one of the canine candidates for adoption and ask to take it home, but the rescue group insists on pre-qualifying all prospective dog parents through an application process. 

At the other end of the park was a tent display highlighting the awards won by Christiana Crespo, 16, and her border collie, Zelda. The duo from Bushnell placed fifth in the AKC Junior Open Agility World Championship held last year in Great Britain and qualified for the organization’s junior team again this year. The teen is raising funds to compete in Belgium in July.  

Christiana, who helped Zelda demonstrate her talents on stage during Dogs’ Day, was among the beneficiaries of funds raised during this year’s Dade City event, which also benefited some animal rescue groups. Christiana’s mother, Maite, said the junior agility team members are responsible for raising their own funds for travel and lodging during competitions, and that typically costs thousands of dollars

Published March 27, 2024

Dogs of all shapes and sizes and their human companions pack Agnes Lamb Park in downtown Dade City for the community’s 14th Dogs’ Day event on March 16.
Zippy, a Belgian Malinois, shows off one of the 70 tricks in his repertoire, according to his owner, Dianne SanLorenzo, of Zephyrhills, who coached him on stage during the Dogs’ Day in Dade City talent competition.
Diane Cole, of Dade City, and her miniature poodle, Loki, wear matching country music band costumes at the Dogs’ Day event March 16 in downtown Dade City.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diane Cole, of Dade City, and her miniature poodle, Loki, wear matching country music band costumes at the Dogs’ Day event March 16 in downtown Dade City.
Pat Kaufman, of Dade City, and her Dalmatian, Easy, polish off the last of their refreshing treats after participating with 29 other dog-and-human pairs in the Dogs’ Day Ice Cream and Yogurt Eating Contest.
Lucky dog Sasha looks right at home with one of her new owners, Barbara Melanson. Melanson and her husband, Andrew, of Largo, adopted Sasha from the Florida Cocker Spaniel Rescue group at Dogs’ Day in Dade City.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Christiana Crespo, 16, and her border collie, Zelda, were among beneficiaries of proceeds from Dogs’ Day in Dade City. The duo placed fifth in the AKC Junior Open Agility World Championship competition in Great Britain last year and is raising money to compete again in Belgium in July.
Lucy Avila, left, longtime coordinator of Dogs’ Day in Dade City, proclaims Bear, a Pomeranian pooch held by his owner, Molly Blair, as the 2024 Dog Mayor of Dade City. Blair was the top fundraiser for the event, securing Bear’s ‘election’ by netting $700 for various charities.
Rollo, a Catahoula Leopard mixed-breed dog belonging to Cara Calton and her 2-year-old daughter, Emilia, greets Chula, a Chihuahua-mix held by his owner, Richard Helmbrecht. All are local residents who turned out for Dogs’ Day in Dade City on March 16.

Pasco County opens new Fire Rescue station

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Pasco County Fire Rescue celebrated its new Land O’ Lakes Fire Rescue Station 28 with a grand opening on Feb. 23. Fire Rescue leaders and Pasco County officials took part in a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Pasco County officials and Fire Rescue leaders took part in a ribbon-cutting ceremony at new Fire Rescue Station 28 in Land O’ Lakes. (Courtesy of Pasco County)

The station, at 21709 Hale Road, is centrally located and will house EMS supervisors who will provide direction and oversight for field operations in emergency situations, according to a news release.

The station includes a “Decon Depo,” where firefighter gear and equipment are inspected and cleaned to get rid of cancer-causing carcinogens.

The facility also will be home to a fire engine providing advanced life support to the community, the release says.

The same morning, Pasco Fire Rescue hosted a push-in ceremony at Station 16, 35801 State Road 54 in Zephyrhills, to unveil its newest engine serving the Zephyrhills community. 

“The health and safety of our fire crews is the main focus of each new station we build,” said Pasco County Fire Rescue Chief Anthony Perez, in the release.

“And this location will help shorten response times in the Land O’ Lakes community, adding an extra layer of protection for the people who live here or come to visit,” said Perez.

Published March 27, 2024

 

Homeless encampments banned in Florida

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(The Center Square) – Bans on homeless encampments and drug use in homeless shelters are in a new law signed Wednesday by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Unauthorized Public Camping and Public Sleeping, as House Bill 1365 is entitled, requires the homeless to be housed in temporary shelters monitored by law enforcement agencies. It gives local residents and businesses the ability to bring a lawsuit against a city or county that allows unauthorized camping by people on public property, such as sidewalks and parks.

(Nathan Dumlao/Unsplash)

The new law requires homeless shelters to provide drug and alcohol treatment. The state Department of Children and Families has to provide alternatives when homeless shelters are at capacity.

“Florida will not allow homeless encampments to intrude on its citizens or undermine their quality of life like we see in states like New York and California,” DeSantis said at a news conference in Miami Beach. “The legislation I signed today upholds our commitment to law and order while also ensuring homeless individuals have the resources they need to get back on their feet.”

State Rep. Sam Garrison, R-Fleming Island, sponsored the bill.

“In Florida, we will learn from the mistakes of cities like San Francisco, Denver, Los Angeles, and more, which are paying the price for their unwillingness to act,” Garrison said alongside the governor. “This bill will not eliminate homelessness. But it is a start.

“And it states clearly that in Florida, our public spaces are worth fighting for. The status quo is not an option. In Florida we choose to act. It is simply the right thing to do.”

The bill passed the House 82-26 on March 1 and the Senate 27-12 on March 5. 

State Rep. Anna Eskamani, D-Orlando, said in the explanation of her no vote that the bill “makes it incredibly difficult for local governments to address the homelessness crisis in our state.”

“This is a crisis, but instead of empowering local governments we are making it more difficult for them to respond via preemption,” Eskamani said in her explanation. “I am concerned that the requirements in this bill will push those who are unsheltered deeper into the shadows, versus allow them to access the help and support they need.”

Published March 27, 2024

More than 100 bills await decisions from DeSantis

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(The Center Square) — Florida lawmakers had a busy 2024 session, passing bills that range from protecting minors from the harms of social media platforms to regulating vacation rentals, with many of those bills awaiting a decision by Gov. Ron DeSantis.

If a bill is approved by both chambers, it is then sent to DeSantis, who has 15 days to veto the bill, sign it into law, or allow it to become law without his signature. If a bill is vetoed, lawmakers can overturn this by a two-thirds vote of both the House and the Senate the next time they meet.

(Scott Graham/Unsplash)

Currently, more than 100 bills are awaiting a decision, including the General Appropriations Act, the state’s 2024-25 fiscal year budget, and House Bill 3, which would restrict children under age 16 from creating a social media account and would require adult websites to ask for age verification before it can be accessed.

Senate Bill 280 by state Sen. Nick DiCeglie, R-St.Petersburg, is a bill that would regulate the state’s booming vacation rental properties, and require advertising platforms or operators listing the vacation property, to collect and remit specified taxes.

HB 87 by state Rep. Jason Shoaf, R-Perry, would remove penalties for those who use lethal force against a bear if they believe it was necessary to avoid an imminent threat of death or serious bodily injury to themselves or their pets or if the bear could cause serious damage to a dwelling.

SB 328 by state Sen. Alexis Calatayud, R-Miami, would amend 2023’s Live Local Act’s use of land and zoning provisions for affordable multifamily rental developments. Counties and municipalities would also be authorized to restrict the height of proposed developments under certain circumstances.

SB 968 also by Calatayud, broadens the scope of the strategic space infrastructure investment funding eligibility. The bill would also authorize the Florida Department of Transportation to consult with Space Florida to fund spaceport improvement projects, instead of spaceport launch facilities — with up to 100% of the project’s cost.

SB 1264 by state Sen. Jay Collins, R-Tampa, is a bill designed to teach public school children the history of communism. The bill would create the Institute for Freedom in the Americas at Miami Dade College, as well as consult with stakeholders to provide a recommendation to the legislature by a specified date for the creation of a museum of the history of communism.

Published March 27, 2024

Florida Lottery transferred $2.45B to K-12 education in 2023

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(The Center Square) — The Florida Lottery has become a crucial part of funding for education in the Sunshine State, and according to a recent report from the Florida auditor general (AG), it continues to grow each year.

In late January, the AG released the financial audit of the Florida Lottery, whose mission is to maximize financial revenue for the benefit of education “in a manner consistent with the dignity of the State of Florida and the welfare of its citizens.”

(Alejandro Garay/Pixabay)

The lottery offers a full range of scratch-off and draw products, and has for the 34th consecutive fiscal year (FY), sustained ticket sales in excess of $2 billion, with the last 11 years exceeding $5 billion. Over that 34-year period, a minimum of $800 million has been transferred to the Educational Enhancement Trust Fund, with FY 2023 exceeding $1 billion for the 21st consecutive year, according to the report.

In FY 2023, there was approximately $2.45 billion transferred to the Educational Enhancement Trust Fund (EETF), compared to the previous fiscal year where $2.33 billion was transferred, reflecting a ticket sales increase of 5.12% over the prior year, collecting approximately $9.80 billion compared to $9.32 billion the previous year.

Around 71.86% of total sales came from the lotteries’ scratch-off products, which increased 0.26% from the previous year. Prize expenses increased by 4.97% or $310.25 million during 2023, also reflected by an increase in ticket sales.

According to the report’s financial analysis of the Florida Lottery’s assets, at the end of FY 2023, total assets increased by $154.98 million from $665.43 million in June 2022 to $820.41 million by June 30, 2023, which were primarily related to an increase of investments from the state treasury.

Total liabilities on June 30, 2023 were $768.47 million, around $151.79 million higher than total liabilities from the previous year which were $616.68 million. The increase in liabilities can be attributed to the increase of $84.84 million to prizewinners and $70.91 million for amounts due to the EETF.

Between June 2022 and June 2023, noncurrent liabilities decreased by $4.25 million, attributed to a decrease of $11.85 million for grand prizes paid to winners and an increase of $13.72 million in pension liability. Since the lottery’s inception, total transfers to the EETF have reached over $44 billion.

Published March 27, 2024