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Tampa inflation going down, but still higher than national average

Costs rose about 3.7% in Tampa Bay over the last year, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The most recent inflation data shows “not just a bump in the road,” as one local economist put it, but a “pattern that’s starting to become entrenched.”

Costs rose about 3.7% in Tampa Bay over the last year, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Inflation in the region has been consistently higher than the national average, now at 3.5%.

After months of inconsistent decline, the national inflation rate has risen every month since December 2023. The latest increase is mostly due to stubborn costs of gas and shelter, which includes expenses like rent, lodging and insurance. Those two items were responsible for more than half of the rise. Food and energy prices are also increasing, along with car insurance, medical coverage, apparel and personal care.

“The issue here is the persistence of inflation — or the resistance of inflation to continue to decline,” said Sean Snaith, director of the University of Central Florida’s Institute for Economic Forecasting.

Coral Gables mayor says recall effort is funded by ‘dark money.’ Where did it come from?

A campaign finance report shows that the political committee petitioning to recall the mayor of Coral Gables raised $50,000 in the first quarter of 2024 but does little to answer questions about the recall effort’s financial backers, with the mayor accusing the group of raising “dark money.”

End the Corruption, the political committee that launched March 13 to recall Coral Gables Mayor Vince Lago, disclosed just three sources of funding in a report that the campaign plans to file Wednesday evening: $17,500 from a political committee controlled by a Tallahassee attorney, $17,500 from a Tallahassee-based group called Florida Consumer Alliance and $15,000 from a Tallahassee-based political committee with the same address called Florida Workers’ Alliance.

Attorney David Winker, who is the registered agent for End the Corruption, said the committee has intentionally obscured the identity of individual donors.

“People are so scared to do anything other than sign a petition,” said Winker, who noted that individual residents have donated to the recall effort but that several worry they could face retribution for openly contributing.

Broward School Board is asked to rescind teacher pay raises

A Broward School Board member has proposed rescinding teacher raises that were just approved in February.

The request, called “No Employee Left Behind,” is scheduled to be discussed at 11:45 a.m. Tuesday. It was drafted by Torey Alston, an appointee of Gov. Ron DeSantis who has been highly critical of how the School Board manages money.

The School Board has been facing a budget crisis due to the dwindling enrollment and the expiration of federal COVID-19 relief dollars. The School Board agreed 6-3 on Feb. 27 to use nearly $20 million in COVID dollars to pay for the raises averaging 3.96%. But that money won’t be available to pay for future years, meaning the district starts its next budget year needing to cut $20 million just to maintain the salaries.

Alston has requested the state conduct an investigation into whether the board’s actions were proper. Alston said the board’s decision also left insufficient money for pay increases for other employees, including principals, assistant principals, bus drivers, maintenance workers and secretaries.

Citrus harvest projection has Florida growers optimistic

The citrus crop harvest projection shows a drop in some production this year. But the citrus industry is generally upbeat.

The latest U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) citrus harvest outlook shows a fairly stable industry. The projection calls for citrus growers to harvest about 18.8 million boxes of oranges in the 2023-24 harvest season in Florida alone. Another 2 million boxes of grapefruit will likely be harvested in Florida, and 500,000 boxes of tangerines and tangelos are projected to be plucked from trees.

Florida Citrus Mutual officials acknowledged that the harvest will be down from the previous months. But representatives of the citrus farming advocacy organization say they’re bullish on the industry.

“While this month’s USDA citrus forecast shows a dip in production, optimism blooms among Florida citrus growers,” said Matt Joyner, CEO at Florida Citrus Mutual. “Growers are witnessing improved tree health and ‘snow white’ orange blossoms in the groves — a tell-tale sign that there’s hope for Florida’s citrus industry to make its great American comeback.”