Florida's Latest News

DeSantis Reports Nearly 300 Americans Rescued in Israel

As the Israeli-Hamas conflict enters its second week with thousands of lives being taken on both sides, Governor and presidential candidate Ron DeSantis (R-FL) announced that the State of Florida has rescued nearly 300 Americans from Israel.

Partnering with Project Dynamo, the rescue mission returned U.S. citizens to Tampa and Orlando after commercial flights were canceled out of Israel.

“Just a few days ago, I signed an Executive Order to allow Florida to carry out logistical, rescue and evacuation operations to bring Floridians back home and provide important supplies to our valued ally, Israel,” said Gov. DeSantis. “I am proud of how quickly we have been able to activate resources and do what the federal government could not – get Floridians and other Americans back home, reunited with their families, free of charge.”

Gov. DeSantis was able to accomplish this feat through the issuing of Executive Order 23-208. This allows the State of Florida and the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) to “bring Floridians home and transport necessary supplies to Israel.”

Florida officials conduct trade mission in Japan to improve business relations

Florida Secretary of State Cord Byrd, alongside business facilitation agency SelectFlorida, partook in a trade mission to Japan last week, focusing on strengthening economic partnerships between Florida and Japan.

“International trade missions are vital to bolstering and diversifying Florida’s economic ties and the SEUS-Japan meeting offers many opportunities to collaborate with Japanese business leaders, and connect Florida businesses with Japanese businesses and other southeastern U.S companies,” said Florida Secretary of Commerce J. Alex Kelly. “Florida continues to advance transportation infrastructure, connectivity, cultural ties, and the nation’s #1 talent development workforce – making Florida the ideal location for Japanese investment and trade.”

The mission, which took place from October 8 to 14, 2023, saw a delegation from Florida, including businesses, public universities, and other stakeholders, participate in collaboration with the 45th Annual Southeast U.S./Japan Association meeting (SEUS-Japan).

Property insurance insider: we will know if tort reform is effective within 18 months

In a conversation with The Capitolist, insurance industry veteran Scott Johnson sounded off on the state of Florida’s property insurance market, asserting that insurers and lawmakers alike should sense the effects of the recent tort reform measures within 18 months.

Johnson’s comments come at a point of inflection in the state’s insurance landscape, with conflicting viewpoints emerging on what property owners can expect in terms of future premiums. Last week, key state lawmakers said they plan to adopt a “wait and see” approach to measure the impact of reforms. Johnson, however, opines that the effects can already be felt.

“I think … we can look for signs that the reforms are working in 18 months,” Johnson commented. “I also believe that we are already seeing signs because insurance companies, actuaries, and so forth can see in the changes a better future and are reacting now based on what they saw in the legislation that passed.”

Florida's agriculture commissioner seeks $300M for a land conservation program

Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson is seeking $300 million for a program designed to keep swaths of rural land from commercial and residential development, triple the amount vetoed by Gov. Ron DeSantis this year.

Meanwhile, the Department of Environmental Protection is asking lawmakers for a slight increase next year in funding for the separate Florida Forever land-conservation program.

In outlining proposals by his Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services for the 2024 legislative session, Simpson on Tuesday said the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program is a way for farmers and ranchers to continue operating amid the pressures of rising land values and a rapidly growing population.

"When you think about what farming of the future is going to look like … are we going to have farmland available?" Simpson told members of the House Agriculture & Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee.