Florida News That Impacts You – June 6th, 2023
Bottom Line: Your daily recap of the biggest news from around the state that impacts you in South Florida.
- Governor DeSantis signed several bills into law on Monday including the Retirement bill. The bill restores retirement benefits for Florida’s first responders back to pre-2011 levels including dropping the age for full retirement to 55 from 60 and significantly increases healthcare benefits 780,000+ first responders in Florida who are impacted by the legislation. The Space Florida bill is law. The legislation streamlines processes between Space Florida and private enterprises in an effort to speed up projects which are public-private partnerships. DeSantis also signed the Interference With Sporting or Entertainment Events bill into law. The legislation formally makes it a crime to interfere with events and performances and is aimed at discouraging fans from storming fields and streaking at events. The Violent Offenses Committed Against Criminal Defense Attorneys bill is now law. The legislation increases penalties for assaulting attorneys in a courtroom to a felony.
- A second flight of illegal immigrants has arrived in Sacramento, California with people containing Florida documents. After an initial flight arrived on Friday, a second, carrying 20 migrants, arrived on Monday. The state legislature approved $12 million for migrant relocations in May.
- Florida and eight other states have filed a lawsuit against recent changes implemented by the National Flood Insurance Program. The changes in the program brought significant price increases to Floridians, as Florida was the state most negatively impacted by the program’s new criteria.
- Gas prices continued lower Monday. Statewide the average price for regular unleaded is $3.34 per gallon – seven cents lower than a week ago. In Palm Beach County the average price is $3.55 per gallon, which is the second highest in the state.