Florida News That Impacts You – July 31st, 2023
Bottom Line: Your daily recap of the biggest news from around the state that impacts you in South Florida.
- The state has won a procedural legal battle against Disney over the actions of the outgoing Reedy Creek Improvement District board which was Disney controlled. In the final days of its existence, the Reedy Creek board passed a series of measures aimed at curbing the ability for the incoming state-backed Tourism District board to be able to regulate the Orlando district which includes Disney’s properties. A federal judge has denied Disney’s effort to dismiss the lawsuit brought by the new Tourism District board seeking to invalidate the measures passed by the former board during the “lame-duck” period.
- Miami-Dade and Monroe counties are getting a new area code due to population growth. The 645 area code will begin to be implemented for new phone service in the two counties which currently use 305 and 786.
- The latest reporting from the Florida Public Service Commission shows electricity rates have been decreasing statewide over the past month. The price declines are due to lower natural gas prices which are the leading source of energy for Florida’s utility companies. FPL customers are saving an average $8.38 per month over peak rate levels in April.
- Gas prices were generally flat over the weekend. Statewide the average price for regular unleaded is currently $3.66 per gallon – 19 cents higher than a week ago. In Palm Beach County the average price is $3.79 per gallon, which is the highest price in the state.