Florida News That Impacts You – April 2nd, 2024
Bottom Line: Your daily recap of the biggest news from around the state that impacts you in South Florida.
- The Florida Supreme Court permitted both high-profile proposed constitutional amendments to go to voters in November. The two citizen-led proposals which would permit state-sanctioned recreational marijuana for those 21 and older and for abortion access until the point of fetal viability will be decided by voters in November’s general election. They join four other proposed constitutional amendments approved by the state legislature. Each will require a minimum of 60% support to pass. Related...
- The Florida Supreme Court ruled in favor of the state’s 15-week limit on abortions which was passed by the state legislature in 2022. The ruling means that Florida’s six-week abortion limit, with exceptions, passed in last year’s state legislative session will take effect in 30 days.
- Governor DeSantis announced the state will be bringing back the popular toll relief program for heavy users. DeSantis announced that between now, April 2024 through March of next year, drivers with 35 or more qualifying tolls per month will receive a 50% discount. The average savings per qualifying vehicle last year was $400 with a total of 1.2 million Floridians who qualified.
- Today is the Uniform Municipal Run-Off Election Day in Palm Beach County. In Lake Worth Beach the mayoral race between incumbent Mayor Betty Resch and former City Commissioner Andy Amoroso will be decided. In Wellington, two Village Council run-off elections will take place. The Village 1 Council Seat between Amanda Silvestri and former Mayor Bob Margolis and the Village 4 Council Seat between Shelly Lariz Albright and Maria Antuna. In Pahokee, there will be two run-off elections as well. The Commissioner Group 1 race between Monique Gordon and Everett McPherson will be decided along with the Group 2 Commissioner race between Sara Perez and Sanquetta Cowan-Williams. Polls will be open from 7am to 7pm.
- It’ll be especially warm today with highs in the mid- to- upper 80’s, about nine degrees warmer than usual for this date. Temperatures will continue to rise through Wednesday before a cool front moves in on Thursday.
- Gas prices dropped a couple cents per gallon on Monday. The average price statewide for regular unleaded is currently $3.56 per gallon. In Palm Beach County the average price is $3.77 per gallon, in Martin the average is $3.65 and in Indian River County the average is $3.62 per gallon.