House Passes $5 Billion Tax Relief Package

With a vote of 78-29, the House passed a $5 billion tax relief package on Friday in a mostly partisan vote.

The bill faces opposition from Gov. Ron DeSantis, who wants to eliminate property taxes and give a $1,000 homeowner rebate. Meanwhile, Senate President Ben Albritton wants a more modest tax relief package.

The bill would lower Florida’s state sales tax rate by 0.75% to 5.25%. All other sales tax rates would be reduced by the same amount, including commercial rent, electricity, new mobile home purchases, and coin-operated amusement machines.

The bill, HB 7033, redirects funds away from tourism-related efforts and into each county’s general revenue coffers.

Disagreement over tax relief is the primary reason lawmakers are unlikely to pass a state budget during the 60-day legislative session, scheduled to end on May 2.

Mystery Missile Launches from Cape Canaveral

An undisclosed missile was launched Friday morning during a Department of Defense (DOD) test from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Other than unusual rocket-related navigational advisories, no public announcements were made beforehand.

A DOD spokesperson confirmed a test had occurred, saying “a combined team of government, academic, and industry partners conducted a test” and that they “are currently evaluating the results.”

Army officials announced on Thursday that Dark Eagle, the name of a long-range hypersonic weapon program, had a successful test in December. It has not been confirmed whether Friday’s test is connected to that program.

Lab-Grown Meat Lawsuit Continues

A lawsuit against Florida’s ban on lab-grown meat continues after a federal judge rejected four parts of a five-part suit. Lawmakers in Florida, Alabama, and Mississippi have banned the sale of the product.

Northern District of Florida Chief Judge Mark Walker declined to dismiss the part of the lawsuit that argued Florida’s restrictions give an unconstitutional advantage to Florida farmers over out-of-state competitors.

The judge agreed, however, with the argument made by state attorneys seeking to dismiss the suit that federal approval of lab-grown chicken meat doesn’t mean individual states can’t ban it.

The U.S. approved the sale of lab-grown meat for the first time in June 2023, allowing two California startups, Good Meat and Upside Foods, to sell “cultivated” chicken.

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➤ Statewide: ICE and law enforcement arrested 780 migrants who are in the U.S. illegally as part of Operation Tidal Wave, a first-of-its-kind, four-day mission. (More)

➤ Apopka: Orange County Fire Rescue crews continue to check for “hot spots” after containing a 25-acre brush fire that erupted off State Road 414 and Lakeville Road. (More)

➤ Escambia County: Pensacola Beach’s toll plaza will be replaced with a new archway to improve traffic flow and welcome visitors traveling to the area. (See Photo)

➤ Lake County: The annual three-day Leesburg Bikefest was back this weekend for its 28th edition, drawing a quarter of a million motorcycle enthusiasts from across the state and country. (See Photos)

➤ Daytona Beach: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is working to solve the air traffic controller shortage with its FAA-approved enhanced air traffic collegiate training initiative. The first graduates of the program are undergoing final testing this week. (More)

➤ Highlands County: A Miami man is facing charges after he offered deputies an alcoholic beverage during a car chase and then attempted to ram two patrol vehicles. (More)

➤ The Orlando Magic lost to the Boston Celtics 107-98 in Game 4 of the first round of the NBA playoffs. Boston now leads the series 3-1. (More)

➤ The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have signed 464-pound Florida defensive tackle Desmond Watson as an undrafted free agent. (More)

➤ The Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning will face off tonight for Game 4 of their first-round NHL playoffs series. The Panthers hold a 2-1 lead, but the Lightning dominated Game 3 5-1. (Preview)

Yesterday’s results: MLB | NBA | NHL | NCAAB | NCAASB | Soccer | PGA | LPGA

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➤ Bank of America East Central Florida donated $250,000 to Brevard Zoo toward the community’s $100 million fundraising effort for an aquarium at Port Canaveral, scheduled to open in 2027. (More)

➤ Avelo Airlines canceled its twice-weekly flights from Daytona Beach International Airport to Charlotte/Concord, North Carolina, and Hartford, Connecticut, citing delayed aircraft deliveries, overlapping markets, and weak demand. (More)

➤ Buc-ee’s is considering a location near Port Charlotte on Interstate 75 between Sarasota and Fort Myers for a new store. The giant travel center would be the state’s fourth Buc-ee’s location and the first in South Florida. (More)

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➤ Kielce Gussie, a 28-year-old journalist with Vatican Media who grew up in Middleburg and graduated from Bishop Snyder High School, delivered the first reading at Pope Francis’ funeral. (Watch Video)

➤ Taylor Wright, a graduate student at the Frost School of Music, won the University of Miami’s ninth annual Three Minute Thesis competition, competing against seven doctoral students from across the university. (More)

➤ A 101-year-old World War II veteran has been going to the Field of Dreams every Saturday in St. Johns County to watch kids play baseball while his daughter volunteers. (Watch Video)

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What’s your favorite way to eat chicken?

1. Fried
2. Baked
3. Grilled
4. I don’t like chicken
5. Other

Sunday’s Results:

Should there be term limits for U.S. Congress members?

1. Yes: 72%
2. Not sure: 15%
3. No: 13%

By area, what is the largest city in the contiguous 48 states at 840 square miles?

Show me the answer