October Update: COVID-19 Impacts on Florida’s Budget

By Julia Thomas | December 1, 2020
Financial Forecast

Yesterday, the Florida Office of Economics and Demographics Research released the October Revenue Report providing details regarding receipts and distributions to the State’s general revenue fund during the month of October.  This report generally reflects September retail sales tax activity. Florida’s general revenue fund is the main source of discretionary funding for the State.  In…

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Florida’s Foreclosure Moratorium Has Ended. What Now?

By Julia Thomas | November 23, 2020

Florida’s moratorium on residential foreclosures expired at midnight on Sept. 30, 2020, when Gov. Ron DeSantis did not extend his previous orders that stopped both foreclosures and evictions that were related to COVID-19. This ends a long period of uncertainty for lenders and landlords that began with the governor’s first order in April. Since personal…

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Gaming Industry Thought Leaders Gather Virtually to Examine Regulatory and Legal Challenges for Gaming

By Julia Thomas | November 17, 2020

Tallahassee, Florida – Dean Mead partner, Marc W. Dunbar, joined international gaming law thought leaders at the first International Masters of Gaming Law Virtual Conference November 10-12. “Now more than ever, as world economies, businesses and gambling operations everywhere are continue to navigate a global pandemic, it is important to convene experienced thought leaders and…

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Prepare for a Surge in Bankruptcies if the Pandemic Continues

By Julia Thomas | November 9, 2020

Since bankruptcies usually rise with unemployment, we anticipate we will see a surge of consumer and commercial filings in early 2021 if we don’t stop the spread of COVID-19 and its ravaging effects on the economy. We already have seen high-profile bankruptcies in the retail and hospitality industries, and that may be a harbinger of…

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Florida Voters Approve Two Property Tax-Related Constitutional Amendments

By Julia Thomas | November 4, 2020
State and Local Florida Taxation News

Florida voters approved two amendments to the Florida Constitution that appeared on the November 3, 2020 general election ballot. These amendments expand existing homestead property tax relief for surviving spouses of veterans with permanent combat-related disabilities and for portability of the general homestead exemption benefit.  A third amendment, not directly tax-related but with implications for…

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Update: COVID-19 Impacts on Florida’s Budget

By Julia Thomas | October 28, 2020
Homestead Tax Exemption

Yesterday, the Florida Office of Economics and Demographics Research released the September Revenue Report providing details regarding receipts and distributions to the State’s general revenue fund during the month of September. This report generally reflects August retail sales tax activity. Florida’s general revenue fund is the main source of discretionary funding for the State. In…

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2020 Legislative Session “Capitol Report”

By Julia Thomas | October 23, 2020

Dean Mead’s Session Overview provides a summary of the important issues that took place in Tallahassee this year. The 2020 Regular Session completed March 19, just as the severity of the pandemic was spreading across the Nation. During the Session, 3,518 bills were filed. Ultimately, only 203 bills were approved. The 2020 budget developed by…

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