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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$595M Surfing Center and Village May Come to Fort Pierce

By Julia Thomas | September 23, 2020

In an article published by the TCPalm on Tuesday, September 22, 2020, Lee Dobbins discusses a $595M development that may come to Fort Pierce. The nation’s largest “WaveGarden,” or simulated surfing park, is slated to come to Midway Road as part of a 200-acre community development. The community is expected to feature 800 residential homes,…

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