Politics

Proposed legislation seeks to enhance outdoor worker safety

Published

6 hours ago

February 6, 2025

Florida’s outdoor workers could be getting an added layer of protection as part of ongoing efforts to enhance worker safety by preventing heat-related illnesses and fatalities on the job.

The bill (SB 510) filed by St. Petersburg Democrat Sen. Darryl Rouson would add requirements for employers whose work crews spend a large portion of their time working outside in the Florida heat, particularly in industries such as agriculture, landscaping, and construction.

The measure would aim to protect outdoor workers from heat illness and death caused by heat exposure, by setting in place certain responsibilities for employers, including providing cool or cold water, regular breaks in the shade, and annual training programs on the risks of heat exposure for both employees and supervisors.

Employers would be required to implement an outdoor heat exposure safety program approved by the Florida Department of Agriculture, Consumer Services, and the Department of Health — which would include first-aid training, preventative measures, and high-heat procedures.

Both supervisor and employee first aid training would include ways to identify the signs and symptoms of heat exposure, both in themselves and others, as well as how to best use appropriate first-aid measures in the event an employee or co-worker suffers from a serious heat-related illness event before medical attention can arrive on scene.

Shaded areas and access to cold or cool drinking water would be required if temperatures reach more than 80 degrees during the workday.

Under high-heat conditions, employees would be given regular 10-minute breaks every two hours when they are working in environments exceeding 90 degrees. Supervisors would also be required to make available an effective voice, observational, or electronic communication system that allows an employee to communicate with a manager, supervisor, or emergency medical services if needed.

Between 2010 and 2020 there were 215 heat-related deaths in Florida, averaging between 10 and 38 deaths per year, with the highest number of deaths occurring during the summer months of June and July, according to a study from the University of Florida.

If passed, the bill would take effect October 1, 2025.

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Politics

New property tax exemption bill could reduce financial burdens for Floridians

Published

13 minutes ago

February 6, 2025

May Greene

A new property tax bill could reduce the financial burden on Florida homeowners by exempting $100,000 of a property’s value from taxation.

The bill (HB 359) filed by Ocala Republican Rep. Ryan Chamberlin is a follow up to a bill filed in the 2024 Legislative Session that called for funding to study the best methods for phasing out property taxes. That measure bill died in committee, so Chamberlin is looking for a re-do. Chamberlin ran on addressing the state’s affordable housing crisis, specifically on limiting in property taxes.

“The growth in property tax revenues over the last 5 years has been gross,” Chamberlin said in a press release. “For too long, cities, counties, and other taxing agencies have benefited from a system that provides property tax increases on unrealized gains. This is an ancient, burdensome system of taxation that must be ended, and I’d like to see Florida be the first in the nation to stop it.”

Chamberlin praised Gov. Ron DeSantis for his leadership on the issue, including recently raising the issue of property taxes. Chamberlin noted his plan is to fully end property taxes altogether.

“We cannot rest until we have ended property taxes altogether. The other ugly truth about a property tax system is the penalty of losing the property if the taxes are not paid,” Chamberlin said. “This essentially communicates that government owns all property and taxpayers are merely renters. If we don’t pay our rent (tax), then we lose it, and it is given to someone else. One of the fundamental God-given rights of man is the right to private property. Government is established to protect that right, not supersede it with an unfair tax system.”

Chamberlin further pointed out the bill contains language that would cap property tax revenues at 2% and added that local governments need to begin “living within their means” to prepare themselves for the potential change.

“I have also put into bill drafting language that will cap the growth in property tax revenues to 2% per year with a mandated refund or debt repayment as the only usage options for a revenue surplus,” Chamberlin said. “This again is just another step in the effort to provide relief and begin phasing out our property tax system. Local governments must begin living within their means now in anticipation of a change of revenue collection in the near future. I look forward to helping to stimulate this debate and work with legislative leadership and the governor’s office to realize this great legislative victory for our state.”

The bill’s passage is contingent on the approval of a related constitutional amendment (HJR 357) or similar joint resolution in the next General Election or Special Election that has been authorized for that purpose.

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JAXPORT ‘State of the Port’ address pitches optimism to First Coast maritime industry

Published

44 minutes ago

February 6, 2025

May Greene

The “2025 State of the Port” address outlining major expansion projects for Jacksonville’s port showed substantial growth potential for the logistics and transportation hub.

Officials with JAXPORT, such as Eric Green, CEO of the government authority over the port, addressed a crowd of several hundred people Thursday at the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront, hosted by the Propeller Club of the United States.

“From the addition of new trade lanes to the completion of major growth projects, 2025 is shaping up to be a transformational year for JAXPORT,” said JAXPORT Chair Wendy Hamilton. “CEO Green has a clear vision for the continued growth and development of JAXPORT — strengthening the supply chain and creating an environment where the port’s customers and partners can thrive.”

According to JAXPORT officials, the seaport’s cargo activity accounted for more than 228,100 jobs along Florida’s First Coast region in 2024. Seaports along Northeast Florida’s coast also generated $44 billion in annual economic output.

Meanwhile, JAXPORT is adding new and modified service routes for shipping to increase access to more global markets. Green said careful growth is key to the continued growth.

Among planned growth is a $72-million expansion of a container terminal expected to be completed in the Spring. Another $70 million is being spent on adding new cranes that will arrive this year. And a private investment of $120 million will fund a 340,000-square-foot auto processing facility on Blount Island.

Jack Kiely of Hylant Marine on Jacksonville’s Southside and a client executive with the Propeller Club said the annual State of the Port address has become a must-attend for anyone in the maritime industry in Northeast Florida.

“It’s a large maritime industry, not only in Jacksonville but in the Southeast,” Kiely said. “It (JAXPORT) is one of the largest ports in all of the country. And we’re gaining more… . We’re really growing.”

Beyond the hard numbers and statistics, Kiely said the State of the Port event is a chance for industry insiders, who are usually spread throughout the region, to socialize and connect.

“It’s a good spot for everyone to come together and communicate and collaborate and try to see what we can do better,” Kiely said.

Green agreed.

“Our mission is to be an economic engine and job creator for the community,” she said. “We achieve this through strategic growth across our lines of business and major initiatives to expand our capabilities across our key cargo types – containers, autos and breakbulk. Public and private investments in our terminals ensure JAXPORT continues to generate business growth benefitting our region and state.”

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Politics

Pilot program aimed at youth to reduce gun violence could be introduced this year

Published

1 hour ago

February 6, 2025

May Greene

A new measure could launch a pilot program that would address the growing issue of gun violence.

The bill (HB 441) was filed by Gainesville Democratic Rep. Yvonne Hinson and outlines the creation of the Gun Violence Prevention Pilot Program which would be established in Gainesville if the bill is passed.

Legislative findings in the bill states that individuals under the age of 21 are disproportionately affected by gun violence.

Through the pilot program, these individuals would be provided with mental health services, and conflict resolution training, while community initiatives would play a further role in addressing gun violence.

The program would be developed and implemented by IMPACT GNV, a community-based engagement strategy used within Gainesville to address gun violence in the city.

IMPACT GNV would work alongside the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) and other local officials — focusing on providing mental health services, intervention programs, and alternatives to incarceration.

The program targets youth at risk of becoming gun violence victims, becoming offenders, or who are returning from residential programs and are between age 10 and 21. Family members of those eligible would also be included.

While the program would provide access to substance abuse treatment, therapy, and trauma-based therapy, collaboration with local officials who offer educational and job training opportunities would further be available to participants.

The State Attorney’s Office, the Public Defender’s Office, and the FDJJ would be responsible for referrals.

The City of Gainesville, in collaboration with Alachua County, would have to submit annual reports to IMPACT GNV and DJJ, which would include information on the number of participants within the pilot program; data on the impact of gun violence amongst youth; and the impact on the location served by the program.

Participants would have the opportunity to give their own feedback, and the reports must contain recommendations for improvement and expansion of services based on the results.

The bill further states to fund and implement the pilot program, $500,000 would need to be appropriated from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Children and Families for fiscal year 2025-26.

If passed, the program would take effect on July 1, 2025, and run for a total of five years before expiring on June 30, 2030.

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