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Florida bill would help enhance rural communities | Florida

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www.thecentersquare.com – By Steve Wilson | The Center Square – (The Center Square – ) 2025-03-24 13:16:00

(The Center Square) – A bill active in the Florida Legislature could provide help for the state’s rural areas and create what the bill authors call a “rural renaissance.”

Senate Bill 110 passed the Senate 39-0 on Wednesday and would allocate $200 million to expand education offerings, increase health care availability for rural residents and help modernize commerce. 

SB110, sponsored by Sen. Corey Simon, R-Tallahassee, would also appropriate $91 million for transportation projects in fiscally constrained counties. 

Sen. Gayle Harrell, R-Stuart, represents a district that includes the wealthy coast and more rural agricultural areas of Martin County and parts of Palm Beach and St. Lucie counties. 

“People don’t realize that agriculture is the No. 2 industry in our state,” Harrell said during debate on the bill. “We have to make sure we’re supporting our agricultural communities. They get forgotten a lot and we want to make sure with this bill that we are going to put them on the forefront, especially with health care.”

Simon’s measure would also mandate that the state land planning agency to give special preference for technical assistance funding to local governments located in what is called a rural area of opportunity.

The bill would also allow eligible rural counties to receive at least $50 million in sales tax distribution. 

Under SB110, the state Department of Commerce would create an Office of Rural Prosperity and a Public Infrastructure Smart Technology Grant Program to help these areas upgrade their infrastructure. 

Added to the measure was a change to the state’s Florida Reimbursement Assistance for Medical Education Program that would add eligibility for medical doctors or doctors of osteopathic medicine who are board certified in emergency medicine and employed by or under contract with a rural hospital. 

Rural health care practitioners such as doctors and nurses could receive $250,000 each under a new grant program to build new facilities, buy new equipment and add telehealth services among other allowed costs. 

The bill was amended on the floor to add that areas in the Everglades Agricultural Area in the southern part of the peninsula near Lake Okeechobee would be priority areas under the measure. 

Counties eligible for designation as fiscally-constrained status must meet at least one of two criteria. Fiscally constrained counties are those where a 1 mill levy – which adds up to one dollar per $1,000 dollars of assessed value – would raise no more than $5 million in annual tax revenue or have been listed on the governor’s executive order as an area of economic concern.

Florida’s fiscally constrained counties are Baker, Bradford, Calhoun, Columbia, Desoto, Dixie, Franklin, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Glades, Gulf, Hamilton, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Lafayette, Levy, Liberty, Madison, Okeechobee, Putnam, Suwannee, Taylor, Union, Wakulla and Washington.

House Bill 1427 is similar, but it has yet to be taken up by the House Commerce Committee. 

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News from the South - Florida News Feed

Orlando restaurant owner invites artists to parking lot amid federal fight against street art

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www.clickorlando.com – Mark Lehman – 2025-09-15 04:00:00

SUMMARY: In response to Florida’s decision to paint over street art on public roads, including the rainbow crosswalk outside the Pulse nightclub, Orlando’s Se7en Bites restaurant owner Trina Gregory is opening 49 parking spaces for local artists to create vibrant artworks. The event, “Parking Spaces for Pride,” will take place Monday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at 617 N Primrose Drive. It aims to transform controversy into a community celebration that uplifts Orlando’s LGBTQ+ community, preserving the city’s love for art. Gregory intends to make this an annual event promoting creativity, diversity, and resilience amidst the state’s restrictions on non-uniform traffic markings.

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Community honors life of 10-year-old Harper Moyski, killed in shooting at Minneapolis church

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www.news4jax.com – Associated Press – 2025-09-14 15:33:00

SUMMARY: In Minneapolis, friends and family gathered to honor 10-year-old Harper Moyski, killed in a mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic School. Harper, remembered as fierce, curious, and unapologetically herself, was one of two children killed alongside 21 injured when a former student opened fire during Mass. Her mother, Jackie Flavin, described Harper as “extra in the very best way,” loving dogs and aspiring to be a veterinarian. Speakers at the outdoor memorial called for an end to gun violence, especially in schools. Rabbi Jason Rodich urged kindness amid societal division, encouraging people to support one another “for Harper.”

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A look at recent flooding across South Florida

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www.youtube.com – CBS Miami – 2025-09-14 10:58:39

SUMMARY: South Florida is still recovering from a week of severe flooding that made roads nearly impassable, stalled cars, and forced people to wade through water. In Hollywood, upgraded flood pumps and drainage systems helped subside water levels quickly, preventing damage to homes. However, in North Miami, residents along 141st Street report ongoing issues with backed-up drains and street flooding, which disrupt daily life, including doctor visits. The city claims the flooding is due to long tides rather than clogged drains and asserts the area has been checked. Concerns remain about the area’s vulnerability without further drainage maintenance.

Parts of South Florida are still drying out from the deluge of rain storms last week.

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