Jim Turner

Visit Florida estimated 2.295 million overseas travelers during the quarter this year, an 11.4% jump from the same period in 2024. But the estimated 640,000 Canadian visitors to Florida during the quarter marked a 20%drop from 2024.

A House subcommittee backed a wide-ranging measure (HB 1535) that includes addressing local government responsibilities about issues such as construction regulations and debris removal after storms.

Florida Citrus Mutual CEO and Executive Vice President Matt Joyner stressed the need to continue providing money for research in the long-running battle against deadly citrus greening disease after seeing production drop more than 90% in less than three decades.

Gov. Ron DeSantis proposes a $115.6 billion budget for 2025-2026, focusing on law enforcement pay, commercial-lease tax elimination, and a new sales-tax holiday on guns and ammunition.

Young, who has spent nearly six years at Visit Florida, oversaw the agency's efforts to promote tourism in Florida and helped guide a tourism rebound after COVID-19. The agency received $80 million in state money this year, up from $50 million in the 2019-2020 fiscal year.

While an official announcement about Rubio’s selection as Trump's Secretary of State had not been made Tuesday afternoon, it would lead to a closely watched decision by DeSantis about appointing a U.S. senator for a term that would last until the 2026 election.

The Florida Council of 100 released a report about types of businesses and industries that different areas of the state should work to attract, while offering its more than 150 members to help link businesses with regional economic-development organizations.

DeSantis signed two bills related to the My Safe Florida Home grant program and said he also intends to support an additional $30 million in the state budget aimed at expanding the program to include condominiums.

With many games held without fans or with limited crowds because of pandemic restrictions, larger incentives tied to publicly funded stadiums and arenas in Florida posted negative returns.

Visit Florida saw its return on investment fall to 58 cents for every $1 spent on marketing as during the pandemic.

A controversial proposal designed to prevent homeless people from sleeping in public places while leaving local governments to address the issue is headed to Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Florida House and Senate Republican budget chiefs this week brushed aside concerns about Gov. Ron DeSantis' $114.4 billion spending plan. Lawmakers will prepare to negotiate a final budget during the legislative session that will start Jan. 9.