CRITICAL WORKFORCE NEEDS GRANTS Three state colleges received a total of $9 million to support and expand programs that provide workforce training and certificates. Daytona State College in Volusia County received $2.8 million, St. Petersburg College in Pinellas County received $3.4 million and South Florida State College, which has campuses in Highlands, DeSoto and Hardee counties, was awarded $2.8 million. The money will be used to support partnerships between colleges and local school districts, preparing students to enter careers in emergency management, law enforcement, health care and education upon graduation. More than 2,000 students are expected to graduate from these programs over the next three years.
FLORIDA ECONOMY On November 4th, the Office of Economic and Demographic Research released a positive report for September. Florida brought in $471.2 million more in September than the General Revenue Estimating Conference had predicted back in August.
CITIZENS PROPERTY INSURANCE Homeowners with Citizens policies received an average rate hike of 6.4 percent effective November 1st. The Office of Insurance Regulation approved the rate increase in July, after Citizens had requested a 10.7 percent increase.
TOURISM CAMPAIGN The state’s marketing agency VISIT FLORIDA launched a $2.7 million campaign to encourage tourists to travel to 14 areas untouched by Hurricane Ian.
SOUTHEAST ENERGY EXCHANGE MARKET Four Florida utilities – Duke Energy Florida, JEA, Seminole Electric Cooperative and TECO Energy – joined the Southeast Energy Exchange Market. The market’s November 9th launch in twelve states includes 23 entities serving over 36 million customers.
TENURE REVIEW RULES The Florida Board of Governors voted to advance a proposed rule regarding tenured faculty member reviews. The new rule requires tenured faculty to go through a review every five years. The review is based on several factors, including the members’ compliance with legislation passed this year regarding theories about race. The evaluations also address accomplishments and productivity; assigned duties in research, teaching, and service; performance metrics, evaluations, and ratings; and recognition and compensation considerations, including improvement plans and consequences for underperformance. Faculty could be fired if they fail the review. A final vote is expected in early 2023.