On May 22, 2025, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed Senate Bill 1386 into law, reclassifying criminal penalties for assault and battery against utility workers while they are engaged in critical infrastructure work. The law...more
6/26/2025
/ Assault ,
Battery ,
Criminal Penalties ,
Critical Infrastructure Sectors ,
Enforcement ,
Essential Workers ,
Felonies ,
Florida ,
Infrastructure ,
New Legislation ,
Public Utility ,
Regulatory Reform ,
State and Local Government ,
Workplace Violence
Inspired by renowned medical districts in the nation’s greatest cities, Tampa General Hospital and USF Health Morsani College of Medicine have partnered with the Tampa Bay Economic Development Council to create a life...more
5/30/2024
/ Community Development ,
Economic Development ,
Employee Benefits ,
Employee Retention ,
Events ,
Florida ,
Health Care Providers ,
Healthcare Facilities ,
Healthcare Workers ,
Innovation ,
Job Creation ,
Life Sciences ,
Medical Research ,
Real Estate Development
In times of emergency, the functions of different levels of government can often become cloudy. Figuring out which governmental unit has the authority to take a particular action can be confusing at such times. While this...more
3/26/2020
/ Ad Valorem Tax ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Critical Infrastructure Sectors ,
Emergency Management Plans ,
Florida ,
Government Agencies ,
Implied Authority ,
Jurisdiction ,
Leadership ,
Municipalities ,
Oversight Duties ,
State and Local Government
With the ongoing spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), and in an effort to limit public gatherings, a number of Florida counties and municipalities have taken the proactive step of canceling or postponing upcoming...more
For many years, the development industry in Florida has been able to extend building permits, development orders, and other government approvals during the time period when the governor declares a state of emergency, pursuant...more
3/18/2020
/ Building Permits ,
Construction Project ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Crisis Management ,
Emergency Management Plans ,
Florida ,
Infectious Diseases ,
Public Health ,
Real Estate Development ,
State and Local Government ,
State of Emergency
Four hundred and fifty-six days after it was approved by more than 57% of the Hillsborough County electorate, legal challenges to a county charter amendment that added a 1% sales tax designed to finance the county’s...more
2/6/2020
/ Appeals ,
Bonds ,
Charter Amendments ,
City Charters ,
Constitutional Challenges ,
FL Supreme Court ,
Florida ,
Infrastructure ,
Oral Argument ,
Pending Litigation ,
Public Transit ,
Sales Tax ,
State and Local Government ,
State Constitutions ,
Surtax ,
Tax Rates ,
Tax Revenues ,
Transportation Corridor
It is no secret that companies need to regularly engage with local government staff and elected officials to discuss pending regulations, local requirements, and other matters that may impact their business. It is a customary...more
In November 2018, more than 57 percent of Hillsborough County voters approved the imposition of a 1 percent sales tax designed to improve the county’s transportation infrastructure and transit service. The tax, enacted...more
For many years, Florida has been one of five states in the country with some form of “resign to run” law for those seeking public office. The law requires that a current officeholder, a person with state or municipal power,...more
If you are considering locating—or relocating—your business to Florida, and are interested in applying for an economic incentive, you should be aware of Florida’s Public Records and Sunshine Law, which provides that certain...more
The State of Florida offers economic incentives to businesses that are thinking about locating—or relocating—in Florida. These incentives target corporate headquarters and certain high growth industries. In addition, many...more
5/10/2016
/ Brownfield Properties ,
Business Plans ,
Corporate Taxes ,
Economic Development ,
Florida ,
Grants ,
Income Taxes ,
Job Creation ,
Relocation ,
Tax Refunds ,
Transportation Industry
Part of the years-long transportation funding debate appears to be reaching a conclusion.
On March 24, Hillsborough County held a well-attended public workshop regarding implementing mobility fees, which are described as...more