Gov. Ron DeSantis brought good news to Nassau County recently by declaring it a Rural Area of Opportunity and delivering over $9 million for infrastructure and Commercial Driver’s License training.
“Our investments in workforce development and critical infrastructure today will help Florida remain an economic powerhouse in the long run – and our rural counties will always be an indispensable part of our state’s success,” said DeSantis. “We are also amending the North Florida Rural Area of Opportunity to include Nassau County, bringing the total to 15 counties. This designation helps rural communities diversify their economies and accelerate job growth in manufacturing, transportation and logistics.”
Ron DeSantis announces Nassau County Rural Area of Opportunity designation and infrastructure, workforce investments with J. Alex Kelly..
Florida Secretary of Commerce J. Alex Kelly said that by “investing in CDL training, Florida is increasing the shipping and logistics capacity of the state, bringing more jobs for Floridians with technical training and the ability to support moving Florida-made products.”
“Likewise, the development of industrial infrastructure in Nassau County will create a critical job creation hub at the 301/I-10 interchange — attracting job creators to grow their businesses in our communities, creating new jobs for our workforce and promoting long-term economic success.”
Helping hand
A former Governor turned U.S. Senator is also doing his part for Nassau this week.
Rick Scott’s staff will hold office hours on Thursday at Nassau County Public Services in Yulee between 10 a.m. and noon.
Rick Scott staff host Nassau County office hours to help residents with federal casework
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The goal of the visit: to help locals start casework or answer other questions.
Can’t make it?
No worries.
You can also ask for help online.
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Bye for now
House Speaker Pro Tempore Wyman Duggan said goodbye to his colleagues Thursday. But as is his wont, he spent most of his time acknowledging others rather than talking about himself, in a speech that referred to the Bible, Shakespeare and other cultural and literary antecedents.
Duggan, elected in 2018 from Duval County, offered fulsome praise for House Speaker Daniel Perez, saying the Miami Republican set the standard for principled leadership.
Wyman Duggan delivers farewell remarks to Florida House colleagues, praising Daniel Perez and thanking supporters.
“Mr. Speaker, thank you for your friendship. But more importantly, thank you for your absolutely selfless and sacrificial devotion to this institution and its members,” Duggan said.
“In an era when people sit at the top of an org chart, and try to govern by poll-tested positions and focus group talking points, or cling to power when their moment has passed, or don’t have the fortitude to make any decision at all, you have been resolute, fearless, bold. You have made membership in this House not just a position, but a fellowship.”
Duggan also thanked his constituents “for their trust and confidence,” his parents for their “love, guidance and self-sacrifice,” his wife, his children and his legislative assistant.
“To Tim Baker and Lenny Curry, thank you for being there with me from Day One,” he said, referring to the political consultant and the former Jacksonville Mayor, respectively.
Baker is deployed in the Middle East. Duggan urged him to “come home safely.”
From there, Duggan thanked various House staffers, whose names are largely unheralded, but whose efforts keep the institution running.
“Members, one of the most wonderfully surprising aspects of this service, for me, has been making a large new family of friends at a point in life where that kind of dynamic is over,” Duggan said.
The Jacksonville Republican closed with a reference to “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” and why a sequel to the 1980s classic couldn’t be made, noting the movie is a “lightning flash” that didn’t need a follow-up.
As he said farewell to a consequential eight years in Tallahassee, it was clear no immediate sequel, at least in Tallahassee politics, was needed to finish the story arc of his time in the Legislature.
“Members, never forget, no matter what else happens, you will always have been members of the world’s greatest deliberative body, the Florida House,” he said.
Brannan exits
Rep. Chuck Brannan is wrapping eight years in Tallahassee representing Florida’s 10th House district, which includes Baker, Columbia, Hamilton, Suwannee and part of Alachua County.
Tuesday’s House Session found the “son of a state trooper” who himself became a member of law enforcement telling stories of his time before the Legislature and in Tallahassee in his familiar cadence.
Chuck Brannan reflects on eight years representing Florida House District 10 in Tallahassee..
“I’m the first legislator for my county in over half a century. And you believe that. In over 50 years, there had been no one from Baker County. But here I am, and how did I get here?” Brannan asked rhetorically.
He went on to explain just that ….
Hope floats
The House has passed the Senate version of legislation that would give more children a chance at swimming lessons, a bill that brought together two concepts for a more complete package.
SB 428, sponsored by Jacksonville Republican Sen. Clay Yarborough, would change eligibility for swimming vouchers to children ages 1 to 7 from 0 to 4. In doing so, the bill aligns with recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Clay Yarborough’s swimming safety bill to expand child swim lessons passes the House.
The Senate added language from a Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith drowning prevention education bill (SB 606), which includes safe bathing practices in postpartum education. As a result, SB 428 will require the Department of Health to provide educational materials on bathtub and pool safety and encourage swimming lessons.
In the House, Rep. Kim Kendall carried the swimming lessons bill, and Rep. Anna Eskamani sponsored the drowning prevention bill, which was incorporated into the final product during the Senate Committee process.
Ahead of the unanimous vote in favor of the bill, Kendall said it was inspired by Will Moffatt, a volunteer swim instructor in St. Augustine, “who is very passionate about making sure as many children can be saved from drowning” as possible.
DEI dunked
The House has passed the Senate version of a bill that would end local diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, fulfilling a priority of Gov. Ron DeSantis.
The measure fromYarborough (SB 1134) was taken up by the House sponsor, Dean Black, on Tuesday.
“For more than a decade, we have seen the philosophy, popularly known as diversity, equity, and inclusion, or DEI, used to divide our society into competing factions. Not only have millions and millions of taxpayer dollars been wasted in the name of DEI, this philosophy has fostered resentment instead of goodwill. Mediocrity instead of merit. And it has divided our society against itself,” Black said.
Dean Black advances Clay Yarborough DEI bill after Florida House passes Senate version..
It aims to block local governments from passing DEI initiatives and to make ones already in law illegal, effective Jan. 1, 2027. The bill also creates a cause of action for citizens to file civil suits against local governments if they feel DEI laws have discriminated against them.
Democrats filed 10 amendments to alter the Senate product, all of which failed, but not before hours of enthusiastic discussion of the proposed changes among half a dozen of them.
Black rebuffed every proposal to change the language.
“At the end of the day, this bill just does three things. It says, we’re going to hire the best person for the job without regard to what color you are and what sex you are and so on. And we’re going to give the contract to the person who provides the best value to taxpayers, and we’re going to have events that don’t divide Americans and instead bring us together. That’s it,” he said.
Democratic denunciations of the bill abounded anyway.
“This bill is an insult, and it’s not about stopping hate,” said Rep. Angie Nixon.
In his closing, Black thanked Speaker Perez, a “conservative lion and a champion for common sense,” for “entrusting” him with this legislation.
Belt tightening
Jacksonville would have tough choices to make if homestead property taxes were eliminated, with $375 million in annual revenue lost.
“Members of Jacksonville’s Finance Committee expressed concern that the city could be unprepared to take that revenue hit in the next budget,” reports the Jacksonville Daily Record.
While the House bill, which starts a phased reduction in the levy, has no path in the Senate, legislators are expected to return to Tallahassee this Spring to approve ballot language for a November vote.
Will Lahnen warns Jacksonville could lose $375 million if homestead taxes disappear.
“If it’s $375 million, we can get rid of nonprofit (spending), everything we give to UF Health, every cash incentive can go away. And we’re about halfway there,” Council member Will Lahnen said.
Uncertainty is the word of the day, though.
“It’s way too early to make budget adjustments based on what may or may not pass,” said a spokesperson for the Mayor’s office.
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H2o haul
JEA, Jacksonville’s public utility, is getting up to $3 million in Florida Department of Environmental Protection grant funds to offset costs for JEA’s water conservation programs, including customer incentives for WaterSense products, via the Protecting Florida Together, Alternative Water Supply Grant program.
Vickie Cavey announces $3 million state grant supporting JEA water conservation programs.
“We are grateful to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection for helping us invest in our water future,” JEA Managing Director and CEO Vickie Cavey said. “This grant will allow JEA to continue our commitment to water conservation and sustainability in Northeast Florida.”
Residential customers’ covered products include water conservation kits, smart irrigation controllers, rotating irrigation nozzles, toilets, showerheads and clothes washers. Ice machines, cooling towers, toilets, urinals and kitchen equipment are eligible for commercial subsidies.
Drought downer
Growing drought conditions have state officials issuing a severe water shortage declaration and “Phase II” for most of North Florida and other areas.
The St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD) issued the declaration for Clay, Duval, Flagler, Nassau, Putnam and St. Johns counties. The move is an indicator of the increasingly dry conditions following a cold Winter and frosts that damaged vegetation with little rain.
Neal Shinkre urges conservation as the St. Johns district issues North Florida drought restrictions.
The Phase II declaration from the SJRWMD means residential landscape irrigation remains limited to one day per week until further notice. It’s designed to reduce demand and help stabilize water resources in the region during the drought.
“Water conservation plays an important role in protecting our aquifer and maintaining reliable service for our community,” said Neal Shinkre, Director of the St. Johns County Utilities Department. “Small actions like adjusting irrigation schedules, checking irrigation systems for leaks, and watering only when necessary can make a meaningful difference during dry periods.”
An “exceptional drought” condition has been declared for every county in North Florida except for a few in the Panhandle, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Those conditions stretch well into southern Georgia. Areas from the Treasure Coast stretching across the state into the Southwest Florida region are also under the same conditions.
“Consistent with a La Nina Winter, drought has worsened the past few months with more than two-thirds of the Sunshine State designated with extreme drought,” stated the Drought Monitor report, adding wildfires remain a serious threat.
Terrific traffic timing
Motorists in St. Johns County can get a little more help navigating traffic signals now that the local government is providing video assistance.
The St. Johns County Office of Public Affairs has made available an educational video that explains how to approach intersections best and handle interactions with stop lights and other traffic control devices. The online media provision explains features provided by the county’s Public Works Traffic and Transportation Division.
“Traffic signal optimization allows us to improve traffic flow, enhance safety, and make the most of our existing transportation infrastructure,” said Michael Likley, Public Works project manager for the Traffic and Transportation Division.
Drivers can help signals operate as intended by pulling forward to the stop bar when approaching an intersection and remaining attentive, so their vehicle stays within the detection zone. Minimizing distractions helps ensure signals recognize waiting vehicles and continue moving traffic efficiently.
The video also explains how motorists can use the county’s mobile application, SJC Connect app, to request updates and file different complaints and alert county officials where timing adjustments may be needed at traffic lights and operational improvements at intersections.
To watch the video, please click the image below:
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Tee time at The Players
The Players Championship tees off on Thursday with questions about whether the defending champion will play.
Rory McIlroy won his second Players’ Championship last year in a playoff over J.J. Spaun but withdrew from the Arnold Palmer Invitational last week with a back injury. He stayed at home in Jupiter, Florida, and will not arrive at TPC Sawgrass until Wednesday at the earliest.
Rory McIlroy joins Scottie Scheffler and Collin Morikawa at The Players Championship.
If McIlroy plays, he can become the second man to win three Players Championships, joining Jack Nicklaus, but he is not alone. World’s No. 1 Scottie Scheffler won back-to-back titles in 2023 and ’24. Scheffler is the favorite to win, with McIlroy and Collin Morikawa as the next favorites.
Also in the field is Brooks Koepka, who bolted for the LIV Golf tour in 2022 and returned to the PGA Tour in January in the new “Returning Member Program.” Koepka has played in three PGA Tour events since returning. His best finish was a tie for ninth at the Cognizant Classic at PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida
This year, the event has a $25 million purse, the largest in the history of The Players. It is also $5 million more than the other signature events on tour and larger than last season’s four majors. The winner will walk away with $4.5 million. The top five finishers will earn more than $1 million each. The first year of The Players Championship, 1974, had a total purse of $250,000, with the winner, Nicklaus, taking home $50,000, slightly less than the 72nd-place finisher this week. The tournament has come a long way in its 52-year history.
The tournament will also receive its moment in the spotlight as PGA Tour Studios and NFL Films partner on a production to give fans an inside look at The Players called “Chasing Sunday.”
Also new on the course this year, the “Iron & Wedge Steakhouse” debuts exclusively for The Players Club members alongside the 18th green, where, “members can enjoy a true steakhouse experience with a front-row seat to the championship’s final moments.”
This year marks the seventh tournament since the event moved back to March. The return to March was anticipated to create more difficult scoring conditions. Still, since 2018, the winner has posted a score of at least 18-under par, including Scheffler’s 20-under 268 in 2024, the second-lowest winning score in the tournament’s history.
Temperatures during competitive play are forecast to be cooler than early in the week. With highs forecast in the 70s, the course could see rain, especially on Thursday and Sunday. The first round tees off at 7:30 a.m. on Thursday on ESPN+, with Golf Channel picking up the action at 1 p.m. Over the weekend, NBC picks up the coverage at 2 p.m. on Saturday and 1 p.m. on Sunday’s final round.