EP 118 News & Updates

Podcast News Topics

• US Senate is currently debating and amending the Big Beautiful bill with a final Senate vote expected in the next few days. As of now, Senators Rick Scott and Ashley Moody are supporting the bill
• Gov Desantis signed $115.1 B budget for FY 2025-26 …includes $14.5 B (12.5%) in reserves….also repeals repeals business rent tax and adds numerous sales tax holidays on necessities/hurricane preparedness items….provides a $1.5 billion to Budget Stabilization Fund over 2 years
• Gov DeSantis…”students continue to improve on Fla’s Assessment of Student Thinking (FAST) and End-of-Course (EOC) assessments”. These results reflect success of statewide progress monitoring system, which provides real-time data to support student achievement
• New Smyrna Beach’s Economic Development Office (Samantha Bergeron, Director) is implementing a comprehensive strategy to enhance job opportunities and diversify the local economy. Leaders want to maintain the City’s small-town character while welcoming strategic growth

FLASH….applications’ window for County Charter Review Commission extended to July 18…County Council to appoint members on August 5…go to volusia.org/chartercommission