EP 155 Lori Campbell-Baker

News from Tallahassee……

Special Legislative session has narrowed to a 1 issue: congressional redistricting….lawmakers set aside DeSantis’ proposed AI Bill of Rights and Medical Freedom legislation.

Redistricting plan could shift Fla’s congressional delegation from current 20 Rs and 8Ds to 24 Rs and 4 Ds.

County Charter Review Commission (CRC) has completed their meetings and is proposing several new amendments to the County’s charter/constitution upon which voters will decide In November.

April 28 - Holly Hill City Commission agreed to realign certain CRA and budget carryover funds to acquire new equipment for public works dept. Commission also passed a new set of rules to better manage sober homes (certified  recovery residences).

Sheriff Chitwood has filed lawsuits against promoters of online "pop-up or takeover events" in Daytona Beach including the organizers of "Daytona Spring Break 2k26" events and other specific social media promoters……individual suits are seeking $50,000 to $100,000.

April 25 - Daytona Beach Police Dept hosted a DEA national prescription drug take back collection day

April 28 - New Smyrna Beach City Commission approved updates to their development rules to make them easier to understand and more effective. Commission also appointed reps to their Historic Preservation Bd and Planning Bd

To prepare for the 2026 hurricane season starting June 1, City of Port Orange is upgrading their Cambridge pump station with upgrades

April 29 - US Federal Reserve Bd announced voted to leave interest rates unchanged at 3.50% to 3.75%, marking the 3rd consecutive meeting without a rate adjustment despite unusually sharp disagreement among policymakers….

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell chaired his final meeting but plans to remain on the Board for an undetermined period after his term as chair expires May 15…… his current Bd-member term ends in 2028…..his likely successor, Kevin Warsh, was confirmed by the Senate Banking Committee, setting up a full Senate vote soon.

March US international trade report shows goods/services deficit was $57.2  billion — essentially unchanged from February’s $57.3 billion deficit but up from January’s $54.7 billion.….exports were about $316.0 billion and  imports about $373.2 billion…

Interview - CVB Executive Director Lori Campbell-Baker discusses……

• Volusia’s bed taxes - Tourist Development and Convention Development…….
• Status of Daytona Beach Area Tourism to date this season
• Daytona Beach’s Primary Tourist Markets….
• May 12 Listening Session, 12 noon at Casements in Ormond Beach