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Dangers of housefires after Helene as power is restored

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www.youtube.com – ABC Action News – 2024-10-03 14:00:38

SUMMARY: Many residents are still recovering from Hurricane Helen, facing power outages and an increased fire risk due to flood damage. In Newport Richey, Betty McLoud and her husband are salvaging their home while worrying about potential fires caused by saltwater-corroded wiring. Pasco County has reported 11 fires since the hurricane, linked to flooding’s impact on electrical systems. Experts advise homeowners to have their properties inspected by licensed electricians before restoring power, as corrosion can worsen over time, even if damage isn’t immediately visible. Safety precautions are crucial to prevent further disasters as recovery efforts continue.

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Betty Ann McCloud is running on fumes. “It’s just like an adrenaline thing right now,” she said. After massaging flooding in the Gulf Harbors neighborhood of New Port Richey, she and her husband and salvaging what they can.

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Florida Senate President urges ‘all of the above’ tax cut approach | Florida

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www.thecentersquare.com – By Steve Wilson | The Center Square – (The Center Square – ) 2025-04-01 11:48:00

(The Center Square) — Florida Senate President Ben Albritton, R-Wauchula, weighed in on the tax relief debate, saying in a letter to the Senate that he favors an “all of the above” approach.

The letter comes as Gov. Ron DeSantis and House Speaker Daniel Perez, R-Miami, have unveiled competing tax cut proposals in recent days. 

DeSantis unveiled his plan on Monday that would spend $5.1 billion to give the 5.1 million homesteaded properties a one-time, $1,000 rebate. The second-term Republican governor also wants an initiative placed on the 2026 ballot that would provide permanent relief for Florida homeowners.

According to a report by the Florida Policy Institute, property taxes account for $43 billion in revenue annually and 50% to 60% of school district budgets.         

Perez’s plan would permanently cut the state’s sales tax from 6% to 5.25%. In fiscal year 2024, sales tax collections totaled nearly $41.2 billion. 

DeSantis said he would prefer property tax reform because it would help Floridians, not visiting tourists. 

Albritton wants to find a middle ground between the two competing proposals. 

“I applaud Governor DeSantis for pursuing an innovative concept, and I like the idea of being able to provide some immediate relief to homesteaded property owners in advance of a more comprehensive effort to put a constitutional amendment on the ballot for voters to consider,” Albritton said on Monday. “I like that the House’s proposal is broad-based and would provide immediate relief for Floridians who rent, as well as those who own property. These are both significant ideas, worthy of our thought and consideration.

“However, at this point, I believe it is prudent that a final tax cut package of this size be predominantly nonrecurring, while permanent tax cuts are explored during the interim.”

Albritton also said that he doesn’t want to cut taxes now and have to raise them in a few years due to a budget shortfall. 

The post Florida Senate President urges ‘all of the above’ tax cut approach | Florida appeared first on www.thecentersquare.com

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ICE admits ‘administrative error’ in deporting Maryland man to El Salvador

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www.clickorlando.com – Ben Finley, Associated Press – 2025-04-01 10:52:00

SUMMARY: The Trump administration acknowledged mistakenly deporting Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, a Maryland man with protected legal status, to a dangerous El Salvador prison, CECOT. Despite an immigration judge ruling in 2019 against his deportation due to a likelihood of gang persecution, ICE cited “administrative error” for the deportation. Abrego Garcia, who fled gang violence in El Salvador, faces allegations of gang ties, but advocates claim no evidence supports these accusations. Although his wife recognized him in prison photographs, the administration is contesting his return to the U.S., citing safety concerns and purported gang affiliation.

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The post ICE admits ‘administrative error’ in deporting Maryland man to El Salvador appeared first on www.clickorlando.com

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Local hotel, motel owners seeing fewer Canadians

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www.youtube.com – CBS Miami – 2025-03-31 21:53:39

SUMMARY: Hotel and motel owners in South Florida are seeing a drop in Canadian snowbird visitors, especially French Canadians, due to rising political tensions between the U.S. and Canada over tariffs and immigration. Richard Cleve, who owns 10 properties in Hollywood, Florida, reports 79 vacant rooms and says peer pressure in Canada is discouraging travel to the U.S. Some Canadians are choosing other destinations like Cuba instead. While Cleve misses his regulars, he’s renting to Americans in the meantime. He remains hopeful relations will improve and Canadians will return. Despite the dip, business remains steady for now with domestic guests.

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South Florida hotels and motels are seeing less Canadian tourists.

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