Red Tide Gone / Sunscreen Ban / Florida's Largest Winery

Published: Sat, 02/09/19

Editor’s Note: I’m testing out a new style/format of email this weekend. Let me know what you think! - Ryan

1. According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Florida’s coastal waters are entirely free of red tide algal blooms. The state has been dealing with the effects of red tide since October of 2017. - Miami Herald

2. 2017 tax law changes capping a deduction for state and local taxes at $10,000, is causing more buyers from high tax states to move to Florida. Citing a Zillow study, the WSJ says "preliminary data show a jump in Florida home purchases by buyers from high-tax states," and that "home values in lower-tax areas have been rising faster than those in places where limiting the ability to deduct high state and local taxes eroded some of the savings from the federal tax reduction." - Wall Street Journal

3. But just because you move from a high tax state to a lower tax state like Florida, it doesn’t always mean your previous state can’t get ahold of some of your money. Read “Can N.J. take taxes from this Florida resident?” - NJ.com

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4. After racking up more than 400 home sales in 2018, the developer of the very first Latitude Margaritaville retirement community in Daytona Beach is (at least for now) scrapping plans for a 2nd phase. The developer, Minto Communities, cited increased impact fees and construction costs as reasons for their decision. - Daytona Beach News-Journal

5. Speaking of Jimmy Buffett, the singer/entrepreneur was on hand this week at the recently opened Margaritaville Resort Orlando in Kissimmee on Tuesday. - Orlando Sentinel

6. In an effort to help keep endangered coral alive, the Key West City Commission voted this week to ban sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate, two chemicals that have been shown to be damaging to coral reefs. Hawaii actually has a statewide ban on the sale of sunscreen containing these chemicals. The Key West ban will not go into effect though until 2021. - The Washington Post

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7. No surprise here! Real estate websites Realtor.com and Zillow.com saw a massive spike in Florida home searches from areas hardest hit by the recent polar vortex. - Bloomberg

8. Opened in 1989, Lakeridge Winery & Vineyard is Florida’s largest winery, producing close to 200,000 gallons of wine and champagne each year. - Only in Your State

9. Florida’s new Governor, Ron DeSantis, made the environment a focus on the campaign trail and during his inauguration speech. According to Carl Hiaasen, so far he’s making good on his promises. - Miami Herald

10. After you decide to move to Florida, the next question that you are going to have to answer is which of the two coasts you would prefer to enjoy here in the Sunshine State. - The Villages of Citrus Hills

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