Good Morning, Sunland
It's Tuesday! And my apologies for Friday's newsletter. I meant to put a programming reminder for Monday stating that I would be out. I got some much needed rest yesterday. I love doing the newsletter, but it definitely is a grind, doing it five days a week and trying to keep it entertaining and fun and ultimately good. Thank you for your understanding. I will say I'm super excited to be back, and I've got some pretty big videos planned for this week and next week, so I'm looking forward to that.
🎥 Just trust me: I'm starting this new thing where I'm asking you to just trust me and click this link. I've never steered you wrong, at least I don't think so. I'm always looking to point you in the direction of things that are meaningful and show love to home. Just trust me.
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In today's newsletter:
💰 Florida has a state budget deal: nearly $115 billion
🪰 Lovebugs came back to Florida
🎆 Florida may ban fireworks this July Fourth weekend
🌀 Hurricane season forecast below average for first time in decade
🥂 Champagne & Soul at Sweet Desires Wednesday
Ja'Min Devon
Founder, Sunland News
🟠 Main Squeeze: Florida has a state budget deal
Florida lawmakers finalized a nearly $115 billion state budget over Memorial Day weekend after a special session was required to complete it. The plan goes to the governor for approval and takes effect July 1 📋.
Why it matters: This budget covers everything from public schools to health care to the environment and affects every county in the state including St. Lucie County.
What is in the budget 📋:
🎓 $4.5 billion for the state voucher program kept inside the main K-12 funding formula
🦠 $75 million for the AIDS Drug Assistance Program, which faced cuts earlier this year that pushed patients off their medications
♋ $20 million for the Cancer Innovation Fund
🌿 $514 million for Everglades restoration projects
🌾 $425 million for the Rural and Family Lands conservation easement program
💰 $4 million for the families of the Groveland Four, the four Black men wrongly accused of rape in Lake County in 1949, pardoned in 2019 and exonerated in 2021
👮 Pay raises only for law enforcement officers, firefighters and correctional officers. No across the board raises for other state workers
🏟️ $50 million for campus improvements at Hillsborough College tied to the planned Tampa Bay Rays stadium project
The tax relief package: A separate $150 million tax package includes a three year sales tax exemption on impact resistant windows and doors and a sales tax exemption on firearm accessories. No gas tax relief was included despite earlier discussions 👀.
Worth noting: School districts facing declining enrollment got some protection from deep cuts after two small counties had their school districts placed on emergency administration this year. The budget also did not include funding to hire new judges, which the courts had requested.
What's next: Legislators plan to vote on the budget May 29th and send it to the governor 📅.
💬 Read more about the budget here: Florida Phoenix
🥳 Out-of-Towner: May 27 - May 31
Wednesday, May 27
🥂 Champagne & Soul at Sweet Desires – Sweet Desires Dessert Lounge, 44 Royal Palm Pointe, Vero Beach. | 7 PM – 10 PM | Details
Friday, May 29
🎵 Tell Me Lies – Fleetwood Mac Tribute – Terra Fermata Tiki Bar, 26 SE 6th St, Stuart. | 6 PM | $28.41 | Ticketed | Details
🛍️ Florida Findz Sunset Vintage Market – 1432 Cypress Dr, Jupiter. | 6 PM – 9 PM | Details
🎉 Downtown Friday: 250th Party – 2046 14th Ave, Vero Beach. | 6 PM – 9 PM | Free | Details
Saturday, May 30
🧄 Melbourne 1st Annual Garlic Fest – Wickham Park, Melbourne. | 11 AM – 4 PM | Free | Details
Sunday, May 31
🏛️ Martin County History & Culture Expo – 201 SW Flagler Ave, Stuart. | 9 AM – 12 PM | Free | Details
Send More Events Here
💧 The Last Drop: Lovebugs Return, Fireworks Ban Possible, Hurricane Season Forecast
🪰 Lovebugs came back to Florida – UF/IFAS experts say they're harmless, don't bite or sting, and only live a few days. Insecticides ineffective because swarms blow in from surrounding areas. Less active early morning and late evening, don't fly at night. Lovebug season
🎆 Florida may ban fireworks this July Fourth weekend – Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson says statewide ban "absolutely" possible if drought continues. Over 2,100 wildfires already in 2026 vs 2,913 all of last year. Treasure Coast: 40 wildfires so far (14 Indian River, 18 St. Lucie, 8 Martin). More than 90% of state in severe drought. No active wildfires or burn bans on Treasure Coast as of May 20. Fireworks ban possible
🌀 Hurricane season forecast below average for first time in decade – NOAA predicting 8 to 14 named storms, 3 to 6 hurricanes, 1 to 3 major hurricanes (Category 3+). Hurricane forecast
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