Statewide Update
Keeping Florida’s Waters Safe: Operation Dry Water
As the Fourth of July holiday approaches, Florida is preparing a crucial initiative to ensure the safety of its waterways.
Operation Dry Water, a national campaign, will take place from July 4th to July 6th, focusing on educating boaters about the dangers of operating vessels under the influence of alcohol or drugs. This effort, supported by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and other law enforcement agencies, aims to enhance safety on the water through heightened enforcement and awareness.
Operation Dry Water was launched in 2009 with a clear mission to decrease the number of alcohol- and drug-related boating incidents and fatalities. The FWC has been a key player in this initiative from the beginning, dedicating resources to promote safe boating practices, ensure compliance with laws, and encourage responsible behavior on the water.
Alcohol is a major contributing factor in many boating accidents and fatalities. In Florida, it is illegal to operate a vessel with a blood alcohol content of .08 or higher, mirroring the regulations for driving a vehicle. In the previous year, FWC officers successfully removed 94 impaired boaters from Florida’s waterways during this campaign.
Colonel Brian Smith, Director of FWC’s Division of Law Enforcement, highlighted the importance of this initiative stating, “The Fourth of July is one of the busiest boating holidays in the country. With over a million registered recreational vessels in Florida, our officers are dedicated to ensuring the safety of everyone on the water. We will be increasing our patrols and looking for any signs of boater impairment to prevent accidents and save lives.”
To learn more about Operation Dry Water, click here.
Florida’s Economic Growth Surpasses National Rates
Last week, Governor DeSantis announced Florida’s impressive economic achievements, highlighting a 21.9 percent growth in real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) from the first quarter of 2019 to the first quarter of 2024, nearly double the national growth rate of 11.1 percent. With an annual GDP nearing $1.3 trillion, Florida is one of the world’s strongest economies. The state continues to lead in new business formations, surpassing three million since 2019, with over 266,000 formed in 2024 alone.
Florida’s private sector job growth has a 2.2 percent increase (+192,000 jobs), compared to the national rate of 1.6 percent. In May 2024, the construction sector saw the largest job gains, adding 5,500 jobs (+0.8 percent) from the previous month, followed by education and health services adding 2,700 jobs (+0.2 percent).
Florida’s unemployment rate held steady at 3.3 percent in May 2024, 0.7 percentage points below the national rate. This marks 43 consecutive months where Florida’s unemployment rate has remained lower than the national average.
For information on career opportunities with the State of Florida, click here.
Supporting Florida’s Families Through Historic DCF Funding
The Focus on Florida’s Future budget has granted more than $4.6 billion to the Department of Children and Families (DCF), reinforcing the Legislature’s and the Governor’s commitment to supporting vulnerable individuals across the state.
A significant portion of the budget is dedicated to combating the opioid crisis. With $179.4 million allocated through the Nationwide Opioid Settlement Agreement, the budget will fund on-demand mobile medication-assisted treatment, court diversion programs, naloxone distribution, prevention campaigns, peer supports, recovery housing, and other essential services. This funding aims to mitigate the impact of opioid addiction and support individuals on their path to recovery. For more information on resources for opioid addiction, click here.
The budget also allocates $6 million to expand support for human trafficking prevention, including housing and increased services for survivors. Supporting survivors of domestic violence is another key focus, with $18 million granted to ensure they have access to the resources needed to escape abusive situations and rebuild their lives safely.
To assist families who have adopted children, $13.5 million has been granted to support their ongoing needs. Additionally, $9.3 million is dedicated to expanding access to adoption incentives, specifically targeting families who adopt from foster care. These funds aim to ease the financial burden on adoptive families and encourage more adoptions from the foster care system.
Another critical area of investment is the expansion of independent living services for older youth in foster care. With $8.1 million dedicated to this program, the budget ensures that these young individuals receive valuable aftercare benefits even if adopted at an older age. This support is vital in helping older youth transition smoothly into adulthood and achieve long-term stability.
The budget includes $6.7 million to fund local prevention grant programs designed to improve outcomes for children and families served by the Department. These programs will focus on early intervention and prevention, helping to address issues before they escalate and ensuring that families receive the support they need to stay together and thrive.
For more information on the services provided by DCF, click here.
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