It’s Wednesday, Orlando. We’re back in your inbox after taking Memorial Day off — hope you got some sun, some rest, or at least some decent food.

🌦️ Weather: The 2-day forecast is bringing the heat (and the storms) as the week rolls on. Expect highs of 92° both today and tomorrow, with scattered afternoon thunderstorms likely each day. Nights will dip to the mid-70s, with lingering evening showers in the mix. Here’s what’s on deck:

• Florida Greenlights Gold & Silver as Legal Tender

• Orlando Adds 25K Jobs, Leads All Florida Metros

Let’s dive in.

ECONOMY

Florida Greenlights Gold & Silver as Legal Tender

Florida Greenlights Gold & Silver as Legal Tender

Driving the news: Gov. Ron DeSantis signed HB 999 in Apopka on Tuesday, greenlighting the use of gold and silver coins to pay government bills in Florida — including taxes — marking a push for "financial independence" from the federal government.

How it works:

• The law exempts legal-tender gold and silver coins from state sales tax.

• State agencies could accept payments via electronic transfer or debit card tied to those coins.

• A framework for deposits, licensing, and security around coin-based payments will be created by the state CFO, due to lawmakers by November 1st, 2025.

• If approved, the law would take effect July 1st, 2026.

The thinking: DeSantis and bill sponsor Rep. Doug Bankson say the measure revives the U.S. Constitution’s clause allowing states to accept gold and silver in payments — and helps combat dollar devaluation. "These precious metals can start functioning like real currency again," DeSantis said. “If you bought a house in gold in 1979, it’d still cost the same in ounces today,” Bankson added.

Zoom out: This makes Florida the first large U.S. state to recognize precious metals as practical, tax-exempt tender for public obligations — a symbolic step away from fiat currency amid inflation concerns.

What’s next: Lawmakers must approve the CFO’s proposed implementation rules in 2026. The state will also need to license custodians to handle, store, and secure gold and silver used in transactions.

Reality check: The IRS still treats gold and silver as collectibles — meaning capital gains taxes apply at the federal level when sold.

Source: Click Orlando

EMPLOYMENT

Orlando Adds 25K Jobs, Leads All Florida Metros

Driving the news: Orlando added more private sector jobs than any other Florida metro from April 2024 to April 2025, gaining over 25,500 jobs, per FloridaCommerce.

By the numbers:

• Job growth: +1.9% year-over-year

• Leisure & hospitality: 7,700 jobs added — the largest sector gain

• Other key sectors: Government (2,800), other services (2,100), financial activities (1,700)

• Local labor force: Up 1.2%, or 18,539 people

Zoom out: Florida added 125,700 private sector jobs statewide over the same period — with Orlando leading the way.

What they’re saying: “With a $1.7 trillion economy, Florida ranks as the No. 1 economy in the nation,” said Secretary of Commerce J. Alex Kelly, touting strong business confidence and growth.

Reality check: Leisure and hospitality jobs in Orlando average $53,879, below the national average of $57,716, per ZipRecruiter.

Source: OBJ

QUICK HITS

In Other News…

1. Scholars Restaurant and Bar is set to open at 50 E. Central Avenue in downtown Orlando, offering a fusion of Mexican and American dishes, along with breakfast, lunch, dinner, and a full bar.

2. The Pittsburgh-based dessert chain MilkShake Factory plans to open its first Orlando location on the ground floor of the City View Apartments at 595 W. Church St., near major downtown venues.

3. Pearl, a two-year-old chihuahua from Orlando, has been recognized by Guinness World Records as the world's shortest dog, measuring just over 3.5 inches tall and weighing 1.22 pounds.

Thanks for tuning in to today’s edition of the newsletter. See you back here on Friday.

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