Tax Holidays & Banned Balloons

June 27, 2024

It’s Thursday, Orlando. We’ll start the day with partly sunny skies, leading into some potential afternoon showers. Expect highs around 90. Here’s what’s on deck:

  • Florida’s Tax-Free Shopping Month is About to Begin

  • Orange County Public Schools to Build $45M Facility for Orlando Gifted Academy

Let’s dive in.

STATE LAWS

Florida’s Tax-Free Shopping Month is About to Begin

Image: Kelly Tyko / Axios

What’s happening: Retailers in Florida are gearing up for “Freedom Month,” a tax-free shopping period in July aimed at outdoor enthusiasts. This initiative allows shoppers to avoid sales taxes on various recreational items and activities.

Key Details:

  • Duration: The tax holiday runs throughout July.

  • Savings: Shoppers can buy items like boating, fishing, and camping gear, as well as tickets to concerts, sporting events, and movies without paying sales tax.

  • Legislation: The holiday is part of a tax package (HB 7073) passed by the Legislature in March and signed by Gov. DeSantis in May.

Why it matters: The initiative is designed to boost consumer spending and support retailers by increasing awareness and focusing marketing efforts. This year, the holiday is limited to one month, down from three months last year.

Financial Impact: The holiday is expected to reduce state and local tax revenues by $91.8 million, while the broader tax package is projected to cut $439.6 million in revenue for the upcoming fiscal year.

Background: The Freedom Holiday began in 2021 for a week around Independence Day, expanded to three months last year, and is now a one-month event.

Looking Forward: Retailers hope that the focused timeframe will drive higher consumer awareness and sales, providing a summer boost amid other ongoing tax holidays for back-to-school and hurricane-preparedness supplies.

EDUCATION

Orange County Public Schools to Build $45M Facility for Orlando Gifted Academy

Orlando Gifted Academy. Image: OCPS

Driving the news: Orlando Gifted Academy, part of Orange County Public Schools, is set to receive a new $45 million, 100,000-square-foot facility near the Mills 50 District, aimed at accommodating up to 700 students in grades 2-8.

Key details:

  • Location: The new multistory building will be constructed on a nine-acre site at 1121 N. Fern Creek Ave.

  • Timeline: Bids for architectural and engineering services are open until July 17th, and a contract award is expected in September. Design and pre-construction will start that same month, with projected completion around June 2026.

  • Current status: The existing buildings, dating back to 1947, total 47,377 square feet. The academy, which opened in 2018, currently serves 423 students.

Context: Orange County Public Schools (OCPS) is a major player in Florida’s education landscape. It’s the fourth-largest school district in Florida and eighth in the US, with a reach of 207,993 students, over 210 schools, and 24,685 employees.

Funding: The district seeks to extend its half-penny sales tax for another decade, which supports new schools and repairs. This will be on the ballot in November.

What’s next: OCPS is moving forward with plans to modernize and expand its facilities, reflecting broader economic trends and local needs.

QUICK HITS

In Other News…

Image: Al Soot on Unsplash

  1. Gov. DeSantis signed a bill banning balloon releases.

  2. National Food Truck Day is this Friday. Here’s where you should visit, according to Click Orlando.

  3. These are Orlando’s top-rated ice cream shops, ranked.

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

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