About the Author: Clinton Engelberger | Suncoast Searchlight
Can government regulatory costs drive home prices up 30%?
Yes. The National Association of Home Builders found that governmental regulations –– including state, local and federal –– can account for up 26.4% of the average sales price for a single-family home priced at $499,500. [...]
Do 90% of all U.S. jobs come from small businesses?
No. Small businesses –– defined by the U.S. Small Business Administration as companies with fewer than 500 employees –– employ 62.3 million people in America, which accounts for nearly 46% of private sector workers. Florida [...]
Are U.S. measles outbreaks caused by illegal immigration?
No. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention pointed to vaccination gaps as the reason for recent measles outbreaks, not illegal immigration. Florida GOP gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds appeared on CBS’ Aug. 23 Face the [...]
Can you report scam texts in Florida?
Yes. If you receive scam text messages offering solicitations like repair or yard services, or believe you have been scammed by a business or contractor, you can report them to the Florida Attorney General. Complaints [...]
Does Florida law prevent utility bill hikes from data centers?
No. Florida law doesn’t guarantee residents won’t pay higher utility bills due to the presence of data centers –– the large buildings that house servers and hardware to power artificial intelligence and other online services. [...]
Is it legal to waterski in Sarasota?
Yes. Waterskiing is allowed in some waterways throughout Sarasota County, including parts of the city. But the recreational activity is prohibited in certain areas, including no-wake or slow speed zones, federally marked channels or designated [...]
FDOT ordered street art removed. Then Sarasota got a faux brick crosswalk
Last summer, city workers erased colorful artwork from streets and sidewalks across Sarasota, including rainbow crosswalks downtown, painted sea creatures near Mote Marine Laboratory on City Island and nearly 300 sidewalk panels created by [...]
Are alligators commonly found at Sarasota’s Ted Sperling Park?
No. Alligators aren’t typically spotted at Ted Sperling Park because they are freshwater animals. The water at Ted Sperling Park interacts with the Gulf of Mexico, Sarasota Bay, Big Pass and Brushy Bayou –– most [...]
Did Florida’s Revenue Estimating Conference predict billions in losses from Amendment 3?
Yes. The Revenue Estimating Conference is predicting a $4.95 billion shortfall on local non-school property tax revenues in Fiscal Year 2027-28 if Amendment 3 passes. If passed, Amendment 3 would provide an additional property tax [...]
Has DeSantis overseen more executions than any administration in Florida’s history?
Yes. Gov. Ron DeSantis has overseen 40 state executions since taking office in 2019, which is more than any previous administration in modern Florida history. Former Gov. Rick Scott oversaw 28 executions across two terms [...]
Can a lien be put on your Florida home even if you pay a contractor in full?
Yes. A homeowner may still face a lien against their property if the contractor they paid in full doesn’t compensate its subcontractors or suppliers who completed the work. A lien is a legal claim put [...]
Are some Sarasota residents owed money from the county?
Yes. Hundreds of Sarasota residents and businesses have unclaimed money being held by the Clerk of the Circuit Court from court-related activities. Unclaimed money can stem from reasons including uncashed checks issued by the clerk, [...]
