Reducing Barriers to Licensing Could Address Dentistry Shortage in Florida

The  Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, indicates that Florida is the worst state in the nation for dental access.

Currently, 65 of Florida’s 67 counties are designated, either in full or in part, as dental health professional shortage areas, with population-to-dentist ratios exceeding 5,000 to 1.[…]

Our view: In Defense of the Comp Plan (or, put another way, Yes In My Back Yard) 

If you’ve ever wanted to watch a group of well-meaning citizens twist themselves into philosophical pretzels, look no further than the debate over Tallahassee’s new Comprehensive Plan. 

The “Comp Plan,” as the insiders call it, is a big, sprawling, long-range planning document that’s supposed to guide development, transportation, housing, and environmental stewardship over the next 20 to 30 years.[…]

Doing it right: Jacksonville mayor’s plan to streamline permitting earns high marks

Mayor Donna Deegan’s newly unveiled 8-point plan to streamline Jacksonville’s civil plan review and permitting process is a masterclass in modern governance. It not only accelerates development timelines but also fosters transparency, collaboration, and innovation—qualities that many Florida cities, including Tallahassee, would do well to emulate. […]

Don’t call them subsidies: TLH airport proposing $10 million in new handouts 

In the wake of a number of Red Tape Florida reports on the flailing Tallahassee airport, local government officials are rolling out a plan to throw money at airlines in hopes they’ll stay for more than a weekend. In the latest Blueprint agenda item, TLH outlines its strategy to use Minimum Revenue Guarantees (MRGs)—basically taxpayer-backed safety nets for airlines—as a shiny new tool to lure carriers into offering new routes. […]

‘Granny flats’ bill a great way to cut red tape, boost Florida’s affordable housing stock 

Floridians are currently suffering from an affordable housing crisis. According to a recent report from the Florida Housing Coalition, more than 2.1 million Florida households were cost-burdened, or spending more than 30 percent of their monthly incomes on housing costs. This crisis is occurring as a result of a housing supply shortage. […]