Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Monday a number of initiatives that encourage financial technology (FinTech) companies to start, relocate and expand in Florida. 

The governor was joined in Jacksonville by Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis, Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) Executive Director Ken Lawson, Mayor Lenny Curry and business and community leaders from throughout Duval County.

With America seeing the highest number of suicides since World War II, a congressman from the Sunshine State is backing a proposal to create a universal suicide prevention hotline. 

Last month, U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton, D-Mass., and U.S. Rep. Chris Stewart, R-Utah, brought out the “National Suicide Hotline Designation Act.” The bill would designate “9-8-8” as a universal telephone number for the national suicide prevention and mental health crisis hotline system, which is run by the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and the Veteran’s Crisis Line.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis will ask the Legislature in 2020 to raise the state’s $10,000 fine for spilling sewage into waterways by 50 percent == a measure aimed at municipalities, since most sewage treatment plants are owned and operated by local governments.

He will also request lawmakers give the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) the capacity to levy daily fines after the initial $15,000 penalty until the issue has been remedied because, he said, “Right now, it’s a slap on the wrist and move on.”