Florida Governor announces tourism funding and wins social media law ruling

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has announced a $1 million grant from VISIT FLORIDA’s crisis recovery budget to the Northwest Florida Tourism Council. The funds are intended to resume the Northwest Florida Beaches marketing campaign following Hurricane Isaias, focusing on drive-market travel for the fall and winter seasons.

The funding comes amid a dispute in Escambia County, where Clerk Pam Childers has questioned the value of tourism dues and requested more evidence regarding return on investment. The governor’s office cited data suggesting previous campaigns generated $58.95 in total economic impact for every dollar invested.

In a separate legal development, the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that Florida may enforce a law restricting social media use by minors. The law bans social media accounts for children under 14 and requires parental consent for those aged 14 or 15 on platforms deemed to use addictive algorithms. While industry groups like NetChoice argue the law violates First Amendment rights, the court panel stated the restrictions likely advance the important interest of protecting minors in a content-neutral manner.