9 Actions Florida Should Take to Help Taxpayers Impacted by Hurricane Ian

1.     Postpone tax notices and waive penalties or interest for late tax filings in affected areas

2.     Extend the date for residents to take advantage of the tax discounts they would normally receive for paying property taxes and special assessments in November and postpone or defer the deadline for property tax installment payments

3.     Protect individual and business taxpayers from the risks for notices that they will likely not receive because their home or business addresses is not accessible anymore

4.     Issue no new audits in severely impacted areas, extend the statute of limitations and postpone existing audits that haven’t reached the assessment stage because these can’t be responded to while entire communities are still recovering

5.     Create procedures for fairly estimating taxes which can’t be calculated because records have been destroyed by the storm, moving away from the current method which significantly overestimates activity if no records are available

6.     Initiate procedures to offer payment plan assistance for late taxes, rather than resorting to the standard collection methods, like liens, levies, or bank freezes

7.     Retroactively apply the recently passed law that provides property tax refunds for residential property rendered uninhabitable as a result of a catastrophic event

8.     Provide tangible personal property relief and allow n on-residential properties rendered uninhabitable to receive property tax refunds

9.     Get Congress to pass a Disaster Tax Relief Act that includes provisions from past packages, including elements such as an Employee Retention Credit, an enhanced casualty loss deduction, and other relief provisions

Other Resources

Florida TaxWatch Statement on Hurricane Ian Recovery

Community Involvement

Florida’s Space Coast is Well-Positioned to Dominate the Future of the Aerospace Industry

Florida’s Space Coast is Well-positioned to Dominate the Future of the Aerospace Industry - Report Cover

Executive Summary

For more than 60 years, Florida’s Space Coast—anchored by Kennedy Space Center (KSC) and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (CCSFS)—has served as a premier gateway to space, driving tourism, high-tech jobs, and statewide economic output. After major federal program shifts in the 2010s led to significant regional job losses, Florida’s modern commercial-space resurgence—supported by Space Florida’s strategy to diversify the supply chain, modernize infrastructure, and attract private capital—has positioned the Space Coast to lead the next era of aerospace growth.

Key Takeaways:

  • A Historic Launch Hub With Major Economic Stakes: KSC and CCSFS (the Cape Canaveral Space Port) helped establish Florida as the launch capital of the world—supporting innovation, visitors, and a broad aerospace supply chain.
  • Commercial-Space Rebound After 2010: As Shuttle-era activity declined, the region experienced steep job losses; the shift to a market-driven model accelerated as private firms revitalized pads and facilities and expanded launch cadence.
  • Space Florida’s “Catalyst” Role: Space Florida’s approach emphasizes diversifying aerospace activity and leveraging private-sector capital to re-purpose and modernize underutilized assets—reducing reliance on large federal programs while strengthening Florida’s industry depth.
  • Launch Tempo and Investment Momentum: The Space Coast set records in the 2020s, with major ongoing projects and rising capital investment—supporting growth in aerospace manufacturing, services, and related high-skill employment.
  • Policy Tailwinds for Infrastructure: Recent state actions strengthen Florida’s ability to support spaceport and aerospace infrastructure development, including tools designed to encourage partnerships and expand space-industry capacity.

Bottom line: Florida’s Space Coast has moved from a primarily government-centered complex to a commercial, innovation-driven aerospace engine—and ongoing investment, infrastructure readiness, and policy support leave Florida well-positioned to dominate the future of the aerospace industry.

Meet the Author:

Headshot of Jui Shah
Jui Shah
Research Economist — Lead Author
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