Florida Unveils Inter-City Rail Changes
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
Florida's state legislature has passed a new bill that creates new liability and insurance rules for one of the state's largest railroads.
The Coastal Link Commuter Rail Service Act, which affects how consumers interact with Brightline and the Florida East Coast Railway, will come into effect on July 1.
Newsweek contacted the bill's sponsor, Representative Vicki Lopez, for more information on the legislation via email.
The Context
Brightline is the rail service that connects Miami to Orlando in Florida. In 2024, its Miami-Orlando services covered a total of 5.4 million miles with 2.6 million rides taken, making it one of the most frequently-traveled routes in the country. Any legislation that affects how passengers interact with the route has big ramifications for commuters.
What To Know
The new law, which was approved by Governor Ron DeSantis on Thursday, allows public agencies in Florida to assume certain indemnification obligations and purchase insurance related to the operation of commuter rail services on the corridor.
The legislation also authorizes state agencies that enter into agreements with Brightline to take on risks related to accidents involving their passengers.
Part of the bill explicitly defines Brightline and FECR as explicitly "not officers, agents, employees, or subdivisions of the state," meaning that the companies and their employees do not receive the sovereign immunity protections that the state would.
The new Brightline train is headed to Fort Lauderdale, in Miami, Florida, October 23, 2024.
The new Brightline train is headed to Fort Lauderdale, in Miami, Florida, October 23, 2024.
Getty Images
Agencies will be able to indemnify Brightline and the FECR for costs and expenses due to accidents involving the agency's own passengers and invitees, "regardless of whether the loss... is caused in whole or in part, and to whatever nature or degree, by the fault... of such freight rail operator."
For consumers and insurers, this means that public entities will only continue to bear the risk of accidents related to private operators within very strictly defined boundaries.
What People Are Saying
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said in relation to Brightline's plans for expansion in 2024: "It's privately funded. I mean, we are not going to be on the hook as the state with taxpayers for doing trains.
"If they proceed, there is a corridor to be able to do that. But it's not going to be Florida taxpayers constructing a train. I can be clear on that."
What Happens Next
The Coastal Link Commuter Rail Service Act will come into effect on July 1 after being approved by Governor Ron DeSantis on Thursday. Brightline has plans to build a station in Cocoa, a city near the Atlantic Ocean east of Orlando, as part of its broader efforts to expand throughout Florida.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
6 hours ago
- Newsweek
Map Shows Which States Have the Best Tippers
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. While the standard tip in America for restaurants and bar tabs may be thought of as 20 percent, the actual tipping practices of customers varies across state lines. A new report from LendingTree ranked which states, including Washington, D.C., had the best tippers, and some are home to Americans significantly more generous to waitstaff than others. New Hampshire, for instance, saw the highest percentage of its away-from-home food spending (16.07 percent) go toward tips. Why It Matters Tipping has become a controversial issue in the U.S., with some customers feeling pressured to pay tips plus mandatory service charges. As costs of food and drinks rise with inflation, many Americans have reported "tipping fatigue," even as payment systems often automatically add a tip. In 2023, Americans spent about $78 billion on tips at restaurants and bars, according to LendingTree. What To Know The LendingTree report found that New Hampshire had the highest tipping rate, at 16.07 percent of spending on food purchased to be consumed away from home in the state. Next up were Washington D.C., South Carolina, Minnesota, North Carolina and Maine, which all had tipping rates within the 8 percent and higher range for all away-from-home food purchases. On the other hand, Utah, Mississippi and Idaho had the worst tippers, spending just 5.10 percent or less. The report ranked the states based on data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's 2023 Economic Research Service National Food Expenditure Series. Specifically, it compared total spending on food away from home (including tax and tip) and total spending on food away from home (excluding tax and tip). Tipping at full-service restaurants accounted for over 15 percent of dining expenditures, while this figure decreased to about 7 percent when factoring in other establishments, such as fast food eateries and bars, according to LendingTree. Patrons sit outdoors at Talea Restaurant on April 1, 2023, in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. Patrons sit outdoors at Talea Restaurant on April 1, 2023, in the Brooklyn borough of New York not exactly mandatory, tipping is widely expected, especially in the food service, hospitality and personal care industries. The federal minimum wage for tipped employees remains at $2.13 an hour, making tips a significant portion of service workers' income. Regional customs and dining preferences play a role in tipping habits, with states varying significantly in the share of dining expenditures allocated to tips. "With tipping, we've also seen complaints, but you notice how nationally it's on the rise, with some states with higher incomes leading the charge," Alex Beene, financial literacy instructor for the University of Tennessee at Martin, told Newsweek. "It speaks to Americans still wanting to financially commend great service, even if the practice seems to be sometimes overblown in our modern economy." A 2025 WalletHub survey found nearly nine in 10 Americans believe tipping culture is "out of control," with many respondents expressing annoyance at the proliferation of tip prompts and feeling pressure to tip even in scenarios that have not traditionally warranted gratuity. Over half those surveyed admitted to tipping out of social obligation rather than for excellent service. Rising living costs and consumer fatigue have also contributed to shifting attitudes, as automated tip suggestions and screens become a common sight in restaurants and coffee shops. What People Are Saying Beene also told Newsweek: "While ironically we continue to hear from many Americans online complaining about higher costs when dining out, the reality is the percentage of dollars being spent on going out to restaurants has been increasing in the years since the pandemic. Some of this may be due to grocery prices also taking a bump, so some customers may feel that grabbing a deal at restaurants and not having to prepare the food themselves is worth the extra money." What Happens Next Taxation of tips has become a focal point in recent political debates. President Donald Trump is pushing to end federal taxes on tips, a proposal that has drawn support from labor unions and some industry groups, but also criticism from economists who warn it could disproportionately benefit only certain workers and result in lost federal revenue.
Newsweek
8 hours ago
- Newsweek
Donald Trump's Approval Rating Is Slipping, Polls Show
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. President Donald Trump's approval rating has slipped in a new Quinnipiac poll out on Wednesday compared to the pollster's survey in April. Why It Matters Trump has routinely touted positive approval ratings and polls during news conferences and campaign rallies throughout his political career. When the president returned to the White House in January, he coasted in with positive numbers. But his approval ratings then dipped significantly amid sweeping tariff announcements. Trump later walked back the tariffs by announcing a 90-day pause for the majority. Slipping in polls could ultimately hinder Trump's political clout in an already highly polarized climate and potentially hurt Republican chances in the coming 2026 midterms. What To Know According to the new Quinnipiac University poll, the president has a 38 percent approval rating and a 54 percent disapproval rating. The poll was conducted among 1,265 self-identified registered voters from June 5 to June 9. The poll's margin of error is 2.8 percent. In a Quinnipiac poll released on April 9, the president's approval rating was 41 percent with a disapproval rating of 53 percent. This shows the president dropping in a span of two months. In other recent polls, the president's approval marks improved among Hispanic voters. According to polls from CNN and CBS, Trump is also outperforming Democrats in a key administration pillar, immigration. He has a net positive approval rating on immigration, soaring from -21 back in June 2017 to +1 on Wednesday, CNN Chief Data Analyst Harry Enten reported. According to the Quinnipiac poll on Wednesday, the president has a 43 percent approval rating on immigration and a 54 percent disapproval rating, while 3 percent of those polled did not offer an opinion. This week's poll from Quinnipiac comes amid a social media feud with billionaire Elon Musk and protests erupting in major U.S. cities over Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids. President Donald Trump is pictured returning to the White House on June 9 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by) President Donald Trump is pictured returning to the White House on June 9 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by) What People Are Saying Democratic Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut last month on X, formerly Twitter: "Let me explain to you why Donald Trump's sinking approval ratings matter. His enablers and backers will get cold feet as they feel the country turning against him. And it's proof that our activism and our protest is working." Charlie Kirk, founder and president of conservative Turning Point USA, on X this week: "President Trump has a positive net approval rating, and no other issue contributes to his popularity more than immigration: 'He is begging for a fight on immigration because he knows what he's doing so far is working with the electorate.' Bring it on, Democrats." NBC Senior National Political Reporter Sahil Kapur posted to X on Wednesday: "Quinnipiac national poll: Trump's approval rating is 38/53. GOP's approval rating is 32/61. But they have one thing going for them — Democrats are even more unpopular. Dems' approval rating is 21/70. The congressional Democratic Party is under water with Democratic voters." What Happens Next Weekly polls charting the president's approval rating are published frequently by numerous pollsters and media outlets.
Newsweek
8 hours ago
- Newsweek
Homeowner Rips Up Carpet During Renovation—What She Finds Stuns Viewers
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A video of a homeowner making a "jackpot" discovery beneath a carpet during renovation works has gone viral on TikTok. The clip was shared by Seren and Rhys (@our_edwardian_reno) and has garnered 513,000 views since it was posted on June 9. The short clip shows a woman peeling a carpet off the floor to reveal what appears to be Victorian tiles underneath it, according to a hashtag shared in the caption. Each tile features a blue star shape against a white backdrop, overlaid with a patterned centerpiece. "Oh my god," the caption simply says. According to another video, the tiles were found on the day the poster was adding a new doorway to their hallway. The discovery in the viral post comes amid a broader trend of Americans investing in home renovations. According to a recent survey by Houzz, a home design website, the median renovation spending in the U.S. surged by 60 percent between 2020 and 2023, rising from $15,000 to $24,000. Seven out of 10 renovating homeowners were reported to have invested in interior room remodeling in 2023, according to the report. The viral video also comes as the global flooring market was estimated to be valued at $360.7 billion in 2024 and projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 6.8 percent from 2025 to 2030, according to a report by Grandview Research, a market research firm headquartered in San Francisco. "Increasing demand for aesthetic, superior, and durable floor covering solutions and changing consumer trends in floor design have aided the growth of the flooring industry over the past few years," the report said. 'Dream Find' Viewers on TikTok were amazed by the incredible surprise finding beneath the carpet in the viral video. Claud said: "Holy shiz. dream find right there!" and MGW wrote: "Absolute perfection." Landstack noted: "You just hit the jackpot," and Eymer Creates said: "I would lose my life if i discovered that!" Bh_London 🇬🇧 noted: "I'd be beyond happy, just stunning." User samspam29 said: "Omg why would somebody cover that beauty up!" User Caravandays said: "What a find will look fabulous." User O'Neil noted: "ohhh so perfect, so many memories stepped over those tiles xx." Matthew Cobb called it an "amazing find," and silvia said it's an "unexpected it." Annette Whitehead wrote: "That's beautiful lucky you," and @nadine_x_13 said: "I'm so jealous." Newsweek has contacted the original poster for comment via TikTok. This video has not been independently verified. Stock image of a woman removing tape from the edge of a floor during a renovation. Stock image of a woman removing tape from the edge of a floor during a renovation. Getty Do you have a home renovation-related video or story to share? Let us know via life@ and your story could be featured on Newsweek.
