FYI Miami: March 27, 2025

Below are some of the FYIs in this week’s edition. The entire content of this week’s FYIs and Insider sections is available by subscription only. To subscribe click here.

TRI-COLOR HONORS FOR UM: Miami-Dade County buildings that can show their colors will be illuminated in orange, green and white the first week of April to honor the 100th anniversary of the University of Miami, which was founded April 4, 2025. Those school colors represent the orange tree, green leaves and white blossoms of the Florida orange tree, says the county legislation passed unanimously last week that calls for the colorful recognition of the university. As for the orange trees in Miami-Dade, they are mostly notable for their absence. 

NEW SCALPING FINES: Unauthorized sale of an appointment with the Miami-Dade Tax Collector’s Office would be punishable by a $500 fine under legislation to which county commissioners gave preliminary approval last week. The legislation by Kevin Marino Cabrera said “unauthorized third parties are reserving free appointments in bulk and reselling them to members of the public for a profit.” The current focus is the scalping of driver license appointments, which this year have come under the purview of the tax collector. The commission is to take a final vote on the new penalties April 1.

TRUMP LIBRARY PATH EASED: The state Senate has approved a proposal aimed at helping bring President Donald Trump’s presidential library to Florida, including possibly to Florida International University. The vote was 36-3 to prohibit local governments from imposing restrictions on presidential libraries. NBC News reported March 8 that the president’s team has scouted locations, including Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, south of his Mar-a-Lago resort, and FIU. 

LOCAL LEGAL ANCHOR: Local governments would gain more authority over anchoring of offshore vessels under measures now under state legislative consideration. Miami-Dade commissioners last week unanimously urged the Legislature to adopt the measures to promote public safety so that “an increase in boats on Biscayne Bay does not adversely impact navigation and quality of life.” The resolution by Commissioner Danielle Cohen Higgins was not discussed.

GAS PRICES PLUNGE: Gas prices in Miami plunged 14.9 cents per gallon in the past week to average $2.88, according to GasBuddy. Prices are 17.1 cents per gallon lower than a month ago and 67.9 cents lower than a year ago. The national average rose 6.3 cents in the week to $3.08. That’s down 1.6 cents per gallon from a month ago and 42.5 cents from a year ago.