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Monday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
What passed, what failed in the 2016 Florida legislative session
The Legislature passed about 275 bills during the 2016 session that ended Friday. That means about 1,600 bills died.
Some highlights of what PASSED: Greater funding for education; Tax cuts (more sales tax holidays and tax elimination on manufacturing machinery); A stronger anti-abortion bill; A $400 million cut to hospital's Low Income Pool; Streamlined water permitting
Some highlights of what FAILED: Gov. Scott's gambling compact with the Seminole Tribe; Statewide law governing ride-sharing; Statewide open-carry firearms law; $250 million in business incentives
To become law, bills must not be vetoed by Gov. Rick Scott. For a more comprehensive list, see stories from the AP and the Times/Herald.
See also:
» Florida Senate President Andy Gardiner's list of key legislation that passed
» In Florida, most legislative documents are public records
Culture gap impedes U.S. business efforts for trade with Cuba
15 months after American prospectors began swarming Havana, filling hotels and hiring consultants, only a handful have inked deals to do business with the once-forbidden island. [Source: New York Times]
Rubio and the Florida primary: a political reckoning arrives
Florida Sen. Marco Rubio was among the Republican Party's biggest stars when he burst onto the national stage in the tea party wave of 2010. Now, he is facing a home-state showing on Tuesday that could devastate his 2016 presidential campaign and damage his political brand for years to come. [Source: AP]
See also:
» Marco Rubio: I have to win Florida on Tuesday
» Poll: Rubio drops to third in Florida, days before big Tuesday primaries
Cheap gas has some other prices dropping too
The gas pump isn't the only place consumers are seeing the benefits of low energy prices. Groceries and airfare are more affordable with cheaper fuel as the price of gas remains at a 12-year low for the month of March. But fuel prices are having an uneven impact at retailers, restaurants and airlines. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]
Florida's shifting electorate: Independents, Puerto Ricans surge
For the first time in Florida's recent history, one out of every four voters — about 3.2 million people — won't be able to cast a ballot in the state's presidential primary Tuesday. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]
› Feds give Florida $3M for substance abuse treatment
Federal health officials are giving more than $3 million to nine health centers in Florida to help expand substance abuse programs, specifically ones focusing on opioid treatment in undeserved populations.
› Jacksonville Suns attract job applicants who are after the ballpark experience, not the money
With opening day less than a month away, the Suns’ new management is looking for more workers to help in the makeover of operations at the franchise.
› Staples seeks documents from Amazon in federal fight to merge with Office Depot
Staples wants more data from Amazon as it prepares to fight the Federal Trade Commission over the federal regulator's challenge of its $6.3 billion merger with Office Depot.
› Alachua County zombie subdivisions slowly coming back to life
Dozens of subdivisions developed around Alachua County during the height of the housing bubble later came to a halt — or at least a slow trickle — as the recession hit.
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