Monday's Afternoon Update

What you need to know about Florida today

| 4/3/2017

Major issues get little attention as Scott, lawmakers feud

As the 60-day legislative session nears the halfway point, critical issues are getting scant attention as Scott and legislative leaders clash over taxpayer spending for tourism ads, boosting university budgets and property tax rates. Some of the critical issus that beg further attention are: Surges in heroin and opiod deaths; teachers leaving profession in droves; State prisons losing corrections officers. More at the Orlando Sentinel.

Florida blueberry growers expect good season

This year, Florida is expected to benefit from Georgia’s misfortune. Growers there lost up to 80 percent of their berries in freezing temperatures last month. Florida’s 2017 crop already was expected to exceed last year’s. More from Fresh Plaza.

Small Business Advice
How to start a business when you have no money

Like it or not, starting a business requires some level of financial investment. Small business consultant Bill Burnham of the Florida SBDC at the University of South Florida and Bob Godlasky, a volunteer startup mentor with small business counseling organization SCORE, have some advice for entrepreneurs with little or no startup money. Their advice includes: you may have to liquidate some assets, find a partner, start small, leverage freebies. Read more advice from Florida SBDC.

WWE WrestleMania 33 breaks attendance record at Orlando Citrus Bowl

WrestleMania 33 set an attendance record for Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida, WWE announced Sunday night. According to the company, 75,245 fans attended WrestleMania 33, compared to 74,635 fans who saw WrestleMania XXIV live in 2008. More from Bleacher Report.

Significant drought relief to remain absent across Florida into mid-April

No significant relief from the Florida drought is in sight as rainfall will largely bypass the Sunshine State into the middle of the month. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor released on March 28, over 90 percent of the state is enduring abnormally dry to severe drought conditions. More from AccuWeather.

Business Profile
Architec Brands

From a cutting board that will stay put to a stackable strawberry grower, Architec Brands develops innovative kitchen-related products out of the company’s downtown Delray Beach office.

» More from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

Industry Profile
Powerful aviation industry soars in Miami-Dade

Building on its early 20th century history as a commercial and military flight center, Miami is thrusting deeper into the aviation cosmos, increasing its presence as an international nexus for aviation and aerospace services.