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Thursday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
Legislature's session isn't so special. It's getting testy.
L to R, Senate President Joe Negron, Gov. Rick Scott, House Speaker Richard Corcoran
The impasse over the state's public school and economic development budgets grew wider Wednesday as legislators advanced proposals so different it seemed unlikely they would resolve their differences in the three days the governor has set for their special session. In act of aggression against the Republican governor -- but explained as an "insurance policy" against an antagonistic House -- the Senate voted to override the governor's veto of the $11 billion public education budget as well as $75 million in projects at state universities and colleges. [Source: Times/Herald]
See also:
» Richard Corcoran predicts "a tough three days, or three weeks"
» Senator will try to defund controversial schools bill
» Florida business leaders played key roles in Legislative Session
» Letter from Florida Council of 100 to Senator Negron, supporting the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund
The curious state of entrepreneurship in Florida
Since the Great Recession, millions of dollars have been spent to stoke the entrepreneurial engine of Florida. It is paying off with people starting new companies, but less than half of those companies will survive to celebrate their fifth anniversary. More from WLRN and the Kauffman Foundation. Kauffman findings include:
Among the 25 “Large” States in the United States, the state of Florida ranked 3 in Startup Activity, 19 in Main Street Entrepreneurship, and 24 in Growth Entrepreneurship. Compared to itself in the previous year, Florida ’s entrepreneurial community is experiencing a slight increase in startup activity, a large increase in main street entrepreneurship, and a slight increase in growth entrepreneurship.
Florida growers see growing potential for sweet potatoes
Sweet potato production is a sure sign of summer in the Southeast U.S. and this is becoming the case for more growers every year. According to the latest estimates, Florida produces nearly 6,000 acres of sweet potatoes on 40 farms with the majority of the production in Miami-Dade and Suwannee counties. [Source: Fresh Plaza]
Shared vision, shared values
Time is a valuable commodity. What leads busy professionals with hectic schedules and pressing demands to invest their time serving on the Florida Sea Grant Advisory Council? [Sponsored report]. Read the full report here.
NASA picks 12 new astronauts from crush of applicants
NASA has chosen 12 new astronauts from its biggest pool of applicants ever. More than 18,300 people threw their hats into the space ring. That's more than double the previous record of 8,000, set in 1978 when the space shuttles were close to launching. Full news release from NASA is here (includes photo and bios of each of the 2017 astronaut class. Also read more at the AP.
› Classic downtown Miami office tower is getting a modern makeover
One of downtown Miami’s most iconic office towers is getting a renovation — and a new identity. The 30-story New World Tower, located at 100 Biscayne Blvd. and built in 1965, is getting a $10 million makeover courtesy of developer East End Capital.
› Jacksonville Beach marketing firm makes Inc.’s 50 best workplaces in the country
Two Jacksonville-area companies have made Inc. Magazine’s list of best workplaces in the country. And one of them, Adjective & Co., is in the Top 50. The marketing and advertising firm was founded in 2013.
› Voters will decide who runs Gainesville Regional Utilities
City of Gainesville voters will decide in November 2018 whether to leave the City Commission in control of the city-owned utility or to allow a newly formed five-member panel to make those decisions.
› Food allergy treatment company Aimmune Therapeutics opening Clearwater manufacturing facility
Food allergy treatment company Aimmune Therapeutics is moving into its newly completed manufacturing facility in Clearwater. The Brisbane, Calif.-based company is currently working on a treatment in clinical trials for life-threatening peanut allergies. Also read more at the Tampa Bay Times.
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