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Friday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
Nelson, Rubio react to Republican Senate health care bill
There was a stark difference in reactions from Florida’s U.S. senators to Thursday’s reveal of the long-awaited Senate health care bill. Democrat Bill Nelson was extremely critical, saying, "Now we know why they tried to keep this secret. This bill is just as bad as the House bill, taking coverage away from millions of people and making huge cuts to Medicaid." Republican Marco Rubio released a cautious statement, saying, “Senator Rubio will decide how to vote on health care on the basis of how it impacts Florida." More from the Orlando Sentinel and CBS Miami. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz considers the bill no better than the one unveiled by the House which the President Trump previously called "mean." Gov. Rick Scott spoke on Fox News Thursday before the release, saying, “Whatever they come out with, they’ve got to keep all states paid [equally].”
See also:
» Critics: Senate bill's cuts to Medicaid would harm Florida
» Six insurers eye return to Florida’s 2018 Obamacare market
» Read the full text of the Senate GOP's "discussion draft" health care bill (PDF)
» Poll: Do you support or oppose the U.S. Senate's GOP health care plan?
Florida nursery and landscape industry generates big economic impact
With a 37 percent increase in total output since its last economic study five years ago, Florida’s nursery and landscape industry generates $21.08 billion in total output sales and over 232,000 jobs. [Source: Nursery Management]
Federal authorities launch probe into city of Tallahassee
Federal authorities have launched an investigation into redevelopment deals that involve business owners and developers as well as an ally of a Florida mayor running for governor. [Source: AP]
See also:
» Andrew Gillum: FBI says I'm 'not the focus of investigation' into city of Tallahassee
Bridging innovation and industry
There are two sides to technology: ideation and implementation. Eliminating the hurdles between bold ideas and real-world solutions just became a lot easier thanks to BRIDG — Bridging the Innovation Development Gap — and the opening of the Florida Advanced Manufacturing Research Center at NeoCity, located in Kissimmee, Florida. BRIDG, a consortium led by the University of Central Florida, Osceola County and the Florida High Tech Corridor Council, offers partners the opportunity to conduct research needed for the nextgeneration sensor economy. Full story here. [Sponsored Report]
House committee passes Florida-sponsored flood insurance bill
The House Financial Services Committee pushed through a Florida-sponsored bill intended to cut flood insurance costs. If passed, the bipartisan bill would help create a marketplace for private flood insurance. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
› Cape firm lands new work on powerful NASA rocket
The adapter that will connect NASA’s powerful Space Launch System to its Orion spacecraft will be built, at least partially, by a Space Coast-based contractor.
› Office Depot to develop app for business customers
Office Depot signaled a new direction for the company Thursday with the announcement it will develop an app for businesses to help manage assets and give them faster access to the retailer’s products and services. Also read more at the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
› Visit Florida puts brakes on racing contract
Visit Florida Racing shared a Facebook photo from its prime sponsor this week, but the days of the state’s tourism brand spinning wheels at tracks like Watkins Glen, Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca and Sebring International Raceway are coming to a screeching halt.
› ACLU, Sarasota settle high-profile homelessness lawsuit
The high-profile lawsuit over the city of Sarasota’s outdoor sleeping and panhandling prohibitions is over, paving the way for new rules as local leaders revamp efforts to combat homelessness.
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