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Monday's Afternoon Update
What you need to know about Florida today
Miami judge rules Florida’s new 'Stand-Your-Ground' law is unconstitutional
Today, Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Milton Hirsch ruled that Florida’s updated "Stand Your Ground" self-defense law is unconstitutional. Hirsch ruled lawmakers overstepped their authority in creating the law that forces prosecutors to disprove a defendant’s self-defense claim at a pre-trial hearing. The judge wrote that under Florida’s constitution, that change should have been crafted by the Florida Supreme Court, not the Legislature. "As a matter of constitutional separation of powers, that procedure cannot be legislatively modified," Hirsch wrote in a 14-page order. More from the Miami Herald.
» See Judge Hirsch's ruling here.
Florida closes in on trillion-dollar economy
The state of Florida contributed 5 percent of the nation’s gross domestic product, according to a new report from the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Florida’s GDP was $926.8 billion, the closest it’s gotten to $1 trillion ever. More from the Orlando Sentinel.
Florida consumer confidence rebounds after 2-month drop
Consumer confidence is rebounding in Florida. The monthly University of Florida consumer survey released Monday shows consumer confidence picked back up after two straight months of decline. The survey measured confidence in June at 96.4, which is 2.1 points higher than it was previously. The lowest index possible is a 2, and the highest is 150. More in the UF News Release.
Small Business Advice
Opening a small business? 5 common errors to avoid
If you’re thinking about joining the ranks of the more than 405,000 small business owners in Florida, it’s important to do your homework. The reality is that many small businesses end up shutting their doors not long after opening them. More from the Miami Herald.
What kind of fireworks are legal in Florida? Here's a 73 page list
According to Florida State Statute 791, all fiery displays of freedom must be in the form of a sparkler or something that sits on the ground and can be lit. Basically, if it flies in the air it's illegal to light in Florida. More from First Coast News.
Around the State
Neighborhood buzz
When Jetson Grimes looks at the new building across the street from his barbershop in Sarasota’s Newtown neighborhood, he sees “a big step forward.” The building, home to a Sarasota Memorial Hospital medical clinic, is scheduled to open this month in the heart of the economically depressed, predominately African-American community.
Small Business Success Story
Scoring in global markets
J.T.D. Enterprises wanted to sell its “Search ’N Rescue” golf ball retrievers beyond U.S. borders. “We knew there were opportunities to export,” says Tom Nihra. “We just didn’t know how.” So J.T.D. sought help from the Florida SBDC at the University of South Florida to create an Export Marketing Plan and identify key markets, one of which was Mexico.
» Read more from Florida Small Business.
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