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Tuesday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
Florida utilities seeing the numbers they need to switch on more solar
Solar power is moving quickly from a niche market to a major player in the energy business in the Sunshine State. From small companies to the state's largest, Florida's utilities are deciding the price is right for solar power after the cost of the technology dropped dramatically over the past decade. Recently, FPL announced locations for their next wave of solar plants. Earlier this month, Florida Municipal Power Agency (FMPA) and 12 Florida municipal electric utilities announced plans for a a major solar initiative. Read more at the Florida Times-Union.
See also:
» First Coast area solar utility projects growing rapidly
Alberto makes landfall along Florida Panhandle
Subtropical Storm Alberto lumbered ashore Monday on Florida’s Panhandle, pelting white sand beaches with blustery winds and stinging rain that kept the usual Memorial Day crowds away. Forecasters warned heavy rain, flash flooding and dangerous surf posed the biggest threats as Alberto's ragged core made landfall near Laguna Beach. More from ABC News and the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
See also:
» Alberto, now a depression, dumps heavy rains across South
» A forecast bust: what happened to Alberto?
» Florida could be hit with another “major hurricane”
» Two killed as Alberto makes landfall on Florida Panhandle
The state of teachers' unions in the Sunshine State
Florida teachers’ unions are planning to sue the state over a new law that threatens their long-term survival. Unions’ right to collectively bargain for their members has been enshrined in the state constitution since 1968 and state law since 1974. However, this year the Florida Legislature and Gov. Rick Scott put restrictions on collective bargaining by passing the House Bill 7055 — affecting only teachers’ unions. [Source: WJCT]
Your turn:
» Was the Florida legislature right to put restrictions on collective bargaining by teachers' unions? (quick poll)
Publix suspends political contributions amid statewide protests
Publix, facing consumer boycotts, student protests and threats to its wholesome image for its generous support of Adam Putnam's bid for governor, announced Friday it is suspending all corporate campaign contributions immediately. See Publix's statement here. Also read more at Florida Today, the Washington Post, and the Tampa Bay Times.
Florida Trend Exclusive
Historian Raymond Arsenault – a Florida Icon
In an Icon interview, Raymond Arsenault talks about Florida history and other topics: “Florida has a very heavy frontier heritage. It was under-populated for so long. It didn’t have much in the way of legal culture. Almost everybody was from somewhere else,” Arsenault said. Full interview here.
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Hillsborough’s film incentive has attracted $1.17 million in local spending, audits show
"Incentives mean everything," said Steve Matzkin, who lives in Tampa and has helped produced half a dozen feature films. "Period." Incentives mean a better bottom line for Hillsborough County, too, according to accounting by the Hillsborough County Clerk of the Circuit Court.
› Fanatics partners with NFL, Nike to make and sell fan gear
Fanatics Inc., the Jacksonville-based sports apparel and memorabilia giant, has landed a deal that makes it partners with the National Football League and sports uniform manufacturer Nike.
› Fort Lauderdale-born Gyroville fast casual Greek chain expanding beyond South Florida
You won’t offend Gyroville founder Lambros Kokkinelis if you don’t know how to pronounce gyro, the signature offering at the 10-location fast casual Mediterranean restaurant chain he founded in Fort Lauderdale in 2009. It’s now expanding to other states, even to South America.
› SeaWorld's interim CEO isn't your typical executive. Will it help the company rebound?
John Reilly, SeaWorld’s top executive, mentioned some magic words — free beer — as he talked about a new summer initiative on a walking tour of the Orlando theme park. He got an instant reaction from tourists nearby who cheered their approval of brews on the house. They had no idea they were interacting with the company’s interim CEO.
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