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Tuesday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
From guns to abortion, Florida Legislature to tackle controversial issues
Controversial issues spanning from guns to abortion will be on the Florida Legislature’s agenda during the 2019 session that starts Tuesday. State legislators will decide whether teachers should be allowed to carry guns at schools. Patients could be authorized to smoke medical marijuana. Sports betting could be legalized. New restrictions on abortion could be approved. More from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel and the Orlando Sentinel.
See also:
» Gov. Ron DeSantis’ next challenge: The Legislature
Florida could be the next state to protect biometric information
The rising use of biometrics by private companies is pushing Florida lawmakers to ensure consumers are aware and protected when giving up their information. The increasing use of biometrics is rasing concerns among Florida lawmakers. Senator Gary Farmer and Representative Bobby DuBose, are proposing the Florida Biometric Information Privacy Act. More from WUSF and JD Supra.
Next round of Florida-Georgia water war set in...New Mexico
Florida says the case is the “last, best hope” to save the Apalachicola River region from destruction. Georgia says Florida’s arguments threaten to cause hundreds of millions of dollars in “real harm” to the Peach State. Now, a federal appellate judge based in New Mexico will have to sort out the long-running battle between Florida and Georgia over water in the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint river system. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
Florida to protect native songbirds from illegal trafficking, trapping
State wildlife authorities are taking action to protect Florida’s native songbirds from illegal trapping, trafficking and possession as pets — an increasing problem statewide. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is proposing a new rule targeting songbird poachers by making it easier to confiscate the various traps they use to capture the birds. [Source: Florida Times-Union]
'It's pure hell, man': Hurricane Michael leaves housing crisis for Florida town
A small village of the forgotten has popped up in Diahnn "Shelly" Summers' backyard outside Panama City. Where there once was empty grass abutting almost 5 acres (2 hectares) of woods, 10 tents now encircle a fir tree with Christmas lights. The tents shelter those still homeless more than four months after Hurricane Michael screamed ashore with 155-mph winds, flattening, blowing away or rendering uninhabitable thousands of houses. [Source: AP]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Tampa Bay area airports brace for a record spring break
College students began arriving this week, and Tampa Bay area airports are bracing for what could be their busiest spring break ever. Passenger traffic is already up at Tampa International Airport, which expects up to 3.6 million passengers total during the next six weeks, typically its busiest month and a half of the year.
› FPL announces plans to build four new solar power plants in 2019
Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) today announced plans to build four new solar power plants this year that are expected to begin powering customers in early 2020. Florida ranked second in the nation in 2018 in solar employment, behind California, according to a recent report by The Solar Foundation.
› Florida attorney general creates senior protection team
Helping protect seniors from fraud, scams, and abuse. That's the goal of Florida's Senior Protection Team. The intra-agency group of experts is comprised of leading members from the State Attorney Generals Office of Prosecution, Consumer Protection Division and Medicaid Fraud Control Unit.
› Sarasota travel agencies find success through specialization, one-of-a-kind experiences
Because of a tech-savvy, educated client base, one-of-a-kind vacation packages and a personal touch you’re not going to get from a wholesale internet booking service, several travel agents and advisors in Sarasota said things are going strong and the future is bright.
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