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Thursday's Afternoon Update
What you need to know about Florida today
Florida Gov. DeSantis unveils state budget, eyes teacher pay raises
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday touted the state’s “fiscal health” amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, saying he’s proposing another pay raise for teachers and an increase in per-student spending. DeSantis rolled out his 2021-2022 budget during a news conference at the state Capitol in Tallahassee, saying Florida is better off than many other states that took a harder stance on lockdowns during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. More from WKMG and the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
Revised Port Canaveral budget projects no cruise activity until July
Port Canaveral commissioners approved a budget revision that projects no return to active cruising until at least July. While most of the lines at the port have only canceled cruises through April so far, the update given at Wednesday’s port authority meeting calls for only one ship from four lines sailing by July, and then only at 50% capacity. More from the Orlando Sentinel.
Despite pandemic, St. Petersburg leaders optimistic about economy
Before the COVID-19 pandemic took hold, the Sunshine City’s economy was “basically functioning on all cylinders,” according to City Development Administrator Alan DeLisle. And while the pace has faltered some, given the social distancing requirements and other restrictions put in place by local and state governments to help mitigate the spread of the virus, the city’s economy is performing relatively well and local leaders are optimistic about the future. More from the Tampa Bay Times.
Exceptions eyed as minimum wage set to increase
Less than three months after voters approved a constitutional amendment to raise Florida’s minimum wage, a Senate Republican on Wednesday filed a proposal that could lead to exceptions for some workers. The amendment, approved in the November election, will increase the minimum wage to $10 an hour on Sept. 30 and lead to annual increases until it is $15 an hour on Sept. 30, 2026. More from the News Service of Florida.
Mecum Kissimmee car auction breaks record with $122 million in sales
Though there are still businesses and industries affected by the pandemic, Mecum Auctions is not among them, posting record sales during its 10-day Mecum Kissimmee auction at Osceola Heritage Park. The classic car auction saw $122.8 million in sales, the highest single-auction total in Mecum’s 34 years in business. The January event managed an 89 percent sell-through rate, sending more than 2,000 collector cars home with new buyers. More from the Orlando Sentinel.
Event
Love Your Shorts Film Festival returns to Sanford
The Love Your Shorts Film Festival returns to Sanford next month. The 11th annual showcase features 62 films (each up to 30 minutes in length) from 13 countries in a variety of categories. “[The festival is] not diminished in terms of content,” said Brian Casey, the festival’s president. “We’re having the same number of blocks of films, and we’ve had a very robust submission season this year with films.”
» More from the Orlando Sentinel.
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Hospitality
Miami Beach’s Faena hospitality brand is taking its flair to Dubai
The famed Faena hospitality brand of Miami Beach is taking its flair to Dubai. In a new partnership with hospitality group Accor, Faena announced Tuesday it will launch its third venture in the United Arab Emirates following its flagship hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 2000 and in the second in Miami Beach in 2015. The company did not provide a timeline for the new development.
» Read more from the Miami Herald.
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