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What you need to know about Florida today
Florida medical marijuana rules upheld by Supreme Court
In a blow to smaller companies hoping to enter the medical marijuana industry, the Florida Supreme Court issued a ruling Thursday that found Florida’s regulations of the fledgling industry are constitutional. Six of the seven justices found that in the case — Florida Department of Health v. Florigrown, LLC — that Florigrown’s challenges to state regulations did not have a “substantial likelihood of success.” [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
Business Beat - Week of May 28th
Get top news-to-know with Florida Trend's headline-focused video newsbrief, hosted by digital content specialist Aimée Alexander.
Florida citrus industry continues to be vital player in state economy
Despite a decrease in citrus production, the Florida citrus industry contributed more value to the state of Florida in 2019-20 than the previous season. According to a study conducted by the University of Florida, the Florida Citrus industry had an economic impact of $6.762 billion to the state and supported more than 33,300 jobs. [Source: Florida Trend]
Universal increases starting pay to $15 an hour, first major Orlando theme park to do it
Universal Orlando employees are getting raises next month with starting pay jumping to $15 an hour, the company said Thursday, calling it the largest single wage increase ever made by the theme park. Universal becomes the first major attraction in Central Florida to offer $15 an hour to new workers. The pay hikes will begin June 27 for more than 18,000 employees, which includes full-time and part-time hourly jobs as well as entry-level salaried positions. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]
Ready to stock up? Florida sales tax holiday for hurricane supplies starts Friday
Florida shoppers can better prepare for hurricane season or any other natural disaster by saving some money on coolers, batteries, candles and portable generators starting Friday. The Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday will exempt certain items from sales tax through June 6. Florida’s sales tax is 6%, but that can be higher based on added county taxes. In Orange, for example, it is 6.5%. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Will Aerion Supersonic's work be acquired by a different aerospace company?
Though Aerion Supersonic unexpectedly shut down Friday amid a funding crunch, Orlando Melbourne International Airport Executive Director Greg Donovan does not think the story has ended in developing the company's revolutionary AS2 supersonic business jet. “I believe there (are) more shoes to drop,” Donovan told the Melbourne Airport Authority on Wednesday.
› Only 2 Florida beaches make the Dr. Beach's top 10 list
There was no home court advantage when Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman, who posts as Dr. Beach, named the top 10 beaches in 2021. For more than 30 years, Dr. Beach, a professor and director of the Laboratory for Coastal Research at Florida International University, has been reviewing contenders by evaluating 50 different aspects, which include water and sand quality as well as safety and management. This year he named only two Florida beaches to the list.
› Drought emergency declared in Sarasota County; residents urged to conserve water
In a stark indication of the area's growing water system issues, Sarasota County on Wednesday declared a drought emergency and urged residents to conserve water for the next week. "The drought condition poses an immediate and present danger to the health and safety of the citizens of Sarasota County, necessitating the exercise of all reasonable preparatory, precautionary and remedial measures," County Administrator Jonathan Lewis wrote in the emergency declaration.
› Reddit’s Ohanian is leading a multimillion investment in a Miami blockchain startup
If your business needs a way to hook its services into the blockchain, there’s a Miami-based startup for that. And it’s now got the backing of Reddit co-founder and chairman Alexis Ohanian, to the tune of $5.3 million. QuickNode, which has built out blockchain software for firms crypto-based and beyond, announced Thursday it had raised the multimillion investment round from Ohanian’s Seven Seven Six venture group.
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