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Wednesday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
Property insurance market crisis looms over Florida
Fees lawyers are allowed to collect when filing insurance claims are helping push an already precarious property insurance system in Florida to the brink, causing rates to skyrocket and leaving the state one big storm away from total catastrophe. That’s the opinion of insurance agents, some state officials, homeowner associations and lobbyists who want the state legislature to act — now. They say if the state can cap fees or implement a fee schedule, it will begin to bring back carriers who have left, taking pressure off of the state’s insurance company, Citizens Property Insurance Corp., helping bring down rates and, most importantly, strengthening the entire system. [Source: Business Observer]
Florida Trend Exclusive
Florida Icon: Clarence Otis Jr.
The former CEO and Chairman of Darden Restaurants tells us: "I always wanted to be involved in the business world — large businesses, not proprietorships. I was more interested in larger businesses because I felt like you can have an impact. I felt that was a place where black people needed to be." [Source: Florida Trend]
Free internet available for low-income households in Florida
AT&T, Comcast, Google Fiber, Spectrum and dozens of other internet providers are teaming up with the Federal Communications Commission to give poor Americans cheaper internet access. In Florida, that means more than 60 companies will provide broadband internet to households making at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines. That means, for example, individuals making $13,590 or less or a family of four earning $27,750, getting connected will be cheaper, or free. [Source: WFLA]
Publix working with Audubon Society to restore portion of Everglades. First phase complete
Deer captured on video cameras are evidence of Publix’s yearlong commitment of $1.2 million is working to help restore the Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary in the western Everglades. The restoration effort by Lakeland-based Publix and the National Audubon Society so far has eliminated invasive willows and other species across 200 acres of the sanctuary, Publix Super Markets Inc. said in a press release last week. [Source: Lakeland Ledger]
Florida executive named as first Director of Museum of the American Latino in Washington, D.C.
The National Museum of the American Latino, a new Smithsonian institution, is at least a decade away from opening. As of yet, it has no budget. No building. No collection. But it now has its first permanent director, Jorge Zamanillo. Zamanillo, 52, comes to the job from Miami, where he grew up, the son of immigrants from Cuba. Since 2000 he has been with the community-based HistoryMiami Museum in various positions, most recently as executive director and chief executive. He will begin his new role on May 2. [Source: New York Times]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› ‘Inspired by Che Guevara and Fidel Castro,’ a New York restaurant missteps in Miami
A Mexican hangout where the late Cuban dictator Fidel Castro and Che Guevara plotted the Cuban revolution is the inspiration behind a New York City restaurant opening a location soon in downtown Miami. Miami is having a problem with this. The concept is a fusion of Cuban and Mexican cuisine — with a backstory rooted in communist revolutionary lore.
› Athletic wear company to build headquarters in Pasco County
Athletic wear e-commerce company NVGTN has announced plans to build a 100,000-square-foot headquarters in Pasco County. The facility will bring 30 new jobs and include customer service and fulfillment operations. The building will be constructed in the Trinity Corporate Center.
› The cosmic return of Universal’s Mardi Gras parade
Mardi Gras is back in full force, complete with an interplanetary theme, on the streets of Universal Studios theme park. The nightly event, which runs through April 24, again features a parade and concert series after last year’s Mardi Gras celebration was modified with pandemic precautions. That included having parade floats out on display but stationary.
› Jacksonville space port authority gets committee nod
A new regional government authority would be given state backing to promote space business around the space port being developed in Jacksonville, under a bill approved by a House committee Tuesday. Republican Rep. Wyman Duggan’s Northeast Florida Regional Spaceport Authority bill (HB 1303) shot through the House Tourism, Infrastructure and Energy Subcommittee Tuesday. The only concern raised was about whether a new state-chartered authority specific to space flight around Jacksonville might somehow conflict or compete with Florida’s big statewide space agency, Space Florida.
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