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Tuesday's Afternoon Update

Legislators to spend millions on Spring Training incentives

In Florida, the spring training parks are spread out from one another, making travel a drag. The Florida legislature passed a budget yesterday which provides $3.3 million a year for spring training complex upgrades and construction. More from NBC Sports and the AP.


Scott touts "incredible economic turnaround" to poach Illinois businesses

Gov. Rick Scott sent letters to Illinois business owners this week, telling them to book a “one-way” ticket to Florida and set up shop in the Sunshine State. In the letter, Scott touts Florida’s economic recovery, low taxes and shrinking state debt. Read more at the Miami Herald and read Gov. Scott's letter here.


Nonprofits start social enterprises to fund their missions

Business Profile

After 40 years, store still a center of running community

runner
In 1975, John “Hans” Huseby and his wife Laurie transformed the family business, a shoe store in South Miami, into a running specialty store.

» Full story from the Miami Herald

In an industrial area of Fort Lauderdale, trucks deliver old computers, cellphones and electronics to a sprawling warehouse. Workers sort the goods, separating plastics, metals and other items for resale. It looks like a typical electronics recycling business, but it's a nonprofit at work. More at the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.


Broward students impress Obama with bicycle invention

What started out as a science assignment turned into a political science lesson on Monday, as two Northeast High students got President Barack Obama to try out their bicycle-powered invention. Obama "test drove" the project, created by about 30 students at the Oakland Park school to help provide clean water to developing nations after a natural disaster. More at the Orlando Sentinel.


Senate cuts Florida 'tie' logo

Senate negotiators on Monday withdrew the $1.5 million line item to help fund the new Enterprise Florida business brand that features an orange men's necktie as the "I" in the word Florida. Read more from the South Florida Sun Sentinel here and here.

Remembrance
Steve Burton

steve burtonSteve Burton lived as though the finish line were just around the corner. He had no choice. In 2009, his older brother and fellow lawyer, Glenn Burton, died of a heart attack at age 51. Yet even as his own heart failed him, Steve Burton could not afford to slow down. The lawyer dedicated himself to his sons, his clients, his community — and Tampa International Airport. "He was running with half a heart," said his fiancee, Melissa Helms, "and he still accomplished so many things and never complained." Funeral services will be Friday at Idlewild Baptist Church in Lutz, Florida. Times for the visitation and service have not yet been set.

» Read more from the Tampa Bay Times and the Tampa Bay Business Journal.