Florida lawsuit takes aim at federal health officials

As a standoff over Medicaid expansion brought the legislative session to an unexpected halt on Tuesday, Gov. Rick Scott filed a lawsuit claiming that the federal government tried to force the health care policy upon Florida. More from the Times/Herald], the Orlando Business Journal, and NPR.

See also:
» 5 things to watch today in Tallahassee

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Florida Trend Exclusive
Cuba: How much opportunity?

Cuba’s interest in American money is obvious. The small communist country is in desperate need of foreign capital as it tries to modernize a creaky economy and rebuild decaying infrastructure across the island. But investors from countries who already trade there say Cuba is making progress. Full story from Florida Trend is here.

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Home prices accelerated in February as sales rose

The Standard & Poor's/Case-Shiller 20-city home price index rose 5 percent in February from 12 months earlier, S&P said Tuesday. That is up from a 4.5 percent pace in January. Faster sales likely drove the price gain. [Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune]

See also:
» Seller’s market: Home prices jump and inventories fall

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How to find the right partners for your business

The classic adage, “Two heads are better than one,” is famous for good reason – it is true in many situations, including in the business world. Of course, if you are looking for a partner for your company, finding the right mind (or minds) is crucial. [Source: Forbes]

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Crowdfunding helps pay for almost anything these days

Known as places to appeal for help with catastrophic medical expenses and raise capital for business ventures, crowdfunding websites also are awash in requests for assistance with veterinary bills, vacations and video-game consoles. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]

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ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Amid falling demand and disease, Florida orange crop hunts for fix [Tampa Bay Times]
Neither new ad campaigns nor the muscular redesign of cartoon superhero Captain Citrus have yet to turn the tide on dipping retail sales of U.S. orange juice. Blame rising drink competition, changing public tastes and stiffer OJ prices.

› Florida business delegation seeks investment opportunities in Morocco [Morocco World News]
Manufacturers, distributors and service companies from Florida will be visiting Morocco on May 2nd through 9th, as part of a delegation seeking to hold business meetings with public and private Moroccan operators.

› Can Orlando Eye vie with Disney, Universal for visitors? [Orlando Sentinel]
The Orlando Eye is the latest development in the ongoing renaissance of International Drive, but some wonder whether the wheel's hype is enough to make it successful.

› Florida could soon place limits on drone use [AP]
Using drones to take photos of people on their own property could soon be illegal in Florida. The Florida Legislature on Tuesday sent a bill to Gov. Rick Scott that places limits on the use of remote-controlled drones.

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› Brevard rescinds tax breaks for 7 companies [Florida Today]
Seven companies had their Brevard County property tax breaks rescinded today because they did not fulfill their promises for creating jobs and making capital investments.

› Disney told to rehire workers who refused soiled costumers [AP]
Walt Disney World must rehire three performers who were fired when they refused to wear soiled spandex unitards as part of their costumes for the "Festival of the Lion King" show after an arbitrator ruled Monday they were dismissed without just cause.

› Small drones prove up to hurricane tasks [Orlando Sentinel]
Small drones, called Coyotes, are designed to penetrate the most violent quadrants of a hurricane and the in the process glean crucial atmospheric information that should improve forecasts.

› Want to build a hotel in Latin America? First head to Miami [Miami Herald]
For its planned expansion into Latin America and the Caribbean, Homewood Suites by Hilton is creating model spaces for developers to pore over — in Miami.