Senate accuses House of violating Constitution

The Florida Legislature's chaotic session hit a new dysfunctional low Wednesday as an irate Senate demanded that House leaders bring lawmakers back to work or risk violating the state Constitution. With increased vitriol on both sides, it appeared less likely than ever the House and Senate could come together for critical budget talks. More from the Tampa Bay Times, the AP, and the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.

Legislative Roundup:
» Florida Legislature approves online voter registration
» Legislature OKs allowing Palm Beach County stadium
» Major Florida prison reform bill dies in wake of House, Senate feud
» Florida fracking bill won't pass this year

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Florida Trend Exclusive
Cuba: China's western toehold

When Americans think of Havana, many immediately imagine classic, American-made cars. What they should picture are modern, Chinese-made buses.

In the absence of American trade with Cuba, the Chinese have stepped into the void. China today is Cuba’s largest creditor and its second-largest trading partner after Venezuela. Read the full story here. (Second of a series on FloridaTrend.com)

From Florida Trend's May magazine:
» Cuba's economic backbone
Cuba’s economy is based on four mainstays

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Florida among top states where people want to work from home

Texas, California and Florida have the highest number of people interested in telecommuting jobs, according to a new survey from FlexJobs. To come up with its rankings, FlexJobs analyzed job-seeker data during the first quarter of 2015. [Source: Orlando Business Journal]

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Job satisfaction jumped in 2014

b satisfaction increased last year for the first time in four years as an improving economy gave employers more flexibility in hiring and workers more confidence to seek out jobs they really want. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]

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Comfort food finds a focused business niche

Food entrepreneurs are building businesses that cater to consumers' need for comfort and nostalgia. With menus focused on meatballs, gourmet marshmallows and grilled-cheese sandwiches, the business model may seem to go against a rising push for diverse menus covering a variety of tastes and cuisines. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]

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ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Florida agencies will have to buy flags made in USA [TBO.com]
All Florida city, county and state government agencies will have to buy state and American flags that are made in the United States under a bill going to Gov. Rick Scott. The Senate passed the bill Wednesday on a 38-1 vote. The House passed the bill last month.

› Florida voucher program gets big boost from Miami firm [Tampa Bay Times]
Florida's tax credit scholarship program, which provides private school vouchers to low-income students, received a major infusion Wednesday, as a Miami-based wine and spirits distributor made the largest single contribution to the program ever.

› Volkswagen shipments begin rolling into JaxPort as part of five-year import deal [Florida Times-Union]
As the Volkswagen Jettas, Beetles and Passats rolled off a large cargo vessel at Blount Island Wednesday, the realization of a new contract to import a huge number of new vehicles for JaxPort was coming to fruition.

› Florida Legislature: What passed, failed and lies in limbo [Orlando Sentinel]
A list of key bills that passed and failed during Florida's legislative session, plus what remains undone and what happens next.

Go to page 2 for more stories ...

› National Small Business Week kicks off in Boca Raton on May 4 [Miami Herald]
National Small Business Week will kick off with a town-hall event for small business owners in Boca Raton on May 4th. Office Depot CEO Roland Smith and U.S. Small Business Administration chief Maria Contreras-Sweet will deliver keynote addresses.

› State higher ed board blocks opening for university research trips to Cuba [Miami Herald]
For 10 years, a controversial Florida law has forbidden faculty and students at public universities from using any type of funds to travel to Cuba or other U.S.-labeled state sponsors of terrorism.

› Spirit Airlines' profits jump 83 percent in first quarter [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Net income for the Miramar-based low-cost carrier rose 83 percent to $69 million, or 94 cents per share, in the period, compared with $37.7 million, or 51 cents, in the same period in 2014.

› South Florida business owners complain of imposter service dogs [NBC Miami]
More animals are going everywhere people go and some South Floridians are complaining they’re not just service dogs. Restaurant owners say some animal owners are abusing laws meant to protect people with disabilities.