Special session could cost big bucks

Florida residents could be on the hook for hundreds of thousands of dollars in per diem expenses for legislators when the House and Senate reconvene to hash out budget issues this summer. [Source: Tallahassee Democrat]

See also:
» Uber petition asks Florida to take up bill in special session
» Scott sees special session with tax cuts, increased education money in budget

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Best cities for small business in America

The annual Best Small Business Cities in America Study ranking of 25 cities looks at the health of small businesses in each metro area, the rate of small-business creation and the economic ecosystem for entrepreneurs, including the cost of doing business, tax climate and local talent pool. [Source: CNBC]

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Gov. Scott headed to DC to negotiate for Florida hospital funds

The Republican governor wants an extension on the more than $1 billion funds that expire next month. But the federal government wants states to expand Medicaid, arguing it's more efficient to give people money to help buy health insurance than to pay hospitals for caring for the uninsured retroactively. More from the Times/Herald, the AP, Florida Trend, and the Fort Myers News-Press.

See also:
» Scott executive order creates health care commission

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Budget uncertainty leaves school districts struggling

Even in normal circumstances, school boards often struggle to craft spending plans largely dictated by state funding formulas. This year, they face the task without any hard numbers as a starting point. [Source: Miami Herald]

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At least four Florida companies approved for ferry service to Cuba

For the first time in five decades, the U.S. is allowing ferry service between Florida and Cuba. At least four companies said they were notified Tuesday of approvals by the U.S. Treasury and Commerce departments, the first since Washington imposed a trade embargo on Cuba. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]

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ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› State GOP announces new leadership [Tampa Bay Times]
The Republican Party of Florida, following a post-election shake-up that saw Gov. Rick Scott's choice to lead the state party defeated by state state Rep. Blaise Ingoglia, announced new top staffers Tuesday.

› Florida Tech launches Doctor of Business Administration degree [FIT News]
For the first time, Florida Institute of Technology will offer a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) degree at its main campus in Melbourne, Florida. The program will start in August.

› Duke Energy buys stake in proposed natural gas pipeline [AP]
Electric utility giant Duke Energy has purchased ownership stake in the proposed Sabal Trail natural gas pipeline. The $3 billion pipeline will run from Alabama, across Georgia, and into Florida.

› Office Depot turns a profit, despite lower sales [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
The ever-shrinking Office Depot saw its sales fall by 11 percent in the first quarter, primarily due to closing stores.

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› While effects are in question, vaping grows in Brevard [Florida Today]
Popping up along with the Space Coast with regularity are retail shops like Pure Cigs, the Funky Buddha and others, not to mention enterprises like MNG Vape in Melbourne, a company founded by Tony Childers that makes hundreds of gallons of liquid that is shipped across the United States for electronic smoking devices.

› Immigration battle moves to the military [The Hill]
Anti-immigration hard-liners and vulnerable Republicans who represent districts with large Hispanic populations are battling over provisions in the annual Defense authorization bill, which is set to come to the House floor next week.

› Florida’s widened seasons a win-win [The Packer]
On many items, Florida enjoys a broad fall to late spring-early summer window. Some commodities, including blueberries, run relatively short seasons, sometimes not much more than a month.

› Florida to do national search for 2 agency heads [AP]
Gov. Rick Scott called for the search Tuesday after the Florida Senate didn't confirm Scott's picks for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
» See also: Gov. Rick Scott orders nationwide searches for FDLE, DEP posts