Florida set to approve nearly $80 billion budget

Florida legislators are expected to approve a nearly $80 billion budget that includes more money for schools and tax cuts. The final vote on the budget comes weeks after a standoff over health care spending and Medicaid expansion brought the regular session to a halt. [Source: AP]

See also:
» Things to watch today in the special session
» Legislature down to its final votes
» Scholarships for teachers part of state budget

What can business do in the face of a public health crisis?

It is local businesses that often have the capacity and expertise to help response efforts. A well-functioning private sector, with firms who are able to provide these services quickly and efficiently, is a key part of a country’s resilience. [Source: Financial Times]

Florida citrus greening research fortified

The Sunshine State’s citrus growers have more muscle in their fight to stop a disease that’s killing their industry. Growers attending the June 17-19 Florida Citrus Industry Annual Conference learned how Florida Citrus Mutual, their industry trade group, has won victories in the state legislature. [Source: The Packer]

Will China finally fulfill Nicaragua's canal dream?

While the plan to build a 170-mile canal across Nicaragua linking the Atlantic and Pacific oceans has been greeted with widespread skepticism, powerful global forces seem to be pushing the project forward. [Source: McClatchyDC]

Why Wells Fargo is betting big on Florida

Wells Fargo is betting big on Florida multifamily. How big? The financial institution’s Multifamily Capital Group recently closed a $52 million Fannie Mae loan to Avesta Communities to refinance a portfolio of multifamily properties across Florida. [Source: Globe St.]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Florida gets nearly $7 million from feds to help laid-off workers [Miami Herald]
Florida will receive nearly $7 million in federal funding to help retrain workers who’ve been laid off from their jobs, the U.S. Department of Labor announced Thursday.

› Census shows housing traits by Florida metro area [AP]
Jacksonville residents are more likely to have fireplaces in their homes than in any other Florida metro areas, but homes in Tampa and Orlando are more likely to have pets.

› Office Depot shareholders to vote on Staples merger Friday [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
With Office Depot's Boca Raton headquarters and about 2,000 jobs at stake, Office Depot shareholders are scheduled to vote Friday on the office-supply retailer's proposed merger with Staples.

› PSC approves FP&L's controversial fracking plan [Tampa Bay Times]
Florida utility regulators Thursday approved a controversial proposal allowing Florida Power & Light to invest up to $500 million a year in the potentially high-risk natural gas business.
» FPL customers will be charged for fracking activities, board says

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› From workers to golfers to dogs, South Florida feels the heat [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
It's not even officially summer, yet South Florida has turned into a steam bath in the past week with "feels-like" temperatures occasionally climbing over 100 degrees.

› Golf pro will help promote Orlando-based Kony [Orlando Sentinel]
Orlando tech company Kony Inc. has added a star of the golf pro circuits to its advisory board. Ben Crenshaw has joined the board to help the company pump up its annual Kony World events, among other priorities.

› CSX Recognized For Exceptional Service For Automotive Customers [MarketWatch]
CSX and its wholly-owned subsidiary Total Service Distribution, Inc. (TDSI) have been recognized by the Association of American Railroads with its industry awards for the highest-quality automotive ramp service performance in the United States.

› Scientist Hopes To Save Critical Coral In Florida Keys [WGCU]
A Mote Marine Laboratory scientist will try to find out why a type of coral in the Florida Keys is dying. Staghorn corals help create reefs and provide a critical habitat to the thousands of species that live within them.