Florida’s top lawyers named by peer voting

The state’s top lawyers are recognized in the 2015 edition of Florida Trend’s Florida Legal Elite. The list of 1,131 honorees includes attorneys in private practice as well as top government and non-profit attorneys. “For the past 12 years, our 250,000 readers have turned to Florida Legal Elite as a guide to help select a trusted legal partner to handle a myriad of corporate assignments,” said Publisher Andrew Corty said in a statement.

» Exclusive Florida Trend report: Legal Elite 2015

Florida is recruiting companies in Connecticut

Florida released a radio ad Monday that was broadcast on AM radio in Connecticut: "Connecticut recently increased taxes, again, this time by over $1 billion. Florida has no state income tax, and has cut taxes more than 40 times over the last four years. Unlike Connecticut, Florida is a right-to-work state, with no estate or gift tax. ... Governor Rick Scott is coming to Connecticut to share the Florida story of low taxes and more jobs." [Source: Hartford Courant]

Panthers are plentiful enough, state officials say

Florida wildlife officials are weighing a push to have the Florida panther removed from the federal endangered-species list as its population rebounds and conflicts with humans increase, a prospect already triggering fierce opposition from environmental groups. Ranchers complain that panthers are preying on livestock. [Source: Wall Street Journal]

» What's your opinion, should the Florida panther remain on the federal endangered-species list? Take a quick poll, at the right on this page (or click here.)

The Obama Gap

Favorable demographics and a charismatic leader aren’t enough to make a majority party. The emerging Democratic majority may be an opportunity that President Obama turned into reality. But unless Democrats find better ways to turn out their new voters -- and win back more of the white voters flocking to the GOP -- the party will continue to lose ground. [Read more -- in a report from the New Republic that uses Florida as a case study.]

Citizens proposes rate decreases for some customers

More than half of Citizens Property Insurance customers will face rate increases next year, under a proposal going before the insurer’s Board of Governors on Wednesday. The biggest increases are expected to hit coastal policyholders. Overall, the request calls for an average statewide rate increase of 3.2 percent for personal lines policyholders. [Source: Sun-Sentinel]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› How are we doing? Tracking 6 signs of Florida, Tampa Bay economies [Times]
Column from Robert Trigaux: Approaching the midpoint of 2015, here are six indicators to help explain the state of the economy in Florida.

› Harry Potter expansion spark fans' imaginations [Sentinel]
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is growing beyond the borders of Orlando. But its first superfans hope there will be room for expansion in Florida as Universal adds new attractions at parks in Japan and California. Also: Universal suing Orlando property appraiser

› Groups sue Legislature over conservation funding [Florida Today]
The nonprofit Earthjustice filed the suit on behalf of the Florida Wildlife Federation and others. On Friday, the Legislature approved a budget that includes $17.4 million to a trust fund that buys conservation land. Conservation groups wanted $300 million.

› Florida's personal income growth largest in nation [Sun-Sentinel]
Personal income grew 1.3 percent from January through March compared to 0.9 percent nationally.

Go to page 2 for more stories ...

› Art brings early Floridians to life [Florida Today]
While the archaeological record contains tools, pottery, and other artifacts, the visual record of people in Florida before the Europeans arrived is very limited. The exhibition "ArtCalusa: Reflections on Representation" at the Brevard Museum of History and Natural Science, running July 17-Dec. 11, adds more to the record.

› Astronauts might eat KSC's next space lettuce crop [Florida Today]
Eighteen seed pillows are among the more than 5,000 pounds of supplies that a SpaceX Dragon capsule will fly to the station following a planned liftoff from Cape Canaveral at 10:21 a.m. Sunday.

› Angel Investment network may bridge capital gap [Tallahassee Democrat]
While Tallahassee is generating statewide nods as a prime location to start a business, financing for high-risk companies has stalled local growth.

› John Morgan jump-starts Florida medical marijuana efforts [News Service of Fla.]
Orlando trial lawyer John Morgan wrote a $150,000 check to help an effort to get a medical-marijuana initiative back on the ballot in 2016.