After $98 million on lawyers, Florida losing water war with Georgia

A judicial official sided with Georgia in a decades-long dispute over water rights with Florida on Tuesday, recommending that the U.S. Supreme Court refuse Florida's high-stakes request to cap water use by its neighboring state. The dispute is between the State of Florida and the State of Georgia over the use of the waters of the Apalachicola Basin. Georgia insists it be permitted to consume sufficient water from the Basin to meet water demands for greater Atlanta and farmers in south Georgia.
» See the Special Master's Report here, including the decree at the end that states:

For the reasons fully set forth in the Special Master’s Report,we conclude that Florida has not proven by clear and convincing evidence that a decree imposing a cap on Georgia’s consumptive water use would result in additional streamflow in Florida at a time that would provide a material benefit to Florida. Accordingly, we ADOPT the Special Master’s recommendation and DENY Florida’s request for relief.

More from the Tampa Bay Times, the Atlanta Journal Constitution, the Miami Herald, and the AP. Also take a quick poll about this issue, here.

Lobbyist muscle will be major force in medical marijuana fight

Last week, hundreds of hopeful patients, caregivers and business interests filled meeting rooms across the state to tell health officials how they want Florida’s medical marijuana program to go into effect. In Tallahassee, the picture is a little different. Instead of patients, lobbyists pack committee hearings. [Source: Times/Herald]

State wipes out Independent Party of Florida

The Independent Party of Florida, founded in 1992, was stripped of its official status because it didn’t use a certified public accountant to audit its finances in 2014. The Independent Party of Florida, which originally grew out of Ross Perot’s run for president in 1992, bills itself as a “middle of the road” party" [Source: Orlando Sentinel]

75 years later: How World War II changed Florida forever

The state, a strategic asset for its geography and climate, became an armed camp. Its hotels turned into barracks. Hospitals, bases and airfields sprang up, increasing from eight in 1940 to 172 in 1943. The influx of soldiers led to the boom that changed Florida’s population from about 2 million in 1940 to nearly 3 million a decade later. [Source: Palm Beach Post]

Gov. Scott travels state targeting House members who voted against his priorities

House Republicans have moved to kill the agencies, saying both are a forms of “corporate welfare” that put the government in the role of picking some companies over others to get funding. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Orlando-area home sales drop 26 percent in a month — biggest drop in 8 years [Orlando Sentinel]
Home sales usually chill in January compared with December, but sales in the core Orlando market last month cooled more than usual for that time of year.

› Trump's visits to Florida costing sheriff $1.5 million in OT [AP]
Donald Trump's visits to his South Florida estate since he was elected president have cost the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Department $1.5 million in overtime costs.

› Florida Hospital partners with Brazilian company Livox [Orlando Sentinel]
In 2015, Livox won an UN World Summit Award for inclusion and empowerment. And in 2016 Inclusion Without Borders got a $550,000 grant from Google’s philanthropic arm.

› Max Planck instrument company spin-off to locate at Jupiter institute [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Abberior Instruments America, a Max Planck spin-off that could eventually result in U.S. manufacturing jobs, will locate its headquarters at the institute’s Jupiter campus.

Go to page 2 for more stories ...

› Florida Supreme Court to hear Turtles copyright case [Florida Record]
The Florida Supreme Court is set to hear arguments in a copyright infringement lawsuit that was filed by 1960s rock group The Turtles against U.S.-based SiriusXM satellite radio on April 6.

› New York developer Red Apple Group pays $2.6 million for downtown St. Petersburg arcade [Tampa Bay Times]
The New York firm under contract to buy and redevelop a prime downtown block has bought an historic building directly across the street.

› Broward law would regulate medical marijuana dispensaries [Miami Herald]
Medical marijuana shops would be free to open for business in unincorporated areas of Broward County under strict zoning regulations moving through the legislative pipeline.

› Home Shopping Network pulls Winter Park entrepreneur's products amid accusations [Orlando Sentinel]
Debbie Farah, 58, has built her reputation — and Bajalia, her brand — on the idea of empowering women, particularly those in places where women have few opportunities to become financially independent.