Gov. Scott signs school funding, economic development bills

Gov. Rick Scott signed 29 bills late Monday, including measures boosting spending on education, tourism marketing and economic development. By signing the bills, and vetoing five more, Scott essentially closed the books on this year’s regular and special legislative sessions. See all 29 bills he signed, plus 5 he vetoed, here. Also read more at the Miami Herald.

Venezuela protests impact Florida expatriate community

Venezuela's economic collapse has led to three months of street protests against the socialist government. There's also a Venezuelan drama in the U.S.: Many in the expatriate community are on a zealous campaign to name-and-shame Venezuelan socialists living in enclaves like South Florida. [Source: WBUR]

You could soon hunt goliath groupers in Florida

A fish that can grow to the size of a grizzly bear could soon be hunted in state waters across Florida. For the first time in 27 years, Florida’s Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is considering a limited catch of the massive goliath grouper. [Source: WFTS]

FWC wants your input:
» The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) needs your input on goliath grouper management, including the possibility of a limited harvest in Florida state waters. At this link, see the list of goliath grouper workshops scheduled August through October, and find out how to submit comments.

Blue Origin selects Alabama, not Florida, for rocket engine production site

City and state officials in Huntsville, Ala., announced Monday that the rocket company Blue Origin would build the engine of its next-generation BE-4 rocket there, spurning agencies on the Space Coast that had hoped to lure that work to Central Florida. More from the Orlando Sentinel and Florida Today.

Gov. Scott seeks to scuttle challenge to citrus money veto

Attorneys for Gov. Rick Scott argued Monday the Florida Supreme Court should reject a lawsuit challenging the governor's veto of $37.4 million that would compensate homeowners for healthy citrus trees cut down by the state. More from WJXT and Florida Politics.

Your turn:
» Gov. Scott vetoed reimbursing homeowners whose healthy citrus trees were torn down by the state. Now it's up to Florida's Supreme Court. Which side do you agree with? (quick poll)

 

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› The shine is back for Southwest Florida's regional banks [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
It’s taken more than 10 years to shake out the weak players in the Southwest Florida banking industry. For the first time since 2006, none of the region’s banks has the dubious distinction of sitting on analyst BauerFinancial’s list of troubled and problematic banks.

› Vero Beach to ban future marijuana dispensaries [WFLX]
Days after Governor Rick Scott signed a state bill regulating medical marijuana dispensaries into law, local governments are deciding whether or not to ban dispensaries in their area.

› Office Depot revives 'taking care of business' slogan in new advertising [News Release]
The Boca Raton-based office supply retailer is rolling out the same slogan first used in 1992 because it “resonates” with customers and “strengthens Office Depot’s position as a reliable source,” Office Depot said. Also read more at the South Florida Sun Sentinel.

› French call-center giant making its new home in Miami [Miami Herald]
Acticall Sitel Group. is a French company that is one of the world’s largest customer service management firms — an enterprise with 77,000 employees that provides call center and customer service options in a number of countries.

Go to page 2 for more stories ...

› One Enterprise Center office building in downtown Jacksonville sells for $15.2 million [Florida Times-Union]
One Enterprise Center has been sold for $15.2 million, according to its broker, less than one-third of what it sold for nine years ago.

› CNBC’s Marcus Lemonis joins Bush and Romney in bid for Miami Marlins [Miami Herald]
The Miami Marlins need a financial turnaround, and CNBC television star Marcus Lemonis says he’s ready to spend big to help provide one. Lemonis said he was recruited by former Florida governor Jeb Bush to join the ownership group that’s now made up of former rivals in the Marlins hunt.

› Kettler expands its footprint to Florida [Virginia Business]
Kettler, a McLean-based real estate estate development and property management company, has made its first acquisition in Florida. The company has purchased 18.4 acres from The Celebration Co, in Celebration, Fla., for a mixed-use development.

› Large solar farm underway in Alachua/Putnam [Gainesville Sun]
A more than 1,200-acre piece of land straddling east Alachua and west Putnam counties will house more than 330,000 solar panels to help provide energy to Florida Power and Light customers throughout the state.