Florida Trend | Florida's Business Authority

Thursday's Afternoon Update

Why Rick Scott’s budget grew by $21 billion over eight years

For Scott’s first six years in office, he called for leaner budgets than he ended up signing. Since 2011, his proposals have grown by more than $21 billion, or 33 percent. State budgets across the country have increased during this same period. But Florida is near the top of the pack in terms of growth. More from the Tampa Bay Times.

Higher speed passenger train service begins in South Florida

A higher speed passenger train is set to begin service in South Florida. The Brightline train will begin introductory service on Saturday, with round-trip fares starting at $20 between its Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach stations. Full news release from Brightline, here. Also read more at the AP and the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

Related Group sees a St. Petersburg condo tower in its future

Miami’s Related Group, one of Florida’s top developers, would like to build an "iconic’’ condo tower in downtown St. Petersburg, the company’s chairman and CEO says. More from the Tampa Bay Times.

Downtown Jacksonville panel wants JEA to shoulder some risk for The District development deal

The Downtown Investment Authority on Wednesday approved a complicated financial arrangement with the developer behind The District on the Southbank waterfront, but the board made a change that could cause JEA to consider how much financial risk it wants to shoulder for its part in the multiparty deal. More from the Florida Times-Union.

Targeting Florida Republicans in 2018 will be tricky for Puerto Rican leaders

Puerto Rico Gov. Ricardo Rosselló intends to throw his political weight around in the 2018 elections, mobilizing Puerto Ricans who recently moved to the mainland to vote against lawmakers he says “turned their back” on the U.S. territory in its time of need. More from the Miami Herald.

Out of the Box
2017’s rejected Florida license plates

 Florida allows motorists to request personalized license plates — within reason. But every year, some drivers are determined to stretch the bounds of decency and good judgment to see what they can get away with.

» More from the Tampa Bay Times.

 

Development
Inside the Plans of the Gainesville Community Redevelopment Agency

florida originalsWhile the University of Florida helped put the quaint city of Gainesville on the map back in 1853, modern additions to the city have caught the attention of diverse waves of people beyond students, both prospective residents and tourists alike.

» Read more from the Gainesville Business Report.