Florida Trend | Florida's Business Authority

Tuesday's Daily Pulse

Tight race for Florida governor, but many undecided

Democrats and Republicans are seeing tight races for their party’s nomination for Florida governor, a new poll finds — but huge numbers of voters are still up for grabs. More than 40 percent of the electorate in the primaries are still undecided. The biggest percentage of such voters is on the Democratic side, at 49 percent, with 43 percent among Republicans. This means even the declared Democratic candidates of Rep. Gwen Graham, Agricultural Commissioner Adam Putnam and Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine aren't enough of a draw to sway undecideds - yet. The primaries are scheduled for Aug. 28. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]

See also:
» Florida Democratic Party taps Juan Peñalosa to be its new executive director
» Republican primary for Florida attorney general off to nasty start
» Florida Republicans are turning Attorney General contest into race to the right

Florida company offers training to meet needs of budding cannabis industry

Since the legalization of medical marijuana in Florida two years ago, cannabis businesses have been opening all over the Sunshine State, creating new jobs within the health industry. HempStaff, a Key Largo, Florida-based company, has been offering marijuana dispensary training around the country, and now in Florida since the passage of Amendment 2. [Source: WKMG]

Opinion: Florida cities are fighting for home rule

It’s no secret that Florida’s cities and counties are under attack. The Florida Constitution gives local governments broad “home rule” powers to deal with local issues and priorities. For decades, Florida’s communities have taken pride in local laws that provide local solutions, while reflecting our state’s unique values and needs. [Source: Tallahassee Democrat]

Andy Corty
Andy Corty

Florida Trend Exclusive
Publisher's column: The best defense...

Florida’s 22 major military installations and the related defense industry pump billions of dollars into the state’s economy while providing 124,500 Department of Defense jobs and thousands more indirectly. The state’s population of retired veterans is also substantial, and many service men and women try to make their final posting in Florida so that they can live and work here full time when they retire. Read Andy Corty's full column.

SpaceX Falcon Heavy launch could draw 100,000

SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy launch attempt Tuesday afternoon is expected to draw up to 100,000 viewers to Cape Canaveral and the surrounding area, according to the Space Coast Office of Tourism. Kennedy Space Center is calling the launch one of the most anticipated in recent years. More from the Orlando Sentinel, the Tampa Bay Times, and the AP.

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Jabil will rebuild its existing St. Petersburg headquarters instead of moving near Tropicana Field
After looking at options from moving near Tropicana Field to relocating to Singapore, Jabil executives said Monday the company’s headquarters aren’t going anywhere, but will be rebuilt and expanded on its existing site in St. Petersburg’s Gateway area. See Jabil's announcement about their new headquarters, here.

› FBI search warrant lays out bribery case against Scott Maddox, Paige Carter-Smith
Tallahassee Commissioner Scott Maddox and his longtime friend and business associate Page Carter-Smith are under investigation by the FBI for Mail Fraud and Bribery, according to a search warrant affidavit, apparently mistakenly left unsealed by the federal court. See the FBI search warrant here.

› Birmingham trucking company acquires Florida company
One of Birmingham's largest private companies is getting bigger. PS Logistics LLC has acquired Shelton Trucking Services Inc., which is based in Altha, Florida. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

› Florida software firm Optym’s algorithms are quietly transforming logistics
A multi-million dollar logistics software company sits at the end of a narrow road, nearly hidden off Northwest 75th Street in Gainesville, Fla. If you’re not looking for it, there’s no doubt you’d miss it.

Go to page 2 for more stories ...

› Lockheed Martin nabs $148M F-35 contract
Lockheed Martin Corp. scored its first F-35 contract of the year — which means more work is ahead for the defense giant's Orlando office.

› National group says Satellite Beach is one of Florida's safest communities
You can feel safer in Satellite Beach than many other communities in Florida. At least according to a report released Monday by the National Council for Home Safety and Security, a trade association comprised of home security professionals across the United States.

› Orlando area homeownership rekindles following rise in renters
Rent increases, higher mortgage limits and new home-buying programs are beginning to reverse what has been a decade-long slide in Metro Orlando’s homeownership rate. Homeownership in Orange, Seminole, Osceola and Lake counties has reached its highest level in four years.

› How much a real estate attorney can expect to make in South Florida
Over the last five years, demand for real estate attorneys has picked up, as have starting salaries. With commission-based occupations, income can vary by the size of deals conducted, how fees are structured and level of experience.

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