Florida utilities lobbying hard to kill bill curbing profits
A bill that would curb Florida utility companies’ profits and force them to disclose their executives’ pay passed its first committee in Tallahassee this week. Even the bill sponsor, Republican Sen. Don Gaetz, was a little surprised. “As recently as 15 minutes before I presented the bill, I was told I did not have the votes,” Gaetz said, adding that a legislative staffer had delivered the message. Utility companies are some of the most powerful special interests in Florida. And they have been lobbying hard behind-the-scenes to kill Senate Bill 354, Gaetz said. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
Business Beat - Week of March 14th
Get top news-to-know with Florida Trend's headline-focused video newsbrief, hosted by digital content specialist Aimée Alexander.
Could we solve Florida’s invasive animal problem by eating them? Possibly, see which ones
Florida is unfortunately home to a lot of uninvited guests — especially invasive animals. But there might be another way to control their rapidly increasing populations. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service released a list for National Invasive Species Awareness last month, encouraging people to eat some of this species to limit damage to ecosystems. [Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
Florida ponders tuition hike for out-of-state students
With state universities facing increasing costs and dwindling funds, Florida lawmakers are considering a different possible revenue stream: charging out-of-state students more. Keeping the cost of higher education down for Florida students has long been a priority of Gov. Ron DeSantis and fellow Republicans, leading to in-state tuition rates being locked in for a decade. More from Politico Florida and the Tampa Bay Times.
Florida troopers struggle with overtime, recruitment amid added immigration duties
As Florida gears up its deputization of state troopers to take part in immigration enforcement, the Highway Patrol can’t hire enough troopers to meet its workforce target, Dave Kerner, director of the Department of Highway and Motor Safety, told a House committee Tuesday. Kerner said the agency has had difficulty hiring troopers, whose starting salary is $54,075, the third lowest in the country for a trooper or state police officer. [Source: Florida Phoenix]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› TECO rate appeals put on hold
The Florida Supreme Court on Thursday put on hold two cases challenging Tampa Electric Co. rate increases. The court granted a stay requested by the Florida Public Service Commission. That request stemmed from a motion filed in February at the Public Service Commission by the state Office of Public Counsel seeking reconsideration of the rate increases.
› South Florida’s housing market cooling down as number of listed homes keeps rising
Home sales are beginning to slow across the United States, including in South Florida. And as the supply of active listings grows, prices may start to decrease. Pending home sales have fallen by 6.4% in the U.S. compared to last year, according to Redfin, a real estate and mortgage service. South Florida is experiencing this drop, too. The market has begun digesting what Keyes Company CEO Mike Pappas called the “COVID-19 sizzle,” when home sales were at an all-time high and inventory was at an all-time low as people moved quickly in the real estate market.
› Tampa Bay Rays announce they won’t move forward with stadium deal
Tampa Bay Rays owner Stuart Sternberg on Thursday called St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch to inform him the Rays will not meet the March 31 deadline to move forward with a stadium deal. The Rays faced a March 31 deadline to move forward with a deal to build a $1.3 billion stadium and develop the land around it into the Historic Gas Plant District. If the Rays pull out, the deal approved with votes from the St. Petersburg City Council and Pinellas County Commission would fall apart.
› Haskell HQ move to Southbank tower will leave hole to be filled in Jacksonville's Brooklyn neighborhood
The Brooklyn neighborhood has been transformed by cycles of demolition and construction over the past two decades, but in the thick of all that activity Haskell, a homegrown Jacksonville construction company, has been a fixture at its long-time headquarters building at 111 Riverside Ave. That's about to change for both Haskell and Brooklyn.
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› Bill easing professional licensing of ex-inmates heads to House floor
Florida prisoners who take career and technical courses while incarcerated will have an easier time getting licensed upon their release under legislation now heading to the House floor. The House Judiciary Committee voted 21-0 for HB 195, which would provide ex-convicts a clearer path to skilled employment once they serve their sentences.
› What are the best cruise lines? Port Canaveral has many of the top ones
Looking for not just a good cruise, but one of the best cruises? Look no further than Port Canaveral. Southern Living’s list of the 10 Best Cruise Lines of 2025 include six that sail from the Space Coast. “Each cruise offers something different, from entertainment and dining options to itinerary and ship size,” according to Southern Living.
› RYAM CEO sees ‘significant strides’ despite company’s sixth straight loss
Rayonier Advanced Materials Inc., or RYAM, reported a loss from continuing operations for the sixth straight year. Still, CEO De Lyle Bloomquist said in a March 6 conference call the Jacksonville-based market of cellulose specialties products made progress in 2024.
› Meet this computer science student making waves in the Miami tech ecosystem
In addition to her studies at FIU, Ashley Pradoavendado also works part-time as a website developer for a company that designs websites for over 200 schools across Miami-Dade County, helping bring digital resources to students and parents. She’s also an instructor for Code/Art, where she teaches K-12 students fundamental computer science skills.