Monday’s Afternoon Update

Wetlands fight teed up for arguments

A federal appeals court will hear arguments in May in a closely watched case about whether the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 2020 improperly shifted permitting authority to Florida for projects that affect wetlands. The U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia on Friday scheduled arguments May 5 as Florida and the EPA seek to overturn a district judge’s ruling in the lawsuit filed by conservation groups. In addition to conservation groups, the case has drawn heavy attention from some of Florida’s most-powerful business groups — and has spurred federal legislation seeking to ensure the state has the permitting authority. More from the News Service of Florida.

Food program cuts could hurt 2.9 million Floridians, cost taxpayers $657M

Congress plans to cut billions from federal food assistance programs and shift that burden to the states over the next several years — a move that could hurt the 2.9 million Florida residents who rely on them. The House Agriculture Committee is moving forward with a plan to cut some $230 billion from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) as part of the federal budget reconciliation process and to help pay for $1 trillion in tax cuts to the wealthiest 1% of Americans, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, a nonpartisan research institute in Washington, D.C. More from the Tampa Bay Times.

Study: Florida ranks as 18th most expensive state for small businesses

Florida is the 18th most expensive state to start a business, according to a study released by Simplify LLC, an independent publication providing guides and resources for small business owners. Simplify used the most recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Federal Reserve of St. Louis, Tax Foundation and the Energy Information Administration. The rankings were determined by analyzing nine key factors in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., including taxes, labor costs, commercial rent and utilities, regulations and lending. More from Gulfshore Business.

Watson Clinic joins forces with Orlando Health for new hospital in Lakeland

Orlando Health has entered into a partnership with local, physician-owned Watson Clinic. As a result, the new hospital will now be the Orlando Health Watson Clinic Lakeland Highlands Hospital. Not a merger or acquisition: There has been a lot of consolidation in the health care industry over the past decade, with at least 831 major mergers and acquisitions nationwide. The flurry of activity has included many hospitals buying physician groups. More from Health News Florida.

Florida Panthers launch ‘Small Business of the Month’ program presented by long-time partner Verizon

The Florida Panthers recently announced the launch of the ‘Small Business of the Month’ program with long-time partner Verizon. The promotion provides local small businesses with an exclusive opportunity to receive a fully paid sponsorship package including promotional benefits and consultation hours with team executives. The program invites fans, clients and partners of the Panthers to nominate a small business within the South Florida community. More from the NHL.