Thursday's Afternoon Update

What you need to know about Florida today

| 6/25/2015

Supreme Court upholds Affordable Care Act subsidies

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled Thursday by a 6-3 vote that more than 6 million Americans, including 1.3 million Floridians, can continue to receive subsidies under the Affordable Care Act to buy health insurance through the federally run exchange at HealthCare.gov. The Court upheld the Obama administration’s interpretation of the health law that allows billions of dollars in health insurance subsidies — including an estimated $389 million a month for Florida residents — to be distributed in the 34 states where the federal government operates the insurance exchange because the state decided against it. [Source Miami Herald]

Hunting Season Update
Officials OK controversial Florida bear hunt

Florida Fish and Wildife commissioners approved the week-long daytime hunting season 5-1.

» Tampa Bay Times

Scott heads to New England to lure businesses

Florida Gov. Rick Scott will visit Hartford Thursday as part of a two-day swing through Connecticut to lure businesses to the Sunshine State. Scott is promoting Florida's business climate after major corporations, including Fairfield-based General Electric and Hartford-based Aetna and Travelers, complained publicly about tax increases on businesses that are part of the two-year state budget. [Source: Hartford Courant.]

Governor rejects UCF's $15 million proposal

State money for several projects in Central Florida, including $15 million for the University of Central Florida downtown campus, vaporized Tuesday as Gov. Rick Scott vetoed $461 million in spending before signing the budget. Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer described the governor's decision to veto UCF funding as "extremely disappointing." [Source Orlando Sentinel]

Polk County public colleges get $74 million boost

Polk County's two public colleges will receive roughly $74 million in state funds for this upcoming school year. With Florida's 2016 budget now passed, Florida Polytechnic University in Lakeland stands to gain $42.6 million in funds while Winter Haven's Polk State College will get $31 million. [Source: The Ledger]

Related Group makes moves in downtown Tampa

One of Florida's most active real estate developers sees downtown Tampa's real estate market as "very promising" for years to come. Miami-based Related Group has confirmed its plans to redevelop the Tampa Tribune's waterfront office building into an eight-story residential tower with 400 units. [Source: Tampa Bay Business Journal]

Northeast Florida Business Profile
BCR Environmental

BCR Environmental, based in Jacksonville, has developed two new technologies to convert human waste to recycled usable materials suitable for land applications.