Wednesday's Afternoon Update

What you need to know about Florida today

| 11/29/2017

State Supreme Court rejects governor’s bid to disqualify Justice Pariente

The Florida Supreme Court on Wednesday rejected an attempt by Gov. Rick Scott to remove Justice Barbara Pariente from a case that could determine the shape of the state’s highest court for decades. "Floridians deserve better," Scott says in response to court order.

Justice Pariente

Florida Supreme Court Justice Barbara Pariente

The cental issue in the case of League of Women Voters of Florida et al v. Gov. Rick Scott is whether Scott or his successor has the authority to replace Pariente and two other justices. Justices Pariente, Fred Lewis and Peggy Quince all face mandatory retirement when their terms expire, which is on the day Scott will leave office about 13 months from now. More from the Palm Beach Post and the Tampa Bay Times.

Florida to get $615 million in federal relief for Irma

The federal government on Tuesday awarded $615.9 million in aid to areas of Florida hard hit by Hurricane Irma, with the money earmarked for housing, business losses plus damaged roads, bridges and sidewalks. More from the Orlando Sentinel.

Florida may require businesses to verify employees through Homeland Security

A panel of the Florida Constitution Revision Commission unanimously backed a proposal (P 29) that would require all employers in Florida to use the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Employment Authorization Program, known as E-Verify, to determine the eligibility of new employees. More from the Tampa Bay Times.

Florida researchers seek answers in HLB fight

Finding a path from Florida’s citrus industry’s rapid decline to a future with promise for growers is what citrus researchers in the Sunshine State are looking for. While genetically engineered solutions may be five to 10 years away, researchers are working on solutions that can span the gap between then and now. More from the Packer.

Throughout Pasco County, new-home market is booming

As the area’s new-home market enjoys its best year since the recession, Hillsborough is still the most active county for construction starts. But thanks to communities like Bexley, Starkey Ranch and Wiregrass, Pasco is seeing an impressive spurt. More from the Tampa Bay Times.

Out of the Box
Bill would abolish daylight saving time in Florida

Floridians would not have to adjust their clocks by an hour in the spring and fall if legislation filed by state Sen. Greg Steube to abolish daylight saving time in the state becomes law.

» More from the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.

Sports Business
Tampa Bay misses out on MLS expansion

Major League Soccer named its four finalists for the two available expansion teams, and as expected Tampa/St. Petersburg is not among them. The league will consider Cincinnati, Detroit, Nashville and Sacramento when it meets on Dec. 6 to hear formal presentations.