Tueday's Afternoon Update

What you need to know about Florida today

| 2/6/2018

Constitution Revision Commission ready to take issues across state

After considering more than 100 proposals in committees, the Florida Constitution Revision Commission is ready to move into its next phase, starting with a public hearing Tuesday in Fort Lauderdale. The six-hour hearing is the first of five public hearings that will be held across the state by the 37-member commission. More from Florida Politics and the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

Disney returns to negotiating table with unions later this month

Labor negotiations between Disney and a coalition of unions at Walt Disney World Resort are expected to resume again Feb. 19. The two sides are returning to the bargaining table to discuss wages for the first time since the unions overwhelmingly rejected a proposed contract Dec. 20. More from the Orlando Sentinel.

Flu could send financial chills through this major Florida industry

A severe flu season will create financial strain for nonprofit and public hospitals, according to a new report from Moody’s Investors Service. While the report focuses on hospitals nationwide, it has special significance in Florida. More from the Tampa Bay Business Journal.

It's official: Orlando International now the busiest airport in Florida

After another record-setting year, Orlando International Airport now is the busiest airport in the state of Florida, with 44.6 million total passengers passing through in 2017. Orlando International, which is among the 15 busiest airports in the U.S., surpassed Miami International Airport to claim the top spot in Florida. More from the Orlando Business Journal.

Florida lawmakers blast state agency over medical marijuana rules

A joint legislative oversight committee delivered a public shaming to Florida pot czar Christian Bax on Monday, repeatedly chiding the state health official and others as they sat silently while the panel shredded regulations intended to carry out a constitutional amendment that broadly legalized medical marijuana. More from the Palm Beach Post and the Tampa Bay Times.

Profile
Joe Johnson

Joe Johnson is the housing programs manager at the nonprofit Ability Housing, which tries to find permanent housing for those who have been homeless, and then support them as they transition from the streets. Having a home is crucial, Johnson said, pointing to a statewide study that found big savings and benefits in giving supportive housing to those who had been homeless.

» More from the Florida Times-Union.

Election Business
Miami Could Vote 4 times in 9 Months for State House Seat

In a February special election befitting the Bill Murray movie “Groundhog Day,” thousands of Miami voters will cast ballots this month to decide who will run in an election to decide who will run in an election to claim a state House of Representatives seat vacated by a disgraced lawmaker.