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Thursday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
Budget deal includes billions of disaster aid for Florida, Puerto Rico
Florida lawmakers, including Sens. Marco Rubio and Bill Nelson, are celebrating disaster aid and other provisions for the state tucked into the two-year budget deal announced Wednesday. Both are expected to vote for the overall deal, which faces a harder path in the House. More from the Tampa Bay Times and USA Today.
Lawmakers seek common ground on Florida Forever
Lawmakers are continuing to work on restocking Florida Forever, the state’s once-prized land preservation program. However, Florida Forever spending is shaping up to be a big part of the environmental budget differences the House and Senate will have to settle in the coming weeks. [Source: Lakeland Ledger]
Are Irma cleanup efforts making South Florida residents sick?
Residents rebuilding after Hurricane Irma expressed health concerns related to cleanup efforts, including crushing boats in their neighborhoods. Several residents in Tavernier who live near Harry Harris Park, have reported getting sick as crews destroyed damaged, unclaimed boats just feet from their homes. [Source: WPLG]
Florida bill seeks to stop arrests of injured immigrant workers
A new bill under consideration by Florida lawmakers would stop insurance companies from dodging workers compensation payouts by aiding in the arrest and deportation of unauthorized immigrants who are injured on the job. More from NPR and ProPublica.
Gov. Rick Scott announces new employment partnership to help displaced Puerto Ricans
Gov. Rick Scott announced a new employment partnership with the Puerto Rico Chamber of Commerce and Ana G. Mendez University for families displaced by Hurricane Maria. The initiative is part of a $1 million investment announced by the governor last month. [Source: WPLG]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Jeter reaches out to Miami business leaders
Pitchers and catchers don't report until next week, but Marlins CEO Derek Jeter is out pitching his team. Jeter met with the members of the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce.
› Gov. Scott confident Florida protected from oil drilling
Gov. Rick Scott on Wednesday reiterated his belief that the Trump administration will keep its word and exempt Florida from plans for offshore drilling. But Scott would not say if he's spoken with the president himself.
› Miami-Dade free transit Wi-Fi initiative falls apart
A year-old Miami-Dade initiative that had promised free transit Wi-Fi, hundreds of Wi-Fi-enabled kiosks and security cameras throughout the county has fallen apart.
› Citrix Systems hires new CFO from Silicon Valley company
Citrix Systems Inc. has hired a Silicon Valley executive to serve as CFO, the Fort Lauderdale company's latest shakeup to its C-suite. Starting Feb. 19, Drew Del Matto, previously CFO of Sunnyvale, California-based technology firm Fortinet, will begin his tenure at Citrix.
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