SHARE:
Wednesday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
Florida lawmakers have agreed on a budget
The Florida Legislature has a budget. How much, exactly? We don’t yet know. But lawmakers Tuesday night came to an agreement on all the major issues, and as of midnight, they were still working to get the budget finalized and printed. The last few unresolved issues between the House and Senate hinged on higher education and the environment. Lawmakers settled those, although not entirely to Gov. Ron DeSantis’ liking. More from the Tampa Bay Times, the Orlando Sentinel, and the AP.
José Oliva: No gambling deal, wait until next year
With just days left in the annual legislative session, House Speaker José Oliva on Monday put to rest the possibility of passing a gambling deal. Oliva, R-Miami Lakes, also said he would prefer not to hold a special legislative session to try to pass a gambling bill, likely pushing the issue back to next year. “I think we simply ran out of time this year,” Oliva said. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
Attracting film and TV productions to the Sunshine State
In case you hadn’t noticed, we’re currently in what could easily be described as a bonanza of new TV and film production. Just Netflix alone is expected to spend about $13-billion on new content production just this year. Spread that out across the other providers who are now making shows and films, like Amazon and even Apple, and there is lots of money up for grabs for locations for productions – and some states are working hard to attract it. [Source: WJCT]
Insight on the state of Florida’s vegetable and small fruit industry
Fair trade, rising costs, labor uncertainty, and water concerns are high among the challenges facing Florida growers. The biggest hot-button issue in Florida’s specialty crop industry is the ongoing trade dispute with Mexico. Developing new markets, new, more productive varieties and alternative crops, and adoption of technology are chief among opportunities for the industry. [Source: Growing Produce]
Pets are chowing down. South Florida’s Chewy is valued at $4 billion -- and going public
The dog has barked: Chewy is filing to go public. The pet supply e-commerce platform, which has raised approximately $500 million and is said to be valued at more than $4 billion, filed for an initial public offering Monday. In its filing, the company listed net sales of $3.5 billion in 2018, an increase of 67 percent from 2017. It has yet to post a profitable quarter, though losses narrowed 21 percent year-over-year in 2018. [Source: Miami Herald]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Ultimate Software shareholders approve $11 billion sale to private equity
Shareholders of Weston-based Ultimate Software on Tuesday approved the sale of the publicly held company to a private equity firm for $11 billion. A special meeting of shareholders was held at the company’s Weston campus.
› Nine years and $71 million later, this historic Miami Beach hotel is ready to reopen
When the historic Peter Miller Hotel on Collins Avenue and 19th Street reopens as the Lennox Hotel Miami Beach in July after nine years of closure, guests will find a bar where the front desk used to be. The 1936 historically designated hotel has undergone a $71 million renovation since CEO of Lennox Hotels Diego Agnelli purchased it in 2010 for $14.7 million.
› Apopka named one of the best small cities to start a small business
According to a study published by Go.Verizon.com, Apopka is a great place to start a small business. Apopka made the list as the #50 ranked small city across the US. 20 Florida cities made its top 50 list, putting them in the top 17% across the nation.
› Tampa Bay bankruptcy filings continue to rise
Bankruptcy filings in Florida's middle district — which includes the Tampa Bay area — rose in March for the sixth consecutive month. A total of 2,532 bankruptcy petitions were filed, 37 percent more than in February and 13 percent more than in the same month a year ago.
Go to page 2 for more stories ...
In case you missed it:
