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Friday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
Latest salvo fired in major marijuana case in Florida
In a case that could create a major upheaval in the state’s pot industry, health officials on Thursday asked the Florida Supreme Court to uphold a 2017 law that carried out a constitutional amendment broadly legalizing medical marijuana. Lawyers for the Department of Health argued that, in creating and passing the law, the Florida Legislature carried out its “constitutional prerogative to serve as the state policymaker and to protect the welfare of the citizenry.” [Source: CBS Miami]
Trump’s 2021 budget proposes $250 million for Everglades restoration projects
President Donald Trump’s forthcoming budget includes a quarter-billion dollars toward Everglades restoration, a reflection of Republican lawmakers’ growing emphasis on the ecosystem’s recuperation and the president’s intense focus on a key 2020 battleground state. [Source: Miami Herald]
Florida sports stadium bill prompts MLB spring training concerns
Florida state lawmakers are considering a bill that would limit use of tourism tax revenue to pay for stadium repairs and upgrades, raising concerns among some officials about the potential impact to the state’s status as home to Major League Baseball’s spring training. [Source: FOX Business]
There’s 62,000 pending citizenship applications in Florida. Here’s what that means for 2020
As of last September — the most recent date for which USCIS data is available — the national naturalization backlog stood at nearly 650,000 pending applications. In Florida, that number was 62,079 — a more than 75% increase compared to the amount of backlogged cases in the state at the same time five years ago. [Source: Miami Herald]
Florida lawmakers consider green energy bills
Lawmakers are considering a move to build more electric car charging stations on state highways. They're also looking into a measure to pave the way for solar energy in schools. Rep. Dan Daley (D-Coral Springs) says people have been coming into his office to talk to him about electric cars. Often they have the same complaint. He says once electric vehicle drivers get north of Orlando where the turnpike ends, its hard for them to make the leap to Tallahassee because there aren't adequate charging stations. [Source: WFSU]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Business leaders push for tax incentives ahead of economic development week
State business leaders and the Florida Economic Development Council (FEDC) Thursday issued an early kickoff for economic development week at the State Capitol. The non-profit includes business, education and government leaders seeking to elevate the economic competitiveness of the Sunshine State.
› Former bank CEO and mayor helped shape Venice
Dr. Shaun Graser has a favorite anecdote to describe what it was like growing up as the son of Merle Graser, the former Venice mayor and board chairman of the Venice National Bank who died Monday night at age 90 after a long battle with leukemia. It starts on a return trip from the Dry Tortugas in 1973, while aboard “Quest,” a 32-foot Irwin sailboat.
› FIU vs. FNU name fight ends with a million-dollar settlement and 7 years in court
How much is a name worth? In the case of FIU and FNU, the answer is more than a million. That’s how much Florida International University had to pay in a settlement after losing its trademark infringement case against Florida National University.
› Jacksonville mental health nonprofit hires first executive director
The 33-year-old Jacksonville affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, an advocacy nonprofit that also offers free support groups and educational programs, has hired its first executive director. Suzanne Mailloux is an attorney, but a loved one’s struggles with schizophrenia led to a new passion and career: supporting people challenged with mental illness. She was previously the local alliance’s first program director.
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