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Wednesday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
Florida ports brace for possible coronavirus disruption of business
Business could become rather unusual at Florida’s 15 international seaports if the coronavirus continues its spread from its epicenter in China. Florida ports handle nearly $10 billion worth of Chinese imports annually, most of it passing through ports in Jacksonville, Fort Lauderdale, Miami and Tampa. While the coronavirus now has been reported in 70 countries, Florida port officials are monitoring the outbreak and preparing health and security measures for if they are needed. [Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
See also:
» Florida’s seniors most at risk if coronavirus spreads
» Is Disney safe from coronavirus? Fans head to the park with hand sanitizer.
» Coronavirus prompts Orlando conference to go ‘handshake free,’ suggests fist bumps, elbow taps
» Coronavirus fears prompt major firms to pull out of health IT conference in Orlando
Hand sanitizer frenzy has state officials monitoring price gouging
The day after two positive coronavirus cases were announced in the Tampa Bay area, residents ran to stores and left them clean of most cleaning supplies. The rush for goods resembled the frenzy before a hurricane, with people stocking up on canned goods, hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes and other products they feared they may need in case of an emergency quarantine. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
Homeowners, others want local governments to keep power to regulate vacation rentals
The battle over short-term vacation rentals has become an annual tug of war in Tallahassee. Top lawmakers are sympathetic to arguments advanced by the industry that such rentals are a vital engine for Florida’s tourism-driven economy, and also should be protected because of property rights concerns. But efforts to limit local rental regulations have faced fierce opposition, particularly from beach towns that have seen a proliferation of large rental homes in recent years. More from the Tallahassee Democrat and the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
Florida researchers use drones to spot diseases in farm crops
Researchers are using drones in Immokalee to help look for diseases in our crops. They are hoping the drones can give us a sharper image and clearer picture, so our food is safe to consume. UF/IFAS researchers are testing out both drones and artificial intelligence technology to spot diseases in tomatoes. [Source: WINK News]
Lobbyist for Marriott timeshare owners wrote tax break proposal
A lobbyist hired by the owners of one of the largest Marriott-branded timeshares in the world said she was behind a mysterious property-tax measure that appraisers say would save timeshares — but cost cities, counties and schools — millions of dollars a year. The proposed legislation, which has been provided to lawmakers but hasn’t yet been filed as a bill or amendment, erupted in controversy last month after property appraisers in Central Florida learned of it. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Effort to organize Orlando Sentinel newsroom will go to a vote
Tribune Publishing officials said Monday the company will not voluntarily recognize an effort to unionize the Orlando Sentinel newsroom and the matter will instead go to a vote in the coming weeks. Newsroom employees announced last week their intent to form a bargaining unit known as the Sentinel Guild under the NewsGuild-CWA union.
› FPL’s solar plan wins OK despite opposition from PSC staff analysis, consumer advocate
Pointing to issues such as expanding renewable energy, state regulators Tuesday approved a $1.8 billion plan by Florida Power & Light to add 20 solar-power plants by the middle of next year. The Florida Public Service Commission’s decision came after its staff recommended rejecting the utility’s “SolarTogether” program because of the way it is structured. The plan also drew opposition from the state Office of Public Counsel, which represents consumers in utility issues.
› Tampa Bay area small business job growth strong, wage growth weak, report says
Good news/bad news Tuesday on jobs and wages at small businesses around the Tampa Bay area. The good news: The bay area was the nation’s second best-performing major metropolitan area for small business job growth. The bad news: Wages in the region averaged $24.80 an hour in February, or 2.09 percent higher than for the same month a year ago.
› Renourishing Lido Key might be more costly for Sarasota
The city of Sarasota may have to pay more than it expected for a planned project to renourish the Lido Key shoreline. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recently extended its bidding time frame for contractors that would help to dredge Big Pass. If the bids come in higher than the budgeted $19.6 million project cost, the Army Corps does not have authorization to allocate additional funding toward the project — meaning the city would have to foot the rest of the bill.
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