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Thursday's Afternoon Update
What you need to know about Florida today
Big tech companies big earners for state
Gov. Ron DeSantis has put a bullseye on tech giants he contends censor conservatives’ speech, but the social media apps and platforms he’s targeting are blockbusters for the state’s financial portfolio. Facebook, Apple, Amazon, Google, which is publicly traded as Alphabet, and Twitter reaped $3.1 billion for the state last year. The state’s investment in the big five — known colloquially as FAAAT — was just shy of $8 billion, according to information provided by State Board of Administration manager of external affairs John Kuczwanski. More from the News Service of Florida.
Confusion continues with Florida’s new vaccine website
Following more than a month of confusion over how to score an appointment for a coronavirus vaccine, Florida last week unveiled a new statewide pre-registration system that seemed like a solution to cut down on the chaos. The state said eligible residents could pre-register for vaccine appointments and be notified when appointments are available in their area. Not mentioned in the press release about the site’s launch was that counties could choose whether or not to use the system — and that, at least for now, many are opting against doing so. More from the Tampa Bay Times.
Florida businesses inch closer to COVID-19 liability protection as bill advances
Florida businesses are a step closer to getting COVID-19 liability protections after a state House bill cleared its second of three committees Wednesday. Shielding employers from frivolous lawsuits is a priority for the GOP here and across the country, but critics question whether the problem exists. More from WPTV.
Apollo Bank is getting a new president — but Eddy Arriola is staying on as CEO
Less than a year after withdrawing from the largest merger between a bank and credit union in U.S. history, Miami’s Apollo Bank is turning a corner. This week, the bank announced longtime Miami finance executive Ramon Rodriguez will be named its new president — the company’s first since 2017. Apollo founder, chairman and CEO Eddy Arriola’s titles are not changing. In an interview, Arriola said the bank found itself at a stage where it had to “either load up and enhance our management team and technology team, or consider other options.” More from the Miami Herald.
Hillsborough kills ‘corporate welfare’ program for residential developers
Developers will no longer be able to pass on long-term water and sewer fees to buyers of new homes, Hillsborough commissioners decided Wednesday. But the vote to kill the so-called impact fee assessment unit — a 20-year charge added to a home buyer’s tax bill to pay for connecting a newly built house to county utility service — was overshadowed by a tense exchange between commissioners over the merits of encouraging public participation via social media. More from the Tampa Bay Times.
Sports Business
Tampa vacation rental bookings up for Super Bowl despite pandemic, Bucs participation
Tampa will make history Sunday as the first city to hold a Super Bowl that includes the home team, a dream come true for long-suffering Bucs fans and
a region that has been at the pinnacle of professional sports championships for the past year. But having a home team play in the game compounded with a global pandemic also spurred worry over how much of a bump the hospitality industry would see this weekend. Yet for local vacation rentals — properties listed on popular websites like AirBnB and Vrbo, for example — the Super Bowl is still drawing increased bookings and marked-up nightly rates.
» More from the Tampa Bay Times.
Event
Despite COVID, the 2021 Miami Film Festival will go on as planned
Last year, the Miami Film Festival had to pull the plug midway through the event due to COVID-related closures. This year, organizers of the festival, which is presented by Miami-Dade College, have figured out a way to proceed with the annual event despite the ongoing pandemic. The 38th edition of the festival, which runs March 5-14, will screen a smaller slate of films than usual in a combination of in-person and online virtual screenings.
» Read more from the Miami Herald.
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