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Monday's Afternoon Update
What you need to know about Florida today
‘Tremendous fight’ looms in Florida over excluding ‘hard-to-hire’ workers from the minimum wage
Just a few months after Floridians voted to raise the state’s minimum wage, Florida lawmakers are considering a proposal that would exempt more than 2 million workers from it. Introduced by Sen. Jeff Brandes, a Pinellas County Republican and chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, the proposal, if passed this upcoming legislative session, would place an amendment on the 2022 ballot authorizing lawmakers to create a lower “training wage” for workers who have served time for felonies, who are under 21 and others considered “hard-to-hire.” More from the Orlando Sentinel.
One million doses of COVID-19 vaccine to be shipped to Florida pharmacies
Walmart and Sam's Club are expected to ship 1 million doses of the coveted COVID-19 vaccine to pharmacies across Florida this week, with vaccinations set to start Thursday. The shipments are being received as part of the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program. The program aims to speed up vaccine distribution and eventually expand to 40,000 pharmacies. Nationwide, 6,500 pharmacies will be receiving the vaccine. More from NBC Miami.
Florida bill seeks to expand controversial PACE programs
A Florida House of Representatives bill is seeking to expand controversial energy efficiency programs around the state. Rep. Randy Fine, R-Palm Bay, filed a bill in late January seeking to augment the Property Assessed Clean Energy programs in Florida and address consumer advocates’ concerns. So-called “PACE” programs are advertised as a no-money-down way for homeowners and businesses to finance energy efficiency upgrades, such as rooftop solar panels or storm-resistant windows. More from the Tampa Bay Times.
A new mixed-income project brings relief in pricey Brickell. Teachers get top priority
Brickell is best known as a financial center — and the luxury condos where many of its highly paid employees live. Those who earn less lofty wages can soon rejoice: housing is on the way. One quarter of the apartments at the 500-unit Gallery at West Brickell will be reserved for households earning 50% of the county’s $59,000 median income — in other words, around $29,500. The rest will go to households earning up to 140% of the median — around $82,000. More from the Miami Herald.
Boeing to lease office space in Southwest Jacksonville
The Boeing Co. aerospace company intends to open an office at Lake Gray Plaza in Southwest Jacksonville, but hasn’t announced what functions it will serve. The city is reviewing a permit application for a 22,677-square-foot office build-out for Boeing at 6225 Lake Gray Blvd. At that size, it could accommodate at least 120 to 200 employees. No contractor is listed for the estimated $400,000 build-out. Codes-ABC Inc. is handling code compliance. The Meek Companies of Jacksonville manages the property. More from the Jacksonville Daily Record.
Business Profile
Gym owner keeps clients exercising and business alive after shutting down
“How am I going to continue to operate and run my business even though I’m shut down physically?” Daniel Marks, the owner of Exclusive Performance gym near Fort Lauderdale, Florida, said he asked the day he had to close down his business. The coronavirus pandemic forced Broward County gyms to shut down from mid-March to May, making them among the hardest-hit industries in 2020. Marks complied with the county’s orders and closed his gym, but he knew he had to figure out a way to still train his clients to maintain his livelihood.
» More from WUSF.
Out of the Box
Among the apartment and office blocks of downtown Tampa something edible grows
With a pair of knee protectors bearing the brunt of his weight, farm manager Joe Dalessio slowly worked his way along an ordered row of strawberry plants, gently lifting leaves to make sure he didn’t miss a single berry. Barely three months ago, the 2-acre site next to the Encore housing complex in downtown Tampa was a wasteland strewn with concrete rubble. Now, rows of lettuce, kale, carrots, red cabbage, oregano and other herbs are springing out of the soil. Groundwater pumped through sprinkler systems gently rains down on plump heirloom and cherry tomatoes in three large greenhouses.
» Read more from the Tampa Bay Times.
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