Florida Trend Exclusive
Cash Crunch: Lawmakers' challenge will be to balance the budget
Florida lawmakers returned to Tallahassee this month for a 60-day session that will focus in large part on the economic fallout from the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic. Their biggest chore is filling a $2.75-billion budget gap driven largely by declines in sales tax dollars related to tourism and recreation. “The budget picture will be bleak, and funding will have to be more carefully prioritized around helping people recover and doing things that are most likely to re-stimulate the economy,” says Dean Cannon, a former Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives and president and CEO of GrayRobinson, one of the state’s largest law firms. [Source: Florida Trend]
Florida inspector general report injected into lawsuit over unemployment system
Plaintiffs in a potential class-action lawsuit about Florida’s troubled unemployment-compensation system are trying to use a new report by the state’s chief inspector general to bolster their case. Hours after Gov. Ron DeSantis’ office released the draft report Thursday by Chief Inspector General Melinda Miguel, attorneys for the plaintiffs filed a copy of the report in their lawsuit against the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity and Deloitte Consulting, a contractor that helped put in place the state’s CONNECT online unemployment system in 2013. [Source: News Service of Florida]
DeSantis: coronavirus vaccine to be offered to Floridians 60 and older next week
Any Floridian 60 and older will be eligible for a coronavirus vaccination starting March 15, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Monday. DeSantis said Florida could afford to offer the vaccine more broadly because of what he called “softening” demand among seniors. “The pharmacies have their windows to sign up. They’re not gone in ten minutes like they were a month and a half ago,” DeSantis said. “We think that’s a good sign because we think that we’ve reached a critical mass of the senior population.” [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
Hundreds of thousands of motorcycle riders expected in Florida for Bike Week
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, around 300,000 people are expected to descend on Florida for a motorcycle rally this week, Daytona Beach city officials said. Bike Week lasts from March 5 to March 14. The event is estimated to generate $75 million for Daytona Beach, according to the city's Chamber of Commerce. Most years, about 400,000 to 500,000 people attend, but this year a "reasonable estimate would be around 300,000 +," Janet Kersey, executive vice president and chief operating officer at Daytona Regional Chamber of Commerce said.[Source: ABC News]
Do Florida lawmakers want to make it harder to sue sugar farmers?
When sugar farmers burn the cane fields near her house, Debra Jones knows what to expect. “You’ve got to sweep when it’s going, and it just bothers me breathing-wise,” she said, describing soot falling on cars and sidewalks in Pahokee. “It comes down like black rain.” Jones is one of several residents suing sugar companies, arguing that the burning hurts their health and their properties. Her lawyers say Jones’ family uses nebulizers to make breathing easier during the burning season. The lawsuit has gained new attention this year because environmentalists say state leaders are trying to stop future challenges like it. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Publix to administer Johnson & Johnson vaccine
Publix officials announced Monday that Publix pharmacies have received the first shipment of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine and will begin scheduling appointments with the new addition March 10. Publix will now be using both the Moderna and the Johnson & Johnson vaccine to get people vaccinated.
› Florida fast-food chain, behind $20M investment, plans restaurant of the future
The pandemic took a big bite out of many restaurants, from chef-driven, fine dining establishments to McDonald’s. But Checkers & Rally’s, the Tampa-based, drive-thru burger chain recorded high same store sales gains in 2020, opened 36 new restaurants and amended its debt.
› Four proposals make St. Petersburg’s shortlist for Tropicana Field site project
St. Petersburg’s vision for the future of Tropicana Field is coming into a little more focus. Weeks after unveiling the seven developers vying to reimagine the sprawling, 86-acre Trop site, the city has trimmed its shortlist to four. “We received many quality submissions to redevelop the Tropicana Field site, and I am thankful for the time, money and energy that each team expended,” Mayor Rick Kriseman said in a statement.
› More craft breweries are on tap in Orlando, despite COVID-19 setbacks
Motorworks Brewing was nearing the finish line on its new downtown Orlando brewery last March when the pandemic forced businesses across the country to shut their doors. The location, an expansion for the Bradenton brewery, eventually opened in August after being pushed back several months. “The response was great. It just wasn’t nearly as big as we would have expected otherwise,” said Barry Elwonger, Motorworks’ director of sales and marketing.
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› First Home's SBA division surpasses $1 billion in PPP loans
First Home Bank’s small business lending division has surpassed $1 billion in Paycheck Protection Plan (PPP) loans, which is part of the COVID-19 Relief Act passed by the U.S. Congress last year. CreditBench, First Home’s U.S. Small Business Administration lending arm, is one of the largest lenders in the Tampa Bay region of the forgivable PPP loans, which are intended to cover businesses’ payroll, rent and other expenses during the pandemic to avoid layoffs and business disruption.
› After 38 years, Sonny's BBQ closes on Jacksonville's Southside
The main marque was missing and the dining room was empty Tuesday except for workers who could be seen through the front windows cleaning and clearing out the red barn-like building. After 38 years in business, Sonny's BBQ at 5097 University Blvd. W. closed its doors for good on Sunday. Signs posted on the restaurant's front doors and elsewhere thanked customers but offered no explanation for the closure.
› Breweries banking on Tampa Bay Beer Week for much-needed business
Eighty breweries throughout Tampa Bay are participating in Tampa Bay Beer Week, which runs March 6-14. Typically the event would draw at least 1,000 people, but, due to the pandemic, it’s being held on a smaller scale. Breweries will still have things like brewing competitions, tastings, and special beer releases.
› Carla Wallenda, member of famed high-wire act, dies at 85
Carla Wallenda, a member of “The Flying Wallendas” high-wire act and the last surviving child of the famed troupe’s founder, has died at the age of 85. Her son, Rick Wallenda, said on social media she died Saturday in Sarasota, Florida, of natural causes. She was the daughter of Karl Wallenda, who had founded the troupe in Germany before moving to the United States in 1928 to great acclaim. She was the aunt of aerialist Nik Wallenda.