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Thursday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
Florida-Seminole pact hinges on federal approval of ‘new business model’
The compact faces two immediate challenges – a likely lawsuit claiming it violates 2018’s Amendment 3 and uncertainty in how federal regulators will view “a new business model” that forges a “hub-and-spoke” partnership between remote servers on tribal lands and pari-mutuel operators. Under the agreement, the Seminoles can contract with other operators to manage the three new casinos, including, conceivably, international casino corporations that have enviously eyed access to Florida for decades. [Source: The Center Square]
By the numbers: South Florida’s torrid housing market
New data shows just how tough it is to buy a home in South Florida. The region has fewer homes for sale than anytime in the past three years; the median price has increased steadily for a year; and the houses are disappearing faster than anyone can remember, according to data from the Florida Realtors Association. “There is zero supply, making it challenging for buyers and for sellers who want to sell,” said Karen Johnson, president of the Broward Palm Beaches and St. Lucie Realtors Association. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Florida TaxWatch: ‘Budget turkeys’ down, but still too much murk in project spending
It’s been a post-session tradition since 1983 for Florida TaxWatch (FTW), the Tallahassee-based taxpayer advocacy nonprofit, to produce an annual “budget turkey” list of “individual appropriations that circumvent a thoughtful and thorough budget process.” FTW released its 2021 Budget Turkey Watch Monday that identifies 116 appropriations worth $157.5 million inserted into the state’s $101.5 billion budget without proper review. [Source: The Center Square]
Disney World at 50: Before the mouse came to Florida, roadside attractions reigned
For nearly a century before Walt Disney’s dream theme park landed in Orlando, tourists were taking trains, boats and cars around the Sunshine State, enjoying roadside shows and Floridian kitsch along the way. Florida’s tourism boom started in earnest when northerners were encouraged to visit for health reasons, said Pam Schwartz, executive director of Orange County Regional History Museum. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]
DeSantis signs bill targeting pandemic scams
In a priority of House Speaker Chris Sprowls, R-Palm Harbor, Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed a bill aimed at cracking down on people who run scams about vaccines and personal protective equipment during pandemics. Supporters said the bill stemmed from people using authentic-looking websites to run scams that purportedly offered access to COVID-19 vaccines or personal protective equipment. [Source: News Service of Florida]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Tourism rebounds in Brevard to a possible record breaking period
The Brevard County tourism industry appears to be back in business, and even on track for a record breaking period. The March to April tourism numbers this year are lining up with 2019 numbers, and may even surpass them.
› Chicken shortage causes North Central Florida businesses to raise prices
Chicken is in high demand and many North Central Florida businesses are feeling the effects of the shortage. Wards Supermarket Poultry Manager Bryan Ward said while he hasn’t seen a shortage, this is the first time in the store’s 70 years of business they’ve had to raise prices so high increasing by one dollar per pound in the recent months. “The price is definitely increased and continues to increase. My price on chicken wings went up 30 cents just this week,” said Ward. “I’ve never seen prices this high."
› Daddy Kool Records prepares for move to The Factory St. Pete
Just two years after leaving its spot on Central Avenue for the Warehouse Arts District, Daddy Kool Records is moving again. But they won’t be going far. The beloved local record store is going from 2430 Terminal Drive S to The Factory St. Pete, a new arts compound that’s about a five-minute walk away. Daddy Kool will neighbor artist studios, arts-related nonprofits, a new Black Crow Coffee Co. location and an immersive art space called the Fairgrounds.
› Fleet of LNG cruise ships anticipated at PortMiami
PortMiami expects an influx of liquefied natural gas-powered cruise ships to arrive through 2027, and Miami-Dade commissioners want Mayor Daniella Levine Cava’s office to look at how best to accommodate the new vessels’ needs. Commissioners in committee this month unanimously advanced a resolution by Rebeca Sosa that would direct Ms. Levine Cava’s administration to report within four months on the port’s current readiness to welcome the new ships, what else needs to be done, what the cost to do those things is and the relative environmental benefits of liquefied natural gas (LNG) compared to other alternative fuels.
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