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Wednesday's Afternoon Update
What you need to know about Florida today
Florida tax revenues get $2.6 billion boost
Florida lawmakers will have an additional $2.6 billion to play with in general-revenue taxes, along with nearly $6 billion in unspent federal coronavirus stimulus money, as they begin to piece together an election-year budget. While acknowledging uncertainty about the effects of the delta variant of the coronavirus on the economy, a state panel on Tuesday boosted estimates of general-revenue tax collections for the current fiscal year and the 2022-2023 fiscal year. More from the News Service of Florida.
While most Florida ports in struggle, two in Southwest Florida shine
Florida’s seaports took something of a COVID-19 connected dive in total trade cargo handled in 2020. But the two biggest ports on the state’s west coast, in Hillsborough and Manatee counties, actually posted strong years. The state’s $117 billion maritime trade industry had an overall decline of $14.1 billion in 2020 over 2019, according to a Florida Seaports Transportation & Economic Development Council report — a drop of 16.1%. Cargo tonnage moving through Florida’s 15 seaports dropped 8.4%, while imports fell 13.8% and exports fell 20%. More from the Business Observer.
Kroger expands grocery delivery to more of Florida; stores remain ‘under consideration’
Kroger is delivering groceries directly to Florida customers from Jacksonville to Tampa out of a Groveland center, but the company has yet to reveal plans for a Florida brick-and-mortar store. The delivery service soft-launched for friends and family in April from Groveland before adding Orlando-area online shoppers within a 90-minute radius and then Tampa and Jacksonville consumers. More from the Orlando Sentinel.
Feds to continue picking up COVID-19 tab
In a boost for Florida and other states, the Biden administration on Tuesday issued a memorandum extending through the end of the year a move by the federal government to fully fund COVID-19 disaster costs. The federal government, through the Federal Emergency Management Agency, generally covers 75 percent of costs associated with responding to disasters or emergencies, while states absorb the other 25 percent. More from the News Service of Florida.
South Florida casinos sue over state's 'monopoly' gambling deal with Seminole Tribe of Florida
Boies Schiller Flexner sued the U.S. Department of the Interior and Interior Secretary Deb Haaland Monday in District of Columbia District Court on behalf of two South Florida casino operators. The suit challenges Haaland’s Aug. 5 approval of a 2021 gaming compact between the State of Florida and the Seminole Tribe of Florida. According to the plaintiffs, the agreement unlawfully permits the Seminole Tribe to operate gaming off of its reservation and would effectively grant the tribe a monopoly over internet sports gambling. More from the Daily Business Review.
Florida Dining
New England-based wing franchise expanding into Central Florida
Wing It On!, a hot wing chain based out of New England, is looking to leave a big footprint in Florida’s fast-food landscape. The chain has already signed agreements for at least two franchise locations in Central Florida — one in Orlando and the other in Apopka, according to news releases. The company said this is part of an overall plan to bring 25 to 30 units to “target markets in Florida such as Orlando and Tampa.”
» More from Click Orlando.
Florida Trend Exclusive
The Institute for Human and Machine Cognition has been awarded a research grant from DARPA
The Institute for Human and Machine Cognition has been awarded a research grant from DARPA to develop technology that will enhance the performance of elite soldiers. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency is responsible for developing emerging technologies for use by the U.S. military. The goal of the Peerless Operator Biological Aptitude project is to understand and ultimately anticipate how specialized military personnel will perform in various high-stress combat situations over time.
» Read more from Florida Trend.
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