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Wednesday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
Gov DeSantis proposes over $1.5 billion for environmental projects
Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday proposed spending more than $1.5 billion for Everglades restoration, coastal resiliency efforts and other environmental projects in the coming state budget. “We are excited to announce this historic support for Florida’s environment, Everglades restoration, and our water resources,” he said. “We have seen great results so far, but we are not yet at the finish line.” More from the AP and WINK News.
Florida scores high in the latest business climate survey
Site selectors and business executives have selected Florida as one of the top environments to do business in 2021. In its most recent Business Climate Rankings, Site Selection magazine ranked Florida in the No. 2 position for executive survey business climate. [Source: Tampa Bay Business Journal]
The $1 trillion infrastructure bill: What’s in it for Florida?
Florida expects to receive $13.1 billion for federal-aid highway apportioned programs and $245 million for bridge replacement and repairs under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act over five years. Florida can also compete for the $12.5 billion Bridge Investment Program for economically significant bridges and nearly $16 billion of national funding in the bill dedicated for major projects that will deliver substantial economic benefits to communities. [Source: WWSB]
A deadly disease is wiping out coral in Florida and the Caribbean
A silent killer is spreading throughout the waters of the Caribbean. Known as stony coral tissue loss disease, it afflicts at least 22 species, including some of the largest, oldest, and most important reef-building corals. Infected colonies develop white patches that slowly enlarge, draining the color and life from the animals. In the most susceptible species, such as pillar, brain, and star corals, infected colonies usually die within weeks or months. It’s the “worst thing I’ve ever seen,” says William Precht, a coral disease specialist in Florida. [Source: National Geographic]
As Florida weighs OSHA separation, process for state version not immediate
Florida’s COVID-19 special legislative session is already underway, and one of the big ticket items of the weeklong process is a push to have a state-run version of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and get out from under the wing of the federal safety agency. Florida’s SB 6B and HB 5B are the proposed legislation to leave OSHA in favor of a Florida-run safety agency. Both bills are named the “Florida Occupational Safety and Health State Plan.” [Source: WFLA]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Universal CEO Tom Williams retiring, vice chair Mark Woodbury to replace him
Universal Parks and Resorts Chair and CEO Tom Williams is retiring next year, and current Vice Chair Mark Woodbury will step into his role on Jan. 1, Universal revealed Tuesday. Williams will retire on March 16 after over 22 years leading Universal’s parks division and 33 years with the company.
› How Tampa Bay holiday sales could get a boost from the weather
The forecast is in — for both the holiday shopping season and the weather. National holiday sales could break records this year, according to estimates from the National Retail Federation. There’s several reasons why the federation anticipates more spending this year: average household wealth is rising and stores are pushing consumers to start shopping earlier due to supply chain issues. One other possible factor? La Niña.
› Miami planned to end natural gas hookups to help cut emissions. Then TECO asked them not to
On Earth Day, Miami Mayor Francis Suarez stood in front of City Hall and announced an “unequivocal promise” to his residents: to slash the city’s greenhouse gas emissions to stave off the worst effects of climate change on the vulnerable coastal city. The plan, Miami Forever Carbon Neutral, had bold strategies to boost electric cars, make buildings more efficient and plaster the city’s buildings with solar power.
› Lake Okeechobee’s future: New management plan coming for polluted discharges, Everglades and water supplies
A major announcement on the future of Lake Okeechobee will be made Tuesday afternoon, with implications for coastal pollution, the Everglades and the health of the lake. The Army Corps of Engineers, which controls the lake’s water level, will announce the first new plan since 2008 in how it will manage the lake often described as the state’s liquid heart.
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