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Wednesday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
Florida voters say there's room for a more centrist third party
In the final weeks before the midterm elections, most Florida voters have lost confidence that Democrats and Republicans can work together and nearly half think there's room for a more moderate third party. That's according to a new University of South Florida survey of 600 Florida voters that shows 46% of Florida voters would be at least somewhat likely to vote for a third-party candidate who held centrist views for president in 2024. More from Axios and USF
Tolls resume on Alligator Alley and others nearly one month after Hurricane Ian suspension
Tolls on Alligator Alley and two other roadways were reinstated on Tuesday, almost one month after Hurricane Ian slammed into Southwest Florida. The Florida Department of Transportation announced that tolls had also resumed at the Pinellas Bayway and the Sunshine Skyway as of 11:59 p.m. Monday. With these reinstatements, all storm-related toll collection suspensions have ended. [Source: Palm Beach Post]
Elections officials grapple with misinformation, myths
First came a contagion of disbelief in election results. Then, a surge of public-records requests seeking details such as voting-system security processes. Now, fears of being arrested for voting. Elections supervisors in Florida have grappled with these and other issues as they oversaw the state’s August primary elections and prepared for the Nov. 8 general election. [Source: News Service of Florida]
Study reveals best, worst US cities for remote workers
Unsurprisingly, given the region’s surge of popularity during the pandemic, Tampa Bay ranks No. 3 on the list, behind only Frisco, Texas, and top-ranked Plano, Texas. Eight of the top 10 cities are in the South, including No. 9 Jacksonville, thanks to factors such as low or no state income taxes and quantity and quality of outdoor recreation spaces. [Source: Business Observer]
With less reinsurance for reinsurers, prices set to rise again for Florida carriers
Above and beyond the tragic ongoing personal and economic hardship wrought, Ian will leave a troubling legacy in Florida’s insurance and real estate markets. Prior to Ian, homeowners insurance premium for Floridians was already three times the national average. The state’s property insurance market was already faltering and under extreme stress, with half a dozen insurance carriers in the state declaring insolvency in 2022 alone. And this is just the beginning. [Source: Insurance Journal]
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ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Tampa Bay Businesses for Culture and the Arts announces new executive director
Tampa Bay Businesses for Culture and the Arts, Inc. has announced Zora Carrier as its new executive director. Carrier, who has decades of experience as a cultural strategist, was previously the executive director of the Florida Museum of Photographic Arts in Tampa from 2014-2022. The organization Tampa Bay Businesses for Culture and the Arts (TBBCA) connects businesses to the arts community, recognizing the “positive economic impact of a vibrant arts and cultural sector on the community at large,” according to a news release.
› Space Florida may lease land in Santa Rosa to help create aerospace and aviation jobs
Santa Rosa County is looking to partner with Space Florida — a relatively new state agency meant to drive aerospace economic development — in bringing new jobs and opportunities to the county's Whiting Aviation Park. The county is looking to lease 15 acres slated for Leonardo Helicopters — the park's keynote tenant — to the state agency for 20 years. Space Florida would then lease the land to Leonardo Helicopters, which is planning its customer care facility in the park. The two will work together to fundraise, finance and build the facility.
› Orlando maps out tech industry growth goals at Synapse innovation summit
Orlando's innovation ecosystem mapped out its future on Friday. Tech and innovation summit Synapse Orlando on Oct. 21 returned to the City Beautiful for the third time since 2019, drawing more than 2,000 registrants and 85 exhibitors showing off the latest in gaming, crypto, venture funding, entertainment tech and more. Specifically, regional economic development organization Orlando Economic Partnership shared its goals to grow tech companies and funding in the next five years.
› Fort Myers cancer services company aims to go public in $500M deal
A Fort Myers-based cancer treatment and services company is set to go public at a valuation of nearly $500 million, after completing a merger with a special purpose acquisition company. The company, American Oncology Network, has created a national network of community-based oncology practices across the U.S., in an effort to bring economies of scale to individual offices and compete with bigger hospital systems. As of October, the company had 107 physician customers across 24 practices, representing 71 physical locations in 18 states.
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