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Thursday's Afternoon Update
What you need to know about Florida today
Spring training is huge business in Florida
According to the Florida Sports Foundation, nearly 1.4 million fans went to Florida spring training games in 2023. The Foundation indicates that since 2000, 34 million fans have attended spring training games in Florida. The annual economic impact results in an average of $687.1 million per year to Florida. More from Forbes.
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» Take a tour of MLB spring training sites in Florida
High earners in Tampa-St. Pete, Sarasota-Bradenton have light tax load
Recent income research finds Tampa-St. Pete-Clearwater area is highly ranked — in low taxes for high earners. Sarasota-Bradenton-North Port's high earners make more annually, the same research found, but they also pay more in taxes. The tax burden was so low, Tampa-St. Pete area ranked No. 4 in the lowest state and local taxes paid when compared to all large metros in the U.S. More from the Business Observer.
Miami weighs more disclosure by candidates for office
The City of Miami may soon require candidates for office to provide more thorough financial disclosures to increase transparency regarding campaign contributions. Toda, the city commission is to vote on the first reading of an ordinance that would require candidates who give or lend themselves more than $1,000 to produce an aged funds report proving the money’s origins. More from Miami Today.
The University of Florida bullish on investing in Northeast Florida
University of Florida officials spoke glowingly Feb. 21 of the opportunities Northeast Florida presents to the school at the groundbreaking of the UF Health Durbin Park medical facility. The university is focusing on St. Johns and Duval counties because of their growth, said Mori Hosseini, chair of the UF board of trustees. Hosseini said Jacksonville is the fifth-fastest growing destination in the nation. More from the Jacksonville Daily Record.
Orange County may take on millions in medical debt. Here is how it would work
Hundreds of millions of dollars in medical debt could be absorbed as Orange County leaders consider how to spend leftover federal aid from the American Rescue Plan. On Tuesday, county commissioners agreed to use $4.5 million from the county’s share of the money for medical debt relief. The county would buy up residents’ medical debt and absorb it. More from Click Orlando.
Labor Trends
Why thousands of workers in Florida are losing their labor unions
A year after Governor DeSantis signed into law a sweeping anti-union bill requiring most public sector unions to boost the rate of members paying dues or be disbanded, the full effects of the new union rules are coming into clear view — double standards and all. Law enforcement, firefighter and correctional officer unions are exempt from the new law, no matter how few members pay union dues. For other public sector unions, what is emerging is an outright crisis.
» More from WLRN and the Miami Heralld.
Arts Business
Theater in the Garden
An international center for the arts is coming to Naples. Theater in the Garden, a multipurpose space featuring a 900-seat indoor theater and outside amphitheater in a landscaped setting, will be the first location of the Luciano Pavarotti Foundation outside of Italy. In addition to the two theaters, the property will house an International Voice Academy, museum and restaurant. The museum will feature memorabilia from Pavarotti’s career as well as collectibles, memorabilia and collaborations with artists such as Sting and U2.
» Read more from Florida Trend.
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