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Monday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
If Florida votes for abortion, marijuana, will lawmakers abide?
Florida’s lawmakers have a history of watering down amendments they disapprove of. Even if an amendment is approved, lawmakers can pass legislation to enact it in ways that voters, or groups that pushed to get it on the ballot, didn’t anticipate. There are recent examples of legislators doing just that. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
Florida ranks highest for sports tourism economic impact
Sports ETA ranked the Sunshine State No. 1 for the economic impact generated by sports tourism as a part of the State of the Industry Report for 2023 in partnership with Tourism Economics and Northstar Meetings Group. The exact dollar amount was not included in the release. However, according to the Florida Sports Foundation, the state’s sports industry draws more than 16 million out-of-state visitors each year, supports 580,000 jobs and creates $57.4 billion in economic impact. [Source: Orlando Business Journal]
Natural disasters, disease cut Florida orange production an estimated 92 percent since 2003/04
Florida's citrus industry has long been susceptible to freezes, hurricanes, and disease. A series of devastating freezes in the 1970s and 1980s caused production to shift to more southern regions of the State. Then, after near-record output in the 2003/04 season, subsequent events decreased Florida's orange output at an average rate of 6 percent a year. [Source: Fresh Plaza]
Big Tech and billionaires suddenly can’t resist the lure of Florida
Big Tech staffers may be swapping out their beloved Patagonia vests for sunglasses and shorts as the sector continues to migrate to warmer climes. Traditionally, America's enterprise hubs have centered around New York and Silicon Valley. The Sunshine State is now home to some of the nation's highest-profile brands across various industries. [Source: Yahoo Finance]
Reports of dying fish flood this Florida hotline. Here’s what people are seeing.
Dozens of public reports of dead or dying fish are flooding a state hotline as a mysterious fish die-off plagues the Florida Keys. Since January, 43 endangered sawfish have died as scientists scramble to find answers. More than 50 species are showing signs of distress, according to the latest Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission data. The number of sick and dead species is almost certainly higher, though, as carcasses across the island chain are lost to nature. Sharks, sting rays and stone crabs, have all shown odd behavior. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Taylor Swift’s new song is already impacting tourism in one Florida town
The small beachside city of Destin, Florida, suddenly finds itself a center of worldwide attention, thanks to its inclusion in the lyrics of one of Taylor Swift’s newest songs, “Florida!!!” on her “Tortured Poets Department” album that dropped on April 19. Part of the state’s northern Panhandle that borders the Gulf of Mexico, it’s known for its stunning emerald-green waters and its powdery, stunning white sand beaches composed of pure Appalachian quartz.
› Orlando City Soccer to train staff using AI content platform
Pete Learning, the Orlando AI-based startup founded by Jacques Fu — also a cofounder of local unicorn Stax Payments — has some new clients: Orlando Pride and Orlando City soccer clubs. President Luis Garcia of Pete told Orlando Business Journal that his firm has been in talks with the soccer clubs since September and the contract was signed in February, though the announcement was made April 23.
› Miami, Jacksonville, Tampa are 3 most risky major U.S. metro areas for small businesses, study shows
Three Florida cities top the list of the most risky places for small businesses among major U.S. metro areas, according to recent findings by Forbes Advisory. The Miami, Jacksonville and Tampa areas, respectively, filled in the top three slots in the findings regarding risky areas for small businesses. California also had three cities in the top 10. Sacramento was at fourth, San Diego was fifth and Los Angeles was sixth.
› 'A big price': Oil drilling application in Florida Panhandle prompts environmental outcry
After a series of abandoned attempts by others, another company is hoping to strike oil in the fragile Apalachicola River basin — setting off a new round of opposition from environmentalists and other concerned citizens. Clearwater Land & Minerals Fla, whose principals hail from Shreveport, Louisiana, applied for a state permit in December to conduct exploratory drilling in Calhoun County at a well located between the Apalachicola River, Florida’s largest river by volume, and the Chipola River just north of the Dead Lakes.
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