Florida Trend Exclusive
Florida aviation: Sky-high ambitions
From The Jetsons to Back to the Future to The Fifth Element, flying cars have always been the stuff of science fiction, but they might be soaring through Florida’s skies sooner than you think. The state has become a hotbed for flying car companies who view it as an appealing location for their emerging industry. [Source: Florida Trend]
Florida Chamber releases 2024 Legislative Report Card
The Florida Chamber of Commerce is releasing its report grading lawmakers based on how they voted on a range of bills impacting Florida businesses during the 2024 Legislative Session. The Chamber’s 2024 Legislative Report Card considers more than 5,700 votes cast during Session, with the average lawmaker receiving an 87% — good enough for a high “B” in classroom terms. Senators were slightly more aligned with the Chamber, scoring an 89% average compared to the House at 86%. [Source: Florida Politics]
New survey shows 68% of Floridians want state to do more on climate change
A survey of more than 1,400 Floridians shows that 68% want the state government to do more to combat climate change and 69% want the federal government to do more to address the issue. However, less than half of all respondents (48%) said they would be willing to pay $10 a month to support strengthening the state’s infrastructure to contend with inclement weather. [Source: Florida Phoenix]
A healthcare giant owes millions to Florida taxpayers. Will the state see the money?
A company that owns 31 hospitals, including eight in Florida, has filed for bankruptcy. So, who’s owed money? Florida taxpayers, for one. Steward Healthcare owes nearly $14.5 million to Florida’s Agency for Health Care Administration, which regulates hospitals and other healthcare facilities. The company, the largest physician-owned healthcare network in the country, runs 31 hospitals, including eight in Florida. [Source: Miami Herald]
Felon voting-rights group drops lawsuit after state plans to develop eligibility rules
Plaintiffs have dropped for now a federal lawsuit challenging how the state carried out a 2018 constitutional amendment to restore the voting rights of felons who have completed their sentences after the state said it would propose new rules for determining eligibility. The lawsuit, filed in July in Miami by the Orlando-based Florida Rights Restoration Coalition and individual plaintiffs, described a “bureaucratic morass” encountered by felons trying to find out if they were eligible to vote. [Source: News Service of Florida]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Major League Pickleball to host playoff round in Orlando
Major League Pickleball will host part of its playoffs in Orlando. Orlando's USTA National Campus in Lake Nona will play host to the second round of the MLP Playoffs Nov. 22-24, with Dallas hosting the first round at the start of November. The league just held its first event of the year in Atlanta.
› Lawsuit: CSX ‘engaged in brazen pattern' of retaliation against employees using FMLA leave
A lawsuit alleges that CSX unlawfully discouraged employees from taking time off from work under the Family Medical Leave Act and retaliated against those who did. It was “a brazen pattern,” according to the lawsuit, which was filed in the U.S. District Court in the Middle District of Florida last week.
› Miami International Airport seeks payoff at sleep centers
Miami International Airport plans to contract with a Boynton Beach company to offer sleep center amenities to waiting passengers who aren’t looking for the full overnight amenities of the airport’s internal hotel. After advertising for bidders and getting just one that met airport specifications, the Airport and Economic Development Committee this week was to vet a deal that county Chief Operations Officer Jimmy Morales wrote could bring in $10 million over 10 years from two sleep centers.
› In thirsty Zephyrhills, moratorium on new development likely to continue
The City Council for Zephyhills, famous for its bottled water, gave its initial approval this week to extend a moratorium on new development while it wrestles with how to boost its own public water supply. The move would extend the existing moratorium by one year and would include a halt to annexations.
Go to page 2 for more stories ...
› Miami luxury rentals’ development outpaces demand
Even though the desire to live in luxury residential buildings is high, the supply is currently outweighing that strong demand, according to high-end luxury residential developers. There’s no question that South Florida is the place where many Americans want to live and demand is high but recently supply is higher, said Asi Cymbal, chairman of Cymbal DLT.
› Orlando's median home price sets new record in April
Home prices in metro Orlando reached new heights in April, and neither rising prices nor mortgage interest rates seem to be slowing down sales, according to a new report. The median home price hit $388,500 last month, up $2,000 from March, according to the latest report from the Orlando Regional Realtor Association. This beat the previous record of $387,000, set in June 2022.
› Jags, Jacksonville agree to spend $1.4 billion on ‘stadium of the future’; Orlando could host games in ’27
The Jaguars and the city of Jacksonville have agreed to a $1.4 billion “stadium of the future” that would keep the franchise in one of the NFL’s smallest markets for another 30 years. Construction would begin following the 2025 season. The Jaguars would play in front of a reduced capacity in 2026 and host home games in either Gainesville or Orlando the following year. Daytona Beach International Speedway had been under consideration but has since been eliminated.
› Seminole hotel guests may soon fund new indoor events complex in county
Seminole County commissioners took the first step Tuesday toward building a large indoor complex for sports tournaments and other events estimated to cost more than $65 million. Commissioners approved forming a tourism improvement district (TID) which allows hotels with more than 65 rooms to tack on an extra fee to a guest’s bill for each room night’s stay. County officials and hoteliers have long said Seminole needs an indoor venue for events that attract visitors and fill hotel rooms.