Florida ports feel effects of strike
Four busy Florida ports will see direct impacts from an International Longshoremen’s Association strike for higher wages that began Tuesday. The Florida Ports Council said the strike predominantly will affect containerized cargo, which can include items such as clothing, furniture, automobiles, construction and hurricane supplies, medical supplies and perishable goods such as fruits, vegetables and seafoods. More from the News Service of Florida and Florida Today.
Ballots in the mail for presidential election. Floridians can begin voting immediately.
Voters who are among the 96% of Floridians that the polls show have made up their minds between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump can start voting. It’s already begun for more than 400,000 people in Broward and Palm Beach counties who’ve requested vote-by-mail ballots. On Tuesday — exactly five weeks before Election Day, Nov. 5 — Broward County sent out 241,000 mail ballots. Supervisor of Elections Joe Scott said many people would receive them Wednesday and Thursday. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
DeSantis says no Helene special session
DeSantis has urged lawmakers to hold a special legislative session to address problems affecting condominium owners that are unrelated to the hurricane. He said the state has money available through its Disaster Preparedness Fund for Helene issues. [Source: News Service of Florida]
Fact-check: Would Amendment 3 create a ‘monopoly' for marijuana companies?
In November, Florida voters won't be asked to vote just for the next president of the United States — they will also decide whether the state should legalize recreational marijuana. Opponents of Florida’s Amendment 3 claim the measure to legalize cannabis would hand marijuana megacorporations a monopoly. The amendment itself does not eliminate marijuana market competition. If approved by at least 60% of voters, the Florida Legislature would be able to issue additional licenses to expand the list of marijuana sellers and distributors. [Source: NBC Miami]
Businesses react to Florida’s minimum wage increase
Hourly workers in Florida are going to see a boost in their paychecks after a minimum wage increase went into effect on Monday. Minimum wage in Florida went up a dollar, bringing it from $12 an hour to $13 for non-tipped employees and $9.98 an hour for tipped employees. It’s part of a ballot initiative voters approved back in 2020 to eventually bring Florida’s minimum wage up to $15 an hour by 2026. [Source: Click Orlando]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Palm Beach County land sought by Vanderbilt is worth $46 million, appraisal shows
Palm Beach County land sought by Vanderbilt University for a West Palm Beach campus is worth $46 million, according to a new county appraisal. That's the market value of the county's five-acre property downtown where Vanderbilt wants to build a graduate business school, County Administrator Verdenia Baker said Monday. The $46 million appraisal is far higher than the county's assessed value, which usually does not reflect the market value for the property.
› Jacksonville commits $50M to help build new MOSH museum on Northbank riverfront
Jacksonville's Museum of Science and History took a big step toward its move to a new riverfront campus this week when the city agreed to $50 million in funding. Plans call for MOSH to move from its Southbank location near Friendship Fountain, which it has occupied since 1969, to a new $100 million-plus facility where Hogans Creek flows into the St. Johns River, across from EverBank Stadium.
› Tampa Bay businesses stayed open hours before Helene hit. Why?
From Clearwater Beach to Treasure Island to Tampa’s Channel District, at least eight bars and restaurants in or near mandatory evacuation zones stayed open Thursday, sometimes late into the night. In Pinellas County, businesses were advised by the economic development department to heed mandatory evacuation orders by noon Thursday and close. I
› Supply, demand, and location drive up rent for Central Florida business owners
Some business owners across Central Florida are struggling with the cost of rent. Orlando continues to see steady increases in retail demand but, according to a Cushman and Wakefield MarketBeat report. But supply and demand aren’t the only issues. Location also impacts the cost of rent.
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› Federal lawsuit challenges downtown Orlando ordinance as unconstitutional
Three Orlando businesses have filed a federal lawsuit against the city of Orlando and Orlando Police Chief Eric Smith, challenging the city’s after midnight alcohol sales land-use permit ordinance. The ordinance — approved March 20, 2023, and in effect since then — requires certain businesses in the downtown entertainment area to pay for police protection between 10:30 p.m. and 3:30 a.m. on weekends.
› A preview of The Boca Raton's $120 million remodeled Beach Club to be unveiled in December
December comes bearing gifts, and a $120 million remodeled Beach Club at The Boca Raton. Closing on April 8, the newly refurbished beach club is scheduled to reopen Dec. 20. The redesign comes two years before the centennial anniversary of the resort, which opened in 1926.
› Historic Tampa house with heart-shaped driveway will finally be restored
George Guida Sr. opened his home to political gatherings, weddings and nonprofit fundraisers, generosity that garnered him the nickname “Mr. West Tampa.” After he died, the city of Tampa purchased Guida Sr.’s two-story, 4,500-square-foot house, but the local historic landmark has remained empty, the antithesis of what it once represented as a center of West Tampa’s social life.
› Genpact to lay off 60 employees in South Jacksonville
Genpact Ltd. said in a Sept. 26 notice under the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act that it expects to lay off up to 60 employees at its Southside Jacksonville offices. The company said the workforce reduction is related to some services performed at its offices at 6737 Southpoint Drive S., but other operations will continue at that location.