FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 2009
TALLAHASSEE:
Florida-Seminole Gambling Deal in Jeopardy
Billions in education funds are at stake, but tribe's attorney says Seminoles aren't likely to approve the deal crafted by Florida's Legislature. Read on ... [Source: Sun-Sentinel]
ORLANDO:
Attorney Building National Chamber for Disabled Entrepreneurs
Pete Schoemann wants to build a bridge between the business and disabled communities.
The Orlando attorney is part of both worlds: A partner in the law firm Broad and Cassel, he has two sons with autism. He founded the Chamber of Commerce for Persons with Disabilities Inc. two years ago and is now looking to expand the organization's regional focus to a national one.
The Chamber hopes to be an umbrella organization for groups across the U.S. that promote the disability community and help disabled entrepreneurs get businesses off the ground.
[Source: Orlando Sentinel]
HENDRY COUNTY:
Please Don't Develop This Land, Ask Wildlife Officials
Florida wildlife officials are encouraging a state panel to recommend paying one of their bosses, state wildlife commissioner Ronald Bergeron, not to develop his land so that Florida panther habitat in Hendry County can be protected. The state Acquisition and Restoration Council votes today to recommend a new state lands purchase list to the governor and Cabinet. The catch? Bergeron is on that panel. [Source: Bruce Ritchie]
STATEWIDE:
Home Short Sale Flips Nixed
It may be a bit tougher now for investors to flip short sales for big profits.
Attorneys' Title Insurance Fund notified its 6,000 member lawyers this week that it will not insure deals made with a popular -- but controversial -- method for closing flips of short sales. A short sale occurs when a mortgage holder agrees to allow a home to sell for less than the mortgage balance so that foreclosure can be avoided.
The Orlando-based fund is a major underwriter for lawyers who write title insurance in Florida.
[Source: Tampa Tribune]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
›
Crist Will Leave Behind Big Unfinished Agenda
Critics and supporters alike say that Crist's signature issues have fallen victim to economic pressures, GOP intransigence or his administration's own lack of follow-through.
› Endeavour Primed to Go
Shuttle Endeavour and seven astronauts are scheduled to blast off Saturday at 7:17 a.m. on a mission to the International Space Station that will include some of the most complicated assembly work ever attempted in orbit.
› Broward County Questions $11.9 Million in Staff Overtime While a majority of the overtime earners received less than $2,000 in additional pay, 332 made more than an extra $10,000 last year.
› Sea School: Flight Off Pirates
Responding to concerns about increased piracy at sea, particularly off the horn of Africa, a St. Petersburg-based school has expanded its curriculum this year to include classes on handling firearms and repelling intruders.
› Impact Fees Too Often a Fallback for Local Governments, Expert Says
Elliot Eisenberg, senior economist for the National Association of Home Builders, presented his report on growth in Collier County to a group of more than 100 community and business leaders in Naples at a Thursday luncheon sponsored by the Collier Building Industry Association.
His take? Local Florida governments are strapped for choices when it comes to tax revenue and relying on impact fees placed on builders to fill coffers.
› If No One's Paying the Mortgage, Who's Got the Property Insurance?
In foreclosure-heavy South Florida, the vacant home next door could be a risk for all of us, especially if a hurricane threatens
› Broward Man Says HIV Shouldn't Bar Him From Airport Job
When Michael Lamarre of Oakland Park applied for a job as a baggage screener at the Hollywood-Fort Lauderdale Airport, the Transportation Security Administration turned him down because he has HIV.
› Real Estate Still Threatened by Rising Rates, Unemployment
After three years being stuck on this housing slide, we're all feeling frayed in the seat of our pants. Enough of this chute. When can we scale the ladder again? Also: Tampa Bay rental vacancies hit 10-year high
› Miami Children's Hospital Water Supply Under Scrutiny
The state agency that regulates hospitals will monitor Miami Children's Hospital, where two premature infants died in March after exposure to a dangerous bacteria.
Also: Water managers hand off permitting duties, despite environmental concerns
› Fla. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Seeks Help
The Chamber is looking for business people to help with their long-term 2030 plan.
The plan aims to create action councils and hold yearly forums to address the areas of talent, innovation, infrastructure, business climate, governance and quality of life in Florida's economic future. See here for details.
› Tampa Aquarium Launches Effort to Encourage Sustainable Seafood
Despite Florida's role as a major seafood source, too many Tampa Bay restaurant owners, supermarket seafood clerks and wholesalers have no clue what they are serving. Also: Florida is leading state in seafood illness, study finds
Go to page 2 for more stories ...
› Palm Beach County Facing Cuts in School Nurses, Trauma Care
Battered this year by falling tax revenue and surging demand for its health insurance programs, the Health Care District of Palm Beach County is struggling to counter a $56 million budget deficit with a proposed series of deep cuts.
›
Hollywood City Manager Declines Pay Raise Again
Hollywood city commissioners on Thursday showered City Manager Cameron Benson with praise and high-fives during his annual evaluation.
It is the second year in a row he declined a raise in his $201,115 salary.
commentary
› Tackle Prison Overcrowding From the Other End
Exporting prisoners to other states is wrong approach to reduce crime. Instead, try better crime prevention.
› LandMar Bankruptcy Sends Jacksonville Scrambling
City officials are scurrying to recover money from the financial rubble of the failed “Shipyards” condominium project following its developer’s bankruptcy filing.
› FAU Tenured Faculty Layoffs Create Strife
Florida Atlantic University's decision to lay off five tenured faculty members in the College of Engineering isn't being too well received by some on campus.
› Miami-Dade Aircraft Repair Firm Moves to Orlando Area
Avocet Maintenance & Engineering is moving to the Orlando Sanford International Airport in Seminole County.
› Official: NCAA Violating Florida Open Government Laws
The NCAA cannot secretly respond to a Florida State appeal — which it's attempting to do in violation of the state's open government laws, the attorney general's office said Thursday.
› A New USF Campus May Be at Hand
The University of South Florida and North Port officials have talked for the past two years about creating a satellite campus, but have repeatedly stumbled over finding the right site. That location could be Sarasota Memorial Hospital's new $20 million emergency care facility in North Port, which is on the brink of opening. A deal appears close but has not been finalized.