MONDAY, JUNE 8, 2009
HAVANA:
Cuba Could Supply Oil to U.S. in Post-Embargo Future
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Cuba has launched a bold policy of oil development that could turn the country into an important supplier of fuel in the Caribbean -- and the United States, should the embargo be lifted in the future.
But world economic turmoil might sidetrack Venezuela's commitment to underwrite the multimillion-dollar projects in Cuban refineries and ports.
Cuba's oil strategy consists of processing about 350,000 barrels of crude daily and supplying the big demand for oil byproducts in nearby countries beginning in 2013, according to sources in the Ministry of Basic Industry and the state-run oil firm Cuba Petroleo. [Source: Miami Herald]
TALLAHASSEE:
They Rush to Get Gun, But Wait for Their Permit
Terry McElroy, a spokesman for the Fla. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, says his agency is so overwhelmed with concealed- weapon permit applications it doesn’t open packages until they’ve been in the mailroom for two months.
As a result, the department has an unprecedented backlog of 88,000 concealed-weapon permit applications. The backlog is fueled, in part, by concerns of a possible renewed ban on assault weapons and a hike in ammunition taxes.
Instead of receiving permits by the legally required 90 days, gun owners say it’s taking four to six months.
[Source: Fort Myers News-Press]
More on this topic from Florida Trend:
STATEWIDE:
Shipping Prison Inmates to Other States?
With the inmate population hovering around 100,000 and the state lacking money to build more prisons, the Legislature has given the Corrections Department the authority to ship inmates to other states for the first time.
Gov. Crist said shipping prisoners would be considered only as a last resort to avoid the early release of inmates because of overpopulation.
[Source: St. Petersburg Times]
More on this topic from Florida Trend:
CLERMONT:
'A Better Way to Farm'
Nearly 15 years ago, a phone call from a German customer seeking organic grapefruit juice sent then-citrus exporter Matt McLean on a quest to find out why it wasn’t available in most U.S. grocery stores.
Today, McLean operates the state’s largest organic citrus operation. Read story from Diane Sears ... [Source: Florida Trend]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
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Lawsuits Cloud Rep. Vern Buchanan's Political Future
Flush with cash and buoyed by a big reelection victory last fall, U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan seemed a prime Republican contender for U.S. senator or Florida governor. But on May 12, the millionaire Sarasota car dealer announced he would forgo a run for statewide office in favor of seeking a third House term.
› Policies May Not Cover Tainted Drywall
Across the state, insurers have begun denying homeowners' drywall claims based on something called a "pollution exclusion" -- a term of art that began showing up in policies nearly three decades ago to shield insurance companies from unexpected environmental hazards.
› Federal Homeowner Program Making a Dent in Foreclosures
Less than three months after its launch, more than 120,000 homeowners have received loan modifications and a few thousand more have gotten refinancings through the program.
› TriNet Purchases Gevity
As chief executive of TriNet Group, a human resources outsourcing firm, Burton Goldfield convinced a consortium of banks to lend his company $80 million in unsecured debt to buy troubled Bradenton-based competitor Gevity.
› Art Museum Gives UNF Presence Downtown Again
Today, more than 20 years after the university shuttered its urban site, a new partnership with the Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville is bringing UNF back downtown.
› Beacon Council Courts European Union Firms
Miami-Dade County business recruiters have headed to Europe again in hopes of persuading some French and Italian firms to set up shop here.
› High-Tech Jobs See Bright Spots, But Investments Yet to Pay Off
A new study by the Milken Institute finds a mixed bag for high-tech jobs in Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast.
› Jacksonville Company Turns Back Time on Soil Conditions
Inoculaid, the signature product for Doug Speed and Associates, is boosting sales and helping the St. Johns River.
› Officials and Us Kept Out of the Loop
When the SBA filed a $682 million claim in the Lehman Brothers bankruptcy case in January, the agency did not furnish any of them with copies. Nor did any of them ask for it.
And nobody told the public.
› Miami Native Named Acting U.S. Attorney
Jeffrey Sloman, a Miami native with 25 years of experience as a federal prosecutor and trial lawyer, has a new title: acting U.S. attorney. Also: Longtime Tampa attorney and DUI law expert dies
› Shands, Solantic: Strange Bedfellows?
Shands announced at the end of April that the health care system would partner with Solantic to open a 4,300-square-foot urgent care clinic.
Go to page 2 for more stories ...
› Developer Says He Can't Afford to Build Affordable Housing in Tamarac
Broward County made Prestige promise to build affordable housing when it agreed to a land-use amendment in December 2006 that allowed homes to be built on the Monterey and Sabal Palm golf courses.
Report: Real estate crash means Tampa Bay homes are too cheap
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A Big Solar Array, But Little Savings
A Sarasota County rancher and environmentalist spent $500,000 for one of the largest private solar projects in Florida, expecting big savings on energy costs while setting an example for others to follow.
But instead of cutting her monthly bills, Mary Clark's 300-panel solar array has saved little. Florida Power & Light buys the excess energy from Clark's ranch and sells it back to her for twice as much.
› Dolphins in Danger When They Are Feed by Humans
Like raccoons with picnic coolers or urban coyotes with pet cats, West Florida's bottlenose dolphins are learning that proximity to humans can make for easy meals. It's illegal and dangerous for the mammal.
› Huge South Florida Levee Needs Repairs
Tropical Storm Fay last year exposed vulnerable sections of the levee in Broward and Miami-Dade counties.
› Big Retailers Plan for Hurricane Season with Military Precision
The biggest — including Home Depot, Wal-Mart and Publix — even have their own war rooms.
commentary
› SunRail Sank Tri-Rail
Paula Dockery: To tie funding for Tri-Rail to the problem-plagued SunRail was the same Hobson's Choice of demanding off-shore oil drilling in exchange for funding the popular land conservation program, Florida Forever.