Five big questions loom over budget battle
Florida lawmakers will be back in Tallahassee for an extended legislative session to finalize the state budget, facing disagreements on tax cuts and spending priorities. Key differences remain on education funding, healthcare initiatives, gambling revenue allocation, and the potential impact of economic uncertainty. [Source: Tallahassee Democrat]
From AI avatars to virtual reality crime scenes, courts are grappling with AI in the justice system
Courts across the country have been grappling with how to best handle the increasing presence of artificial intelligence in the courtroom. In Florida, a judge recently donned a virtual reality headset meant to show the point of view of a defendant who said he was acting in self-defense when he waved a loaded gun at wedding guests. Experts say using AI in courtrooms raises legal and ethical concerns, especially if it’s used effectively to sway a judge or jury. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]
How developers gained government status in Florida, then got bonds to build big
Dozens of new local governments, led not by mayors or town managers but instead by businesses profiting from those who live there, have sprouted up along with the sprawling new housing communities they bring. The real estate developers behind these independent special districts use their government status to float multimillion-dollar, tax-free bonds to finance construction and dictate how homeowners pay it back — all with no reins on the spending. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
Florida lawmakers approve bill to improve access to some unapproved stem cell therapies
Before the annual session ended last week, the Florida Legislature approved a measure to improve access to some stem cell therapies that have not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration. If enacted, the bill (SB 1768) would authorize physicians to perform the treatments, provided they are within scope of practice and focus on orthopedics, wound care or pain management with strict requirements to ensure patient safety and ethical standards. [Source: WUSF]
Florida AG Uthmeier enters legal fray over selling cars directly to customers
The politically powerful auto dealerships in Florida have battled for years to protect their turf, seeking help from the Legislature and state courts in their quest to ensure consumers don’t buy cars without them. Now they have a new defender in their latest legal fight, attempting to quash a new Volkswagen subsidiary’s plans to sell electric trucks directly to drivers: Attorney General James Uthmeier. Uthmeier says plans by Scout Motors to “circumvent” auto dealers is “harmful” to state businesses and consumers. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Fort Lauderdale forecast: Experts predict fewer cranes in sky amid slowdown
Construction cranes have dominated the Fort Lauderdale skyline for more than a decade as developer after developer came forward with plans for taller and taller towers in and around downtown, fueling an unprecedented and head-spinning construction boom. But that fast-paced growth has finally hit the skids for a number of reasons, including rising interest rates, a nationwide downturn and a volatile financial market, according to developers.
› Miami museum opens a new exhibit that examines a century of swimwear and its connection to Florida
Just in time for bathing suit season, the HistoryMiami Museum is opening a new exhibit that examines the relationship between the evolution of swimwear and the growth of South Florida over the past century. “Waves of Style: Swimwear Through the Decades” opened to the general public on Saturday and will run through Oct. 5. The exhibit showcases about 50 historic swimwear pieces from the museum’s extensive collection of more than 2,000 textiles.
› Tampa Bay could soon have 2 ferries running between St. Petersburg, Tampa
Pinellas County transportation officials plan to purchase up to two high-speed vessels, which they would lease to a private operator for an enhanced ferry service between St. Petersburg and Tampa. An unused $4.86 million federal grant approaching its termination date would fund the acquisition. Brad Miller, CEO of the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority, said owning the vessels would reduce hourly operating costs by hundreds of dollars.
› Aircraft manufacturer seeks city incentives for $430 million production facility in Jacksonville
A company that is developing a new passenger jet is interested in building a manufacturing and production facility for the aircraft in Jacksonville and is seeking city incentives for the project, according to the city Office of Economic Development. On May 12, the OED is scheduled to request permission from the Mayor’s Budget Review Committee to submit legislation to execute a development agreement with the company, code-named Project Bluebird.
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› St. Petersburg Free Clinic’s relocation jeopardizes food desert’s only grocer
A popular neighborhood grocer in St. Petersburg faces demolition as a local nonprofit plans to transform the property into a food pantry and social services hub. Mairs Grocery, which also offers hot meals, has been a vital part of the underserved Harbordale neighborhood for more than 24 years. The St. Petersburg Free Clinic is under contract to purchase the store and adjacent Badcock Furniture site at 2200 Dr. MLK Jr. St. S.
› Halfway to Halloween: Ghost tours offer spine-chilling tales of Orlando history
While Orlando is known far and wide as the “theme park capital of the world,” what many visitors may not know is that the City Beautiful has a dark and storied past. Tales of murder and mystery adorn the pages of Orlando’s history books, including appearances from serial killers and ghosts who are said to haunt the city’s downtown. U.S. Ghost Adventures, which offers tours in haunted cities across America, is throwing a “halfway to Halloween” celebration through Saturday, May 17.
› Broward schools to slash budget by $65 million. Here’s what may be cut.
Broward schools plan to make cuts to security staff, administrators and other expenses in an effort to slash the district budget by $64.6 million. The district is facing cuts in state funding due to enrollment drops as more families choose private school vouchers and other education options. Enrollment has declined about 30,000 from a decade ago and is expected to drop another 8,800 this fall. But the number of employees has increased by 324 over that same time period.
› Naples-based Beasley Broadcast reports $2.7M net loss in Q1
Naples-based multiplatform media company Beasley Broadcast Group experienced a $2.7 million net loss in the first quarter, or $1.50 per diluted share, according to an earnings report. That compares to an $8,000 net income during the same period last year. Beasley owns and operates 57 AM and FM stations across the country, including the Southwest Florida market.