House Speaker: ‘Fast is not on the menu this session’
With just a few days left in the regularly 2026 legislative session, it appears unlikely the Legislature will accomplish the one thing it’s mandated to do: Pass a budget. In an availability with reporters Wednesday night, Miami Republican House Speaker Daniel Perez confirmed that the chambers have been at an impasse about how much money the state should spend and how large a tax package to provide. [Source: Florida Phoenix]
Business Beat - Week of March 6th
Get top news-to-know with Florida Trend's headline-focused video newsbrief, hosted by digital content specialist Aimée Alexander.
Jobless claims down in Florida
An estimated 4,845 first-time unemployment claims were filed in Florida last week, the fewest for a week since the end of 2025. The U.S. Department of Labor estimate is down from a revised count of 5,608 for the week ending Feb. 21. Over the past four weeks, the running weekly average is now 5,534, down from 5,734. [Source: News Service of Florida]
U.S. declares disaster for Florida agriculture industry
The U.S. agriculture secretary approved a disaster declaration to provide federal assistance to Florida farmers following recent freezes. The weather events caused an estimated $3.1 billion in losses across the state’s agricultural industry. The federal declaration allows farmers to access aid programs to help recover from significant crop damage. State Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson reported that the industry faces a massive financial recovery effort after the freezing temperatures hit several regions. [Source: WFTV]
Lawmakers approve bill allowing new type of business-run insurance company
Florida lawmakers have approved legislation aimed at modernizing the state’s captive insurance industry, clearing the way for a new type of insurance structure known as a protected cell captive insurance company. Captive insurance companies are typically created by businesses to insure their own risks rather than purchasing traditional commercial coverage. Supporters say the change will make Florida more competitive with other states that already allow such structures. [Source: Florida's Voice]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Leaders opt against local sales tax hike on 2026 Orange County ballot
Orange County has abandoned any effort to put a tax measure on the ballot this year. The sudden decision came toward the end of a four-hour-long, special county commission meeting at which the board could not reach consensus on the scope and structure of a proposal to increase the sales tax, after considering an array of ideas that could have helped fund affordable housing projects, buy land for conservation or parks, and underwrite transportation-related infrastructure.
› Amazon closing its warehouse hub in Homestead for a refit, impacting 1,000 jobs
Amazon is closing a warehouse hub it opened outside Homestead to fanfare less than two years ago, temporarily eliminating 1,000 jobs there while it launches a two-year retrofit of the facility that was built on land purchased from Miami-Dade County. Company executives said they’re offering other Amazon jobs to the workers in the facility just outside Homestead, a city where employment opportunities are limited and commuting times are long to the employment centers in Doral and Miami.
› NHRA Gatornationals 2026 opens circuit's historic 75th season in Gainesville
The National Hot Rod Association will open its 75th season in Gainesville, as top drag racers from around the country will converge on Gainesville Raceway from March 5-8 for the 57th annual AMALIE Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals. The event will again attract several of the best racers in the sport.
› Broward County ranks 2nd-biggest economy in Florida despite less jobs
Broward County ranks second in Florida's economy. While many local businesses grew or expanded last year, Broward had 10,710 fewer jobs compared to the same time the year before, according to official figures. That could be a challenge, as Broward is forecast to need 36,593 new jobs by 2030 to keep up with population growth. Nonetheless, it held its spot as one of Florida’s biggest and most dynamic business centers on a variety of metrics.
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› Estero authorizes railway corridor acquisition
Estero Village Council authorized a purchase and sale agreement March 4 for its share of an 11.4-mile, $60 million railway corridor acquisition in partnership with Bonita Springs and Collier County. Bonita Springs and Collier County are expected to formally approve the deal later this month, which would begin a joint due diligence process and could lead to a closing as early as October. The three governments would still be able to withdraw from the agreement during that period.
› High interest rates, construction costs choke development in Miami
Miami is feeling a construction slowdown following over a decade of sustained growth, with high interest rates and construction costs impacting new development and the cost of living pushing more people into renting, according to commercial real estate brokerage Lee & Associates. Employment data paint a different picture of those construction trends.
› Blue Origin's Project Horizon: Massive 800,000-square-foot facility planned for Space Coast campus
Blue Origin has plans for a massive facility near the company’s main Merritt Island campus. According to permit application documents filed Feb. 24 by Blue Origin Manufacturing LLC, the space technology company is working on a major expansion of its campus in Merritt Island's Exploration Park as part of “Project Horizon.” The project includes the construction of an 800,000-square-foot manufacturing facility, associated utilities and stormwater management on 31 acres owned by the United States government.
› Tampa nonprofit evacuates Americans from Middle East war zone
A Tampa based nonprofit is helping Americans leave parts of the Middle East as escalating military conflict involving Iran has disrupted travel and left many civilians stranded across the region. Grey Bull Rescue, a nonprofit organization headquartered in Tampa, Florida, has been coordinating evacuations for Americans attempting to exit areas affected by ongoing military strikes and heightened security threats.