Lawmakers aren’t finished in Tallahassee. Here’s what they have left to do.
For the second year in a row, lawmakers ended the 60-day legislative session Friday without doing the one thing they had to do: pass a budget. No matter. They’ll be back in Tallahassee soon enough. Lawmakers have a busy schedule planned for the next few months. Here’s what they’re up to. More from the Tampa Bay Times.
Orlando blockchain firm Goliath Ventures files for bankruptcy
The cryptocurrency firm tied to an alleged $328 million Ponzi scheme has filed for bankruptcy in South Florida. The filing cited between $1 million and $10 million in assets for the company and between $100 million and $500 million in liabilities. In total, the company has between 1,000 and 5,000 creditors. More from the Orlando Business Journal.
UNF survey shows expanding manufacturing activity in Jacksonville
Manufacturing activity continued to expand in the Jacksonville area in February but local manufacturers are uncertain about future growth, according to a monthly survey by the University of North Florida’s Local Economic Indicators Project. A Purchasing Managers’ Index derived from the survey of Northeast Florida manufacturers registered 52.4 for the second straight month in February, signaling modest expansion. A reading above 50 indicates expansion, and a number below 50 shows contraction. More from the Jacksonville Daily Record.
Miami creating education and faith advisory boards
The City of Miami is setting up two new resident-led advisory boards to create formal channels for public input on education issues and matters affecting the city’s diverse faith groups. Miami city commissioners unanimously approved the framework for the Education Advisory Board and Interfaith Advisory Council during their March 12 meeting. Once up and running, the two bodies will give residents a clear voice in conversations about local education needs and policies affecting religious and secular groups while offering recommendations to city leaders. More from Miami Today.
Tobacco giant Philip Morris opening Tampa center, plans 180 jobs
Philip Morris International, the company that made its fortunes and reputation as a cigarette manufacturer, is opening a business solutions center in Tampa. Philip Morris says opening the center will create 180 direct and indirect jobs in the city. The positions will be across several fields including finance, data engineering and analytics, information technology, project management, sales support and talent acquisition. More from the Business Observer.
Recreation
Florida national parks see more visitors in 2025, led by Big Cypress
Nearly 4 million people visited Florida's national parks and preserves in 2025, a slight increase from 2024. Why it matters: The Sunshine State remains a top destination for outdoor enthusiasts — and its natural playgrounds pump billions of dollars into the state's economy each year. Outdoor recreation contributed 3.8% of Florida's GDP in 2024, according to new U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis data.
» More from Axios.
Florida Trend Exclusive
Disruptive potential
Plenty of developers have taken advantage of Florida's Live Local Act to secure tax breaks, expedited permitting and other benefits in exchange for adding workforce housing units. But no project is as ambitious as Pablo Castro's HueHub, coming late next year to Miami's West Little River neighborhood. It promises 4,000 furnished apartments in seven 35-story towers with rents starting at $1,300 for a studio and $1,900 for a two-bedroom unit. Those rates are locked in for a decade, with 2% annual caps for inflation.
» Read more from Florida Trend.