Judge tosses greyhound ban from the ballot

A proposed constitutional amendment intended to end dog racing in Florida was thrown off the November ballot by a Tallahassee judge Wednesday, as supporters quickly vowed to appeal the ruling before the Florida Supreme Court. Circuit Judge Karen Gievers‘ 27-page order said Amendment 13‘s ballot title and summary would mislead voters into believing a ‘yes’ vote was an outright ban on greyhound racing. While live dog racing would be banned at 11 tracks around Florida, "simulcast' racing might continue from tracks outside the state. More from the Times/Herald, the AP, the Orlando Sentinel, and Florida Politics.

See also:
» Analysis of Amendment 13 from Florida Trend – plus all the other amendments on the fall ballot – here.

Publix posts big sales increase despite early Easter

The Easter Bunny didn’t show up, but Publix’s basket was full anyway. Publix Super Markets Inc. on Wednesday reported a 4 percent increase in sales revenue to $8.8 billion for its second quarter. That compares to $8.4 billion in sales in the same quarter last year. See Publix's news release here. Also read more at the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.

State report: Traffic, trees key for utilities in hurricanes

Florida utility regulators say changes are needed to ensure disaster-response crews can get through traffic created by motorists fleeing hurricanes, with a priority placed on availability of fuel and lodging for restoration workers. [Source: Daily Commercial]

Ties between South Florida, Japanese businesses showcased at Port Miami

From imports to exports, the Japan to South Florida connection is strong at Port Miami. When you think of South Florida, Japan isn’t the first thing to pop in your head— but the influence of Japanese business and technology is strong in the Sunshine State. [Source: NBC Miami]

Affordable housing by the numbers: A look at the Central Florida crisis

Central Florida is facing a growing housing crisis as a shortage of new homes and surging demand is driving up the cost of home prices and rent, according to a two-year study of the issue that Orange County commissioners discussed Tuesday. The scope of the problem is evident in some key numbers. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Want to harvest saw palmetto berries from your backyard? In Florida, you'll need a permit [WTSP]
Have plans to pick some saw palmetto berries to sell at the farmer's market? If you're in Florida, you'll need a permit for that. It is now a misdemeanor to harvest the berries without a permit, even on your own land, if you plan to transport or sell them.

› Defense firm VATC opens Orlando office after landing part of $2.4 billion deal [Orlando Sentinel]
Landing a piece of a $2.4 billion contract for the U.S. Army’s Orlando-based contracting service has pushed one Tampa defense company to locate an office here. Visual Awareness Technologies and Consulting’s office at the University of Central Florida’s Research Park opened its first Orlando location on Wednesday.

› Royal Caribbean acquires ultra-luxury Silversea Cruises [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. has completed its acquisition of ultra-luxury brand Silversea Cruises, the companies announced Wednesday. Miami-based Royal Caribbean said it closed on its bid to buy a two-thirds stake of Silversea after securing approval from regulators.

› Duke Energy Florida announces next solar energy installation [Tampa Bay Times]
Duke Energy Florida’s next phase of its push for more solar energy will be the construction of the Columbia Solar Power Plant in Columbia County by March 2020. The project is part of the Pinellas County utility’s plan to add 700 megawatts of solar power by 2021.

» See also: Duke solar by the numbers: Central Florida’s biggest power provider jumps into the sun's energy

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› Sikorsky to cut 500 jobs at Florida plant [Journal Inquirer]
Stratford-based Sikorsky Aircraft plans to lay off 500 workers at its Jupiter, Florida, plant and will cut an additional 150 jobs throughout its operations, according to company spokesman Paul Jackson. The company is a subsidiary of Maryland-based Lockheed Martin.

› Raymond James Stadium is now a smoke and tobacco-free venue [Tampa Bay Times]
A new smoke and tobacco-free policy prohibits the use of cigarettes, chewing tobacco, cigars, e-cigarettes and vapors pipes inside the stadium. It will be in place for all stadium events, from Buccaneers and Bulls games to concerts.

› Miami-Dade gurus prepare for inevitable automated vehicles [Miami Today]
Automated vehicles – self-driving and self-parking cars, trucks, air and watercraft – are no longer things of science fiction. The technology is here, albeit primitively and in limited number, and Miami-Dade County’s transportation sector is preparing for its inevitable ubiquity.

› Sarasota philanthropist Betty Schoenbaum dies [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
A philanthropist who gave a collective hug to thousands of Southwest Florida residents, some in person and others through her enormous giving, died Tuesday after an intrepid life. Betty Schoenbaum, approaching her 101st birthday next month, passed away surrounded by her family.