Latest salvo fired in major marijuana case in Florida

In a case that could create a major upheaval in the state’s pot industry, health officials on Thursday asked the Florida Supreme Court to uphold a 2017 law that carried out a constitutional amendment broadly legalizing medical marijuana. Lawyers for the Department of Health argued that, in creating and passing the law, the Florida Legislature carried out its “constitutional prerogative to serve as the state policymaker and to protect the welfare of the citizenry.” [Source: CBS Miami]

Trump’s 2021 budget proposes $250 million for Everglades restoration projects

President Donald Trump’s forthcoming budget includes a quarter-billion dollars toward Everglades restoration, a reflection of Republican lawmakers’ growing emphasis on the ecosystem’s recuperation and the president’s intense focus on a key 2020 battleground state. [Source: Miami Herald]

Florida sports stadium bill prompts MLB spring training concerns

Florida state lawmakers are considering a bill that would limit use of tourism tax revenue to pay for stadium repairs and upgrades, raising concerns among some officials about the potential impact to the state’s status as home to Major League Baseball’s spring training. [Source: FOX Business]

There’s 62,000 pending citizenship applications in Florida. Here’s what that means for 2020

As of last September — the most recent date for which USCIS data is available — the national naturalization backlog stood at nearly 650,000 pending applications. In Florida, that number was 62,079 — a more than 75% increase compared to the amount of backlogged cases in the state at the same time five years ago. [Source: Miami Herald]

Florida lawmakers consider green energy bills

Lawmakers are considering a move to build more electric car charging stations on state highways. They're also looking into a measure to pave the way for solar energy in schools. Rep. Dan Daley (D-Coral Springs) says people have been coming into his office to talk to him about electric cars. Often they have the same complaint. He says once electric vehicle drivers get north of Orlando where the turnpike ends, its hard for them to make the leap to Tallahassee because there aren't adequate charging stations. [Source: WFSU]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Business leaders push for tax incentives ahead of economic development week [Florida Politics]
State business leaders and the Florida Economic Development Council (FEDC) Thursday issued an early kickoff for economic development week at the State Capitol. The non-profit includes business, education and government leaders seeking to elevate the economic competitiveness of the Sunshine State.

› Former bank CEO and mayor helped shape Venice [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
Dr. Shaun Graser has a favorite anecdote to describe what it was like growing up as the son of Merle Graser, the former Venice mayor and board chairman of the Venice National Bank who died Monday night at age 90 after a long battle with leukemia. It starts on a return trip from the Dry Tortugas in 1973, while aboard “Quest,” a 32-foot Irwin sailboat.

› FIU vs. FNU name fight ends with a million-dollar settlement and 7 years in court [Miami Herald]
How much is a name worth? In the case of FIU and FNU, the answer is more than a million. That’s how much Florida International University had to pay in a settlement after losing its trademark infringement case against Florida National University.

› Jacksonville mental health nonprofit hires first executive director [Florida Times-Union]
The 33-year-old Jacksonville affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, an advocacy nonprofit that also offers free support groups and educational programs, has hired its first executive director. Suzanne Mailloux is an attorney, but a loved one’s struggles with schizophrenia led to a new passion and career: supporting people challenged with mental illness. She was previously the local alliance’s first program director.

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› UF hemp pilot project gains sponsorships and success [The Alligator]
The UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences’ Industrial Hemp Pilot Project has proven successful in its research and fostering relationships within the agriculture industry. The purpose of the hemp pilot project is to see if growing hemp commercially is feasible. It is a two-year project that identifies which hemp varieties and management practices function best in Florida.

› One of Dayton, Ohio’s largest companies acquires Florida business [WHIO]
Winsupply has closed on the purchase of Morgan Brothers Supply, a plumbing wholesale distributor primarily serving central and northern Florida. Details of the asset purchase were not disclosed.

› Clermont celebrates commercial boom, including new Montrose Street Market [Orlando Sentinel]
Efforts to promote downtown as a hot spot for residents and visitors will be boosted by the new Montrose Street Market, which will house eateries and retail shops. “This trendy food hall concept will further enliven our downtown, bringing several food and drink businesses into a shared space,” City Manager Darren Gray said recently at the State of the City event.

› Jacksonville’s multifamily market on the rise [Florida Times-Union]
Multifamily housing properties surpassed the $1 billion mark in sales on the First Coast for the fourth consecutive year. The number of units at multifamily housing properties jumped to 118,373 by the end of 2019, according to Colliers International. That’s up from 115,950 in 2018.