E-Verify emerges as tough test for DeSantis

Ron DeSantis is facing his toughest test as governor from fellow Republicans on an issue that should be an easy sell with GOP voters — cracking down on illegal immigration. But DeSantis’ push to force all Florida businesses to use the federal E-Verify database to determine the legal status of new hires is on shaky ground as the Legislature enters its closing weeks in this presidential election year. [Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune]

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» House Speaker ‘Open’ To Governor’s E-Verify Mandate

Florida’s top bank regulator was hired nearly 3 months ago. He still hasn’t started.

At this point, it might be official: the Commissioner of the Office of Financial Regulation is the most doomed position in Florida state government. In the last 20 months, Florida’s Chief Financial Officer, Jimmy Patronis, has forced out one commissioner under dubious circumstances. Then the man Patronis picked to replace him was fired by the Cabinet for inappropriate behavior. The new guy? He was hired Dec. 3, but he still hasn’t taken the job. And nobody seems to know when he will. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]

NASA: SpaceX Crew Dragon arrives in Florida for first crewed launch from U.S. soil since 2011

The SpaceX Crew Dragon has arrived in Florida for the first NASA crewed launch from American soil since 2011. NASA and SpaceX announced Friday they are preparing for the company’s first flight test, with astronauts, to the International Space Station (ISS) as a part of their Commercial Crew Program. The Demo-2 launch is considered a historic test mission and one that will also be SpaceX’s first-ever crewed mission. [Source: WTSP]

Column: South Florida employers should brace for the potential impact of Covid-19

South Florida employers should brace for the potential impact of Covid-19. Already, the outbreak has impacted South Florida businesses that rely on products imported from Chinese factories. The South Florida tourism and real estate markets will likely feel the effects as well as the international travel plans of Chinese visitors are canceled. [Source: Miami Herald]

Fewer manatees are dying in Florida

Manatees and the people that love them can rejoice around news that a lot fewer manatees died in 2019 compared with the year before. Statewide, manatee deaths decreased to 606 deaths last year, down from 824 in 2018. Broward and Miami-Dade counties also saw fewer deaths, although manatee deaths increased slightly in Palm Beach County. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Spirit Airlines operations are ditching South Florida for Tennessee. Why? Hurricanes [Miami Herald]
South Florida residents have grown used to the looming threat of hurricanes crashing into the coast and disrupting their lives for days or weeks. But Spirit Airlines has had enough. The airline, one of only a handful still operating out of South Florida, is relocating its operations department to somewhere much less likely to get leveled by a hurricane — Tennessee.

› 5G mostly hype for now but some in Central Florida ready for faster speeds [Orlando Sentinel]
The hype surrounding 5G, the next generation of wireless technology that promises consumers even faster internet connections on their phones and other devices, arrived in a rush all over Central Florida. But the actual technology? For most of the region, it’s still hurry up and wait.

› How a Florida nonprofit paid $7.5M to its CEO: The Tiffany Carr Story [Tampa Bay Times]
Few government contractors could orchestrate getting the $7.5 million compensation package the head of the Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence managed to obtain for three years of work, but Tiffany Carr did it by leveraging connections.

› North Port ready to reap the benefits of hosting spring training baseball [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
National visibility is the first big benefit North Port area economic leaders point to from the Sept. 2017 decision by the Atlanta Braves to relocate its Spring Training home to the West Villages. “Obviously the biggest thing is it’s put North Port on the map,” said Bill Gunnin, executive director of the North Port Area Chamber of Commerce. “Whether it’s visitors, tourism, people looking to do business here or move here, it’s put North Port on the map.”

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› Bloomberg opens new campaign offices throughout Florida [Miami Herald]
Democratic presidential candidate Michael Bloomberg opened seven new campaign offices in Florida, bringing the total number to ten throughout the state. Scott Kosanovich, the campaign's state director for Florida, said offices in Fort Lauderdale, Gainesville, Sanford, Sarasota, Tallahassee, Tampa and West Palm Beach opened on Saturday.

› Central Florida educators rally for funding at Lake Eola [WESH]
Educators from across Central Florida came together at Lake Eola to rally for more public funding. The rally is a follow-up to the January rally in Tallahassee to send the message that current funding for public schools isn't an equation equaling success. Despite a proposed increase in minimum teacher salary this year, teachers say wages have been relatively stagnant for years at schools across the state.

› Judge strikes down Tampa hotel room fee [Tampa Bay Times]
A Hillsborough judge this week struck down a 2017 city ordinance that created a tourism marketing district that charged a $1.50 per-room per-night fee in downtown and Ybor City hotels. Former Florida House Speaker Richard Corcoran, who filed the lawsuit shortly after the ordinance was enacted, hailed the decision.

› Orlando kitchen could be delivery concept backed by Uber founder Travis Kalanick [Orlando Sentinel]
A facility for 41 kitchens planned near Orlando’s Camping World Stadium appears linked to the delivery-only ghost kitchen business backed by Uber founder Travis Kalanick. The kitchens are in the works at 18 N. Dollins Ave. and would generate a “lower parking demand than is typical for similar land uses,” Orlando city documents show.