Florida lawmakers back deregulation efforts

The proposals would reduce or eliminate regulations on professions ranging from hair braiders and hair wrappers to boxing announcers and timekeepers. In a closely watched issue, the proposals include a voluntary certificate of registration process for interior designers. Also, local governments would be barred from prohibiting the operation of food trucks. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]

Florida fishermen fret as shark fin sale ban moves forward

In the U.S., shark finning — the gruesome process of stripping living sharks of their fins, dumping the fish back in the water and leaving them to struggle for life, drown or bleed to death — has been outlawed since the Shark Finning Prohibition Act was signed into law by President Bill Clinton on Dec. 21, 2000. Many states since then have also banned the import, export and sale of fins, which is different from finning but nonetheless controversial. Two bills — HB 401 and SB 680 — are currently moving through the Florida legislature to ban all fin sales. [Source: Walton Sun]

Report: Florida budget vastly unprepared for next recession

The sunshine state faces a not so sunny outlook if, or more to the point, when, the next recession descends upon the state. That’s because Florida lacks adequate revenue to manage an economic downturn without raising taxes or cutting services, according to a new study from Moody’s Analytics. [Source: Business Observer]

‘Coronavirus can’t kill the industry.’ China cruise market here to stay, analysts say

In the midst of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, Chinese ports are shuttered, and Miami-based cruise companies have re-positioned ships to other parts of the world, temporarily halting the China cruising that was meant to be a boon for the industry. The largest three cruise companies — Carnival Corporation, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. — have all warned investors that the coronavirus, a respiratory disease that originated in China and is responsible for more than 2,000 deaths, will impact 2020 profits. But sector analysts say China cruising is here to stay despite the disease. [Source: Miami Herald]

Blame for Florida’s nonprofit pay scandal points to state officials as hearings start

In an extraordinary meeting Monday, 10 current and former members of the board of directors of the Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence and two top executives will have the opportunity to explain their actions to legislators as they attempt to avoid criminal charges stemming from allegations of financial abuse at the embattled publicly-funded agency. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Making use of spring training to promote Sarasota-Manatee [Sarasota Herald Tribune]
For area tourism boosters, Spring Training translates into a marketing bonanza that brings first-time visitors who stay in area lodging, eat at restaurants, visit other attractions and spend at other businesses. A favorable impression can result in return visits, with some deciding to buy real estate and become snowbirds or full-time residents. At the same time, economic development officials seek to maximize the networking potential that leisurely spring games offer by bringing in potential business partners.

› Officials are cracking down on turtle smugglers in Florida [USA Today]
Florida wildlife officials are increasingly concerned the state’s turtles are being scooped up by smugglers feeding an international demand for the freshwater and terrestrial reptiles. Turtle launderers, who “wash” wild-caught animals through illegal trafficking rings like ill-gotten cash, have been targeted by Florida Fish and Wildlife since a 2009 rule banned the commercial harvest and sale of natural-born turtles.

› Union prefers Tampa Bay Rays stay put but could approve Montreal plan [Tampa Bay Times]
Baseball’s players union would prefer the Rays find a full time, long-term home in the Tampa Bay area, but under the right terms, it could approve the plan to split future seasons with Montreal, executive director Tony Clark said. Since the Rays first proposed the radical season-sharing plan in June, and as they have escalated that pitch in recent months, there has been a significant question about the position of the union, which would have to okay such an arrangement.

› Orlando Museum of Art director’s exit followed behind-the-scenes turmoil [Orlando Sentinel]
Director Glen Gentele’s abrupt departure from Orlando Museum of Art last week caught many on the arts scene by surprise. But his resignation, announced Monday, Feb. 17, follows tumultuous times behind the scenes at the 96-year-old institution, with former trustees and staff members blaming much of the turmoil directly on Gentele.

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› New Panama City cannabis dispensary receives crowded welcome [Panama City News-Herald]
Fluent Cannabis Care had its grand opening in Panama City on Thursday and judging by the crowd, the decision to come here was a popular one. The parking lot was jammed to capacity. “An hour before opening we already had about 10 people in line waiting outside and it just kept on piling up,” said Maria Velandia, retail operations area manager. “As I opened those doors, I just saw a bunch of smiles and they were so excited we’re here.”

› Are you an Office Depot customer? You might get some of $34 million in refunds [Miami Herald]
Checks totaling $34.29 million have been sent to Office Depot customers to settle Federal Trade Commission allegations that the Boca Raton-based company ran a computer repair scam. Of that money, $4,029,006 went to 63,641 customers in Florida, about $63.31 per customer. Overall, 541,247 checks averaging $63.35 per check have been mailed.

› Texas company buys Central Florida financial adviser firm [Tampa Bay Times]
Bluespring Wealth Partners, a recently formed Texas company that has been buying financial adviser businesses across the country, has acquired Retirement Wealth Specialists, which serves parts of Central and North Florida.

› Orlando’s 1950s orange-and-white Porter Paints sign removed from landmark list as Domino’s Pizza moves in [Orlando Sentinel]
The Orlando Porter Paints sign that for more than half a century has stood over East Colonial Drive is in jeopardy after a Domino’s Pizza, the building’s new tenant, had it removed from the city’s register of landmark signs.