With some effects already evident, coronavirus expected to impact more of Florida's economy

Aside from obvious health concerns, the virus also has the potential to damage Florida’s economy, according to Florida Chamber Foundation Chief Economist Dr. Jerry Parrish. As the disease runs its course, companies are cutting their GDP forecasts, and as 30-year mortgages hit an 8 year low, manufacturers will likely idle down their factories because of supply chain issues. Parrish believes this will have an effect on Florida’s economy. More from the Capitolist and WUSF.

See also:
» Virus fears hit South Florida cruise industry: Ports turn away Miami-based ship
» CDC warns Coronavirus 'inevitable' in US as Florida health officials on lookout
» How is South Florida Preparing for the Coronavirus?
» Here's how the coronavirus outbreak may affect Central Florida trade
» Florida Health Department forms Incident Management Team in anticipation of Coronavirus spread
» Disney World, Universal Studios and the U.S. tourism industry brace for coronavirus

Florida House readies to take up proposal mandating employers to verify immigration status

As the legislative session dwindles to its final weeks, Florida House members are set Thursday to consider for the first-time a contentious proposal that would mandate employers do immigration checks on new workers. The push to implement E-Verify, a federal system designed to confirm workers’ legal eligibility, has proven to be a whirlwind legislative effort as Gov. Ron DeSantis makes the issue a top priority. [Source: CBS Miami]

Turtle conservationist Peter Pritchard dies at 76

Florida zoologist Peter Charles Howard Pritchard, whose turtle and tortoise conservation brought international acclaim, and whose persona was of a dashing and ceaselessly curious academic, died Tuesday night in hospice care at age 76. Pritchard’s Chelonian Research Institute in Oviedo contains one of the world’s most comprehensive collections of its kind. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]

Related Florida Trend Exclusive Content:
» Florida Icon: Peter Prichard

Senators keep pushing for Florida Forever money

Senators pressed forward this week with a proposal that would provide $100 million a year for Florida Forever, as the House and Senate go into budget talks far apart on the land-buying program. The Senate Agriculture, Environment and General Government Appropriations Subcommittee backed a proposal (SB 332) by Sen. Linda Stewart, D-Orlando, that would funnel $100 million annually to Florida Forever. More from WFSU and the Center Square.

‘Sense of fear’: Ex-colleagues warn of DeSantis’ surgeon general pick

The doctor that the Florida Senate will soon likely confirm to be the state surgeon general came with strong recommendation letters, according to Gov. Ron DeSantis. But several people who worked with him at the University of Florida and spoke with the Times/Herald said Scott Rivkees was a harsh manager fueled by vindictiveness. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› New SeaWorld CEO sets a familiar course for company [Orlando Sentinel]
Barely four months on the job, SeaWorld CEO Serge Rivera’s priorities — save money, open new rides, hold more events — isn’t a radical departure from past chiefs who previously ran the Orlando-headquartered company.

› $250,000 Florida Job Growth Grant awarded to Green Cove Springs [Clay Today]
Gov. Ron DeSantis announced he is awarding $250,000 to the city of Green Cove Springs for electrical line infrastructure upgrades through the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund. The City of Green Cove Springs will also match the grant with $50,000 and is prepared to immediately begin work on what is projected to be a six-month project.

› Embattled Miami-Dade Expressway Authority bond ratings fall [Miami Today]
The battle for control of five tolled Miami-Dade expressways has so impeded their future operations that a major national bond-rating agency last week downgraded $1.3 billion in expressway bonds and issued a negative outlook ahead of a March court date that could partially sort out the mess.

› Gasparilla Festival of the Arts grows in Tampa for 50th anniversary [Tampa Bay Times]
On Leap Day this Saturday, the Gasparilla Festival of the Arts will make a symbolic move across Tampa’s Hillsborough River for its 50th anniversary. Festival organizers announced the shift to Julian B. Lane Waterfront Park last year. At 25 acres, the new venue is double the size of Curtis Hixon Park and Kiley Garden, where the festival was held for years.

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› Hillsborough County unveils affordable 'net-zero energy' housing that stays affordable [WTSP]
Imagine living in a home that with virtually no energy costs, lower insurance rates and is strong enough to withstand a major hurricane. Now, imagine it’s affordable housing. There’s a housing development taking shape in Hillsborough County that could set the standard not just for low-income construction but home-building at virtually any price-point.

› Disney and Impossible Foods partner together to bring more plant-based options to Disney World [Orlando Sentinel]
Disney and Impossible Foods are working together to bring more plant-based foods to Disney World, the two companies announced Tuesday. Starting this month, Impossible Burger is the “preferred plant-based burger" of Disney World, Disneyland and Disney Cruise line, according to a press release.

› New alimony reform bill could end permanent alimony in Florida [WEAR]
The Alimony Reform Bill was introduced by Representative Alex Andrade. It will end permanent alimony and set guidelines for judges to determine how much a spouse gets. In the bill it sets up the guideline for a two year bridge the gap alimony, a five year rehabilitation alimony and a durational alimony.

› California company sues Hyde Park business over its use of the word ‘Hyde’ [Tampa Bay Times]
A California hospitality company with properties in Florida is suing the owner of coworking and event space Hyde House because it says it has rights to the Hyde name and brand. Steve Gianfilippo first founded the Station House co-working space in St. Petersburg in 2016. Its sister location Hyde House opened in Tampa last year, named after Hyde Park Village and the Hyde Park neighborhood its located within.