As coronavirus batters the economy, Florida leaders may have to slash budget

The Republican-controlled Florida Legislature faces tough choices in balancing the $93 billion state budget decimated by the coronavirus crisis, decisions that could wipe out or drastically reduce teacher raises, road work, affordable housing projects and more. Lawmakers last month passed the spending plan based on revenue projections made in January, well before the coronavirus brought much of the economy to a halt. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]

A half-million Floridians filed for unemployment pay last week

The number of people filing for unemployment in Florida ballooned by more than 500,000 people last week, almost three times as many as the week before. The number appeared to be evidence that more people were able to get through the state’s tangled unemployment compensation system. New claims totaled 505,137 for the week ending April 18, up from 180,419 the week before. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]

Florida virus expert is optimistic about vaccines, therapy

Even as thousands die and more are sickened in the coronavirus pandemic, a top virus expert at Scripps Research Institute in Jupiter, Fla. sees reasons for hope. During a webinar on Wednesday, Dr. Michael Farzan detailed research, though preliminary, that could pave a path toward a vaccine for COVID-19. The fast-spreading virus has infected almost 1 million Americans with close to 50,000 deaths. [Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune]

Publix pledges to help farmers by buying excess produce, donating it to food banks

Publix announced this week that it will purchase fresh produce and milk to help farmers who have been hurt by the coronavirus pandemic. Publix will donate these products to Feeding America member food banks operating in the communities they serve. The initiative will support Florida produce farmers, southeastern dairy farmers and the growing number of families looking to Feeding America for fresh fruit, vegetables and milking during the coronavirus pandemic. The initiative is expected to run for several weeks. More from the Sarasota Herald-Tribune and the Tampa Bay Times.

Florida chief financial officer seeks to identify unclaimed Chinese assets

Florida CFO Jimmy Patronis is asking the U.S. State Department for help identifying unclaimed Chinese government assets held by Florida as unclaimed property. Patronis is in charge of the Division of Unclaimed Property, which holds $2 billion in assets. He’s asking the State Department for “technical assistance in identifying Chinese state-owned businesses that may have unclaimed property." [Source: Orlando Sentinel]

What changes have you made to your business/work-flow during the pandemic?
Our question and answer series In Focus asks members of Florida's business community to share real-life lessons, tips and experiences learned along the way. This week's question: "What changes have you made to your business/work-flow during the pandemic?" Top responses will be published in our newsletter. Submit your response and accompanying photo to: floridatrend.com/infocus/submit

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› “Top Secret” electric car ad seeks county filming funds [Miami Today]
The production company behind a TV ad for a “top-secret” electric car is seeking $50,000 through Miami-Dade’s Television, Film and Entertainment Production Incentives Program. Ondamax Films, which has an office in Miami Beach, applied for funds to shoot the commercial, titled “Electric Car 02C,” in January.

› What a time to expand: Tako Cheena launches pizza delivery in Orlando’s Mills 50 neighborhood [Orlando Sentinel]
As the coronavirus pandemic slashed restaurant sales across the country, the owner of Orlando’s Tako Cheena decided now was the time to open a place he had been looking at doing for years. With the funky fusion restaurant having two buildings a quick walk apart in the Mills 50 neighborhood, owner Edgardo Guzman is now using his property at 932 N. Mills Ave. to deliver pizza through his new brand, Pop’s Pizzeria.

› A 96-year-old great-grandmother still works at her family’s liquor store every day [Tampa Bay Times]
Josephine Valenty, 96, walks beneath the light-up Budweiser wagon, past the statue of Jack Daniels, along the wall of wine. At the Corona palm tree, she turns left. She used to stop there and stand behind the cash register -- for 10 hours a day, six days a week. She’s been a clerk, she says proudly, for 80 years.

› Coral Gables hotel owned by asset management firm gets $1.1 million small business loan [Miami Herald]
The Hyatt Regency Coral Gables is one of 42 hotels around the country owned by a publicly traded asset management company that received 42 loans totaling about $40 million from a taxpayer-funded federal program designed to aid small businesses affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

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› Libraries across Tampa Bay are closed, but digital lending is booming [Tampa Bay Times]
To protect the health of all of their patrons and staff, public libraries in Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco counties have been closed since mid-March. But the bountiful digital collections of the library systems are still available through their websites, and people are taking advantage of it by checking out e-books, audiobooks and more.

› Rehabilitated sea turtle released in Florida Keys [WEAR]
The Florida Keys have been closed to visitors for a month due to the new coronavirus pandemic, but staff at the Turtle Hospital, a popular Keys environmental attraction, continue efforts to rehabilitate injured sea turtles.

› Downtown-Florida International University transit pick due [Miami Today]
A nearly three-year project to determine what rapid transit upgrade bests fits the route between downtown Miami and Florida International University is rolling toward the finish line –most likely on rubber tires. The Miami-Dade Transportation Planning Organization Governing Board is to choose the county’s preferred transit mode for the route known as the East-West Corridor of the Strategic Miami Area Rapid Transit (Smart) Plan.

› Disney World, Disneyland may not be the same post-coronavirus. Here’s what could change [Miami Herald]
As Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis leads a Re-Open Florida Task Force and says the state is seeing a flattening of the coronavirus curve, buzz about seeing popular businesses and attractions opening is alive. One nonessential business that has Floridians itching about its possible reopening is Walt Disney World. But what would a reopened Disney look like post-coronavirus?