Consumer confidence dives again

Consumer confidence plunged again this month as Floridians continued to battle the economic damage from the coronavirus pandemic. After hitting a 19-year high in February, the University of Florida’s Consumer Sentiment Index took another nosedive in April, with one measure of confidence hitting its lowest level since tracking started in 1985. Some analysts believe Florida’s economic downturn could be more severe than other states’ given its reliance on industries like tourism, which are expected to be among the hardest hit. [Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune]

Florida promised an unemployment site for gig workers. It’s still not open

Independent contractors and gig economy workers in Florida are still unable to apply for unemployment assistance amid the coronavirus pandemic one month after President Donald Trump and Congress expanded benefits to include $600 a week for workers previously excluded from state-based unemployment systems. [Source: Miami Herald]

Gov. DeSantis to make reopening announcement Wednesday

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said an announcement about when he would be reopening the state would be coming on Wednesday. His current stay-at-home order expires Thursday, but the governor has yet to put a hard date on when the state might begin resuming normal activities, saying it will be a methodical approach. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]

You’re going to get a significant discount on your May electric bill

Cash-strapped Florida households will have a few extra dollars to spend after paying their May power bills. State utility regulators have approved Florida Power & Light’s bid to give customers a nearly 25% discount off electricity consumed in May, the utility announced Tuesday. The reduction reflects lower-than-projected costs of fuel the utility buys to fire power generation plants throughout its service area. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]

Florida recreational pot supporters fire back on new law

With a hearing next week in the Florida Supreme Court, backers of a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow people to use recreational marijuana are disputing arguments by the state Senate that a new law should help block the ballot initiative. [Source: CBS Miami]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Florida security services company to hire thousands in Florida [Tampa Bay Business Journal]
G4S Secure Solutions USA, a subsidiary of G4S, a London-based integrated security company with offices in Tampa Bay, has plans to hire more than 15,000 employees across the U.S., including 1,400 in Florida and more than 300 in Tampa, because of increased demand brought on by coronavirus.

› Blue Angels no longer flying over Tampa this weekend [Tampa Bay Times]
Those hoping to catch a glimpse on Saturday of the U.S. Navy Blue Angels flying over Tampa should put those hopes on hold. MacDill Air Force Base reported on Tuesday via its Facebook page that it has no confirmed dates or times for a Tampa flyover as part of the national “America Strong” effort honoring healthcare workers, first-responders and other essential personnel.

› Winter Park to try again to buy post office next to Central Park [Orlando Sentinel]
Winter Park commissioners are, once again, attempting to come to a deal with the federal government to purchase the post office next to Central Park, the city’s premier green space along the Park Avenue shopping and dining corridor. For more than a decade, the city has tried to buy the two-acre property to expand the 11-acre park that is home to the Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival only to have negotiations stall over price.

› New JEA board votes to terminate interim CEO Melissa Dykes without cause [Florida Times-Union]
The new JEA board met Tuesday for the first time and just voted to terminate interim CEO Melissa Dykes without cause. The former JEA board scuttled sales talks last December and ousted CEO Aaron Zahn, replacing him on an interim basis with Melissa Dykes. The former board then agreed to step down, clearing the way for Mayor Lenny Curry to appoint seven new members who were confirmed earlier this month by City Council.

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› Gulf Breeze distillery provides hand sanitizer to businesses preparing to re-open [WEAR]
Rollins Distillery in Gulf Breeze is known for their spirits like rum and vodka, but with the outbreak shutdowns their production of spirits have been put on pause and they're now making hand sanitizer. "We had never in our wildest dreams, imaginations thought that when we opened our distillery that we would be making hand sanitizer," said distillery co-owner Patrick Rollins.

› Airlines ground crew shows a little love for passengers at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
On Sunday morning at Fort Lauderdale-International Airport, passengers on a Southwest flight to Albuquerque, New Mexico, were greeted with an appreciative send-off right before takeoff. Walking alongside the plane on the tarmac, ground crew members held up signs thanking passengers for choosing Southwest.

› Hand sanitizer on restaurant tables, masks at work: A draft roadmap for reopening Orlando [Orlando Sentinel]
For restaurants to be allowed to reopen, they may be required to have hand sanitizer on every table and require all staff to wear masks. In offices, employees at cubicles may also need to mask up, with sanitizer available at all desk and conference areas. These are among the proposals circulated early Tuesday among members of Mayor Jerry Demings’ economic recovery task force.

› Jacksonville Symphony cancels rest of season [Florida Times-Union]
The Jacksonville Symphony announced Monday that it is canceling the rest of its 2019-20 season because of the coronavirus pandemic. In a statement, symphony president and chief executive officer Steven Libman said “the health of the Symphony’s musicians, staff, Board, volunteers and patrons is a priority, and this decision is the best for the circumstances.”