Florida Legislature gavels into session with key bills looming

The Florida Legislature opened a 60-day session Tuesday that will take on the business of running the country’s third most populous state while tackling a slate of potentially controversial measures — from shielding businesses against COVID-related lawsuits to clamping down on protesters who turn violent. During his State of the State address, Gov. Ron DeSantis said he would looking forward to working with lawmakers on the key issues facing their state. [Source: AP]

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» Florida governor touts COVID-19 response as he highlights 2021 goals

New poll shows 53% of Florida voters approve of DeSantis, a big increase from July

After plunging during the early part of the pandemic, Gov. Ron DeSantis' approval rating has rebounded substantially in recent months, according to a new poll released Tuesday. The Mason-Dixon survey found that 53% of Florida voters approve of the governor's job performance. That's still well below the 62% approval rating DeSantis had two years ago, but it's a big improvement from the 45% of voters who approved of the governor's performance in July. [Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune]

Publix makes its own vaccine distribution plan. Officials don’t know where shots will go

State officials have shipped 70,000 COVID vaccine doses a week to Publix’s central distribution hub in Lakeland in Central Florida, without knowing exactly where the shots will end up, or even which counties they are destined to reach, a Miami Herald analysis of state vaccine distribution data from the past five weeks and interviews with state officials found. [Source: Miami Herald]

Opinion: Florida can run on 100 percent clean, renewable energy

We are at a tipping point when it comes to how we power our lives. Nationwide, and in Florida, we are still producing, consuming and wasting energy in ways that damage our environment and our health. In 2021, we have the opportunity and know-how to tap into clean and renewable energy from sources such as the sun and wind, but doing so will require the nation and state to transform the way they produce and consume energy. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]

Florida sees 33% fewer impaired driving fatalities in 2020

The total number of fatalities from crashes involving alcohol, drugs, or a combination of both in Florida dropped more than 33% in 2020, according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV). FLHSMV said last year there were 746 fatalities, a decline from the previous year due to less people driving during the pandemic. The total number of impaired-driving crashes decreased by more than 16%, impaired-driving fatalities from crashes decreased by more than 33%, and impaired-driving injuries from crashes decreased by more than 26%, the department said. [Source: WJXT]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Florida R&D company offering leading-edge business solutions for safe return-to-work [WFTX]
A Florida-based company is working to bring businesses the tools they need for a safe return-to-work during the pandemic. Headquartered in Boca Raton, Solaiya has a research and development group that's looking at leading-edge technologies around the world and bringing integrated solutions to companies.

› Howie Dorough of Orlando’s Backstreet Boys is developing a luxury condo complex [Orlando Sentinel]
A $35 million Cocoa Beach condominium complex being developed by Howie Dorough of Orlando’s Backstreet Boys broke ground Monday and should be open in about two years. The Surf, with 19 of 25 units already sold, will rise on the site of the former Ocean Dunes, which was demolished after it was battered by Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne in 2004. Dorough and his brother John operate Dorough Brothers Development and Consulting, a Winter Park real estate development firm, the newspaper reported.

› Flood insurance firm receives $100 million capital infusion [Business Observer]
TypTap Insurance Group Inc. has announced that a New York-based investment firm has injected $100 million, or roughly 11.75% of its value, into the homeowners and flood insurer. The Tampa-based HCI Group Inc. subsidiary intends to use the allocation from Centerbridge Partners L.P. to execute a national expansion of its offerings and to enhance its technology, according to a statement. The Centerbridge investment implies a valuation for TypTap of roughly $850 million.

› Amazon to give Space Coast shoppers same-day delivery - and 'dramatic' impact on local business [Florida Today]
When Amazon opens new delivery stations in Cocoa — and potentially Melbourne — expect big changes for customers, local retailers and mom-and-pop shops. "When the Space Coast gets Prime Now and two-hour delivery, customers can expect to get instant gratification," said Ben Gordon, a West Palm Beach expert in logistics and supply-chain technology. However, Gordon predicts the impact on existing Brevard County businesses "is likely to be dramatic."

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› Topgolf announces expected opening in Fort Myers late this year [Fort Myers News Press]
After over a year without an update, Topgolf issued a release Tuesday stating the golf entertainment facility in Fort Myers will open in late 2021. Topgolf adds to the golf entertainment landscape that started with the Tiger Woods-backed PopStroke, which opened in Fort Myers last September. While PopStroke is a facility that features a pair of putting courses, Topgolf has hitting bays with targets. Both have high-end food and beverage options.

› Developer and architect selected for North Jacksonville VA clinic [Jacksonville Daily Record]
Kansas City-based architect Hoefer Welker and Kansas City developer US Federal Properties announced March 1 they were selected to design and build the Department of Veterans Affairs outpatient clinic in North Jacksonville. The 173,500-square-foot clinic will provide primary care, radiology, optometry, audiology, pathology and mental health care services under one roof. It will include a 30-bed, 28,500-square-foot domiciliary for rehab and treatment for homeless veterans.

› Two manufacturers to receive incentives for creation of 222 jobs [Business Observer]
Sarasota County commissioners recently voted unanimously to support awarding performance-based economic development incentives to two manufacturers, Rhino Trailers and Commercial Residential Aluminum and Fabricating, for the creation of 222 jobs. Commercial Residential Aluminum and Fabricating, which specializes in manufacturing an array of aluminum product, is already in Sarasota and expanding, while Rhino Trailers is expanding into Florida and has established a 34,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in the county.

› Miami receives $3M from Little Haiti developers who sparked gentrification fears [Miami Herald]
Developers planning a towering $1 billion complex on 18 acres in Little Haiti said Monday that they have cut a $3 million check to the city, the first of multiple payments under an agreement that allows bigger, denser construction in exchange for investment in local businesses and affordable housing.