Local officials worried over Florida bill to make businesses ‘whole'

Legislation that would make it easier for Florida businesses and individuals to challenge local ordinances cleared its first state Senate test Wednesday, with supporters calling it a needed check on government heavy-handedness and opponents saying the bill goes too far. The measure, sponsored by Republican Sen. Travis Hutson, would make cities and counties come up with a “business impact statement” on a proposed ordinance and require the suspension of any ordinance when it is challenged by a lawsuit under certain conditions — and if the lawsuit prevails, the government would owe attorney’s fees. More from the News Serviice of Florida and the AP.

Florida Trend Exclusive

Man in the middle: Sen. Jeff Brandes

On more than one occasion, Brandes has been the Senate’s only “no” vote in either party. During last year’s legislative session, he was the only senator to oppose SB54, which would have repealed Florida’s nofault auto insurance system (a top priority of Simpson’s that was ultimately vetoed by DeSantis) during the bill’s first full vote on the Senate floor. He was also the lone dissenter opposing a new 30-year gaming compact with the Seminole Tribe. [Source: Florida Trend]

How Florida truckers help fight human trafficking

Florida’s Highway Heroes initiative is an ongoing outreach campaign that was launched in October 2020 to train Florida’s half a million licensed commercial drivers on how to identify and report suspected human trafficking. Florida’s commercial drivers are uniquely positioned to make a difference and close loopholes to traffickers who look to use transportation systems for their personal gain. Since the launch of the initiative, FLHSMV has trained nearly 4,600 licensed commercial drivers and nearly 400 FHP members through TAT on how to identify and report suspected trafficking. Read more from WFLA and the Apopka Voiceource]

'Florida' branding on orange juice helps it sell better

Consumers are more likely to buy orange juice if they think the fruit comes from Florida, new University of Florida research shows. The top reasons consumers purchase orange juice (OJ) include taste, health benefits and origin of the fruit. According to the Florida Department of Citrus, while 80% of OJ consumers who responded to a 2021 survey think oranges in their juice came from Florida, only 45% of orange juice in the market was from the state that year. [Source: Fresh Fruit Portal]

Central Florida businesses adapt to make up for sick staff during omicron surge

Many Central Florida businesses are having difficulty meeting demand with so many workers catching COVID-19. No one is in the business of spreading COVID-19. So, many businesses find they have little choice but to turn away customers when staff is out sick. Nick Pannullo said he works as a waiter at the restaurant his uncle owns, Pannullo's Italian Restaurant. "I know people wanted to come in even though we didn't look busy, but we couldn't take care of everybody," Pannullo said. "Everybody got sick more or less at one time." [Source: WESH]

Bright Futures: Today's path to future success

Twins Kehinde and Taiwo Sogbesan were typical high school students in Jacksonville. Kehinde ran track, was a member of the National Honor Society, and served as president of the Student Government Association. Taiwo was a first-string football player and president of the Black Student Union. Both had big plans for the future, including becoming first-generation college graduates. But their plans were seemingly derailed when they began to discuss tuition expenses and how they would pay for college. [Sponsored report]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Justices eye arguments on casino initiative [News Service of Florida]
The Florida Supreme Court could hear arguments March 8 about a proposed constitutional amendment that would open the door to casinos in North Florida. Justices late Tuesday issued an order setting a timeline for consideration of the proposal, which is backed by the Florida Voters in Charge political committee.

› Johnson & Johnson secures building permit for Jacksonville expansion [Florida Times-Union]
Johnson & Johnson Vision will be getting a large addition at its location on Jacksonville’s Southside. The company is adding a water expansion phase to the facility at 7500 Centurion Parkway. Jacksonville Building Department officials approved the permit for the project this month. The expansion will add 2,500 square feet for the water facilities. It will cost $9.64 million, and Turner Construction Co. will handle the project, according to the permit.

› What COVID-19 pandemic? Snowbirds flock to Panama City Beach this year in 'droves' [Panama City News Herald]
For Sue Peipert, it is nothing short of "fantastic" to once again see large crowds of snowbirds flock to Panama City Beach. As manager of the Panama City Beach Senior Center that sits on Lyndell Lane, Peipert said Monday that although COVID-19 still is a concern for most visiting seniors, it is obvious that the virus is not holding them back from traveling this winter.

› More COVID Norwegian Cruise Line cancellations hit Port Canaveral, Miami, Tampa [Orlando Sentinel]
Norwegian Cruise Line has expanded its list of cancellations, including the first ship sailing out of Port Canaveral and more ships from PortMiami and Tampa as the omicron variant of COVID-19 surges. Norwegian Escape, the line’s sole ship sailing from Port Canaveral, had its next two sailings taken off the board, according to a travel advisory update on NCL’s website. Its next available sailing is not until Jan. 29.

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› North Florida Land Trust acquires another 157 acres in O2O wildlife corridor [WJXT]
North Florida Land Trust has helped to preserve approximately 157 acres in Putnam County located in the Ocala to Osceola, or O2O, wildlife corridor. The nonprofit land conservation organization acquired the property for $472,600 from the Weyerhaeuser Corporation, a private timberland company.

› 3D-printed homes will soon be built in Brevard and a robot will do the job [Florida Today]
Walk into Apis Cor's new showroom, and you'll be greeted by "Frank," an outsized 3D-printing robot that builds concrete walls — and may someday revolutionize the Space Coast's homebuilding industry. "Frank is an autonomous printer that basically will help you print homes here in the future," said Edgar Muñoz, Apis Cor business development lead, leaning against the machine's metal arm.

› Clearwater’s Ruth Eckerd Hall postpones ‘Jersey Boys’ due to COVID-19 cases [Tampa Bay Times]
Ruth Eckerd Hall has announced that, due to cast members testing positive for COVID-19, the Broadway musical Jersey Boys scheduled for today and tomorrow at the Clearwater venue has been postponed. Tickets will be honored for the new dates, which will be announced soon.

› Sarasota Bay Estuary Program offering project grants [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
Once again, the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program (SBEP) is offering its Sarasota Bay Partners Grants Program for 2022. Grants of up to $10,000 out of a total of $100,000 are available to groups and organizations in the Sarasota Bay watershed area. The watershed runs from the SR 64 bridge/Palma Sola Bay south through Big and Little Sarasota Bay to the Venice Inlet.