Florida among states looking at inflation relief

Soaring inflation in the U.S. is accelerating calls from governors, includinng Florida's, and other state leaders to provide immediate tax relief for cash-strapped residents paying more for everyday items like gasoline, milk and electricity. Leaders in states flush with cash because of higher-than-expected tax revenue, a soaring stock market and millions in unspent federal pandemic aid have been inclined to move to return surpluses to taxpayers. [Source: Bloomberg]

Royal Caribbean sails world’s largest cruise ship into Florida port

The next title holder for world’s largest cruise ship arrived to Florida on Sunday as Royal Caribbean Wonder of the Seas sailed into Port Everglades. The fifth Oasis-class vessel made the transatlantic sailing this week arriving to the first of two Florida home ports this year with its debut revenue sailing scheduled for March 4. It will move up to Port Canaveral this fall. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]

Florida COVID deaths remain high. Falling cases may signal omicron’s end.

Omicron cases in Florida are continuing to fall quickly, but there is no letup in the number of Floridians dying from the variant — and millions across the state remain unvaccinated. Florida health officials reported fewer than 10,000 daily COVID-19 infections for the first time in more than two months. The state’s weekly report, released Friday, showed 42,473 total cases for the week of Feb. 11-17, down nearly 60 percent from the week before. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]

Florida bill to increase penalties for organized retail theft gets wide support

You’ve seen the videos; smash and grab robberies, thieves walking out with all they can carry. It's a nationwide trend and it's even been happening in our backyard. Florida lawmakers have taken notice and are getting wide support for a bill that would make this a much harsher crime. SB 1534 toughens penalties against thieves who steal multiple items from multiple stores in a short period of time. [Source: WPEC]

New Florida attractions manage to debut despite pandemic challenges

The pandemic put the tourism industry in a holding pattern, but some attractions pushed through and planned their debuts despite the uncertainty. Fresh new offerings — including a mind-bender on International Drive and a simulated intergalactic experience â?• are beginning to blossom in Central Florida. Worldwide conditions played ever-changing roles in their creations, from supply-chain issues to the fluid public mindset. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Tampa lobbying firm promotes veteran staffer to vice president [Business Observer]
Lobbying firm RSA Consulting has promoted Edward Briggs to vice president of government and community affairs. According to a news release, Briggs joined the Tampa-based firm in 2013, when it consisted of only founding partners Ron Pierce and Natalie King. Today, RSA has more than 70 clients across Florida. Briggs, the release states, specializes in education policy, construction and workforce development.

› It’s not dead: Jai alai returning to longtime Dania Beach home [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Reports of the death of jai alai in Dania Beach, it turns out, were premature. Owners of The Casino at Dania Beach, which pulled the plug on the longtime parimutuel sport a year shy of its 70th birthday at the site, have decided to bring it back after all. First, the venue will stage a seven-day round robin exhibition tournament, with no betting, over the first two weekends of April. Then in December, the parimutuel version will return for an eight-week season running through the end of January.

› Fanatics-led group pays $250 million for Mitchell & Ness [Jacksonville Daily Record]
Jacksonville-based Fanatics Inc. continued to expand its sports merchandise empire by leading an investment group that purchased vintage sports jersey firm Mitchell & Ness for $250 million. Fanatics didn’t announce the deal but posted two stories on its website Feb. 18 by independent news organizations about the acquisition.

› Orlando-based St. Johns Insurance in trouble as rating is pulled [Tampa Bay Times]
One of Florida’s largest property insurers could be going out of business after a ratings agency withdrew its assessment of St. Johns Insurance Co. on Thursday. Without its “A” rating, St. Johns’ 140,000 customers in Florida could be forced to find new coverage. The state’s Office of Insurance Regulation said it was working with the company to find options to ensure its customers wouldn’t lose coverage.

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› Outback Steakhouse hiking menu prices again, Tampa’s Bloomin’ Brands says [Tampa Bay Times]
Your local Outback Steakhouse menu price increases from last fall aren’t going anywhere. In fact, they’re rising again. Outback’s parent company, Tampa-based Bloomin’ Brands, will push its prices up another 2 percent this year, executives said on a call with investors Friday morning. That increase is likely to stay in place at least through the year.

› As Brightline struggles with deadly accidents, what will future hold for South Florida rail expansion? [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
While Brightline is regarded by some as an emerging gold standard for higher speed train travel and a magnet for upscale development in South Florida, the line also has become a grim barometer for what the public and policy makers probably never envisioned: an alarming number of deaths and injuries at railroad crossings and along tracks.

› Inside the biggest superyachts at this year’s Miami International Boat Show [Miami Herald]
The Miami International Boat Show is back after a pandemic hiatus, returning with extravagant superyachts from around the world at Island Gardens Marina. Through Sunday, the show is spread over six venues, with organizers expecting 100,000 people. With over 600 exhibitors, the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau says it’s the first time the entire 1.4 million-square-foot convention center is being used since its 2018 remodel and expansion.

› Pasco tourism officials consider next additions to their Florida Sports Coast venue offerings [Tampa Bay Times]
Even as the pandemic took hold in early 2020, one part of Pasco County’s economy weathered the storm well — its sports tourism industry. Lacking a convention center and sugar-sand beaches, the suburban county north of Tampa Bay has bet big on holding amateur sporting competition to lure tourists. And as COVID-19 shuttered businesses and emptied concert halls, those games played on.