Is the Florida homeowners insurance market on the brink of collapse?

Florida is experiencing an exodus, but it’s not from residents relocating; rather, this is an exodus of home insurance companies. While this would be concerning in any state and at any time, it is particularly worrisome in Florida ahead of the Atlantic hurricane season, which starts on June 1. Florida has always been a complex home insurance market, but recent issues are pushing the state’s market to the point of collapse. [Source: Bankrate]

Tripled salaries, big bonuses, on-the-spot offers: Recruiters are going to extreme lengths to hire

A year since the U.S. began seeing record turnover, exhausted recruiters in Florida, and around the nation, are putting everything on the table. The recovering pandemic economy has proven to be a job-seeker’s market, with nearly 48 million people quitting a job last year and 76 million taking a new one. Still, the labor market currently has 11 million openings, according to recent Labor Statistics data, and roughly two jobs for every person looking for one. [Source: CNBC]

Opinion: Redistricting needs an independent commission

Partisan self-interest is not new to political map drawing and the redistricting process. The term gerrymandering was coined all the way back in 1812. To counter this problem, several states have instituted redistricting reforms that establish independent commissions. Eight states currently use independent commissions for congressional redistricting, with seven of those requiring partisan balance in membership. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]

Florida’s fight with Disney complicated by Citizens United ruling, tax debts

Since 2010, companies like Disney have had the same rights to free speech as everyday citizens, due to a decision by the U.S. Supreme Court’s in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission. That ruling by SCOTUS preserved the rights of corporations to exercise political speech through campaigns, comments and contributions. As a result, Disney’s opposition to HB 1557 is protected speech. The move to dissolve their special district’s tax status, seen as retaliation by critics, over their opposing political position could be potentially unconstitutional. [Source: WFLA]

CFO Patronis invites Twitter HQ to Florida amid Elon Musk buyout bid

Twitter is the latest company to see a move-to-Florida courtship attempt by a member of the state’s cabinet. Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis is pitching Florida’s beach views and weather to Twitter for a new home-base location as the company considers accepting a multibillion dollar buyout offer from Elon Musk. [Source: WFLA]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Inter Miami doesn’t have the votes for a Miami stadium and commercial complex — yet [Miami Herald]
In the days leading up to a crucial vote on a plan to turn a city-owned golf course into a massive commercial center and soccer stadium for Inter Miami, it appears commissioners are not yet prepared to vote in favor of the deal. After months of delays, Miami commissioners are expected on Thursday to at least discuss the terms of the no-bid deal for Miami Freedom Park, a $1 billion real estate development that could replace Melreese golf course with a shopping center, hotel, office park, 25,000-seat stadium and a 58-acre public park.

› Axiom Space private astronauts splash down off Florida coast [Orlando Sentinel]
The International Space Station turned into a bit of an extended stay hotel for the four Axiom Space private astronauts who finally were able to climb back on board a SpaceX Dragon and make their way safely back to Earth. The quartet made up of three men who paid $55 million each as well as a former astronaut who is now an Axiom employee flew up to the ISS launching from Kennedy Space Center for what was originally supposed to be a 10-day mission back on April 8.

› 'A beacon of hope': At Rethreaded, a new mural puts the spotlight on human trafficking in Jacksonville [Florida Times-Union]
You need to get up close to find the hidden details in "Reclaiming the Light," the new mural unveiled last week at the Rethreaded campus in Springfield. The mural, which features spray-paint work by Nicole "Nico" Holderbaum and tile mosaics by Kate Garcia Rouh and Kenny Rouh of Jacksonville's RouxArt, tells the story of a survivor's path to healing from human trafficking.

› Tampa City Council to explore incentives for contractors hiring ex-felons [Florida Politics]
The Tampa City Council Monday directed city staff to draft an ordinance creating an incentive program for contractors that hire individuals recently released from prison. The ordinance will echo similar measures already enacted in Jacksonville, Miami Beach and Broward County.

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› WOB Bar & Kitchen CEO shares what’s next for the chain in Orlando [Orlando Business Journal]
WOB Bar & Kitchen, which will debut its fourth Central Florida location on June 7, plans to expand further in Orlando The Tampa-based World of Beer tavern chain, branded as WOB, will open that 181-seat site in 6,118 square feet of space with more than 65 employees at 7750 Palm Parkway in O-Town West shopping and dining district. WOB Bar & Kitchen has existing Central Florida locations in downtown Orlando, Clermont and near the University of Central Florida in east Orlando.

› Tallahassee’s La Fiesta is shuttering its doors after 30 years in business [Florida Politics]
One of Tallahassee’s staple restaurants is closing down later this week after more than three decades in business. La Fiesta Mexican Restaurant is closing its doors for the final time this Saturday. The business has been serving Tallahassee residents since 1989.

› New redevelopment wave to revive Flagler Street in downtown Miami? Here are highlights [Miami Herald]
Long promised and long deferred, the full resuscitation of downtown Miami’s bedraggled Flagler Street — the city’s original main street — may have to wait on the unpredictable designs of quirky entrepreneur Moishe Mana, who controls much of the corridor’s real estate but has yet to realize his grandiose plans for it. But Mana is not the only game in town.

› Wine tasting classes, deli and more offered at Superette Wine + Provisions in Gainesville [Gainesville Sun]
When Katherine Haswell lost her job at a high-end rooftop restaurant in New York due to the COVID-19 pandemic, she returned to her hometown to visit her longtime friend, Maya Velesko. Haswell, a certified sommelier, came to Gainesville for what she thought was a two-week visit but ended up living out of a suitcase for three months.