Florida business groups brainstorm ideas to reduce lawsuits and legal damages

After property insurers got long-sought legal changes in a December special legislative session, business groups see an opportunity to curb litigation in other areas such as auto insurance. With this year’s regular legislative session starting March 7, Associated Industries of Florida on Monday brought together lawmakers, lobbyists and representatives of business groups to discuss a series of ideas for reducing lawsuits and legal damages. [Source: News Service of Florida]

DeSantis announces plan to crack down on ‘cottage industry of litigation’ in Florida

Gov. Ron DeSantis held a news conference Tuesday morning at Kenworth of Jacksonville, Inc., a local heavy duty truck dealership. DeSantis was joined by Florida Senate President Kathleen Passidomo and House Speaker Paul Renner. DeSantis was announcing future legislature to crack down on exorbitant legal fees and frivolous lawsuits. DeSantis said when he speaks to those who are looking to either bring business to Florida or expand their business in Florida, one of the frequent concerns they have is about Florida’s litigation climate. “For a number of years, we were ranked No. 1 in the county for being what they call a ‘judicial hell-hole,’” DeSantis said. [Source: News 4 Jax]

Consumer advocates say Florida’s PACE home improvement loan program needs fixes

Florida has more homeowners paying for home improvement to their property through their tax bills than most states, yet it has the fewest consumer protections in the nation for the controversial loan program. The property assessed clean energy program, also known as PACE, is only available for residential projects in three states — California, Missouri and Florida — and has drawn scrutiny, investigations, lawsuits and complaints in all three. Yet bills introduced in Tallahassee to extend consumer protections have failed year after year. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]

Scientists ask Florida residents to report nonnatives lizards to prevent invasive spread

Scientists urgently seek Florida residents to report nonnative lizards in order to prevent a massive spread in the state. The species is named 'Brown Basilisk,' University of Florida scientists say this nonnative lizard is gaining ground across South and Central Florida while they need to gather more data to determine its status and potential impacts within the community. [Source: NBC Miami]

The Tampa prosecutor ousted by Gov. DeSantis files a federal appeal

After Andrew Warren lost a federal lawsuit to try to get reinstated as Hillsborough County’s state attorney last month, he said his legal battle against Gov. Ron DeSantis was “not over.” Tuesday morning, Warren’s lawyers filed notice that they would appeal the federal judge’s decision to not reinstate him. DeSantis ousted Warren from his office in August, accusing him of refusing to enforce certain laws. Warren, who was elected twice, sued to get his job back. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› World-famous Israeli chef from Tel Aviv opens first U.S. restaurant in Miami [Miami Herald]
Tom Aviv, the Israeli chef who became famous after winning “MasterChef Israel” in 2016, has just opened a new restaurant in Miami. Located in Upper Buena Vista, just south of Michelin-star winner Boia De and its new sister restaurant Walrus Rodeo, Branja Miami serves cuisine inspired by its chef’s Tel Aviv background. The menu is kosher-style, and all of the dishes make judicious use of Israeli spices and flavors.

› $15,000 for ‘Splash Mountain water?’ Some Disney fans gulp it up [Orlando Sentinel]
In the final days of Walt Disney World’s Splash Mountain, hundreds of fans flocked to the ride with empty jars, bottles and plastic bags. Later, some emerged thousands of dollars richer. Splash Mountain speculators have earned as much as $15,099, $13,100 and $7,100 selling water they claim came from the ride in the three weeks since the log flume with a history of racial insensitivity closed Jan. 23 for a makeover with a new theme.

› The $22 million latest on USF’s on-campus football stadium push [Tampa Bay Times]
USF’s push for an on-campus stadium took another step Tuesday during a virtual board of trustees committee meeting. The Bulls will formally seek up to $22 million for the design phase of the project during the full board’s regularly scheduled meeting on March 7. “We’re excited to be able to move into this next phase …” said Jay Stroman, CEO of the USF Foundation and one of the leaders of the stadium push. “This is the right time step for the university.”

› Prices falling, inventory building in Northeast Florida housing market [Jacksonville Daily Record]
The inventory of single-family homes for sale continues to build as prices fall in the Northeast Florida real estate market, according to the Northeast Florida Association of Realtors January market review. The median price of a single-family home was $360,000 in January, a decline of 2.9% from December. Since peaking at $399,900 in July, home prices have fallen 9.9% and have dropped in five of the past six months.

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› The Daytona 500 returns Sunday for 65th race [WMFE]
Racing fans will be packing Volusia County this weekend to watch 40 cars race at 200 miles per hour at the Daytona 500. Frank Kelleher, President of the Daytona International Speedway, said they’re expecting around 175,000 people in attendance. "It is a massive undertaking, when you think of ingress and egress and our relationships with local and state government, law enforcement, and fire rescue." Those in attendance to the race, won't only spend their money at the Speedway, but throughout Volusia County.

› Transportation Brightline train service to Orlando expected to start in second quarter of 2023 [South Florida Business Journal]
Train service from South Florida to Orlando is expected to start in the second quarter of 2023, Brightline stated in its latest report to bond holders. Brightline's monthly revenue and ridership report for January 2023 stated that the overall rail connection between Orlando and West Palm Beach is now more than 90% complete. The Miami-based passenger train company also stated that its train station at Orlando International Airport should be substantially complete by March.

› Breeze Airways launching nonstop service from Jacksonville to Los Angeles [Jacksonville Daily Record]
Breeze Airways will begin nonstop service from Jacksonville International Airport to Los Angeles and summer service to Pittsburgh starting in May. The airline also announced Feb. 14 it is adding one-stop routes from Jacksonville to New York-Islip, Cincinnati and Louisville, Kentucky. The fights to Los Angeles International Airport begin May 18 and will be offered Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. Fares start at $99 one-way.

› Circus Sarasota acts create new thrills in 25th anniversary big top show [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
As it marks its 25th anniversary season, Circus Sarasota provides a strong reminder that you just can’t beat watching something live and in person. This winter’s show under the big top at Nathan Benderson Park features several acts that have gained a following on “America’s Got Talent,” where they were impressive. But it’s a lot more thrilling to see them right in front of you.