Florida Trend Exclusive
2024 legislative session: On the table in Tallahassee

Food insecurity is defined as lacking access to sufficient food for a healthy, active lifestyle. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the rate of food insecurity in Florida had been going down consistently — dropping from 16.2% in 2020 to 10.6% in 2020, according to the state Department of Health. The federal Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the average Florida household spends $6,677 on food each year; the state has some of the highest food prices in the nation. [Source: Florida Trend]

Florida hemp entrepreneurs say changes will devastate their businesses

On Tuesday, lawmakers in a committee decided to impose restrictions on hemp products and substantially regulate the hemp market in Florida. he measure would make a number of changes to the hemp industry in the state, which has operated legally since 2019, shortly after the passage of the 2018 U.S. farm bill. That bill made hemp production and distribution legal under federal law and allowed states to create such programs. [Source: Florida Phoenix]

Proposal would give ex-convicts better shot at employment in Florida

Ex-offenders in Florida could have an easier time gaining work licenses, permits and other certifications after a new bill passed through committee on Monday. Senate Bill 1012 is sponsored by state Sen. Alexis Calatayud, R-Miami and would assist ex-offenders in getting a license, permit, or certification for employment. Calatayud stated during the bill's introduction to the Senate Committee on Regulated Industries that the bill protects individuals who happen to have a criminal history from being "blanket denied" by agencies. [Source: The Center Square ]

Florida to sell bonds to strengthen hurricane catastrophe fund

Florida is moving forward with a plan to borrow up to $3.8 billion to bolster a state-operated fund that reimburses property insurers for hurricane-related losses. A report by Bloomberg revealed that the Florida State Board of Administration has made a securities filing indicating its intention to generate a minimum of $1.5 billion through the sale of municipal bonds. [Source: Insurance Business Magazine]

Love it or hate it? Spirit Airlines has given us all sorts of feels through the years 

You may know Spirit Airlines for its discount fares and no-frills service. But did you know that the airline with the yellow planes is based in Miramar, in suburban Broward County, with plans for new headquarters among the bars and restaurants and shops of Dania Pointe? [Source: Miami Herald]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Freshly christened by Lionel Messi, Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas set to get to work [Orlando Sentinel]
The world’s largest cruise ship welcomed the man many would say is world’s best soccer player to officially christen the vessel with just days left before its first voyage with paying customers. Lionel Messi took the role of godfather for Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas during a ceremony Tuesday on board the behemoth ship within its marquee new feature called the AquaDome, a massive steel-and-glass structure at the top of the ship.

› JaxPort CEO: Additional cruise line aiming for Jacksonville [Jacksonville Daily Record]
A second cruise line hopes to begin offering service from Jacksonville soon, JaxPort’s CEO Eric Green says. Speaking to the Jacksonville Port Authority board meeting Jan. 22, Green said the incoming cruise company was seeking board approval to operate from the JaxPort Cruise Terminal.

› A Florida city wants to be the next tourist hot spot. Can this new building be the draw? [Miami Herald]
After more than 30 years of frustration in efforts to co-locate a hotel with the Bradenton Area Convention Center in Palmetto, the payoff is in sight with the planned April opening of the Marriott Palmetto Resort & Spa. The eight-story, 252-room hotel, costing more than $100 million, promises to be a game changer for Palmetto, Bradenton and the entire county, officials say.

› CITY Furniture cuts workforce by 1.5% as inflation continues to nag economy [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
CITY Furniture, the venerable South Florida-based retailer of home, office and other furnishings statewide, announced Monday it laid off 39 people or 1.5% of its workforce “due to ongoing economic challenges over the last several months.” The company employs 2,600 people statewide.

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› The largest youth activist gathering sets its sights on the Florida Capitol [WLRN]
More than 200 youth activists of all ages from throughout Florida will go to the state Capitol this week to urge elected officials to take action on climate change. Organizers describe this year’s event as the largest gathering of youth climate activists in state history.

With Orange County mayor’s new memo, tourist-tax plan appears set [Orlando Sentinel]
Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings has blessed a plan to cut tourist tax revenues for the Visit Orlando marketing agency in an 11th-hour memo, completing a consensus as county commissioners head into a decision-making session today. With Demings’ direction clear in his Monday memo, the commissioners aren’t likely to clash much in the session. They’re mostly on the same page.

› Seaworthy Collective charting new waters in BlueTech, from Miami to the seven seas [Refresh Miami]
“I like to say that ClimateTech is an emerging market, and that BlueTech is an emerging market within that emerging market,” Daniel Kleinman, founder and CEO of Seaworthy Collective, a Miami-based nonprofit that supports entrepreneurs working on ocean & climate impact innovation.

› Stellar Energy confirms plans to triple capacity, add 250 jobs as Project Orion [Jacksonville Daily Record]
Stellar Energy confirmed in a news release issued Jan. 23 that it is expanding its manufacturing capacity in Jacksonville after a deal with the city as Project Orion. The Jacksonville-based company said it plans to triple manufacturing capacity in 2024 and projects a fivefold increase in 2025, creating 250 jobs this year.