Florida knows best? In 2024, the legislature overruled a host of local laws

The increasingly common tactic flummoxes local officials, who bristle at what is known as “preemption,” an approach in which the state blocks cities and counties from regulating various matters. Over time it’s touched on everything from firearms to medical marijuana dispensaries to the placement of 5G cell towers. This year preemption was used on a host of issues, including preventing bans of gas-powered leaf blowers, blocking local rules for electric vehicle chargers, banning citizen boards from probing police misconduct, and rolling back city rules requiring contractors to pay above the minimum wage. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]

Florida Trend Exclusive
Connected vehicle technology: Car talk

Traffic is cruising along an interstate at highway speed when a sudden, unexpected event forces drivers to slam on the brakes. Some motorists dive onto the shoulder to avoid rear-ending the car ahead of them. There’s a good chance you’ve either seen it happen during an anxious glance in your rearview mirror or done it yourself. Florida traffic engineers are among the first in the country to test technology in live traffic which they believe can reduce such hazards. [Source: Florida Trend]

Florida space race could be in store if Gov. DeSantis signs bill expanding spaceport territory

If Gov. Ron DeSantis signs a newly passed bill that activates more spaceports across Florida, clients could have more options for commercial launches and the Department of Defense will be able to grow its Space Force presence in Florida. Senate Bill 968 was ushered through with unanimous approval on March 5 following the passage of related House Bill 577, adding Homestead Air Force Reserve Base of Miami-Dade County and Tyndall Air Force Base near Panama City in the Panhandleto the state’s spaceport territory, and authorizing the state transportation department to fund spaceport discretionary capacity improvement projects. [Source: Orlando Business Journal]

Florida oranges persevere as sector celebrates new funding

Florida's monthly citrus forecast, compiled by the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Board, places the states 2024’s grapefruit and tangerine yields down by 8% and 9%, respectively. However, projections for Florida oranges remain unchanged at 19.8 million boxes, the report said. These numbers represent a 25% uptick year-on-year, a much needed increase as the sector battles with past hurricane damage and the ever-present citrus greening disease, HLB. [Source: Fresh Fruit Portal]

Skunk vine? Poison potato? 8 invasive plant species that choke out Florida's native flora

Skunk vine? Poison potato? 8 invasive plant species that choke out Florida's native flora Tyler Vazquez Florida Today Florida's warm weather and hospitable climate have made it attractive for humans as the population continues to grow, but people aren't the only ones proliferating: Invasive plants are on the rise, choking out native species and putting down roots across the state. Not only is Florida's climate especially friendly to invasive plants, but the state serves as the point of entry for nearly 75% of all plant imports for the United States. [Source: Florida Today]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Jacksonville-based foundation changes name, adds execs [Florida Times-Union]
The Jacksonville-based C. Herman and Mary Virginia Terry Foundation, a 40-year-old philanthropy that plans to expand its grantmaking reach, has changed its name and brought in a veteran nonprofit leader. The new Terry Family Foundation hired Kathleen Shaw as executive vice president, with her new duties beginning March 25.

› Hertz CEO resigns, to be replaced by former GM, Delta Airlines exec [Business Observer]
Hertz Global Holdings CEO Stephen Scherr, after a little more than two years in the top spot, will resign from his role and seat on the company board, the company announced after the market closed Friday afternoon. The Estero-based car rental giant’s new CEO will be Gil West, who, according to a statement, was formerly COO of Delta Airlines and GM’s Cruise unit.

› University of West Florida announces $5 million gift, names college of business [WKRG]
University of West Florida President Martha D. Saunders announced Friday a gift of $5 million from the Bear Family Foundation to name the university’s College of Business. The college will be named the Lewis Bear Jr. College of Business contingent on UWF Board of Trustees approval at its quarterly meeting in June.

› Fort Lauderdale is looking at raising roads to battle rising seas [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
It’s a scary thought: Sea levels rising by as much as 2 feet, swallowing up land, homes and everything else not on high ground. It could happen as soon as 2060, experts say. Fort Lauderdale, with its overabundance of low-lying neighborhoods both inland and along the coast, is already looking at one drastic, “last-resort” option to help keep streets high and dry: Raising roads.

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› JEA trial: Former CEO Zahn guilty, co-defendant CFO Wannemacher not guilty [Jacksonville Daily Record]
The two juries in the criminal trial of former JEA executives Aaron Zahn and Ryan Wannemacher found former CEO Zahn guilty and former CFO Wannemacher not guilty March 15, a climactic moment in a white-collar corruption scandal that comprised four years of investigations, indictments and court proceedings. Both defendants were charged with conspiracy and wire fraud, with the government alleging that they schemed to pocket tens of millions of dollars of undeserved bonuses from a sale of the city-owned utility.

› Developer proposes huge entertainment complex near Disney [Orlando Sentinel]
One of the worst blighted areas in Orlando’s tourism corridor could be transformed into a sprawling new entertainment district called Ovation with luxury hotels, dining and attractions, including a 175-foot-tall Ferris wheel that can be seen from Interstate 4. “It’s going to be very cool,” said Bill Shewalter, vice president of development for Meyers Group, which wrapped up more than two years of planning to create the Ovation master plan.

› Tampa Bay region teachers’ unions rallying to survive [Tampa Bay Times]
Teachers unions in Pinellas and Polk counties say they have successfully met the requirements to hold elections to continue their representation of public school teachers, while the Hillsborough union faces a deadline later this month to do so. In Pasco, the teacher’s union has until August to meet its deadline, and its president says he’s confident.

› Looking for a great place to get a beer? Jacksonville named to Best Beer Cities in US list [Florida Times-Union]
With more than two dozen craft breweries around town and dozens of restaurants serving their brews, Jacksonville’s beer scene is a source of pride for Jaxsons and one to envy by other cities. Since the founding of Bold City Beer in 2008 and Intuition Ale Works in 2010, the city’s craft brewery scene has exploded, expanding beyond the edges of Riverside and into the heart of downtown, its historic neighborhoods, Jacksonville’s Beaches and into the suburbs.