A change to Florida's minimum wage?
A Florida Senate committee Monday backed a proposal that would give employers a way to sidestep the state’s minimum wage if they can classify positions as job training. A 2020 state constitutional amendment required gradual increases in Florida’s minimum wage. It is $13 an hour now, will increase to $14 an hour on Sept. 30 and will go to $15 an hour on Sept. 30, 2026. More from the News Service of Florida and Bay News 9.
Opinion: Florida innovation, American farmers and a path to competitiveness
Research that created new plant varieties has saved billions of lives around the world. Agricultural research in the U.S. also saves livelihoods, as well. American farmers face global competition in the produce aisle. Labor challenges put them at a disadvantage. Innovations from research keep them competitive. Part of the beauty of agricultural research as a tool to even the playing field in international trade is that it does not punish other nations. It only lifts ours. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
Florida Senate committee moves to ban using tax dollars on ballot initiative campaigns
After Gov. Ron DeSantis used millions of state dollars last year to battle against abortion and marijuana proposals, some Florida lawmakers want to ban the use of public funds to promote or oppose ballot amendments. The Senate Ethics and Elections Committee on Monday approved such a measure by voice vote, adding it to a controversial bill to further restrict the petition-gathering process citizens groups use to get amendments before voters. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]
Florida AG Uthmeier announces $79 million settlement with e-cigarette company JUUL
A 2023 Florida lawsuit against Juul Labs that claimed the company marketed its e-cigarettes to children and misled consumers about their nicotine content has ended with a $79 million settlement, Attorney General James Uthmeier announced Monday. The state will use the settlement proceeds to investigate other vape companies whose marketing could attract minors, Uthmeier said during the press conference in the Tampa Office of the state attorney general. [Source: Florida Phoenix]
Late start on peak supplies of Florida tropical and exotic items
The more sizable harvest of tropical items out of Florida is behind about a month due to weather issues in the state. "We had a few cold snaps that affected production. Normally at this time of year, we would have already started but we haven't. We'll start again in about two to three weeks with guava and in about a month with the Ecuadorian variety of passion fruit," says Dennis Sever of Exotic Growers. [Source: Fresh Plaza]
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ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Chicago grocery chain to launch in Fort Lauderdale
Chicago-based grocery chain Go Grocer has signed a lease for its first Florida location in downtown Fort Lauderdale and it's expected to open late this year. Founded in 2008 by brothers Paul and Greg Stellatos, Go Grocer operates a hybrid grocery and convenience store model that offers both in-person shopping and delivery through its own app. The company’s expansion into South Florida is part of its broader growth strategy beyond Chicago.
› Second group expresses interest in buying Tampa Bay Rays
One day after a Tampa businessman confirmed he is part of a team vying to purchase the Tampa Bay Rays, a local lawyer said he represents another group of potential suitors. Tampa attorney Carter McCain said he represents a group with local minority ownership interest led by someone who is well-respected within baseball circles and in the office of the Major League Baseball commissioner.
› Agrihoods, the latest in mixed-use developments, will soon be in Northeast Florida
Agrihoods are popping up as the latest development trend in Northeast Florida. Green Cove Springs in Clay County will see two “agrihoods” coming to the area and bringing thousands of homes to keep up with population growth over the next few years.
› Fort Myers-based NeoGenomics acquires New Jersey lab
Fort Myers-headquartered NeoGenomics acquired New Jersey CLIA/CAP/NYS-certified laboratory Pathline LLC, expanding the oncology testing service company’s commercial presence in the Northeast. In addition, company officials said it expands its service capabilities and accelerates growth in molecular and hematology-oncology testing by establishing a local presence for the company in a historically under-penetrated but rapidly growing geographical region of the country.
› Naval Hospital Jacksonville ER staying open 24/7 despite plans to cut hours
Naval Hospital Jacksonville will keep its emergency room running around the clock despite earlier statements that the ER’s schedule would be cut in half, the hospital announced over the weekend. The message said the ER was staying open “through the support of the Defense Health Agency and Navy Medicine,” an enterprise created last year that includes the 154-year-old Navy Medical Corps comprised of 4,300 active-duty and reserve physicians.
› Tampa got a $1.6 million grant to plant trees. Federal DEI cuts took it away.
The U.S. Forest Service has terminated a $1.6 million grant to the city of Tampa to plant and maintain trees, combat extreme heat and improve access to natural areas. The blow to Tampa’s already shrinking tree canopy stems from the Trump administration’s far-reaching cuts to diversity, equity and inclusion programs.
› Apartment complex, affordable housing in protected rural Seminole area draw opposition
A proposal for a 300-unit apartment complex on 12 acres of land in the ecologically-sensitive Wekiva Protection Area is confronting Seminole County with a difficult conflict between two worthy goals: protecting the environment and providing affordable housing. Development plans reviewed this week by county staff show the complex sitting on wooded land off the corner of State Road 46 and Orange Boulevard in northwest Seminole County.
› Sarasota County nonprofit says it can boost hurricane relief effort
Nearly two and a half years after Hurricane Ian wreaked havoc across Southwest Florida, some of Sarasota County’s most vulnerable storm-ravaged residents finally going to get some relief from the damage it caused. Meanwhile, the county is planning how to spend a new batch of federal disaster money connected to last fall’s hurricanes, and one local nonprofit spearheaded by the United Way of South Sarasota County thinks it can help move aid to families faster and more efficiently this time around.