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Monday's Afternoon Update
What you need to know about Florida today
State appeals in workplace training battle
Gov. Ron DeSantis and Attorney General Ashley Moody are appealing a federal judge’s ruling that blocked part of a new state law that placed restrictions on how race-related issues can be addressed in workplace training — a law DeSantis dubbed the “Stop WOKE Act.” Chief U.S. District Judge Mark Walker last month issued a preliminary injunction, agreeing with three businesses and a consultant that the workplace-training restrictions violate the First Amendment. More from the News Service of Florida.
Amid economic slowdown, cut outreach with caution, branding expert says
For many businesses, an economic downturn can prompt a few rounds of budgetary soul-searching. Expenditures on advertising and marketing are often among the first to go, as companies scramble to make the numbers work. Stacey Harrison, founder and CEO of Heart & Hustle Brands, a Tampa-based advertising, branding and marketing company that works with many health care and professional services clients, says it’s understandable businesses would want to tighten their proverbial belts, but there are ways to “recession proof” marketing strategies. More from the Business Observer.
Clearwater cybersecurity firm KnowBe4 weighing $4.2B private equity offer
Clearwater cybersecurity training company KnowBe4 has received a multi-billion dollar to go private. Austin, Texas private equity firm Vista Equity Partners has made the company a buyout offer of $24 per share, a 39% premium over Friday’s closing price of $17.30, in a deal that values the company at $4.2 billion. More from the Tampa Bay Times.
UNF professor: No magical solutions to Jacksonville affordable housing crisis
Jacksonville, like many other communities across the country, is experiencing an affordable housing crisis. Over the past year, according to Redfin, the average rent in Duval County has increased by 31%. However, close to 50% of all Jacksonville renters are cost-burdened (spending at least one-third of their income on rent). Jacksonville ranks consistently in the top 10 among major metropolitan areas on almost every measure of rising housing costs. More from the Florida Times-Union.
Miami-Dade budget has ‘ambassador’ payments for 19 ex-county commissioners next year
The plan to hire former Miami-Dade commissioners as “county ambassadors” could cost $8 million over 15 years, according to budget documents released Friday, provided every eligible ex-office holder opts to accept the $25,000 annual stipend. A 30-year spending plan lists possible payments to past, present and even future members of the 13-seat commission, offering the first look at potential costs from the program quietly inserted in Mayor Daniella Levine Cava’s budget proposal that’s up for a final vote on Tuesday. More from the Miami Herald.
Profile
She’s the invisible link between 911 callers and cops
On the sprawling top floor of the sheriff’s office complex, the lights are dim, the windows shuttered. It’s hard to decipher day from night. Screens blink wall-to-wall with news broadcasts, weather and emergency updates. When a hot call involving a gun or knife comes in, a siren screams. And in more than 100 cubicles, operators field pending disasters.
» More from the Tampa Bay Times.
Startup Trends
Miami-based fintech company Pipe reaches $2 billion valuation
While companies usually sell equity or take out loans to fund growth, Miami-based Pipe makes recurring revenue streams tradable for small businesses or startups by treating the revenue streams as an asset companies can sell to investors for instant cash. In May, the fintech reached a value of $2 billion.
» Read more from Florida Trend.
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