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Wednesday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
Disney faces losing control of its Florida kingdom
Disney’s government in Florida has been the envy of any private business, with its unprecedented powers in deciding what to build and how to build it at the Walt Disney World Resort, issuing bonds and holding the ability to build its own nuclear plant if it wanted. Those days are numbered as a new bill released this week puts the entertainment giant’s district firmly in the control of Florida’s governor and legislative leaders in what some see as punishment for Disney’s opposition to the so-called “Don’t Say Gay” law championed by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Republican-controlled Legislature. More from the AP and the News Service of Florida.
Column: Cities within Florida are already tech hubs. State leaders should work to keep it that way
It’s no surprise that many cities throughout the state of Florida — now the fastest-growing state in the nation — have been heralded as up-and-coming tech hubs or the nation’s next Silicon Valley. Those of us who live, work and play in this state already know that Florida is a tech tour de force, with a diverse range of industries and talent available. In fact, in 2021, Florida added more tech companies to its economy than any other state. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
NASA preps for what could go wrong when Artemis astronauts return to Earth
The 5,000 mph reentry was a rough one and one of the four astronauts who just spent a week orbiting the moon has a spinal injury. “Backboard!” screams one of the rescue crew venturing into the Orion capsule floating in the water. That was the scenario being practiced by NASA’s Landing and Recovery team for Artemis II, which plans to fly humans beyond low-Earth orbit for the first time in more than 50 years as the first crewed mission of the Artemis program, an orbital trip around the moon and back. The launch is not slated until 2024, but teams are already prepping for a safe landing at Kennedy Space Center. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]
Medicaid minimum wage challenges rejected
An administrative law judge has rejected challenges by two health-care groups to the way state Medicaid officials have carried out a requirement that “direct care” workers get paid a minimum of $15 an hour. Judge Robert Cohen on Monday issued a 26-page decision that backed the state Agency for Health Care Administration in the challenges filed by the Florida Assisted Living Association and the Florida Ambulance Association. The groups also are pursuing a separate case in Leon County circuit court. [Source: News Service of Florida]
Florida requires safety training to carry a gun. That's set to change
People who carry concealed weapons in Florida must complete a gun safety course, but that could change under a bill that has the backing of the state's Republican leaders. “Central to the idea of freedom is the right that we can defend ourselves against physical attack, as well as defend those that we love,” said State House Speaker Paul Renner last week after unveiling a proposed measure to allow "constitutional carry," which would eliminate the requirement of a permit to carry a concealed firearm. "All aspects of that permit would go away." [Source: WUSF]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Senators back social-media instruction
A proposal that would require the Florida Department of Education to make instruction on “social media safety” available for students began advancing Tuesday in the Senate. School districts would be required to notify parents of the online resources. The Senate Education PreK-12 Committee unanimously approved the measure (SB 52) after making a change to flesh out what lessons would be included in the materials.
› Central Florida groups working on relief efforts for earthquake victims in Turkey and Syria
The devastation seen in the wake of the powerful earthquake that’s killed thousands in Turkey and Syria is being felt in Central Florida and around the world. Imam Muhammad Musri with the Islamic Society of Central Florida spoke about local efforts to help the people in Turkey and Syria. Musri said he has been fielding calls from central Floridians about the tragedy and reaching out to family and friends abroad.
› South Florida resort sold for $835M, biggest deal for a U.S. hotel since pandemic started
Hollywood has made history, drawing the biggest hospitality deal in the country since the start of the pandemic. The oceanfront Diplomat Beach Resort sold for $835 million on Monday, according to a source familiar with the deal and a release from the brokerage firm JLL, which oversaw part of the transaction.
› Orange County tourist tax receipts breaks another collection record — 11 months in a row
Orange County’s record run of monthly tourist-tax collection stretched to 11 with a best-ever December. The tax brought in about $31.2 million in the final month of 2022, said Orange County Comptroller Phil Diamond, whose office tracks the money generated by the 6% levy added to the cost of a hotel room and other short-term lodgings, including Airbnb rentals. Collections were fueled by strong room demand and an average daily room rate of $163, according to Visit Orlando data.
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