SHARE:
Wednesday's Afternoon Update
What you need to know about Florida today
Biotech investors urge Florida lawmakers to reject lab-grown meat ban
Biotech investors continue to beg lawmakers not to ban the burgeoning business of lab-born meat. A letter to Florida legislators signed by 38 venture fund leaders signals strong opposition to the restrictions in an Agriculture Department package (SB 1084). The bill would bar the sale or distribution of cultivated meat. Venture firms say the legislation could hurt Florida's reputation among research investors. More from Florida Politics.
Brightline expansion to Tampa excluded from legislature's budget
An appropriations request in the Florida Legislature that would have helped pave the way for Brightline's expansion to Tampa has died. Rep. Karen Gonzalez Pittman and Sen. Jay Collins requested $50 million to spur the rail expansion process along Interstate 4 before the legislative session. The final budget to be voted on this week doesn't include any money for the project. More from the Tampa Bay Business Journal.
JEA revs up turning St. Johns River Power Park into commerce center
The weather-beaten "St. Johns River Power Park" sign still stands at the entrance, but JEA is making moves this year to turn the former electric generating site into "Gateway Commerce Center" with ideas ranging from space rocket recovery to warehouses in the mix. JEA might get a $500,000 assist from the state Legislature for doing a transportation study on building a new road road from Heckscher Drive into the site. More from the Florida Times-Union.
Osceola County’s property taxes made a record jump
Osceola County saw a record jump in property taxes and overall revenue in 2023, fueled by tourism but also by its taxpaying residents. County commissioners Monday received an annual financial report where officials said the increase in tax collections is a testament to the county’s economic health and reflects the magnitude of tourism’s impact. “Overall I think you’re in a good financial position,” said Dan O’Keefe, the shareholder in charge of MSL, the firm that conducted the financial audit. More from the Orlando Sentinel.
Flight suspensions between Haiti and South Florida extended. Here’s what you need to know
Amid worsening security in Haiti, airlines have extended flight cancellations between the country and South Florida for the next several days. Tuesday was the second consecutive day carriers did not operate flights as they wait and assess events on the ground even as that may provide little comfort to Haitians. More from the Miami Herald.
Out of the Box
Innovative national model shapes micro-freight in Miami
In an innovative program that’s creating a national model, microfreight is enroute this year to Downtown Miami and Overtown. The cargo bikes look like an “elongated bicycle with an electric motor to it with a box either front or back,” said Carlos Cruz-Casas, chief innovation officer for the county’s Department of Transportation and Public Works.
» More from Miami Today.
Conservation
U.S. Postal Service introduces 'Save Manatees' stamps
The U.S. Postal Service will soon offer new manatee stamps to spread awareness of the threatened species. The "Save Manatees" stamp will be available to buy across the U.S. on "Manatee Appreciation Day," which is March 27. It's the first USPS manatee stamp since 1996.
» Read more from WPTV.
In case you missed it:
