Its workforce shrinks, but Florida will boost state employee pay

The Florida Legislature is looking to boost the pay for a depleted state work force and for the third consecutive year has inserted a pay raise in a $116 billion state budget it will soon send to Gov. Ron DeSantis. In sum, the plan spends about $134 million for a 3% pay increase for 96,863 state employees. [Source: Tallahassee Democrat]

Credit Card Competition Act could have negative impact on Florida tourism

The proposed Credit Card Competition Act aims to bring more competition and choice into the U.S. credit card network market, which sponsors of the bill say are dominated by Visa and Mastercard. Proponents of the bill say it will lower some operating costs for businesses, while opponents say it could take away the rewards credit card companies offer due to the loss in revenue. [Source: WMFE]

Florida unveils massive, quicker fix for gridlocked Interstate 4

Florida’s transportation department unveiled on Tuesday its vision for a vastly accelerated answer to horrendous congestion along Interstate 4, extending from the tourism corridor in west Orange County through the explosion of residential growth in west Osceola and north Polk counties. Costing an estimated $2.5 billion, the latest I-4 overhaul will stretch 14 miles, starting in the east at State Road 536 near Disney Springs, crossing a 7-mile section of Osceola County that includes the ChampionsGate community, and ending at U.S. Highway 27 in Polk County to the west. It could be done in a decade. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]

If Florida passes a recreational marijuana law in 2024, will weed immediately be legal

Floridians are now less than a month away from finding out whether recreational marijuana will make it to November's ballot. But even if the referendum passes, it remains uncertain how soon recreational cannabis hopefuls could light up without fear of criminal repercussions. [Source: Florida Today]

State troopers to help during spring break

Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday said 140 state troopers will be deployed to 17 communities to help local police maintain order during spring break. DeSantis said during an appearance at the Miami Beach Convention Center that the communities will include Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Miami Beach, Daytona Beach and Panama City Beach. More from the News Service of Florida and the Miami Herald.

Building a lasting business: Success takes planning

During the pandemic, millions of Americans decided to launch small businesses. However, millions of businesses close every year. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that 20% of small businesses will fail in their first year, and only 50% will survive through year five. [Sponsored report]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Tampa Bay remains one of the most competitive rental markets in the U.S. [Tampa Bay Business Journal]
While Sun Belt states — known for warm climates and business friendly environments — have traditionally attracted a large number of renters, the market is shifting to the Midwest in the early months of 2024. Despite the slight cooldown, Tampa Bay is still one of the most competitive.

› Stuart/Martin County Chamber of Commerce expects huge economic impacts with new Brightline station [WPBF]
Brightline officially announced on Monday that the city of Stuart will be the latest train station location in Martin County. County leaders say the economic impacts will be the most notable. “This is going to be an added addition to our merchants and businesses downtown,” said Joseph Catrambone, the CEO of Stuart/Martin County Chamber of Commerce. An estimated 600,000 people are expected to be attracted to the area.

› UF's journalism college gifted $8 million from Gainesville developer Nathan Collier [Gaineville Sun]
The University of Florida's College of Journalism and Communications announced Monday that it has received an $8 million gift to sustain the Collier Prize for State Government Accountability and to create a new local journalism symposium. The donation from Nathan Collier, founder and chairman of Gainesville-based development firm The Collier Companies, is the largest in the college's history.

› After JetBlue and Spirit part ways, South Florida retains its ‘hometown’ airline, but what’s next? [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Say what you will about the merits or downsides of JetBlue Airways and Spirit Airlines muscling up as a merged airline to compete against the U.S. aviation industry’s “Big 4” players of American, Delta, Southwest and United. The decision by Miramar-based Spirit and JetBlue of New York, both predominant carriers at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, to terminate their $3.8 billion merger deal means there still will be two sizable discount airlines, not one, serving the Broward County airport.

Go to page 2 for more stories ...

› Port Canaveral has plan to shift marinas to make way for new cruise terminal [Florida Today]
Port Canaveral officials say they have a plan for how to move the Bluepoints Marina's operations to make way for a new Cruise Terminal 4 that will be built on that site in a few years. Their plan, presented last week to port commissioners, is to move Bluepoints to part of the site of Cape Marina, with the two operations sharing the 15-acre site, which is west of the current Bluepoints in the port's south side Marina District.

› See how much Orlando's Black-owned businesses have grown [Orlando Business Journal]
Orlando-area Black-owned businesses have increased dramatically in number, employee count and annual payroll, according to the most recent U.S. Census survey. From 2017 to 2021, the number of Black-owned businesses in the Orlando metro increased by 599 — a 32% increase in four years. Statewide, the growth is even larger, going from 11,932 Black-owned firms in 2017 to 18,502 in 2021 — a 55% increase.

› Florida postal workers demand more protection following recent violent robberies [WFTV]
Some mail carriers in Florida are calling for more protection. It comes after at least six of them were recently robbed in Jacksonville. Reports show thieves have been attacking postal workers for their arrow keys, which can open group mailboxes at apartments or business complexes.

› What to know about this week’s IndyCar St. Pete Grand Prix [Tampa Bay Times]
The Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg is back this weekend for the IndyCar Series’ traditional season opener. This marks the 20th consecutive running of the Grand Prix. That makes it the second-longest uninterrupted race on IndyCar’s schedule, behind only the Indianapolis 500. It’s also the 12th time the Grand Prix has opened IndyCar’s season.