Business – Page 4 – Florida Center for Investigative Reporting

Medical Marijuana Foes Are Making Gains In Florida

October 16, 2014

A couple of months ago polls suggested Florida’s medical marijuana ballot measure was going to sail through to passage this year. However, after well-funded attacks on the measure, its passage is now less than a sure thing.

Times/Herald: Economic Incentives Program Still Troubled

October 14, 2014

A state program that shells out big bucks to private companies in the hopes they will create jobs in Florida is under scrutiny, again. The Tampa Bay Times/Miami Herald reports the program isn’t getting the return on investment taxpayers were promised.

Florida Lawmakers Won’t Talk About Hunting Trips With Big Sugar

July 31, 2014

The Tampa Bay Times/Miami Herald published a great investigative story this week about the secrecy surrounding a series of hunting trips frequented by state lawmakers that were almost completely paid for by sugar companies.

Florida Jury Slammed Cigarette Company With Almost $24 Billion In Damages

July 24, 2014

This week a Florida jury imposed punitive damages of $23.6 billion on the country’s second largest cigarette company.

Gov. Rick Scott’s Fundraising Event With CEO Of Private Prison Company Gets National Scrutiny

July 23, 2014

Gov. Rick Scott got some national media attention – again—this weekend following news that he held a campaign event in the home of the CEO of a controversial private prison company that operates a detention facility in Florida.

State Hires Outside Counsel For $20 Million Incentive Deal Gone Wrong

July 10, 2014

Gov. Rick Scott hires outside counsel to go after a special effects company that received $20 million in state funds and then went bankrupt.