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A national 'tennis heaven' avoids $1 million a year in taxes by claiming a break meant for charities
The USTA National Campus at Lake Nona, a nearly $70 million “tennis heaven” with features like clay courts covered in crushed red brick...
Jan 19, 20212 min read
Public subsidies prop up conventions and trade shows -- and the tourism businesses that sell to them
Orange County’s mammoth convention center is, by the muted expectations of the pandemic, having a busy month: The American Kennel Club...
Dec 20, 20202 min read
A little-known tax district is steering millions to Orlando's tourism industry
Late last year, just before Orange County leaders approved a controversial plan to give up $125 million to Universal Orlando for a new...
Dec 10, 20202 min read
Cigarette giant gave $80,000 to secretive group now behind controversial constitutional amendment
Cigarette giant Reynolds American Inc. gave $80,000 in 2018 to the secretive group that now wants to make it harder to amend Florida’s...
Nov 8, 20201 min read
Osceola County spends big to stop another county from blocking a developer-backed toll road
Using taxpayer money, Osceola County has paid outside attorneys up to $635 an hour to try to stop Orange County from thwarting plans to...
Nov 8, 20202 min read
Secretive group pushing Florida constitutional amendment raised money linked to big businesses
A secretive nonprofit financing a proposed constitutional amendment that would make it far harder to amend the state constitution in the...
Nov 7, 20201 min read
Orange County leaders approve $125 million road deal with Universal Orlando
Originally published Dec. 17, 2019 By Jason Garcia and Chabeli Carrazana In a late-night decision following hours of testimony, Orange...
Oct 4, 20202 min read
Universal Orlando launches lobbying campaigns for $125 million in public money
Originally published Dec. 13, 2019 By Jason Garcia and Stephen Hudak As Orange County leaders prepare to vote on a controversial $125...
Oct 4, 20202 min read
Universal Orlando’s new road deal with Orange County is lopsided, critics say
Originally published Oct. 3, 2019 Universal Orlando and Orange County are negotiating a final deal to split the tab for a new road to the...
Oct 4, 20202 min read
Amid Florida’s budget shortfall, corporations lobby for more tax cuts
Originally published Aug. 27, 2020 This spring, PetMed Express Inc., a nationwide pet pharmacy that sells nearly $300 million a year...
Oct 4, 20202 min read
Investment company writes Florida incentive laws, then profits from them
Originally published Jan. 8, 2020 On a Thursday afternoon in the middle of last year’s legislative session, Sen. Bill Montford appeared...
Oct 4, 20201 min read
Video-game company helps write Florida tax-incentive law, saves itself millions
Originally published Dec. 30, 2012 During the past three years, even as it has struggled with shrinking tax revenue, the Florida...
Oct 4, 20202 min read
Large companies getting small-business loans want to spend less of the money paying workers
Originally published April 17, 2020 The Pennsylvania investment firm that owns the Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove in Miami has applied for as...
Oct 4, 20202 min read
Debt-ridden hotels lobby for taxpayer bailout
Originally published Aug. 13, 2020 In late 2018, the Fontainebleau Miami Beach completed a $1 billion mortgage refinancing. A year later,...
Oct 4, 20202 min read
Thriving companies getting hundreds of millions in federal coronavirus tax breaks
Originally published May 21, 2020 Corporations across America have booked more than $7 billion in savings using tax breaks that Congress...
Oct 4, 20202 min read
Heavy Hitter: Heavy Hitter: Florida's new speaker of the House is one of the most powerful in decade
Originally published Feb. 27, 2017 Among the portraits of Senate presidents and House speakers that hang in the legislative chambers,...
Oct 4, 20203 min read
Gov. DeSantis’ appointees on verge of taking control at Orlando International Airport
Originally published Sept. 11, 2019 By Jason Garcia and Beth Kassab Even before Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis took office in January, people...
Oct 3, 20202 min read
Lobbyist involved in Orlando airport controversy represents client linked to airport lawsuit
Originally published Sept. 17, 2019 About a month after Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis installed a new majority on the board that runs Orlando...
Oct 3, 20201 min read
Critics question Orlando airport attorney’s family and business ties to OIA contractor
Originally published Oct. 2, 2019 By Jason Garcia and Beth Kassab In January 2009, about a month after Marcos Marchena was named the top...
Oct 3, 20202 min read
Gov. Ron DeSantis appointee tried to push mayors off Orlando airport board, records show
Originally published Sept. 29, 2019 A top appointee of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis tried to push the mayors of Orlando and Orange County...
Oct 3, 20202 min read
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