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Business Insider
09-07-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
Florida made it much harder for highly paid workers to swap jobs, thanks to Ken Griffin
Florida enacted a law allowing non-competes of up to four years. The law targets high earners with access to confidential company information. Citadel was among the companies that lobbied for the law. One of the most employer-friendly policies in the US has become law. Florida enacted legislation that allows companies to enforce non-compete agreements for up to four years, up from the current two. The new law is a big win for Citadel's CEO Ken Griffin, who advocated for it. With the new arrangement, employees leaving a company would be relieved of their job responsibilities but severely restricted from working elsewhere. They would keep their pay and benefits but would not be entitled to bonuses, which can make up a large chunk of pay in finance and management positions. The rule applies to workers earning at least twice the average local wage in Florida, which is about $140,000 in urban areas, plus those who have access to confidential employer information. Lobbyists for the law said that it would protect trade secrets and invite high-paying companies to Florida. Since the pandemic, finance and other companies have flocked to Florida, moving headquarters or expanding offices in cities like Miami. "Florida is poised to become one of the finance capitals of the world," said Sen. Tom Leek, who was among the bill's sponsors, in a legislative meeting. "If we want to attract those kinds of clean, high-paying jobs, you have to provide those businesses protection on the investment that they're making and their employees." Last year, the Federal Trade Commission issued a rule banning most non-compete clauses in employment contracts, which was blocked by a federal court order. Please help BI improve our Business, Tech, and Innovation coverage by sharing a bit about your role — it will help us tailor content that matters most to people like you. Continue By providing this information, you agree that Business Insider may use this data to improve your site experience and for targeted advertising. By continuing you agree that you accept the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . Miami is the 'future of America' Citadel's lobbyists contributed to shaping the bill's language. Griffin, the hedge fund's chief, has been bullish on the future of Florida and Miami. He said that this "Wall Street South" could one day overtake New York as America's financial hub. "Miami, I think, represents the future of America," he said in 2023, adding that Florida's pro-business political environment favors its growth. Citadel has extended non-compete agreements for some portfolio managers to 21 months, exceeding the industry practice of one year. The new law contrasts with the more worker-friendly policies that many states, including California, Oklahoma, Minnesota, and North Dakota, have been moving toward, including limitations and bans on non-competes. Before it became law, several think tanks urged Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to veto the bill because it would hurt innovation, restrict workers, and hinder the growth of startups.
Business Insider
09-07-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
Florida made it much harder for highly-paid workers to swap jobs, thanks to Ken Griffin
Florida enacted a law allowing non-competes of up to four years. The law targets high earners with access to confidential company information. Citadel was among the companies that lobbied for the law. One of the most employer-friendly policies in the US has become law. Florida enacted legislation that allows companies to enforce non-compete agreements for up to four years, up from the current two. The new law is a big win for Citadel's CEO Ken Griffin, who advocated for it. With the new arrangement, employees leaving a company would be relieved of their job responsibilities but severely restricted from working elsewhere. They would keep their pay and benefits but would not be entitled to bonuses, which can make up a large chunk of pay in finance and management positions. The rule applies to workers earning at least twice the average local wage in Florida, which is about $140,000 in urban areas, plus those who have access to confidential employer information. Lobbyists for the law said that it would protect trade secrets and invite high-paying companies to Florida. Since the pandemic, finance and other companies have flocked to Florida, moving headquarters or expanding offices in cities like Miami. "Florida is poised to become one of the finance capitals of the world," said Sen. Tom Leek, who was among the bill's sponsors, in a legislative meeting. "If we want to attract those kinds of clean, high-paying jobs, you have to provide those businesses protection on the investment that they're making and their employees." Last year, the Federal Trade Commission issued a rule banning most non-compete clauses in employment contracts, which was blocked by a federal court order. Please help BI improve our Business, Tech, and Innovation coverage by sharing a bit about your role — it will help us tailor content that matters most to people like you. Continue By providing this information, you agree that Business Insider may use this data to improve your site experience and for targeted advertising. By continuing you agree that you accept the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . Miami is the 'future of America' Citadel's lobbyists contributed to shaping the bill's language. Griffin, the hedge fund's chief, has been bullish on the future of Florida and Miami. He said that this "Wall Street South" could one day overtake New York as America's financial hub. "Miami, I think, represents the future of America," he said in 2023, adding that Florida's pro-business political environment favors its growth. Citadel has extended non-compete agreements for some portfolio managers to 21 months, exceeding the industry practice of one year. The new law contrasts with the more worker-friendly policies that many states, including California, Oklahoma, Minnesota, and North Dakota, have been moving toward, including limitations and bans on non-competes. Before it became law, several think tanks urged Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to veto the bill because it would hurt innovation, restrict workers, and hinder the growth of startups.
Miami Herald
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Miami Herald
No taxpayer-funded hate in the arts in Florida
A new law banning public funding for organizations that promote hate, including antisemitism, passed the Florida Legislature and was signed into law last week by Gov. Ron DeSantis. Sponsored. by Sen. Tom Leek (R-Ormond Beach) and Rep. Hillary Cassel (R-Fort Lauderdale), House Bill 1519 and Senate Bill 1678 will stop taxpayer money from going to people or organizations that boycott Israel. It also expands Florida's existing anti-Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions, or 'BDS' law, by including academic boycotts, mandating divestment from boycotting entities. Florida will no longer allow public funds to support museums, schools or other cultural and educational institutions that promote hate speech in any form. Institutions that continue to allow or promote hate may see their public funding rescinded — for up to 10 years. As a Florida resident for more than 25 years, I have always stood up for gay rights, free speech and especially for the arts. But as a Jew — like too many of my fellow Jews — I was not fully aware of how rampant antisemitism had become in creative spaces. Since the brutal Oct. 7 attacks against Israelis, antisemitism has surged in the United States, including physical assaults and online attacks aimed at Jews and Zionists. For the first time in their lives, my children experienced antisemitism — being singled out in public as Jews and subjected to Holocaust jokes from classmates. This ancient hatred has found its way into artistic institutions, often denying Jewish and Zionist artists the opportunity to perform, exhibit, or share their work with the public. Many of these rejections come under the guise of neutrality: 'We just don't want to be part of the controversy,' they say — even when the art itself has no political content. But what they are really saying is, 'Because you're Jewish, we're holding you accountable for what is happening in the Middle East.' Worse still, some institutions actively lend their platforms to artists who use their voices to promote hatred toward Jews. Artists have the right to free speech. This is the United States, and freedom of speech is enshrined in our Constitution. But that right does not extend to taxpayer funding. No one is entitled to public dollars to promote hate or discrimination. This new law makes that distinction clear — with consequences, especially financial ones. Since Oct. 7, 2003, hate crimes in Florida targeting Jews have doubled. That's why I, along with other activists, support this law. We believe the majority of Florida taxpayers do not support hate, and certainly do not want their money used to fund it. This law sends a simple message: no taxpayer-funded hate in Florida. It also expands the protections Florida has put in place since 2016 and again in 2024 to fight antisemitic discrimination and crime. Now, taxpayer money — whether through grants, contracts, or tax-exempt status — cannot be used to support programs or institutions that traffic in hate speech, including antisemitism. I call on our cultural and educational institutions to embrace this law and lead with integrity. Reject hate in museums, performing arts centers, and public universities. These are institutions that have long stood up for artists of every race, ethnicity, gender, and orientation. It's time to show the same commitment to Jews. I'm not asking for political loyalty or positions on global conflicts. I'm asking for consistency — stand against hate, no matter who it targets. Use your platform to speak for the marginalized and to reject discrimination in all forms. This new bipartisan law is a good step forward. It affirms that Florida taxpayers will not be forced to fund antisemitism or hate of any kind. George Lindemann Jr. is an investor, art collector and philanthropist. He is president of the board of trustees for The Bass museum on Miami Beach.
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Black history museum makes it through Senate, remains stalled in House
Senators gather in their chamber for the opening day of session on March 4, 2025. (Photo by Jay Waagmeester/Florida Phoenix) The Florida Senate voted unanimously on Wednesday to pick St. Johns County as the site of the state's Black history museum. St. Augustine Republican Sen. Tom Leek sponsored the bill, SB 466, which would establish a board of directors to oversee construction and operation of the museum. The governor, Senate president, and House speaker would each appoint three board members. The legislative leaders would also appoint two lawmakers from each chamber. Although the upper chamber's vote brings the museum closer to the finish line, the House version of the bill hasn't been heard as the time to move forward policy in this year's session dwindles. However, the Senate and House budgets both include a $1 million appropriation for the museum. 'Understanding Black history is crucial because it's an integral part of American history, a beautiful part of Florida history,' said St. Petersburg Democratic Sen. Darryl Rouson, a co-sponsor of the bill. 'It illuminates the struggles and triumphs of a people who have significantly contributed to the shaping of not only the nation, but of the state. Importantly, it's contributed to the very uniqueness of the state of Florida.' The vote comes two years after the Legislature created a task force to recommend a location for the museum, a design, a business plan, and its educational content. However, the museum's potential site became the task force's focus over its 10 meetings as St. Johns County and Eatonville in Orange County emerged as the leading locations. The late Orlando Democratic Sen. Geraldine Thompson, who chaired the task force, wanted the museum in Eatinville, one of the first self-governing Black municipalities in the country. Florida Memorial University agreed to lease 17 acres of land for the museum, about a 10-minute drive outside of St. Augustine. St. Johns County was the site of Florida's first Black settlement (Fort Mose) in 1738, when the Spanish still colonized the region. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Designation of West Augustine as home of Black History Museum uncertain despite senate support
The Florida Senate unanimously gave the green light to constructing the future Florida Museum of Black History in West Augustine Wednesday, but there are some indications that the plan could be in trouble in the House. The legislation passed by the Florida Senate follows through on the selection made by a state task force last summer. 'The story of Florida cannot be told without also telling the story of Black Floridians,' said Senate sponsor Tom Leek (R-St. Augustine). But the deal isn't set in stone. The House companion bill hasn't even been scheduled for its first of three committee hearings, despite there only being just over three weeks remaining in the legislative session. There is $1 million included in both the House and Senate budgets for phase one of the museum's construction in West Augustine, but in the House budget, there's also $375,000 included for construction of the Florida Museum of Black History in Opa-Loka. Opa-Locka was one of the finalists under consideration by the task force last year, but it lost out to West Augustine in the end. We reached out to State Representative Kyan Michael (R-Jacksonville Beach), who is sponsoring the House bill designating West Augustine as the museum's future home for an update on the legislation's status, but didn't hear back. Before the start of the session, bills seeking to have the museum built in both Opa-Locka and Eatonville were also filed. At the time, St. Johns County Commissioner Sarah Arnold (R-District 2) told us she was confident the legislature would follow through with the task force's recommendation and support West Augustine as the museum's future home. 'We went through the process, which was unanimously supported on both sides of the aisle, and again, we won on our merits alone. I don't think that it's going to hinder us getting this museum at all,' said Arnold in a February interview. The House has yet to take action on any of the three bills seeking to designate the future home of the Black History Museum. Commissioner Arnold told Action News Jax, so long as the phase one funding makes it into the final budget and that competing funding doesn't, it shouldn't matter whether the West Augustine bill passes. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
