The retirement of Florida Blue’s longtime lobbyist is generating accolades from everyone from Gov. Rick Scott to advocates for disabled children, the Florida Times-Union reports.
Mike Hightower, Florida Blue’s vice president of government and legislative relations, is known as a rainmaker for state Republicans and is chairman of the powerful Associated Industries of Florida. But his philanthropic side is equally impressive, the Times-Union reports, having poured support toward groups such as the Children’s Resources Fund.
In other business news, the whistleblower in the $120 million Halifax Health lawsuit has officially left the hospital and has been awarded one year of severance, the Daytona Beach News-Journal reports.
Elin Baklid-Kunz, a compliance officer since 1994, will earn $92,081 in severance, the News-Journal reports. She is leaving to teach and serve as a consultant, according to the News-Journal.
