March 28, 2024

Thursday's Daily Pulse

What you need to know about Florida today

| 3/27/2014

Future of high court sparks legislative battle

The future of the Florida Supreme Court is sparking a legislative battle over whether the state's next governor - or the governor after that - will have a say in who will be on the court. [Source: AP]

Legislative Roundup:
» Voucher expansion proposal gets new life in Florida House
» Docs, nurses push lawmakers for Medicaid expansion
» Lawmakers play starring role in film industry tax incentive plan
» State senate OKs measure to create regional expressway authority
» Lawmakers may ease short-term rental law


Florida county health rankings released

A new report says St. Johns County, home to St. Augustine in northeast Florida, is the state's healthiest county. The report released Wednesday placed Union County, north of Gainesville, as Florida's least healthy county. The report is put together by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute. Read more from WJHG and explore the full report here.

See also:
» Sarasota County slips in national health rankings
» Naples area ranks No. 2 in Florida for healthy living
» Volusia slips in county health rankings, while Flagler inches up


Economic Report 

Commercializing Florida's Public Research

Prevacus
Prevacus, a pharmaceutical company located in Tallahassee, has received support from the Institute for the Commercialization of Research. » Read the article here.

Researchers at Florida universities and research institutes have made some of the most recognizable inventions in the U.S., and commercializing those inventions has brought millions of dollars to the state. Startup companies formed from research at public universities help diversify the Florida economy and produce high-wage jobs. They also give Florida’s students the opportunity to stay in Florida, with the added benefit of a return to the state from our investment in their education. Full report from Florida TaxWatch, and a profile of the  Florida Institute for the Commercialization of Public Research, here.


Taxes Won’t Kill Bitcoin, but Tax Reporting Might

The I.R.S. this week released guidance indicating that Bitcoins and other so-called virtual currencies that do not have the status of legal tender in any jurisdiction would be treated as property, not currency, for tax purposes. [Source: New York Times]


Doctors fight expanding non-MD roles

Doctors, nurses and physician assistants often work together, yet they’re not always on the same team when it comes to legislation. That’s currently the case with bills before the Florida Legislature that would give nurses greater powers and give physician assistants greater numbers. [Source: Miami Today]


ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› The global sports company in Tampa almost no one knows about
In 1989, James Gills, an eye surgeon and real estate developer, bought the Ironman brand, for $3 million, bringing the headquarters to his hometown of Tarpon Springs. In 2008, Gills sold it for an undisclosed amount to Providence Equity Partners, and the company moved to Tampa.

› New test rules prompt schools to cut, combine electives
Reductions in elective classes are happening as school districts across Florida scramble to write state-required, end-of-year tests for every class offered in 2014-15.

› Punta Gorda throttles up for growth
Hurricane Charley devastated parts of Charlotte County when it made landfall nearly a decade ago. But now, with tourism and the state's coastal population on the rise, a main airport rebounding and businesses returning, the county appears to be shedding at least some of the memories of the Category 4 storm.

› C1 Bank institutes living wage
As a national debate over raising the minimum wage rages on, a St. Petersburg-based community bank has decided to act on its own. C1 Bank said Wednesday that it's establishing a minimum "living wage rate" of $14 per hour for its full-time employees.


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Florida Trend Video Pick

Bitter-to-swallow cocoa costs force chocolate shops to raise prices
Bitter-to-swallow cocoa costs force chocolate shops to raise prices

Central Floirda chocolate shops are left with a bitter taste as cocoa prices hit an all-time high earlier this week.

Video Picks | Viewpoints@FloridaTrend

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