March 18, 2024

Thursday's Daily Pulse

What you need to know about Florida today

| 11/20/2014

Jobs coming back, but construction not what it used to be

Florida is well on its way to recovering all jobs lost during the recession, says Wells Fargo economist Mark Vitner. But the state's home building and construction sector is adding less growth than usual. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]


Florida concerned about aging election equipment

Decade-old voting equipment is quickly aging in nearly half the state's counties, and there has been a struggle at the local level to secure money to cover the replacement costs. [Source: WUSF]


Small businesses more optimistic for the holidays

Small business owners are feeling more optimistic about the holiday season than they did in 2013, according to a Chase survey. A little more than half of the survey respondents anticipated up to 20 percent of sales to come from new business and customers this holiday season. [Source: Bizjournals]


Florida's college grads have lower student loans

Graduates of Florida colleges are less likely to be saddled with student loans when they graduate, a new study shows. Slightly more than half of Florida's students leave school with loans compared with seven of 10 nationally. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]


Should shops close on Thanksgiving?

n the midst of a national debate about whether shops should open on Thanksgiving, some Florida retailers say they take pride in the fact that they are closed for the holiday. "We're not open on Thanksgiving. I think it's sacrilegious," said Caroline Caudill, who owns The Chandlery store in downtown Melbourne. [Source: Florida Today]


ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Cattle rustlers targeting Florida herds
As beef prices rise, so does cattle rustling. "Theft is the biggest thing with cattle right now," says Florida rancher Paul Albert. Albert is the latest rustling victim in Hendry County.

› Florida pension reform looms large
With a larger Republican majority, legislative leaders are expected to try again in the 2015 session to revamp the Florida retirement system.

› Seven Florida companies earn perfect scores in LGBT index
Seven Florida companies earned top scores in the 2015 Corporate Equality Index, an annual report assessing lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender inclusion in major companies and law firms across the country.

› Scott to stage a 'jobs-themed' second inauguration
The traditional inauguration ceremony will be held on Jan. 6 in Tallahassee. But prior to that Gov. Scott will host a series of “jobs jamborees” beginning on Dec. 1.
» See also: Florida Gov. to scale back inaugural events


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