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Wednesday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
Florida's business groups take lead in latest push for Medicaid expansion
The number of Republican-controlled states deciding to reverse course and expand Medicaid continues to grow, with Tennessee joining the list Monday. A coalition of Florida businesses and health care organizations is urging Florida to join that list during the 2015 legislative session. [Source: Florida Times-Union]
See also:
» Anxious about lost dollars, Florida businesses and hospitals look for middle ground on health expansion
» Why Florida should expand Medicaid coverage
Florida not among states to get $665 million in Affordable Care Act funding
The federal government announced Tuesday that it will award more than $665 million in Affordable Care Act “innovation grants” to 28 states, but Florida is not among them. Gov. Rick Scott has been a fierce critic of the health law popularly known as Obamacare and the state did not apply for a grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. [Source: Miami Herald]
Compared to other states, Florida's average wages slip badly
When it comes to wage growth, Florida trails... almost everybody. The new analysis is a painful reminder that Florida's fixation simply to create lots of jobs is deceptive. While it may drive down the state unemployment rate, it does so at a cost when the average wage of new jobs is lower than the jobs they replaced. Read more from the Tampa Bay Times and see the interactive map from the Wall Street Journal.
Legalization of gay marriage could positively impact Florida’s economy
A recent Washington Post story claims states that still haven’t legalized same sex marriage are missing out on a lot of money. The same article pointed out that the two states with the most to gain financially are Texas and Florida. A new study says Florida stands to gain $182 million if gay marriage is allowed. [Source: WINK News]
See also:
» Clerks: US gay marriage order affects 1 county
Florida tourism officials support relaxing U.S. visa rules
Florida tourism officials say America’s restrictive travel visa rules are costing the Sunshine State big bucks. The Visa Waiver Program currently allows citizens of 38 countries to travel to the United States for tourism without having to obtain visas. [Source: WLRN]
See also:
» Study: improved tourist visa laws would add billions in revenue and thousands of jobs within five years
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Darden reports $32.8 million loss
Darden Restaurants reported a $32.8 million quarterly loss Tuesday, the first results since activist investor Starboard Value took over the company's board of directors.
› BBX to appeal verdict in SEC fraud case
BBX Capital Corp. and its chairman said they will appeal after jurors convicted them Monday of misleading investors about loan losses during the 2007 financial meltdown.
› It was a good year for small biz lending in Northeast Florida
The U.S. Small Business Administration's North Florida District Office guaranteed 788 loans worth over $451 million in 2014. This amount reflects a $90 million increase in lending over the previous year.
› Broward School Board reviews employee salaries
Broward County School officials on Tuesday discussed overhauling the way they set employee salaries amid concerns the current method is confusing, inconsistent and unfair to internal job candidates.
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