Thursday's Afternoon Update

What you need to know about Florida today

| 1/8/2015

Job cuts fall more than 30 percent

Florida had 1,457 job cuts in the private sector in December, down more than 30 percent from 2,183 in the same month last year. For 2014, Florida's layoffs were nearly level with a year ago: 21,039 compared with 21,509 in 2013. More at the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

Jeb Bush quickly ramps up political operation

Former Florida governor Jeb Bush is quickly building a sophisticated political operation as he considers a presidential run, scooping up top GOP operatives and pressing party fundraisers to pull in large sums to back his efforts. More at the Washington Post.

Gov. Scott wants $20 million boost for technical centers

Publisher's Column
Miami -- and Florida -- Rising

If you haven’t visited Miami recently, then you don’t understand Florida.

Miami is at the vanguard of many trends statewide — and oftentimes nationwide. That’s why we’ve selected the city as the “Floridian of the Year.”

» Full column

The governor wants the technical centers to use the money to set up a "rapid response" grant program. The centers would use the money to quickly set up work training programs that respond to job demands. More at the AP.

Investor homebuying cools in South Florida

When home prices hit bottom in 2012, large investment firms targeted South Florida, but a new report shows the bargain-hunting eventually trailed off. Institutional investors gobbled up 5,404 Broward properties over the past two years, the 11th most in any county nationwide. More at the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

Thom Collins leaving PAMM for Philadelphia’s Barnes Foundation

Thom Collins, who ushered the former Miami Art Museum into its lauded new bayfront home — and into a new name — is leaving his position as director of the Pérez Art Museum Miami to lead the acclaimed Barnes Foundation in Philadelphia. More at the Miami Herald.

Around The State
Central Florida Roundup

Opponents of an initiative that would have let voters decide whether businesses should have mandatory sick leave helped persuade the Republican-led Florida Legislature to pass a law in 2013 that prohibited local governments from mandating paid sick leave.