March 19, 2024

Tuesday's Daily Pulse

What you need to know about Florida today

| 3/3/2015

The biggest questions for the Florida Legislature

Florida's GOP-controlled Legislature kicks off its annual session Tuesday, one that could be consumed by plenty of high-profile issues — but lacking the intensity that comes during an election year session. [Source: AP]

Legislative Roundup:
» What do you want Florida lawmakers to talk about in 2015?
» $1 billion surplus: Where will it go?
» Lawmaker renews push to bring mega casinos to Florida
» Central Florida leaders take Legislature's helm
» Excerpts from Rick Scott's State of the State
» Palm Beach County sends 200 to Tallahassee to lobby

See also:
» NEWSFEED: THE 2015 FLORIDA LEGISLATIVE SESSION live


Dean Cannon
Former House Speak Dean Cannon has launched his own firm, Capitol Insight.

Florida Trend Exclusive
When leaders become lobbyists in Florida

More than half of Florida House Speakers since 1980 have gone into lobbying at least temporarily, including three consecutive Democratic Speakers. Since 2006, more than two dozen ex-lawmakers have made the jump — about one of every eight who has left the Legislature over the last five election cycles. Access full story.


Will Apple Pay revolutionize small business?

Since Apple rolled out Apple Pay in October 2014, more than 220,000 retailers have partnered with the company to offer contact-less mobile payments. And it's not just nationwide chains like Whole Foods Market or Foot Locker. [Source: The Week]

See also:
» Most small-business owners aren't planning ahead


Why gas prices are on the rise

It seems the flirtation with below-$2-a-gallon gasoline has ended. Gas prices continue to inch up in Florida and across the United States, increasing 11 cents in one week in the Sunshine State. More from Florida Today, the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, and WPTV.

See also:
» Check gas prices in your Florida neighborhood at this interactive map
» Electricity costs fall in South Florida


The McMansion is back, and bigger than ever

New American homes were bigger than ever last year, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau. After a few years of shrinkage in the aftermath of the Great Recession, the median square footage of newly built homes last year tipped the scales at over 2,400 square feet. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]


ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Still No. 1 in Florida, Publix cracks $30 billion in annual revenues
Publix, still the No. 1 grocery chain in Florida by market share, continued its consistent growth by racking up $30.6 billion in revenues in 2014, a 5.7 percent uptick from its $28.9 billion of 2013.

› Orlando City sells out Citrus Bowl for Major League Soccer debut
Orlando City has officially filled the bowl. Lions’ president Phil Rawlins announced Monday morning that the team has sold out its Major League Soccer debut at the Citrus Bowl on March 8.

› FAU launching unique program with Scripps, Max Planck
A new training ground for the next generation of scientists was unveiled at Florida Atlantic University on Monday -- part of a partnership between the school's Jupiter campus and two renown research institutions.

» Full background on FAU's program at their news release, here.

› Tapping instead of clicking for commerce
Entrepreneur Michelle Moulin touches the back of her Android smartphone against a "tap point" that is connected to a video screen. It's something she hopes everyone will be doing a lot in a few years, because her company, IZipline LLC, developed the system.


Go to page 2 for more stories ...

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