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Tuesday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
Floridians spending more as gas prices stay low
With gasoline prices sharply lower, consumers have more money to spend — and indeed they are spending locally and throughout Florida, state sales tax receipts show. Statewide, sales tax revenues increased 9.7 percent, from $2.02 billion in January 2014 to $2.22 billion two months ago. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Florida Municipal Power Agency lacks accountability and oversight
Greater oversight and more accountability of the Florida Municipal Power Agency is needed, according to a report from Florida TaxWatch. "Due to lack of competition and questionable business practices, many ratepayers have been left out in the cold," said Robert E. Weissert, Esq., Senior VP of Research and General Counsel of Florida TaxWatch. More about the report, here. Or, download the full report (PDF format.)
Middle East conflict fuels rising gas prices in Florida
Florida motorists saw higher prices at the pump last week as tension in Saudi Arabia and Libya caused worldwide oil prices to spike, AAA reports. [Source: Orlando Business Journal]
See also:
» AAA: Gas prices likely to dip
» Check gas prices in your Florida neighborhood
Will health care help bridge the divide between Cuba and the U.S.?
As the cold war between Cuba and the U.S. continues to thaw, health care could lead the way in bringing the two nations closer together. "There is enormous interest regarding medical suppliers," said Peter Quinter, chair of the customs and international trade law group of Florida Board of Bar Examiners. [Source: The Street]
If business is improv, then training can help
In business, there's no script, no director -- just actors playing off each other and their environment in hopefully creative and productive ways. Do it well, and bosses, employees and customers applaud and give you money. If this sounds a bit like improv theater to you, then Sarasota's Florida Studio Theatre has a new corporate training program you might be interested in. [Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Nerd Alert offers on-demand tech support
The latest tech venture by local entrepreneurs Julius McGee, Billy Levy, Ryan Tenbusch and Zack Zeldin is the second tech startup for the Florida Atlantic University friends and graduates.
› UCF to receive $1 million in grants to help entrepreneurs
The University of Central Florida will receive more than $1 million to help local entrepreneurs from two grants designed to help business professionals. Penny Pritzker, the United States Secretary of Commerce, made the announcement Monday afternoon.
› Florida health officials propose Medicaid enrollment change
Florida health officials want to remove Medicaid's 30-day wait period so people can automatically enroll for health insurance once they're deemed eligible.
› Appeals Court Weighs Workers Comp Law
A South Florida appeals court Monday heard arguments in a challenge to the constitutionality of the state’s workers-compensation insurance system — as two other closely watched challenges also await rulings at the Florida Supreme Court.
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