SHARE:
Monday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
Economists predict rising housing sales, prices
A strong turnaround in home sales and a suppressed stock of real estate listings has lifted prices to their highest level since the boom of the mid-2000s, while rents are following a similar path. Most top housing economists expect that climb to continue through 2017. [Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
See also:
» Tom Hudson: Can economy continue jobs streak?
Florida's Biggest Companies
High Spirits: A profile of ABC Fine Wine & Spirits
Once known as ABC Liquors, the 80-year-old company has been rebranded under Chairman/CEO Charles Bailes III (on right, with brother Jess Bailes, executive vice president). They have opened 60 new-concept stores. [Photo: Norma Lopez Molina]
A profile on Orlando-based ABC Fine Wine & Spirits kicks off this year’s list of the 350 biggest companies in Florida. The business, No. 99 among the 225 private companies with more than half a billion in revenue, has overcome family friction as it remakes its stores. Access full story.
Aging boomers to strain housing and health care
The 10,000 baby boomers who are entering retirement age every day may be concerned with the “active adult” lifestyle now, but in less than 20 years the postwar generation is expected to have an enormous impact on the market for assisted-living and skilled-nursing centers. [Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
New chip credit cards putting squeeze on small businesses
The cards being rolled out by banks and credit card companies are aimed at reducing fraud from counterfeit cards. As chip cards are phased in, magnetic stripe cards, which are easier for thieves to copy, will be phased out. [Source: AP]
Where American's worst roads are -- and how much they're costing us
The shoddy state of the nation's roads cost average drivers $515 in extra operation and maintenance costs on their cars, according to the latest analysis. And while everybody loves to make fun of Florida, the Sunshine State actually has the smallest percentage of bad roads in the nation. [Source: Washington Post]
See also:
» Growth outpacing roads' capacity
› Florida congressional delegation took 103 private trips
Florida's federal lawmakers and their staffs took 103 privately sponsored trips in 2014 valued at more than $350,000, according to records filed with the House Clerk's Office.
› Gov. Rick Scott's vetoes leave lingering damage with lawmakers
Gov. Rick Scott's sudden and sweeping vetoes of lawmakers' projects have stirred up more bad blood with the Senate that is likely to linger. It won't take long for the governor to find out the price he'll pay the next time he needs support for his own priorities. The next session begins in just six months.
› For tobacco growers, farming a family affair
In 1997, Florida had 196 tobacco growers — including 28 in Alachua County — with 6,951 acres and $26 million in sales, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s five-year census. By 2012, that number had shrunk to 10 growers in the state.
› Florida to swear in first female state auditor general
Florida is getting its first female state auditor general. Sherrill Norman will be sworn in Wednesday. The auditor general is a constitutional officer who serves as the state's independent auditor.
Go to page 2 for more stories ...
In case you missed it: