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Wednesday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
Florida businesses optimistic as retiree migration bounces back
Florida businesses are feeling positive and for good reason. The migration of retirees to southern states, which slowed in the aftermath of the Great Recession, has started to rebound. And more than half of Florida businesses (53 percent) are feeling optimistic. [Source: Small Business Trends]
Florida home sales take an October dip
Single-family home sales in Florida in October fell 5.3% to 20,194 from the same month last year, and townhouse-condo sales dropped 12.3% to 7,955 during the same period, the Florida Realtors® reported Tuesday. The group said shortfalls in inventory continued to impact sales statewide. At the same time however, Florida’s housing market reported higher median prices. Read the report from Florida Realtors® here.
See also:
» South Florida home sales frightfully low in October
» The price of homes in the Tampa Bay area continues to soar
» Southwest Florida residential sales drop
» October sales of Naples homes fall 7 percent
» Miami-Dade home sales plummet again in October
Where will Florida's medical marijuana dispensaries go?
Florida has legalized medical marijuana. But one big question: Where will those dispensaries go? And how much control will local governments have to regulate medical marijuana? [Source: WMFE]
Floridians expected to spend an average of $900 on gifts
The holiday shopping season officially begins on Black Friday and according to the Florida Retail Federation people in the Sunshine State are expected to spend an average of $935 on gifts this year. That includes $590 on gifts for family, friends and co-workers, $207 on decorations, flowers and greeting cards, $140 on themselves. [Source: WJXT]
Earlier:
» Report from the Florida Retail Federation is here.
Florida Senate leaders scoff as Corcoran calls for change in Capitol
Under new leadership, the Florida Legislature entered a strange new world Tuesday as the House speaker condemned the entrenched power of lobbyists and called for major changes in spending sure to be opposed by the Senate and Gov. Rick Scott. [Source: Times/Herald]
› Florida PTA drops out of school choice lawsuit
The Parent Teacher Association has dropped out of a lawsuit against a scholarship program that helps children attend a private school even if they don’t have the financial means.
› Florida CHAIN, health consumer group, lays off all staff
Florida CHAIN, the state's most active group urging health care for all, says it will lay off all five staff members at the end of next month because it has lost a key source of funds.
› University of Miami loses $70M, investment performance sags
The University of Miami flipped to a loss for its 2016 fiscal year largely due to lagging performing by its investment portfolio. The nonprofit university moderately improved on its operating profits during its first year under President Julio Frenk.
› Meet the oldest corrections officer in Florida, and perhaps the strongest
At 81, Yong is the oldest certified corrections officer in Florida, the state's oldest law enforcement officer and the most senior lieutenant at the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office. He's also still a strongman.
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