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Thursday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
Florida non-profit hospitals brace for legislative battle
A growing number of Republican legislators are signing onto Gov. Rick Scott’s call to deregulate the health care industry, a move that non-profit hospitals fear could cripple their ability to care for the poor. [Source: Naples Daily News]
Florida's job growth swells in January
The state added 18,600 private-sector jobs in January, a 30 percent increase from 14,227 from a year ago. That was after a slowdown in December, when over-the-year job growth declined 46 percent. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Florida House takes first steps toward killing Visit Florida, Enterprise Florida
By an overwhelming vote, a Florida House committee voted to eliminate Visit Florida and Enterprise Florida despite testimony from dozens of businesses and economic development groups from around the state that warned them not to. [Source: Times/Herald]
Examining Florida's back to school sales tax holidays
The impact of increasing discretionary spending in the Sunshine State is very real, as the retail industry is extraordinarily important to Florida’s economy. With the increased use of sales tax holidays, it is essential that the impact on taxpayers, the retail industry, and the state of Florida is thoroughly assessed. Full story from Florida TaxWatch, here.
U.S. spending $13.6M more on citrus greening research
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has awarded $13.6 million more to citrus greening research projects, part of a program that U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Longboat Key, worked to include in the 2014 farm bill. Full news release here.
See also:
» Disappearing orange groves are forcing farmers into the beer and lubricant markets
› Deeper discounts sought for Florida boat registrations
State Rep. MaryLynn Magar, R-Tequesta, has proposed further reductions on vessel-registration fees for boaters who have purchased emergency-locator devices.
› CareerSource Florida tabs Michelle Dennard as new president and CEO
Michelle Dennard was unanimously chosen Wednesday to become president and CEO of the workforce agency CareerSource Florida, replacing Chris Hart who recently moved to the top role at Enterprise Florida.
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› Bills seek to ban immigrant ‘sanctuaries’ in Florida — with penalties for not obeying
Declaring “we are a nation of rules,” Florida Republican lawmakers have officially revived their efforts to go after so-called “sanctuary” cities and counties in Florida — and their elected officials — that don’t fully cooperate with federal enforcement of immigration law.
› PortMiami sets global passenger record
PortMiami had another strong year in 2016, coming close to hitting the 5 million multi-day passenger mark. The port’s latest cruise season set a world record in cruise passenger traffic with 4.98 million multi-day passengers, a 1.5% increase from the previous year.
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