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Friday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn won't seek Democratic nomination for governor in 2018
Bob Buckhorn
On Thursday, Bob Buckhorn announced, “I will not be a candidate for governor in 2018." He added, "I think I could have competed and I think I could have governed." Buckhorn cited family conflicts with running for governor. After the announcement, the Mayor received a phone message from Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum. Later, Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine texted to say he would be in Tampa soon, so how about coffee? See Buckhorn's announcment here. Also read more at the Tampa Bay Times and WFLA.
Automated delivery drones could be coming to Florida's sidewalks
Florida could become the first state to legalize drones to deliver goods right to your front door. These aren't the flying ones you probably have seen but robots that ride on the sidewalk. Read more at WPTV.
Nonprofits pack $26 billion economic punch in Florida
A new study from the Florida Nonprofit Alliance reports that the Sunshine State's nonprofit sector provides an annual payroll of $26.63 billion and employs six percent of the state's workforce. More from the South Florida Business Journal and the Miami Herald.
Increasing Florida's high-tech footprint beneficial to state economy
A new report by Florida TaxWatch, the state’s independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit taxpayer research institute & government watchdog, finds that the growth of high-tech manufacturing is beneficial to Florida and that investing in the industry now can put us ahead of competitor states in enticing companies to the state. Full story from Florida TaxWatch, here.
Florida job cuts up 67 percent in February versus 2016
Florida employers cut 1,834 jobs in February, 67 percent more than 1,099 in the same month a year ago, Challenger, Gray & Christmas said Thursday. Since January, the state’s employers have cut 3,406 jobs. See the full report here. Also read more at the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
Florida farmers advocate on agricultural issues
Farmers and ranchers from across the state made their way to Tallahassee this week to advocate on behalf of agricultural issues. One of their biggest priorities this year is the discussion over Senate Bill 10, which deals with water resources. [Source: WCTV]
› Senate votes to give college students more money in Bright Futures, financial aid
A $162 million plan to improve state funding for student financial aid opportunities and make Florida’s public colleges and universities more competitive passed the state Senate on Thursday with near-unanimous support.
› Florida lawmakers try again to fix state's death penalty law
Florida lawmakers are trying for the second year in a row to fix the state's death penalty law. The Legislature is preparing to send Gov. Rick Scott a bill to require unanimous jury decision to impose the death penalty.
› 500 employees lose jobs in Jacksonville as part of CSX layoffs
CSX has finished the layoffs it announced more than two weeks ago. The final numbers: 800 employees lost their jobs, include 500 in Jacksonville. The company’s original estimate was that about 1,000 positions would be eliminated.
› Why now is the time to visit Key West
Key West gets a lot of airtime on New Year's Eve and during annual events like October's bacchanal Fantasy Fest. But there's no better time to visit the last stop on US 1 than right now, through the spring.
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