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Monday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
Are legislators 'hijacking' the will of voters or injecting common sense?
Florida's experiment in direct democracy is being tested this year in the state Legislature. Five amendments to the state Constitution relating to the environment, solar power, education, redistricting and medical marijuana are getting a rewrite as lawmakers — mostly in the House — attempt to revise what voters approved with their own ideas of how the amendments should work. [Source: Times/Herald]
More convenience store chains make the leap to Florida
Florida has become a desirable target for region-hopping convenience-store chains. Texas retailer Buc-ee’s Ltd. will open a location in Florida, its first c-store outside of the Lone Star State, in 2018. Virginia-based Uphoff Venture will open an Uppy’s c-store in Florida later this month. [Source: CSP Daily news]
Florida Trend Exclusive
Wealth management in Florida: Money tips and advice from the experts
With a new administration in Washington, Florida investors are watching for changes in policies and laws. Research shows most Americans headed into 2017 with financial concerns about retirement. Even with uncertainty, there are ways to manage income and accumulate wealth. Financial experts around Florida offer their strategies. Access full story.
Your turn:
» Do you have financial concerns about retirement? Gauge your level of concern in this quick poll.
Florida officials: Arson wildfires are on the rise statewide
Florida officials say the number of arson wildfires has increased nearly 70 percent compared to last year. Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam said Friday there have been more than 240 separate arson wildfires so far this year. [Source: AP]
See also:
» Fire risk ramps up in Florida following warm, dry winter
Florida is ahead of the curve in gender diversity of head coaches
When it comes to gender diversity in its head coaching staff, Florida is ahead of the curve compared to the rest of the SEC. But as a league, the SEC is behind the rest of the country when it comes to the balance of male and female head coaches. [Source: Gainesville Sun]
› FSU institute to play major role in deep space exploration
Florida State University’s High-Performance Materials Institute and the Florida A&M University–Florida State University College of Engineering are joining a major multiuniversity project funded by NASA that will focus on developing technologies crucial to human exploration in deep space.
› Central Florida buyers bidding as home listings shrink
In just a year, home listings in the core Orlando market shrank by 20 percent while sales climbed 12 percent, a new report shows. Those dueling forces helped hoist prices up by $12,000 during the year-long period to reach a median of $217,000 in March.
› Florida lawmakers want manatees listed as 'endangered'
Some Florida lawmakers want manatees back on the endangered species list. Last month, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced that the large marine mammal was now considered "threatened" instead of "endangered" because its population had increased.
› Airbnb sues city of Miami for targeting hosts after meeting
The home-sharing platform Airbnb is suing the city of Miami, where officials threatened to crack down on hosts who publicly protested regulations prohibiting short-term rentals.
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