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Friday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
Florida layoffs decrease 37 percent over year ago
Layoffs in Florida decreased 37 percent in April over a year ago, but only a small percentage of the job cuts were in retail, an industry that has been shedding jobs nationwide. According to a report from outplacement firm Challenger Gray & Christmas, Florida employers announced a total of 1,184 layoffs during April compared with 1,870 in April 2016. Most of the layoffs were in a variety of industries: financial, aerospace, construction, pharmaceutical and services. See the report here. Also read more at the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
Florida getting fewer refugees
Florida has seen a substantial slowdown in refugee arrivals this year, a sign President Donald Trump’s new policies are having an impact despite a flurry of legal challenges to block them. For the first four months of 2017, 543 refugees were resettled in Florida, according to figures from the U.S. State Department. [Source: Tallahassee Democrat]
How false water-damage claims are reaching crisis levels in Florida
With just a few weeks before the start of Hurricane Season 2017, all eyes turn to Florida, which had remained relatively unscathed by Mother Nature's torment in recent years until Hurricane Matthew barreled up the Atlantic coastline last September — leaving behind more than $800 million in claims in the Sunshine State. [Source: Property Casualty]
Florida set to scale back training requirements for several jobs
The Florida House and Senate have approved changes for Florida's Department of Business and Professional Regulation, and with the Governor's signature, would mean several jobs would no longer require an occupational license. See the analysis on HB 7047, "Deregulation of Professions and Occupations." Also read more at WFTS.
| Florida's Movers & Influencers See some of Florida's top executive moves, board appointments, civic accomplishments, and more at Florida Trend's Movers & Influencers. Each profile appears in three places: in a weekly eNewsletter, online at FloridaTrend.com and in a monthly print issue of Florida Trend. Read more here. |
Florida drought escalates to “extreme” level
About 6 percent of the state is now in an extreme drought – a level that could mean major crop, pasture losses, widespread water shortages and water restrictions. Nationwide, only Florida and a small area of North Georgia are in extreme drought. [Source: Palm Beach Post]
› Health Care replacement bill: How Florida representatives voted
The U.S. House of Representatives voted 217-213 Thursday to advances a bill that addresses their longtime pledge to erase the 2010 Affordable Care Act, also known as "Obamacare." Only one Florida Republican congresswoman voted no, Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinem (R-District 27).
› Recommendations for Florida’s U.S. Attorneys will come now from senators, not a nominating commission
Florida will no longer recommend replacing vacant U.S. Attorney openings through a judicial nominating commission. Instead the state’s two senators may individually recommend names to the president.
› Site of Pulse nightclub massacre to become memorial, museum
The Florida gay nightclub that was the site of the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history will become a memorial and museum to comfort the bereaved now and educate future generations about the importance of tolerance, the club's owner said Thursday.
› How price discounts are driving condo sales in Miami
Reduced prices have boosted Miami’s luxury condo market. According to a new study by EWM Realty International, sellers lowered prices to propel sales of high-end condos in Miami-Dade in March 2017.
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