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Monday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
Jimmy Patronis to be named Florida CFO
Jimmy Patronis
Former state Rep. Jimmy Patronis will be taking on a new office as the state’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO), replacing the departing Jeff Atwater. On Sunday, Gov. Rick Scott announced he plans to appoint Patronis, a long-time political ally, to take over one of the state’s top elected jobs. “As a small business owner, Jimmy has been a successful job creator and has helped grow Panama City’s economy. I know that he will bring his wealth of private sector experience with him to Tallahassee,” Scott said. Updated: Here is Gov. Scott's official announcement about new CFO Patronis. Also read more at the Panama City News Herald.
See also:
» Gov. Scott will travel state to tout new appointment
On open records, half Florida's legislators rate "F" or "D"
Half of Florida’s legislators failed or nearly failed in a review of their support for public records and meetings given by Florida newspapers and an open-government group after this year’s legislative sessions. More from the Palm Beach Post, the AP, and the Tampa Bay Times.
See also:
» Where does your Florida legislator rank? See their scorecard, listed by county
Florida farmers urge research, labor focus in upcoming farm bill
Research and labor stood out as common threads at the three-hour listening session held by the House Agriculture Committee at the University of Florida. It was mostly farmers and ranchers from Florida and Georgia who made the trip to comment on the 2014 farm bill as well as make suggestions for the 2018 farm bill. [Source: AgriPulse]
See also:
» Higher Ed leaders stress funding for agricultural research
Legalized medical marijuana signed into law by Rick Scott
Gov. Rick Scott on Friday signed into law a broader medical marijuana system for the state, following through on a promise he made earlier this month. Lawmakers passed the measure, SB 8A, in a special session after failing in their regular session that ended in May. [Source: Times/Herald]
Florida ranked 40th in latest Kids Count report
Florida children are falling behind in economic well-being, but enjoyed gains in health, maintaining the state’s rank of 40th out of the 50 states in the latest Kids Count annual report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation. [Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
See also:
» The Florida's 2017 Kids Count Profile is here, which gives reasons why among all U.S. states, Florida earns these rankings for children: #45 in economic well-being; #31 in education; #44 in health; #35 in family and community.
› Sears and South Florida keep a close relationship
Although Sears Holdings corporate headquarters has long been near Chicago, its financial hub is Miami, home to three -- and until recently, four -- of the company’s board of directors, more than any other single city.
› JAXPORT sets Florida record
JAXPORT and the TraPac Container Terminal at Dames Point welcomed the 10,100-TEU (container) MOL Bravo, the largest container ship to ever visit a Florida port on Saturday. The MOL Bravo transited the Suez Canal from Asia before reaching the U.S. East Coast. Also read more at First Coast News.
› Manatee second in Florida for mortgage approval
Home-ownership is often considered a cornerstone of the "American Dream,” but depending on where you are looking to buy, you may have a better chance of getting a mortgage approval.
› Federal agencies demand records from SeaWorld theme park
New SEC filing disclosures released Friday show that agencies are asking for comments that executives and the company made in August 2014 about the critical "Blackfish" documentary.
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