March 28, 2024

Thursday's Daily Pulse

What you need to know about Florida today

| 5/3/2018

In most states, Democrats are making big gains relative to 2016. Not in Florida.

Florida is one of only a few states where the average shift relative to the 2016 presidential result in the district has been in the Republicans’ favor. Why is Florida the state that is bucking the blue-wave trend? Florida has been less likely to embrace the movements that have activated liberal and moderate voters in other parts of the country. [Source: Washington Post]

See also:
» Florida political ad spending tops $13 million
» Two new members join the Florida House after Tuesday’s special elections

Q&A: Leader of Florida Retail Federation talks ‘retail apocalypse’

In Florida, there are about 2.7 million people employed in retail, according to the CEO of the Florida Retail Federation Scott Shalley. That means one and every five jobs in the state is in the retail industry. So talk of a "retail apocalypse" isn’t exactly welcome news. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]

Desperate to hire, more businesses, including in Florida, are dropping marijuana drug tests

Marijuana testing — a fixture at large American employers for at least 30 years — excludes too many potential workers, experts say, at a time when filling jobs is more challenging than it's been in nearly two decades. [Source: WPTV]

The Sunshine economy: Working for tips

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, half of the waiters and waitresses working in South Florida made more than $10.14 per hour, half made less in 2016, the last time the government reported such wage data. According to state data, the median wage for restaurant servers is far below the median wage for all jobs. [Source: WLRN]

Florida Senate president bows out after leaving mark on universities, environment

Florida Senate President Joe Negron said Wednesday that he will leave office in November when his leadership tenure ends, despite the Stuart Republican having two years left in his term. Negron has been one of the most influential elected officials in the state over the last few years. [Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› CareerSource attorney questions whether Pinellas commissioners can remove directors
Charles Harris, the attorney for CareerSource Pinellas and CareerSource Tampa Bay, told the executive committee of one of the agencies on Wednesday that state and federal law put that authority solely in the hands of the governor.

› South Florida startups prep their pitches for $50K at venture capital conference
South Florida startups that focus on real estate technology, in-demand assistance for seniors and cybersecurity software will get a chance to make their cases to potential financial backers and deal professionals at a conference in Tampa later this month.

› Florida prisons to cut programs due to health care cost hike
The Florida Department of Corrections says the budget the Legislature approved in March fell $50 million short for prisoner health care and medicines, so it's forced to cut services like substance abuse treatment and prisoner re-entry programs.

› Miami tourism industry records a flock of record gains
Despite facing setbacks such as Hurricane Irma, Zika and the closure of the Miami Beach Convention Center for renovations, Bill Talbert, president and chief executive officer of the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau, points to 2017 as “a year of headwinds turning into tailwinds."

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