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Friday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
Internet tax ruling could be major for Florida
A U.S. Supreme Court decision expanding the ability of states to pull in tax dollars from online purchases could have a significant impact in Florida. In a 5-4 ruling Thursday, the nation’s highest court upheld a South Dakota law that allowed the state to apply its sales tax to major online retailers, even if they had no physical presence in the state. More from the Orlando Sentinel and the Gainesville Sun.
See also:
» Florida retailers cheer Supreme Court online sales tax decision
» Editorial: With Supreme Court ruling, Florida should collect sales tax from online retailers
» Your turn: Should Florida collect sales tax from all online retailers? (quick poll)
2.4 million Floridians expected to travel for Fourth of July
Summer has officially started and so have summer travel plans. About 2.4 million Floridians are expected to travel for the Fourth of July holiday weekend, up 6.3 percent from last year, according to AAA, The Auto Club Group. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
Florida ranks low in women’s labor force participation
According to The Institute for Women’s Policy Research, the state is ranked 48th out of 51, including the District of Colombia, in women’s labor force participation, at 53.7 percent. The demographic that had the hardest time finding a new job after the Great Recession hit in 2008 was women over 50. See the reports: "The Status of Women in Florida by County: Employment & Earnings," and also "The Economic Status of Women in Florida." Also read more at WUFT
Strong demand, low inventory continues to bolster Florida’s home sales market
Despite higher interest rates, the Florida housing market posted strong numbers in May with higher sales, median prices and even new listings as compared to a year earlier. The latest residential sales statistics released by trade group Florida Realtors indicated sales of single-family homes statewide totaled 28,071 in May, up 0.8% as compared to May 2017. See the news release from Florida Realtors and read more at Globe St.
Billionaires, bankers and a Ukrainian oligarch: See who’s funding Florida’s campaigns for governor
From national advocacy groups to hedge fund managers to local real estate tycoons, lots of big donors have placed their bets in the race for Florida governor. But not all of them are household names — in fact, several large contributors donated from their company accounts so their names did not initially appear on campaign finance documents. [Source: Times/Herald]
See also:
» Campaign donations in Florida governor’s race hit $80 million
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Orlando International Airport to scan faces of U.S. citizens, raising privacy concerns
Florida's busiest airport is becoming the first in the nation to require a face scan of passengers on all arriving and departing international flights, including U.S. citizens, according to officials there.
› Bond ratings, new projects signal positive financial outlook for Hallandale Beach
The financial profile of the city of Hallandale Beach has received a lift from Fitch Ratings, which recently affirmed its high grades for the local government’s general obligation bonds and capital improvement revenue bonds.
› Downtown Miami residents want to block Formula One and kick out Ultra Music Festival
An attorney representing 11 downtown residents sent a cease-and-desist letter to City Hall on Wednesday demanding the city halt negotiations to bring Formula One to Miami in 2019 and stop hosting other "mega-events" in Bayfront Park, such as Ultra Music Festival and Rolling Loud Festival.
› Tampa company brings on-demand home-service app to Orlando
An app built in Tampa that has become available in Orlando hopes to connect home-improvement gurus with those who need a little bit of work done. Homee, an on-demand service that provides access to electricians, plumbers and other professionals, has expanded its GPS-based platform to Central Florida.
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