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Thursday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
Florida veterans not seeking benefits
Tens of millions of dollars in benefits for Florida veterans are going unclaimed because the vets either don’t know they are eligible, or have had a bad experience with the troubled Veterans Administration, but the state is stepping up efforts to get vets to claim what’s rightfully theirs. More from WCTV and WJXT.
Florida workers’ comp carriers to save $20 million in costs next year
Cost savings in two Florida funds paid into by workers’ compensation carriers are expected to equal a nearly $20 million reduction in expenses for insurers operating in the state next year, according to a statement from the Florida Department of Financial Services. [Source: Insurance Journal]
Florida voters gain control of casino gambling initiative
The future of Florida’s gambling industry may be put into the hands of the public following a constitutional amendment proposal, aimed at giving residents the right to approve or reject the expansion of casino gambling. The amendment would prevent politicians from authorizing casino gambling, without first gaining voter approval through a statewide citizens’ initiative. If "Voter Control of Gambling Amendment" is passed, Florida's residents will have the “exclusive right to decide whether to authorize casino gambling” in their state. More from Space Coast Daily and Gambling Insider.
Hundreds of low-income census tracts designated as ‘low-tax opportunity zones’
Florida has 427 of the 8,700 low-income census tracts nationwide designed as “Opportunity Zones” for economic development under provisions of the Tax Cut and Jobs Act of 2017, signed into law by President Donald Trump in December. See the announcement about the program from the U.S. Department of the Treasure, here. Also see Gov. Rick Scott's announcement about the low-tax opportunity zones (April, 2018). Read more at Florida Watchdog.
Florida’s next governor will most likely oppose fracking
The major candidates to be Florida's next governor have found common ground, underground: They all oppose fracking. Congressman Ron DeSantis confirmed to an environmental advocacy group, the Food & Water Action Fund, on Monday that he was against the practice. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› How a Tampa company puts profitability on the menu for restaurants worldwide
Consider them the restaurant industry’s secret weapon. No restaurant credits Revenue Management Solutions on its menus and the Tampa firm is likewise mum talking about most of its clients. Yet the company has its hands in more than 50 chains at 100,000-plus of their locations across the world.
› Beckham’s MLS Miami team could be proposing a new soccer stadium site
A new proposal for the MLS Miami stadium site might come to a resolution soon. According to reports, David Beckham and business partners Jorge and Jose Mas want Miami voters to approve a new park at Melreese Country Club.
› Sea Ray to lay off 380 workers in Brevard, and this yacht company wants to hire them
The Viking Yacht Co. recently heard about the plight of Sea Ray Boats and its workers in Brevard County. Sea Ray announced last month it was laying off hundreds of workers as it consolidated its boat-building operation for that brand.
› The Jacksonville Landing could be torn down, but other cities are renovating festival marketplaces
The Waterside District recently underwent a $40 million renovation of the building that opened on the Elizabeth River in 1983. The Jacksonville Landing has not undergone a major renovation since it opened in 1987 on the St. Johns River.
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