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Monday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
How the environment has become a key factor in Florida's elections
For a state that touts tourism as being the number one economic industry -- making up to 23 percent of the state’s sales tax revenue, supporting more than 1.4 million jobs and creating a local value up to $45 billion -- losing those vital customers has Floridians wondering if it’s time to approach environmental policy differently. [Source: ABC News]
See also:
» Florida business owners fear water problems will hurt economy
» Lawmakers get an earful at red tide town hall
» Florida’s $150 million primary race for governor nears the finish line
» Trump factor looms large in Florida primary races
» Florida’s attorney general primary feistier than usual
Florida thoroughbred groups unite against Calder jai alai plan
A trio of thoroughbred industry groups, including the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association, Ocala Breeders’ Sales and Gulfstream Park, have filed their opposition to a plan by Calder Casino to abandon thoroughbred racing in favor of jai alai and still keep their lucrative casino, including Las Vegas-style slots. [Source: Gainesville Sun]
Disney World rival Is shrinking at the worst time
Momentum in the Central Florida battle for theme park supremacy is shifting back in favor of the mouse that started it all, and Comcast's Universal Orlando isn't doing itself any favors by closing another long-standing attraction. Universal will be closing The Eighth Voyage of Sindbad -- a stunt show that has been around since Islands of Adventure's debut in 1999 -- on Sept. 15. [Source: The Motley Fool]
Florida Trend Exclusive
Job hopes: Columbia County land state grants that target areas of opportunities
Residents of Columbia County, the rural north Florida community where I-75 meets I-10, are hoping a pair of small economic development grants will unlock big job growth by filling some infrastructure gaps. One grant will enable Florida Gateway College to start a training program for aviation and power plant mechanics and aviation airframe maintenance workers. The second grant will allow CSX to build a new rails spur to the edge of an industrial park owned Weyerhaeuser. Full story here. (This is part of a business news roundup for Northeast Florida.)
Rising Seas: Political waves over sea level rise
A deep political divide runs through American politics. It’s a gap stretching from a place where talk of sea level rise ends and conversation about climate change begins. While sea level rise is a subject most lawmakers are willing to at least touch upon, the topic of climate change is either ignored or ridiculed in many corners of Tallahassee and Washington. [Source: Gainesville Sun]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Fewer people are using cash, which means fewer tips. And Miami workers are hurting
As a tourist and hospitality destination, South Florida is home to an army of doormen, waiters, valets, hotel housekeepers, tour guides and drivers. But for these workers, getting by is getting harder as more people ditch cash for cards and apps.
Related quick poll:
» Of all the monetary transactions you make in a typical day, how many are done with cash?
› Visit Orlando forges deal with popular travel site TripAdvisor
When people check TripAdvisor, a popular travel website for reviews, they may soon see videos showcasing Orlando's theme parks, Lake Eola or other parts of the city
› State Farm to close Jacksonville service center
The insurance company State Farm said it will close a customer service and billing center in Jacksonville, a move that will cause the displacement or relocation of about 600 employees. State Farm announced that beginning in 2019, it will close its facility at 8001 Baymeadows Way. The billing and customer service center has been operational since 1977.
› Some Sarasota businesses 'too small' to qualify for red tide small business loan
Despite an effort from the state to aid small businesses through red tide, some downtown Sarasota businesses are too small to qualify. In Burns Court, the 500 block of Pineapple Avenue is made up of shops where just one person owns and operates each business. They don't have any employees, and because of that, the shops are ineligible for Governor Rick Scott's small business aid.
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