Wednesday's Daily Pulse
Immigrants own nearly 1 in 3 Florida businesses
Immigrants make up 19.4 percent of the population in Florida, but own 29.7 percent of all business in the state. Immigrants also started 36.7 percent of new businesses in Florida, according to a report from The Partnership for a New American Economy. Read more at the Tampa Bay Business Journal and see the full report.
Analysts: Florida's tab for Affordable Care Act hard to predict
Gov. Rick Scott and Republican legislative leaders have long argued that the federal health overhaul would drain too much money from Florida's budget. But as a group of state analysts met Tuesday, it became clear that Florida's additional Medicaid costs from the federal Affordable Care Act are difficult to pinpoint. Read more from the News Service of Florida and the AP.
Age bias? Florida senior says yes, but can't prove it
In addition to death and taxes, there are two more things about which Bob Mattis, 63, is absolutely certain. That he is a victim of age discrimination in hiring. That there is zero chance he can prove it. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]
Many working families are below the federal poverty line but don’t qualify for Medicaid, a decades-old state-federal insurance program. That’s especially true in states like Florida which say they’ll reject the Medicaid expansion under Obama’s health law. [Source: AP]
German grocer Aldi steps up presence in Florida
When it comes to German companies doing business in the United States, most Americans think of the big carmakers like Volkswagen or BMW. Add a grocery store to the list: Aldi. The discount-grocer, with headquarters in Essen and Muehlheim, Germany, has opened about 1,200 U.S. stores in 32 states. Now, Aldi plans to step up its presence in Florida [Source: Miami Herald]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Boost in tourism may not translate into jobs in Palm Beach County [Palm Beach Post]
More people are staying at hotels, rooms are more expensive and the county is pulling in more bed tax revenues. So why isn’t that translating to jobs, according to the monthly Labor Department reports? Some point to leaner payrolls post-recession, but economists say some of the data is questionable.
› Working on the First Coast: Driving pets wherever they need to go [Florida Times-Union]
Terri Maleug-Ray’s business is taking care of pets. Not grooming, not sitting, but driving. Royal Paws expects to gross about $800,000 this year, using 16 employees driving pets anywhere their owners want. And that includes across the country.
› Florida farmers use new tools [WEAR]
It's been a good season for Northwest Florida farmers so far in 2012. On Tuesday, some of them learned about new farming tools and methods to help through any future problems mother nature could throw at them thanks to the University of Florida's open Farm Field Day in Chumuckla.
› Miami-Dade restaurant taxes way up [Miami Herald]
Miami-Dade’s dining resurgence continues, at least fiscally. The latest report on restaurant taxes in Florida’s largest county shows dining-out remains a staple for local residents, regardless of the economy.
Go to page 2 for more stories ...
› St. Petersburg to developer pitching new Tampa Bay Rays stadium: We won't sue you [Tampa Bay Times]
Darryl LeClair, head of Echelon and CityScape, sent a letter last week to Mayor Bill Foster asking for an audience to pitch a new baseball stadium in the Carillon business park. The letter also sought assurance that the city won't view the pitch as meddling into the stalemate between the city and Tampa Bay Rays over a new stadium.
› Digital Domain’s loss narrowed in second quarter [Palm Beach Post]
Movie special effects company Digital Domain Media Group said today it lost $36 million in the second quarter, down from a loss of $72 million a year ago. Revenue grew to $29 million in April, May and June, up from $21 million during the same three months last year.
› Slow season, big discounts at Southwest Florida restaurants [Fort Myers News-Press]
With the slowest month of the off-season still ahead, restaurants are pulling out all the stops, offering deep discounts on food and drink in an effort to entice year-round residents.
› Federal officials fine St. Petersburg's Hospital for turning away patient [Tampa Bay Times]
Northside Hospital has been slapped with a $38,000 fine by the federal Office of Inspector General for turning away a feverish patient with a history of heart problems. The patient, who was not identified, eventually died.