Tuesday's Afternoon Update
Hiring up at Florida's smallest businesses
Hiring at Florida's small employers is up 0.2 percent. according to Intuit's Small Business Index. It's not much, but at least the trend is in the right direction. U.S. small business employment saw an increase of 30,000 jobs in November, while hours worked and compensation also rose. Small business revenue fell 0.3 percent in October, continuing a decline that began in February. More at the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
Florida will investigate voting problems in 5 counties
Florida Secretary of State Ken Detzner told a Senate committee Tuesday that he plans to dispatch a team of experts to Miami-Dade next week to investigate more fully the "problems" with the recent election, including long lines at the polls and an overwhelming surge of last-minute absentee ballots. More at the Tampa Bay Times.
Head of state's jobs agency resigns over unemployment insurance flap
Department of Economic Opportunity Secretary Hunting F. Deutsch tendered his resignation Tuesday -- effective Dec. 14 -- after a string of stories about the fact that he drew unemployment compensation for nearly two years after he was laid off by a bank and vacationing in Europe. More at the Orlando Sentinel.
Florida banks post $292 million profit
Florida banks reported a combined $292 million in net income in the third quarter of 2012, more than double their combined net income of $138 million in the third quarter of 2011. The improved profit picture for Florida banks outpaces gains nationally. More at the Tampa Bay Business Journal.
Broward's arts nonprofits get a fundraising boost
Donating a few dollars to help a dance show in Fort Lauderdale or an arts camp in Hollywood is about to get easier. Starting in late January, a website called power2give.org will offer non-profit arts groups from Broward County a chance to raise funds for small projects up to $10,000 each. More at the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.