Wednesday's Daily Pulse
Field of dreams
The mobile applications industry is responsible for an estimated 466,000 U.S. jobs and $20 billion in annual revenue. While there’s no way to know exactly how many mobile application developers are in Florida, there are dozens of web development firms in the state with expertise in mobile-friendly websites and applications for both mobile devices and tablets. Full story.
Bill instituting Internet sales tax unveiled
Florida has long refused to require out-of-state retailers to pay a sales tax on Internet purchases here. But that may finally change this year. Proponents of a measure to require the Internet sales tax have come up with a new strategy to make the proposal more viable in the tax-averse state Legislature. [Source: Gainesville Sun]
Watchdog blasts state incentive program for businesses
A government watchdog group and a conservative advocacy group blasted Florida's government Tuesday for the hundreds of millions of dollars it gives to corporations, blaming the state's public-private jobs agency for "pay-to-play" cronyism and "corporate welfare." [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
See also:
» Lawmakers vow more scrutiny of economic-incentive money
Housing’s growing recovery still a long way from normal
By most economic measures, the moribund housing sector seems to have turned a corner and is now firmly in recovery. For many homeowners, however, it may still feel like a statistical rebound because an improving housing sector is not the same as a healthy one. [Source: McClatchy]
» Web Chat: Investing in Florida Real Estate
Florida exports up 3.6% in November
The latest international trade numbers show that $5.5 billion worth of goods left Florida for international markets in November, up 3.6 percent from October’s $5.31 billion, a new report from Durham, N.H.-based e-forecasting.com shows. [Source: Orlando Business Journal]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Fallout from Crystal River nuclear plant's closure devastates Citrus County [Tampa Bay Times]
In this sleepy gulf-front county of rural farmlands and coastal swamps, it was perhaps a strange thing to be known for: a nuclear power plant. But with news of the plant's death blow Tuesday, leaders and residents here said it will be hard to imagine Citrus County doing without it.
› UF leads nation in Peace Corps recruits [Gainesville Sun]
The University of Florida is tops in Peace Corps college recruitment for the first time, but it may be difficult to keep the lofty position because a full-time recruiter is no longer on campus.
› Plan in works to keep spring training teams in Florida [WFTV]
A new plan to help keep spring training teams in Florida could have a big impact in places like Osceola County, where talks are already under way about what will happen when the Houston Astros' contract expires.
› Florida Poly to Ask State for $25 Million to Finish Building [News Chief]
Florida Polytechnic University needs about $25 million to finish construction of its first building, and its board voted Tuesday to ask state legislators for that money.
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› King Center puts nostalgia on auction block [Florida Today]
The King Center for the Performing Arts will be auctioning pieces from their collection of over 400 historical items that were signed backstage by entertainers over the past 25 years.
› Jackson Health System, Kendall Regional battle over trauma [Miami Herald]
Kendall Regional Medical Center lost one battle in the trauma wars Tuesday at the Miami-Dade County Commission, but has launched a new attack in Tallahassee, asking state regulators to reject a Jackson Health System request that Kendall maintains would force it to close its trauma center.
› Anonymous letter writer was a high-ranking NextEra executive [Palm Beach Post]
The identity of the writer who sent at least one of four anonymous letters to FPL parent NextEra Energy in years past alleging fraud and improprieties has been revealed as a former high-ranking company executive.
› Royal Caribbean reports 4Q net loss of $392 million [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. had a net loss of $392.8 million in the fourth quarter due primarily to write-down charges relating to its Spanish cruise brand Pullmantur.