Monday's Daily Pulse
Florida Trend Exclusive
Florida's biggest companies
Our annual list, "The Florida Trend 350," ranks the 150 biggest public companies and the 200 biggest private companies in the state.
See today's profile:
» The long view of business: For James Seneff and his billion-dollar real estate powerhouse, the social sciences offer as much strategic guidance as hard economics.
See the lists:
» Revenue at Florida's 150 largest public companies rose $7.1 billion, up 2.5%, over the past year to $294.3 billion.
» It took revenue of $2.6 million to make the list this year, $1 million less than the previous year.
» While there were 50 fewer public companies listed than private, the public companies combined had $88 billion more revenue.
» The 150 public companies reported 1,258,819 employees.
» About a quarter of the public companies -- 36 -- reported lower revenue, one fewer than last year.
» Revenue at Florida's 200 largest private companies rose $14.1 billion, up 7.5%, over the past year to $206.5 billion.
» It took revenues of $88.5 million to make the list this year, $13.5 million more than the previous year.
» The 200 private companies reported 269,018 employees, almost 1 million fewer than the 150 public companies.
» About a fifth of the private companies -- 41 companies -- reported lower revenue, eight more than the previous year.
» 28 private companies are new to the list this year.
Florida tourism may get boost if immigration bill passes
Little-noticed provisions would make it quicker and easier for visitors to enter the country and avoid long waits at Florida's busy airports and seaports. The same bill intended to block foreigners from entering or staying illegally is also designed to help legitimate travelers come and go without hassles. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
100 percent interest-rate hike worries students
If lawmakers don’t take action before Monday, which doesn’t appear likely, the interest rate on new subsidized Stafford loans will double from 3.4 percent to 6.8 percent. A U.S. Department of Education analysis estimated the higher rate would cost Florida students an additional $936 per loan, per year. [Source: Fort Myers News-Press]
Massive privatization of prison health care looms in Florida
The nation's largest outsourcing of prison medical care is finally under way in Florida with the state turning to a private company with a history of problems in other states. Corizon Inc. of Brentwood, Tenn., plans to start work Aug. 1 after Florida won a two-year legal fight with a public employee union that accused the Legislature of illegally seeking to privatize health care in most prisons by steering the decision to a 14-member Legislative Budget Commission. [Source: Times/Herald]
Hundreds of new Florida laws in effect today
The state's $74.1 billion budget kicks in on Monday along with nearly 200 new laws approved by the Legislature and signed by Gov. Rick Scott. The new laws range from a limit on the law-enforcement use of drones to a bill spelling out how money is raised to build nuclear-power plants to new rules for Citizens Property Insurance Corp. Read more from the News Service of Florida and see a slideshow highlight of some of the new laws from the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Charities feel pinch of Nadel 'clawback' [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
It's been more than four years since Sarasota hedge fund manager Art Nadel disappeared after his Ponzi scheme collapsed, more than two years since he was sentenced for crimes related to the scheme, and more than a year since he died in prison. But many of the local charitable groups that received money from Nadel are still trying to recover from unwittingly taking the tainted contributions.
› Space Shuttle Atlantis inspires generations of explorers [Orlando Sentinel]
With a giant question mark hovering over the future of the U.S. space program, the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex opened its $100 million Space Shuttle Atlantis exhibit Saturday.
› Fourth of July the 'bread and butter' of fireworks retailers [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
The Fourth of July is less than a week away, and Florida fireworks retailers are counting on swarms of customers and explosive sales. "The Fourth of July is the bread and butter of the industry," said Julie Heckman, executive director of the American Pyrotechnics Association. The summertime holiday generally accounts for 75 to 85 percent of fireworks retailers' annual sales.
Related:
» Authorities push July Fourth safety, detail Florida's fireworks laws
» Exploding, flying fireworks boom in St. Johns County; Duval left with 'sparklers'
› Tech developers: Battle Hack Miami needs you [Miami Herald]
Tel Aviv, Seattle, New York City, Berlin, you’ve been warned: Miami is ready to out-hack you. Miami’s growing tech community was chosen as one of 10 “Battle Cities” in PayPal’s upcoming $100,000 competition called Battle Hack.
Go to page 2 for more stories ...
› Broward businessman recalls captivity in China [Miami Herald]
A Broward businessman who was held hostage for nearly a week at his Beijing factory spent his first day back home questioning whether he’ll keep doing business in China. During his captivity, the company lost up to $1 million, said Charles “Chip” Starnes, and had to pay up to $600,000 more for his release.
› Bringing healthy food to masses is restaurant executive's mission [Orlando Sentinel]
Brad Blum is a Winter Park restaurant executive who has led some of the biggest chains in America, including Olive Garden, Burger King and Romano's Macaroni Grill. His latest venture is Five to Seven, in which he and partner John Vincent are investing in restaurants with healthy, environmentally friendly food.
› Gulfstream, Calder set to go head-to-head [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Fans of horse racing are in for an unprecedented treat this week. On Monday, Gulfstream Park will conduct live racing in July for the first time as it opens its inaugural year-round meet with racing also on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. Eight miles west, Calder Casino & Race Course will race Friday through Sunday. Saturday will be its most prestigious racing day as the Summit of Speed will feature some of the top sprinters in the country.
› Jackson plans $830 million overhaul [Miami Herald]
From $14 million for new elevators, to $55 million for renovating patient rooms, to $129 million for computer software, Jackson Health System has unveiled an $830 million wish list of building repairs, upgrades and new equipment to be funded entirely by Miami-Dade taxpayer funds.