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Wednesday's Daily Pulse

Florida pension plan posts strong year

Florida's main retirement account for state workers, teachers and other public employees is growing by a double-digit margin. The State Board of Administration released preliminary numbers Tuesday showing that the Florida Retirement System pension plan grew by more than 13 percent in the last fiscal year. More from the AP, the Tallahassee Democrat and Pensions & Investments.


Eugene Pettis
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Priorities for Eugene Pettis, new president of the Florida Bar

Before being sworn in this summer to lead the Florida Bar, Fort Lauderdale attorney Eugene Pettis spoke with Florida Trend about his priorities and becoming the Bar’s first African-American president.

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Florida Cabinet approves controversial law on Obamacare

Gov. Rick Scott and the three-member Florida Cabinet have signed off on a controversial new disclosure form that critics say is intended to poison Floridians against the federal healthcare law. The Florida Legislature passed a law requiring the form after Republicans argued that policyholders need to know how federal reforms will affect their premiums. [Source: Times/Herald]


Medicare rule puts squeeze on small medical supply stores

Many mom-and-pop suppliers of "durable medical equipment" have been slammed by a new rule requires competitive bids on items such as wheelchairs and walkers. At the winning stores, Medicare coverage is accepted for items on the bid list. At every other store? Medicare patients can buy items on the list, but the Medicare coverage doesn't apply. [Source: Ocala Star-Banner]


New varieties could extend Florida's avocado season

Florida avocado grower-shippers are banking on new late-season varieties that could help extend the season to nearly year-round shipments. Today, harvesting typically begins in light volumes in mid- to late May, building volume through June until bringing promotable volume in early July. [Source: The Grower]


ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› University of Florida launches top 10 fundraising initiative
The University of Florida has launched an ambitious initiative to raise $800 million during the next three years to position UF among the nation’s best public research universities. The initiative is, in part, a response to Florida Gov. Rick Scott’s call for UF to become a top 10 public university.

› Lee commission endorses Hertz for state tax refund program
Lee County commissioners unanimously approved a resolution Tuesday endorsing the Hertz Corp. as a qualified applicant for a state tax refund program that requires a county match.

› Miami’s luxury market inspires TV reality show
In perhaps another sign that Miami’s real estate market is sizzling, a new reality television show, Hot Listings Miami, debuts this week The 8-episode, hour-long series is focusing on Miami’s fiercely competitive luxury residential market.

› SeaWorld vets perform first-ever shark C-section
SeaWorld Orlando announced Tuesday morning that its veterinarians had successfully completed a Cesarean section on a shark, the first time procedure has ever been performed on one of the ocean predators.


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› 3.5 Million Fish — Waiting For You!
Annual freshwater fish hatchery production for FWC’s Division of Freshwater Fisheries Management has been completed for Fiscal Year 2012-2013. The hatcheries had another exceptional year, releasing over 3.5 million fish for recreational fishing in lakes and rivers statewide.

› Disney profit inches up as travelers spend more at its parks
The Walt Disney Co. said Tuesday that quarterly profit inched up 1 percent to $1.8 billion, as travelers spent more money in its theme parks and more nights in its hotels. The entertainment giant's total revenue rose 4 percent to $11.6 billion during the three months ended June 29, the third quarter of Disney's fiscal year.

› Orange County leaders seek answers on soccer stadium financing
Orange County commissioners on Tuesday questioned the financing plan for a new downtown soccer stadium but were mostly supportive of more funding to complete a performing arts center and beef up Citrus Bowl renovations.

› Sun Hydraulics posts 2nd-quarter profit
Sun Hydraulics Corp. posted a slightly higher profit in the second quarter, boosted in part by an acquisition made by the Sarasota-based maker of hydraulic valves.