Wednesday's Daily Pulse
Gov. Rick Scott says he wants $100 million in cuts
Florida Gov. Rick Scott is saying he wants to cut the state budget by $100 million next year. The Scott administration on Tuesday gave a broad outline of some budget recommendations the governor will push for in 2014. [Source: AP]
How Brazilians have saved Florida real estate
The years 2009 and 2010 were dark days for Florida real estate. Home prices plummeted. Mortgages imploded. Foreclosures soared. And buyers flooded in from Brazil. Still, as the Brazilian economy has slowed, the interest in South Florida real estate slowed too. But for those who can afford it, the interest in our housing market remains substantial. [Source: WLRN]
» Foreign frenzy for Florida residences
» Brazil brings real benefit to Florida
» Miami's billion-dollar real estate boom
Report: Fast food industry is costing Florida millions
A new report from the University of California-Berkeley shows that low-paying fast food jobs are costing Florida millions of dollars every year. According to the study, “the fast-food industry costs American taxpayers nearly $7 billion annually because its jobs pay so little that 52 percent of fast-food workers are forced to enroll their families in public assistance programs.” More from the Florida Center for Investigative Reporting and see the report:
» Fast Food, Poverty Wages: The Public Cost of Low-Wage Jobs in the Fast-Food Industry
September slowest month so far for hotels
Traditionally the slowest month for hotels in South Florida, September was predictably sluggish this year. But hotel occupancy and especially rates still showed growth in some counties, according to data released this week. [Source: Miami Herald]
Related:
» Orlando hotels book a solid September
State cracking down on insurance fraud
Florida is aggressively pursuing insurance cheats, trying to cut down on fraud in the industry by arresting more than 1,500 people so far this fiscal year. And it's just a start, according to Florida Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Amazon announces plans to build 2 warehouses [AP]
Internet retailer Amazon.com Inc. announced plans to build warehouses in Hillsborough and Polk counties, creating more than 1,000 jobs in central Florida.
› Orlando high-tech company lands $17M venture capital deal [Orlando Sentinel]
An Orlando high-tech company bagged the richest venture capital deal in Florida in the third quarter – only the second time that has happened since 2007, according to a new national investment survey.
› Knight funding to help Wynwood Business Improvement District [Miami Herald]
Businesses and community leaders in Miami’s Wynwood district can start work immediately on their plan to strengthen the area as a hub for artists and entrepreneurs, thanks to $43,500 in funding from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.
› New HMO to hire 150 Florida employees [South Florida Business Journal]
A new HMO formed by Magellan Complete Care of Florida plans to hire 150 employees in the next six to 12 months, CEO Manuel Arisso said.
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› NovaBone expanding into larger facility in Alachua [Gainesville Sun]
To accommodate its rapid growth and upcoming family of products, NovaBone Products is preparing to move Alachua County operations to a 30,000-square-foot facility in Alachua. “We’re bursting at the seams,” CEO Art Wotiz said of the growth, stemming from both U.S. and international sales.
› Self-driving cars could save thousands of lives, study finds [AP]
A new study says self-driving cars and trucks hold the potential to transform driving by eliminating the majority of traffic deaths, significantly reducing congestion and providing tens of billions of dollars in economic benefits.
› Miami Children’s, California EHR firm team up [Miami Herald]
Miami Children’s Hospital and HealthFusion, the California-based developer of MediTouch EHR, announced a strategic partnership Monday to offer an MCH private-labeled cloud-based electronic health record system to pediatricians throughout the South Florida market that will allow physicians to interface with MCH’s hospital-based systems and others.
› Downtown Tampa skyscraper Element sells for $98 million [Tampa Bay Times]
One of downtown Tampa's tallest, sleekest and most recognizable skyscrapers was sold last week for $98 million, property records show. Element, the 35-story apartment tower at 808 N Franklin St., was bought by a firm tied to Crescent Heights, a Miami-based luxury high-rise developer.