Wednesday's Daily Pulse
Hard sell for Obamacare in Florida, despite big market
Getting people to sign up for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act remains an uphill battle in much of Florida. Politicians in the state erected roadblocks to the law from the beginning — from joining in the to placing restrictions on what insurance helpers called navigators can tell people seeking advice. [Source: NPR]
See also:
» Obamacare Benefits Elusive For Many Working Poor In Northern Florida
» Some Port Canaveral employees moved to full-time for Obamacare
» Rubio enrolls in Obamacare, takes federal subsidy
Andy Gardiner chosen as next Florida Senate President
A central Florida state senator is being chosen as the Republican designate for Senate President. Senate Republicans on Tuesday officially voted to select Sen. Andy Gardiner, a Republican from Orlando, to succeed current Senate President Don Gaetz. Gardiner will become president in November 2014 if the GOP keeps control of the state Senate. More from the AP and the Miami Herald.
 All Children’s Hospital » Article here |
Florida Trend Exclusive
Health care partnerships: A healthy alliance
In 2007, members of the board of All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg quietly began exploring a partnership with Johns Hopkins Medicine in Baltimore. Over its 86-year history, All Children’s had evolved from a small charity hospital for children with polio to become the only freestanding children’s hospital on Florida’s west coast. Full story.
Florida earns 'F' for judicial financial disclosure
Florida may have received the worst grade possible when it comes to financial reporting and disclosures required of its high court justices, but if you are looking for some solace at least the Sunshine State isn’t alone. More from the Jacksonville Business Journal and the Center For Public Integrity.
Airport shops for more than just tourists
If you’re traveling or just shuttling family and friends to the airport, you might try holiday shopping on the fly. Airport-based shopping no longer is confined to buying forgotten necessities or stuff to pass time at the terminal. Fashion accessories and home décor items and local chocolate also are in the merchandise mix. [Source: Fort Myers News-Press]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Fort Lauderdale tops list of lowest travel taxes [Miami Herald]
The Global Business Travel Association’s yearly look at taxes targeted at tourists and business travelers puts Fort Lauderdale at the lowest, with an average charge of $22.61 charged on a day’s worth of $256 in travel costs.
› Citizens Insurance Delays Start Of Policy Dump [CBS Miami]
Plans to start dumping a large number of homeowners’ policies from the state-backed Citizens Property Insurance Corporation have been temporarily put on hold.
› Miami startup company wins investor pitch session [South Florida Business Journal]
One of South Florida’s most promising startup companies, LearnerNation, won the StartupCity investor pitch session on Monday night.
› Florida Cabinet OKs virtual insurance 'cards' [Orlando Sentinel]
Motorists might soon be able to use their cell phones or other electronic devices to show proof of insurance when they are pulled over by police.
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› HEADLINE [SOURCE]
SUMMARY
› Op-Ed: PortMiami: Good for growth, good for business [Miami Herald]
PortMiami — in so many ways — symbolizes the shared goals to which both Democrats and Republicans can aspire. Our port means high-paying jobs for workers, growth for businesses, foreign trade and cross-cultural connections.
› Soaring Orlando home values will slow in 2014, real estate experts predict [Orlando Sentinel]
For homeowners throughout Florida, the year 2013 will be a tough act to follow. Economists at a real estate summit in Orlando Tuesday forecast existing home values in the greater Orlando area are likely to increase 4 percent to 6 percent next year – markedly down from what has been one of the region's biggest years for home appreciation.
› L.A. investment firm funds BrickellHouse [SOURCE]
Canyon Capital Realty Advisors LLC, a Los Angeles-based real estate investment firm, said it made a $27.7-million senior construction loan for BrickellHouse, a luxury Miami condominium project that is set to top off shortly.