Florida Trend | Florida's Business Authority

Friday's Daily Pulse

Visit Florida campaign encourages tourists to migrate south

It's practically a pastime for Floridians to brag about the state's sunny weather to friends in colder climates this time of year. So it's no surprise that Florida's newest tourism-marketing campaign takes a similar approach, by making sure folks in cold climates know just how lovely it is in the Sunshine State during the dead of winter. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]


Target's data breach highlights state role in privacy

A decade of lawmaking by U.S. states to ensure consumers are told when their data has been hacked still lets companies such as Target Corp. wait weeks or even months to disclose security breaches. Forty-six of 50 U.S. states have passed laws requiring disclosure but the laws vary in terms of when and how notice must be given. More from Reuters and USA Today.


New performance model for Florida universities penalizes low performers

Some Florida universities could lose a portion of their state funding under a new performance model approved Thursday by the Board of Governors that penalizes low performers. Any university that doesn't receive at least 26 points under the new 50-point system will lose 1 percent of its state funding in 2014-2015. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]

Related:
» Florida college graduation rates called unacceptable


Conservation amendment headed to ballot

Florida voters will get to decide whether to set aside $10 billion in state funds over 20 years for land and water conservation. Environmental groups started the amendment after the Legislature slashed spending on the Florida Forever program. The program is designed to purchase and manage environmentally endangered lands. [Source: AP]


Insurance summit focus is on cost

Time doesn't heal all wounds, not when you're talking about Florida's star-crossed property insurance market. It's been more than eight years since a major hurricane hit Florida. A flurry of Florida-based insurers have gained strength. Yet, at an annual summit of insurance experts statewide, no one was declaring victory. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]

See also:
» Florida insurance commissioner says homeowner rates falling


ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Florida Legislature wants to raise speed limit
The Autobahn, it isn’t. But traversing Florida’s arterial roadways might get a bit quicker under a proposal gaining steam in the Legislature to boost speed limits on highways throughout the state. The idea is already sparking comparisons in the Capitol to the German federal highway system with no speed limits.
» Related: Florida Senate panel backs 75 mph speed limit

› Economy is growing but not enough, AutoNation CEO says
AutoNation CEO Mike Jackson said Thursday that America is transitioning to a “free-standing” economy that shouldn’t need government support. Jackson is a member of the board of directors at the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta's Miami branch.

› Darden, Publix on list of best companies to work for
Orlando-based Darden Restaurants and Lakeland-based Publix Super Markets have once again made Fortune magazine's list of the 100 best companies to work for. Darden dropped nine spots to No. 74 on the ranking of Fortune 500 companies, which was released Thursday. Publix moved up two places to No. 75.

› Florida's newest resort looks to couple luxury with nature
The new Streamsong Resort is banking on nature and its amenities to draw in visitors to what it bills as a "a feast for the senses, a haven for the soul." "We think that Streamsong will redefine the Florida resort experience," said general manager Richard Mogensen.


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› In Qatar’s World Cup year, Miami cruise ships as hotels?
For two days this month, Miami will host a delegation from Qatar on one stop of their tour of the US to learn about American tourism and sporting practices in preparation for the World Cup 2022, which will be held in Qatar.

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› Wal-Mart joins initiative to improve pay of Florida's tomato pickers
Wal-Mart on Thursday joined an initiative that will require its Florida tomato suppliers to increase farmworker pay and protect workers from forced labor and sexual assault, among other things.

› Former Heat Center Mourning in Obamacare commercials
Former Miami Heat Center Alonzo Mourning filmed a commercial promoting the Affordable Care Act’s health insurance exchange.