Tuesday's Daily Pulse
Gambling bill opens door for casinos
Broward and Miami-Dade counties would each open one Las Vegas style hotel casino if a bill introduced on Monday works its way through the Florida Legislature. A new commission would oversee gambling and the state lottery, and voters would get the final say on all future gaming issues. More from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel , the AP and Bay News 9.
Too many of us live too close to financial edge
The country seems to be coming out of wrenching financial times. Our savings habits are not. A series of recent surveys point to an abysmal lack of savings by many U.S. households despite an official end to the recession and dramatic declines in unemployment rates. Especially in Florida. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
Florida considers in-state tuition for Dreamers
State lawmakers could approve a bill this session allowing qualified Florida students to pay in-state college tuition even if they are in the country illegally. The tuition debate is a perennial one in Tallahassee. But this year the measure appears to be gaining broader support. [Source: AP]
Move grows to ban e-cig sales to minors
The movement to prohibit e-cigarette sales to minors is gaining steam, with legislators looking to impose a statewide ban and Davie scheduled to become the fourth city in Broward County to follow the trend. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Lower Canadian dollar won't slow snowbirds
The decline of the Canadian dollar is going to convince a lot of would-be cross-border shoppers to stay home, but travellers who go south to chase the sun will probably keep doing so, a report from TD Bank out Monday suggests. More from the Financial Post and CBC News.
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› $75 million donation largest in UF history [WTEV]
A pledge to donate $75 million to the University of Florida has faculty planning on a lasting impact on students for generations to come. Alumni Al Warrington and his wife Judy are donating the entire gift to the Warrington College of Business Administration at UF in order to make the school a top destination for business students.
› Private Florida key is on sale for $110 million [Miami Herald]
Attention, Miami residents looking for a getaway: Pumpkin Key, a rare private in the Florida Keys, is for sale for $110 million. The 26-acre key, part of the Ocean Reef community, includes a main house, two caretaker’s cottages, a boat captain’s apartment, a private office and a dozen 1-1/2-acre bayfront lots.
› Algenol CEO wants an apology from county Commissioner [Fort Myers News-Press]
Algenol Biofuels CEO Paul Woods said he wants a “very, very strong apology” from Lee County Commissioner Cecil Pendergrass before he will consider building a plastics manufacturing plant there.
› FBI agent opens Sarasota private investigation firm [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
He once chased fugitives heading to the Texas border, studied Mexican drug cartels' leadership and helped indict a powerful Texas sheriff on corruption charges. Now Leo Martinez is taking on a different challenge.
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› The Central Florida-Based Opposition to Potential Expanded Gambling [WMFE]
As the 2014 legislative session looms in Tallahassee, there's a renewed debate about what happens roughly 500 miles south of the state capitol. State lawmakers are toying with the idea of expanding the gambling industry in South Florida--but in Central Florida, not everyone agrees with the proposed changes.
› Pension tension: House lawmakers criticize study delay [Miami Herald]
Despite outward signs of support, Gov. Rick Scott's administration quietly endangered a top priority of fellow Republicans in the Legislature by delaying a financial analysis needed to help justify a public-worker pension-reform plan.
› Hedge fund wants special meeting on Red Lobster spinoff [Orlando Sentinel]
Hedge fund Starboard Value called Monday for a special meeting of Darden Restaurants shareholders over the company's plans to get rid of Red Lobster. Starboard wants the meeting so stockholders can vote on a nonbinding resolution urging Orlando-based Darden to hold off on its Red Lobster plans.
› Southwest Florida used car demand peaks early [Fort Myers News-Press]
The peak used car buying season is getting off to an early start nationwide and the increased demand is making some cars hard to find and a little more expensive at Southwest Florida used car dealers.