Plan would change payments for mental health care

The Florida Legislature is considering a plan that would change the way the state pays to treat people who need emergency mental health care, a move critics say would gut the current system to benefit large hospital systems. More at the AP.

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Before entrepreneurs take startup plunge, better to know thyself

What is your "entrepreneurial mind-set?" Now there's a practical way to find out. A group of leadership training and psychology professors at St. Petersburg's Eckerd College have come up with a tool to help individuals and business groups assess their entrepreneurial strengths and weaknesses. More at the Tampa Bay Times.

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Florida Small Business
Business Basics: Starting a small business

Tax Trends Tax Day Freebies Tax Day means lots of things to lots of people, but to most folks it means giving, not receiving. Which may explain why a parade of companies have embraced Tax Day freebies, deals and promos. To brands looking for a star on which to hitch their marketing wagon, almost nothing could be easier than this. » Full story from USA Today

In today’s challenging economic environment, you need more than desire and drive to succeed. You also need a working knowledge of financial and personnel management, record keeping, tax laws and legal structures, communication skills and marketing savvy. More from Florida Small Business.

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Florida Legislature on break this week for holidays

The Florida Legislature is taking a break this week because of the Passover and Easter holidays. They will return to the Capitol on April 21st. The session, which lasts 60 days, is scheduled to end in early May. The Legislature must still pass a state budget in order to adjourn on time. More at the AP.

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Small Business Advice
Checklists are crucial for running an efficient operation

Every organization should be using checklists to ensure important goals and objectives are accomplished. What I am talking about here is not those things we do every day as a matter of routine. Rather, I am talking about those challenging things we have to do periodically. More from Dr. Jerry Osteryoung.

Technology Self-driving cars closer to becoming a Florida reality The march of automotive technology toward smarter vehicles has transportation researchers and planners preparing for what looks like the inevitable — cars that can communicate with each other, adjust to their surroundings and drive themselves to the chosen destination. » Full story from the Fort Myers News-Press

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