Tuesday's Daily Pulse
Fungus threatening Florida's avocado crop
A fungus poses a serious threat to Florida's commercial avocado industry, which is worth $55 million to the state economy. The laurel wilt fungus was first detected in northeast Florida's Duval County in 2005 and has since moved rapidly through the state. More from the AP and the Lakeland Ledger.
Marking Taxpayer Independence Day
Florida taxpayers have a reason to celebrate on Tuesday, April 22nd. The date marks Taxpayer Independence Day as estimated by Florida TaxWatch, the independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit taxpayer research institute and government watchdog. April 22nd, 2014, is the first day in the calendar year that Florida taxpayers, on average, will begin earning income that does not go toward federal, state and local taxes. [Source: Florida TaxWatch]
Helping small businesses grow through green efforts
SBA helps small businesses find solutions to make their operations run efficiently. That’s why this Earth Day and every day SBA encourages small businesses to incorporate a green office environment. Whether it’s changing to a more energy efficient lighting system, implementing a recycling program, or considering eco-friendly machinery—all of these techniques help to conserve energy and save money. [Source: SBA]
 Rep. Cary pigman (R-Avon Park) [Photo: Mark Foley] |
Florida Trend Exclusive
Nurse practitioners caught between a doc and a hard place
A doctor in the Florida Legislature hopes to relax Florida’s strict limits on what nurse practitioners can and can’t do. Rep. Cary pigman (R-Avon Park), a freshman legislator and emergency room physician, says restrictions on nurse practitioners make no sense, and is fighting to change that. Access full story.
Bill could slow Florida craft beer industry
The fight between craft brewers and the distributors of Budweiser over the legalization of half-gallon beer containers has gotten so bitter that it is even being likened to extortion. The latest idea is to force breweries to buy their own beer from distributors at a markup before they can sell cans and bottles to brewery visitors — the beer, in most cases, wouldn’t even leave the premises. More from the Daily Business Review and the Tampa Bay Times.
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› South Florida on roadmap for AT&T fiber broadband [South Florida Business Journal]
Miami and Fort Lauderdale are among nearly two dozen metropolitan areas AT&T is targeting for its broadband fiber network.
› Eastern Florida rolls out recruitment ads [Florida Today]
An advertising and marketing push for Eastern Florida State College's new academic programs is underway, encouraging students to: "Build your future." In recent years, the college has rolled out 22 new programs, from certificate and associate degrees, to new bachelor's degrees.
› Orlando mayor, airport execs visit Middle East to court new flights [Orlando Sentinel]
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and representatives of Orlando International Airport are meeting with airline representatives in United Arab Emirates and Turkey this week to try to woo more international flights to Orlando.
› How Miami is solving big problems with big data [Forbes]
People around the world are demanding more of their cities. Amidst this powerfully transforming landscape, information has emerged unchallenged as the pervasive currency.
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› Traffic helps resurrect old rail possibilities [WLRN]
All Aboard Florida and Tri-Rail Coastal Link -- one private and one public project -- each plan to carry people along the Florida East Coast rails for the first time in almost 50 years. The catalyst: highway congestion.
› 'Today' show to broadcast from Universal Orlando on Friday [Orlando Sentinel]
NBC's morning news show "Today" will broadcast from Universal Orlando on Friday, prompting speculation among fans that the resort might use the stage to set an opening date for its highly anticipated "Wizarding World of Harry Potter — Diagon Alley."
› Broward College sees success, scrutiny with bachelor degrees [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
State colleges have become an increasingly popular place to get a four-year degree, prompting state lawmakers to consider a temporary moratorium on new programs so they can be evaluated.
› Life sciences convention coming to Jacksonville [Jacksonville Business Journal]
BioFlorida, the statewide trade association for the life sciences industry, will hold its 2016 convention in Jacksonville, bringing more than 500 attendees to the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront.