Friday's Daily Pulse
Why business wants immigration reform
As the nation deals with an immigration crisis at its borders, businesses are stepping up their calls for reform. Business proponents point to a 2013 study that say immigration reforms could add 123,000 new jobs to the economy and hike Gross Domestic Product by $10 billion in its first year [Source: CNN/Money]
See also:
» Adelson, Buffett, Gates call for immigration reform
Increasing Canadian investment in Florida
Long since a top destination for Canadian ‘snowbirds,’ Florida is quickly solidifying its position as a center for Canadian investment. Canada may be something of an economic mystery to many Floridians who encounter that nation’s citizens mainly as tourists and might not be aware of other, substantial business connections. [Source: New Miami Blog]
Price tag for the American dream: $130K a year
An analysis by USA TODAY shows that living the American dream would cost the average family of four about $130,000 a year. Only 16 million U.S. households — around 1 in 8 — earned that much in 2013, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. [Source: USA Today]
U.S. considers a strategic propane reserve
America is awash in propane, a byproduct of booming oil and natural gas production. Yet getting it to markets at home and abroad is challenging and controversial. Long a niche in the energy sector, propane today is sexy. [Source: McClatchy]
Florida's aircraft manufacturing industry taking off
Florida's booming aircraft manufacturing industry is helping to diversify the state, according to a new report from Florida TaxWatch. The report, Ready for Takeoff: Florida Can Lead The Nation In Aircraft Manufacturing, offers statistics why Florida is the most attractive state for aircraft manufacturing: in part because of the manufacturing equipment sales tax exemption, and also because of incentives awarded through Enterprise Florida. More, and access the full report here.
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Broward tourism bureau says same-sex marriage ban should be overturned [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
For nearly two decades Broward County's tourism bureau has rolled out the welcome mat to LGBT travelers. On Thursday the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau came out officially in support of overturning same-sex marriage bans in Florida.
› Judge invalidates two Florida congressional districts [Times/Herald]
A judge threw out Florida's congressional map late Thursday, ruling that the Legislature allowed for a "secret, organized campaign" by partisan operatives to subvert the redistricting process in violation of the state Constitution.
› Boca Black Film Festival aims to feature Florida's homegrown talent [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
With last year's departure of the country's most prominent black film festival from Miami Beach, a Palm Beach State College professor hopes to fill that void with the Boca Black Film Festival that starts next week.
› Sarasota wants controls on 'zombie' foreclosures [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
Code enforcement officials have asked for new controls to hold banks responsible for hundreds of so-called “zombie foreclosures” in the city.
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› Chicago firm to build Orlando veterans medical simulation complex [Orlando Sentinel]
The Department of Veterans Affairs has awarded a Chicago-based construction company a $20 million contract to build the veterans' medical simulation training center at Lake Nona, the agency said Thursday.
› Medical marijuana: Who supplies the suppliers? [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Under the new medical marijuana law, five Florida nurseries will be allowed to grow cannabis. But one very big question remains: How will they get the ganja in the first place?
› Hedge funds fuel international banks [Miami Today]
Despite stricter banking regulations, there’s enough money in Miami to maintain its status as the biggest international banking center south of New York City, according to the new head of the Florida International Bankers Association.
› EmergenSee, Inc. licenses wireless emergency reporting system technology [USF Research and Innovation]
The University of South Florida (USF) has exclusively licensed its Wireless Emergency Reporting System technology, US Patent 8,045,954, to EmergenSee, Inc., a leader in mobile technology that enables users to turn a smartphone or tablet into a personal security system.