Friday's Daily Pulse
Solid economic data lift hopes for August job report
After a week of mostly positive economic news, analysts have forecast that the August jobs report being released Friday will show a seventh straight month of solid gains. More from the AP, the International Business Times and Marketplace.
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» World stocks fluctuate ahead of US jobs report
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Freelance nation: One-third of U.S. workers are freelancers
When the Labor Department releases its latest jobs report on Friday, it will likely show that the economy added about 200,000 jobs in August and the unemployment rate remained near 6.2%. What it won't show is the extent to which many workers are no longer on payroll but self-employed as freelancers. [Source: Yahoo Finance]
Florida's planned layoffs rise by 33 percent
Florida's planned layoffs in August increased 33 percent to 1,454, up from 1,094 in the same month a year ago, outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas said Thursday. But year-to-date, layoffs were down. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Taxpayers and workers gouged by labor-law dodge
The largest government infusion of cash into the U.S. economy in generations – the 2009 stimulus – was riddled with a massive labor scheme that harmed workers and cheated unsuspecting American taxpayers. Read the full story from McClatchy and see the full report: Contract to Cheat.
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Entrepreneur gives her name and record $10 million gift to USF St. Pete College of Business [Tampa Bay Times]
A 78-year old woman raised in a one-school-room town in Germany, who wore wooden shoes as a child and emigrated here with $30, and who later started and sold a successful surgical instrument company, is now the University of South Florida St. Petersburg's top benefactor.
› Office Depot snags $100 million contract [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Office Depot has won a contract worth more than $100 million with Corporate United, a group purchaser for more than 240 companies nationwide. The contract with Corporate United, one of the nation's largest indirect group purchasing organizations, could help pump up sagging revenues.
› Prices on Florida's prepaid tuition plans to plummet for coming year [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Prices on Florida's prepaid college tuition plans have been slashed by up to a half for the coming year, and families who in recent years purchased higher-priced plans will get refunds.
› Florida doctors warn of Medicaid HMO problems [AP]
Florida health officials are declaring victory after transitioning the state's 3 million Medicaid recipients into private insurance plans, but some doctors and health advocates are warning their offices are filled with confused patients who say they have been cut off from their regular physician.
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› State may not have enough money for Scott's plans [AP]
Florida Gov. Rick Scott has been crossing the state this past week, vowing at campaign stops that if he's re-elected he will enact another $1 billion in tax cuts over the next two years. But a new forecast released late Wednesday raises questions about whether or not there will be enough money.
› Millennials enter Southwest Florida's housing market [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
A huge demographic of roughly 86 million young Americans — dubbed the “Millennial Generation” — that some predict will begin buying real estate in droves, are strengthening an already robust housing recovery.
› Crist makes property insurance an election issue [AP]
Democrat Charlie Crist said Thursday he successfully reduced rising property insurance rates as governor and will do so again if elected, vowing to repeal a law enacted under Republican Gov. Rick Scott.
› Best Places to Retire: How Florida cities rank [South Florida Business Journal]
Seven Florida cities ranked among the top 20 best places in the U.S. for people to retire, a study indicates. But several Florida cities didn't fare as well when ranked as top destinations for retirees to live comfortably.