Wednesday's Daily Pulse

Posted 1/14/2015

Updated 9 yearss ago

U.S. job openings jump to 14-year high

U.S. employers advertised the most job openings in nearly 14 years in November, the Labor Department said Tuesday. That suggests businesses are determined to keep adding staff because they are confident strong economic growth will create more demand for their goods and services. [Source: AP]

Floridians' share of health care premiums outpacing income

Millions of Floridians have seen their share of health care premiums climb nearly 10 percent annually since 2010 -- twice the national average -- even as the overall cost of those premiums flattens, a new report concludes. [Source: USA Today ]

Millions more people to get their credit score for free

Millions more people will have free access to their FICO credit score this year. That's good news for consumers, since the number is widely used by lenders to check potential borrowers' financial health. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]

Florida Chamber supports "alternative plan" for Medicaid expansion

Another influential business group wants to see Florida lawmakers accept federal dollars to help extend healthcare coverage to uninsured Floridians. In a report issued Tuesday, the the Florida Chamber of Chamber said it opposes "the traditional expansion of Medicaid." [Source: Miami Herald]

Florida could shake up its gambling industry

Outside of New York City, South Florida is arguably the most coveted market for firms looking to build multibillion-dollar Las Vegas-style casino-resorts, dubbed “destination resorts.” There could be some good news in store this year for such companies, most notably Genting and Las Vegas Sands, powerhouses in the global casino industry. More from Card Player Media and the Tampa Bay Times.

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Feds, Florida reach deal on construction industry rip-off [Miami Herald]
The U.S. Department of Labor has announced an agreement with the state Department of Revenue to crack down on the accounting trick that bad actors use to evade taxes and cheat their employees.

› Hialeah one of the toughest places in U.S. to find a job [Miami Herald]
A recent study ranks Hialeah as one of the worst U.S. cities for finding a job — a rating that has left city officials scratching their heads. “Hialeah is one of the largest economic engines of the state and Miami-Dade County,” Arnie Alonso, the chief of staff at the Hialeah mayor’s office says.

› Lake County hosting networking event for tourism industry [Orlando Sentinel]
It’s been a major part of Lake County’s economic mission in the past few years: to get the word out about the growing number of tourist-related businesses in a county already known for its natural beauty and state parks.

› FSU making headway on $1 billion goal [Tallahassee Democrat]
Florida State University filled the Civic Center with many of its deep-pocketed friends last Oct. 17 to celebrate the public launch of the school’s first $1 billion capital campaign.

Go to page 2 for more stories ...

› Bitcoin conference returns to Miami Beach [Miami Herald]
This weekend, hundreds of entrepreneurs, technologists, regulators and marketers will gather in Miami Beach for the return of the North American Bitcoin Conference, which is aimed at helping to drive the growing but controversial digital currency bitcoin from speculation to the mainstream.

› Eco-friendly solution to rising seas in St. Petersburg? Fake islands [Tampa Bay Times]
Consultants are proposing a big change of scenery for the downtown waterfront: islands. Man-made, eco-friendly barrier islands made of organic materials would protect the city against storm surges associated with higher sea levels.

› Credit Suisse names Ultimate Software a top tech stock [South Florida Business Journal]
Credit Suisse analysts believe buying Ultimate Software stock is one of the best tech investments you can make in 2015. The Weston-based company will likely increase recurring revenue by 23 percent annually to reach $1 billion in revenue by 2018.

› Long-delayed Clearwater Beach megaresort to finally break ground [Tampa Bay Times]
It has been called the most expensive parking lot in Florida. More than a decade ago, high-profile Tampa philanthropist Kiran Patel paid $40 million for 3 acres of prime property in the heart of Clearwater Beach's tourist district.