Tuesday's Daily Pulse
Why Florida is No. 1 in Obamacare enrollment
With two weeks to go until the deadline for 2015 enrollment, Florida’s tally exceeds that of even Democrat-led California, which has embraced the law building its own online marketplace and has twice the population and uses three times as much federal funding for outreach. More from Kaiser Health News and US News & World Report.
Personal income up, spending slips
U.S. consumer spending recorded its biggest decline since late 2009 in December, with households appearing to save the extra cash from cheaper gasoline, which could support future consumption. More from Reuters, Business Insider, and Dow Jones Business News.
The 8-cent pizza: Why Cuba is hungry for U.S. cash
Cuban workers are hoping that American reconciliation — and dollars — will help rebuild their economy. The government is also encouraging small business operations, including restaurants, retail stores and consumer services such as beauty parlours, to reconfigure themselves as co-operative ventures, whose partners share ownership and divide profits. [Source: The Star]
Florida competes with NY, Southern Cal for high-tech photonics hub
The effort to build a high-tech manufacturing hub near Kissimmee has some stiff competition from New York and Southern California. At stake is the potential to draw thousands of high-paying jobs to the region. The heavyweight competition is set to be decided by the U.S. Department of Defense in late summer or fall. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]
Growers don't see initial big bucks in medical pot
Central Florida commercial plant growers such as Kerry Herndon, Heather Zabinofsky and Bruce Knox expect fierce competition over who will legally grow medical marijuana in Florida. Yet, most expect little or no profit under the current law. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Home starts rise in South Florida despite land shortage [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
It was a year of modest growth in housing starts across South Florida as a lack of land continues to hamstring homebuilders.
› North Florida leads the state in small business activity [Jacksonville Business Journal]
When it comes to utilizing U.S. Small Business Administration resources, North Florida is leading the state. "It's tremendous what we've accomplished nationally," said Southeast regional administrator Cassius Butts, who presented the status of SBA in the Southeast at the first ever State of the Region address.
› Lockheed Martin awards $5 million contract for solar array [Tampa Bay Times]
Lockheed Martin has awarded a $5 million contract for a canopy-style solar array over the parking lot of its Pinellas County operation that is expected to meet up to 60 percent of the facility's energy demand.
› Food servers, cooks make more in South Florida [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Many jobs in South Florida pay less than the national average, but one group — restaurant workers — does better. Servers and fast-food cooks are the only workers in Broward, Palm Beach and Miami-Dade counties who earn more than the national average.
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› Gov. Scott refusing to disclose financial information [Tampa Bay Times]
Florida Gov. Rick Scott is refusing to turn over financial information that could answer whether he is flouting a state ethics law. Lawyers for Democrat George Sheldon want Scott to turn over detailed information about his various holdings.
› Pension plan completes $1 billion acquisition of PODS [Tampa Bay Times]
The Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan is paying more than $1 billion for the Clearwater-based moving and storage firm PODS. PODS confirmed the value of the transaction Monday morning in announcing that the acquisition has been completed.
› Leaders sound alarm about human trafficking of girls in South Florida [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Even in South Florida's seemingly idyllic suburban enclaves, girls are vulnerable to being drawn into a netherworld of prostitution and human trafficking, a range of political leaders and child advocates warned Monday.
› Florida Chamber unveils 2015 competitiveness agenda [Orlando Business Journal]
The Florida Chamber of Commerce on Friday unveiled its 2015 competitiveness agenda and said it will focus its resources to advance a jobs, growth and opportunity agenda.