Tuesday's Daily Pulse
Florida Lottery faces big challenges
Florida’s 27-year-old lottery system — and the state education funding that depends on it — is facing significant challenges. Latest projections show revenue growth will be slow, projected to drop to 2.2 percent this year, down from 7.1 percent growth in 2014. [Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
Economic Commentary
The Communications Services Tax: Time for a change
Florida's Communications Services Tax (CST) is 9.17 percent and when local taxes are added, the average tax rate exceeds 14 percent and the highest rate is nearly 17 percent. Florida's rate is fifth-highest in the nation. At this report, Florida TaxWatch lays a case why the Florida legislature should reduce this "burdensome and highly regressive tax on consumers." The full report is here.
Gambling industry targets presidential battleground states
The casino industry, which for years preferred that the federal government stay out of its business, now wants to be part of the debate in choosing the next president of the United States. [Source: AP]
See also:
» Revel claims they have 'many' buyers for ex-casino
» Casino Revenues Surge as Gas Prices Fall
» Gamblers' optimism? Casino money misses states' expectations
Opinion: Working closely with the arts is just good business
Through the arts, be it photography, painting, music, sculptures or the performing arts, we can be introduced to fresh ideas. Art enriches our quality of life, eliciting wonder in children and inspiring whole communities. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Trends enticing Americans to start their first business
Potential small business owners with solid ideas on the back burner might be wise to jump in now, for a whole host of reasons. Here are four promising trends that are encouraging Americans to jump in and start a business of their own. [Source: The Week]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Health care enrollment deadline extended in Florida [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
Florida consumers who tried to enroll in Obamacare insurance plans but faced long wait times in the days leading up to the Feb. 15 deadline will get a one week extension, federal officials announced Monday.
› Miami banks on future as a financial hub [Miami Herald]
Miami’s finance scene may never blossom into “Wall Street South” — but recent efforts to attract hedge funds and other investment firms to South Florida are starting to pay off.
› USF expected to unveil large gift to Muma College of Business [Tampa Bay Times]
The University of South Florida said it will make a "significant announcement" regarding its Muma College of Business on Tuesday, an event expected to introduce a new donor and a fresh commitment of millions of dollars to the USF business school.
› Orlando a hotbed for "social enterprises" [My FOX Orlando]
Make money and make a difference. It's a business model called "social enterprise" and some are calling Orlando a hot bed for these emerging businesses.
Go to page 2 for more stories ...
› New technologies looking for a home [Gainesville Business Report]
The University of Florida Office of Technology Licensing has dozens of newly developed technologies waiting for entrepreneurs to turn them into viable commercial products.
› Jacksonville International ranked third best airport in North America [Florida Times-Union]
Jacksonville International Airport was ranked the third best airport in North America in 2014 by Airports Council International, an advocacy group.
› Universal Orlando blocking bottled water [Orlando Sentinel]
Universal Orlando is currently not allowing guests to bring bottled water or other liquids into CityWalk or its theme parks. The ban could be a security measure, said Scott Smith, a hospitality associate professor at the University of South Carolina.
› 'Exorbitant' hospital charges rob Florida drivers, suit claims [Palm Beach Post]
A lawsuit scheduled for a hearing Tuesday names Gov. Rick Scott's former company and alleges HCA hospitals including JFK Medical Center in Atlantis are exhausting consumers' PIP benefits by grossly overcharging for services.