Thursday's Daily Pulse
Florida's job growth up 7.6% in February
Florida added 15,500 private sector jobs in February, up slightly from the previous month, according to a report released Wednesday. The monthly report from payroll processing company ADP places Florida third in the nation in job creation behind Texas (27,400) and California (24,400). More from the Tampa Bay Times and the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
Lawmakers tackle growth management process
It has been nearly a decade since a large new housing or commercial project that falls under Florida’s Development of Regional Impact, or DRI, law has been reviewed by state planning officials, a development industry lobbyist told state senators this week. [Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
Legislative Roundup:
» Later presidential primary on the fast track to approval in Florida Legislature
» Florida lawmaker looks to eliminate red-light cameras
» Florida House bill would remove gay adoption ban from law
» Lawmakers To Start Film, TV Incentive Program
How Netflix is killing the traditional TV show
The U.S. currently watches about 20 minutes less live TV per day than it did two years ago, while smartphone use has grown. But Nielsen, the biggest authority on TV ratings, doesn't consider watching TV on a smartphone watching TV. And that might be the crux of it. More from the Palm Beach Post, Quartz, and the Wall Street Journal.
Opinion: Tax breaks exclusive to hotels, restaurants are bad for business, economy
Theoretically, House Bill 739 would encourage businesses to invest, renovate and expand. But the incentives — tax refunds worth up to 20 percent of the cost of the improvements — are only for hotels and restaurants. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]
American women can't shake pay gap, despite gains
. In a far-ranging new report, the Institute for Women's Policy Research finds that, in more than half of the country, women's status has remained unchanged or worsened since the study was last conducted in 2004. [Source: NBC News]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› GAIN, OwnForce team up on odd-jobs website [Gainesville Sun]
The Gainesville Area Innovation Network has partnered with local startup OwnForce to create a customized website to match people who need tasks performed with people who need work.
› Ultra-luxury condos in Coconut Grove set record square-foot price [Miami Herald]
Two new ultra-luxury condo towers in Coconut Grove have sold at an average of $925 per square foot, a record price for the area, the project’s developers said.
› Seed company strengthens UF ties to battle hunger [Gainesville Sun]
One of the largest international seed companies in the world plans to expand its relationship with the University of Florida’s agricultural research arm.
› Retail roster weak as Miami Marlins set to open [Miami Today]
The Miami Marlins’ home opener of the 2015 season is Monday, April 6, the start of the fourth season at the 37,000-seat Major League Baseball facility. Meanwhile, the bulk of the Marlins Park garage retail space remains empty.
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› Virgin Group sued for $300 million in dispute over cruise line [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
The former chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line is suing British billionaire Richard Branson and his Virgin Group conglomerate, claiming that Virgin essentially stole his ideas and business plans.
› Rents behind AmericanAirlines Arena may rise [Miami Today]
Miami-Dade County officials have tentatively approved higher fees for the use of about 4 acres of waterfront land behind AmericanAirlines Arena. Known as Parcel B, the area is owned by the county and generally used for the staging of events held at the arena, whether they be a concert or a circus.
› Do interruptions to Florida students' testing compromise their results? [Tampa Bay Times]
Because of computer problems, some Florida students faced lengthy delays between the time they began and ended their Florida Standards Assessment on writing. That time away from the exam has some critics questioning whether the results might be tainted.
› Long-empty Darden former headquarters sell [Orlando Sentinel]
Occe home to Darden's headquarters, a largely-empty office tower in south Orlando sold to a St. Petersburg area investment group for $5.9 million, records show.