Monday's Daily Pulse
Lawmakers put spotlight on film/TV incentives in Florida
This past decade, the film industry has increasingly relied on tax incentives from state and local governments. In the wake of that shift and as other states have offered more tax incentives, Florida has struggled to compete, according to a January report from the Legislature’s nonpartisan policy analysis office, which paints a gloomy scene. [Source: Times/Herald]
See also:
» Florida Tourism Officials Call Florida Film Industry A Blockbuster
» Florida's film industry: A regional roundup
» Taking a reel risk with Miami's Panamax Films
New study measures economic impact of apartment industry
The apartment industry emerged as one of the strongest sectors coming out of the Great Recession, according to a new study. In Florida, the total economic contribution of the apartment industry and its residents totaled $44.8 billion and supported more than 470,300 jobs, the study said. [Source: Miami Herald]
Costs, responses are all over the map for public records
A statewide audit by Florida newspapers shows most local and state agencies respond efficiently — and in some cases thoroughly — to simple public records requests, though the cost for similar records varied widely and some agencies failed to respond at all. [Source: Florida Times-Union]
See also:
» A look at five ‘sunshine citizens’ and their pursuit of public records
» Public officials can’t hide the public’s business
» Florida agencies usually respond to public records requests
Florida faces the Uber conundrum
Ride-share companies like Uber and Lyft, which compete directly with traditional taxicab services, have inspired heated debates in major cities across the state over the past year. In Southwest Florida, some government officials and law enforcement agencies are moving forward in enacting their own ordinances. [Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
See also:
» Uber’s Florida fight: Whose insurance pays and when
Golf industry in slump as courses struggle for profitability
Like a weekend hacker with a bad slice, the golf industry both locally and nationally is in deep rough. Tough economic times, coupled with a glut of golf courses, have produced losses for the industry for much of the past decade, industry people say. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Ripple effect seen as companies' starting wages rise [Orlando Sentinel]
When Disney World agreed last year to pay its workers at least $10 an hour starting in 2016, it fueled predictions that others in the hospitality industry would follow.
› UF Young Entrepreneurs Program Gearing Up For Summer [Gainesville Business Report]
The University of Florida has announced the 9th Annual Pre-College Summer Program for High School Students: Young Entrepreneurs for Leadership & Sustainability: Summer Program.
› Miami-based Havana Air adds flights from Key West to Cuba [AP]
Miami-based Havana Air is expanding its operations to include Key West. The airline had been flying preapproved passengers between Miami and Havana for the last 18 months.
› Brazil's economic downturn impacting Central Florida businesses [Bright House Networks]
Brazil is a continent away, but the effect of the country's economy is already having a negative impact on the people and businesses in Central Florida. Aside from the economic downturn and the devaluation of the Brazilian currency, political leaders also are facing a protest related to the country's largest corruption scandal.
Go to page 2 for more stories ...
› Impact fees may be ready to rise [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
Impact fees were gutted during the recession to help spur a building industry in Florida that was mired in its worst slump in decades. With the economy mending, government planners are adjusting the key charge to account for those upswings, and in some cases, overhauling their methods for taxing new development altogether.
› Growing Spirit Airlines to hire 1,500 workers in 2015 [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Spirit Airlines will hire 1,500 workers this year as it adds new aircraft and flights across its network, the airline says.
› Megachurch's high-tech makeover fits with growing trend [Orlando Sentinel]
In 1985, First Baptist Orlando's sanctuary was state of the art: an orchestra lift that rose from beneath the stage, a soaring ceiling that lifted eyes toward the heavens, rows of pews capable of seating 6,000 as befitting one of Central Florida's first megachurches.
› Gay marriage debate continues in Florida [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
While gay couples now enjoy the same benefits — from tax breaks to shared health insurance — that married straight couples have long received, employers can still legally fire someone based on their sexual orientation in Florida, and gay individuals can be barred from housing and face other forms of legal discrimination.