Tuesday's Daily Pulse
Floridians spending more as gas prices stay low
With gasoline prices sharply lower, consumers have more money to spend — and indeed they are spending locally and throughout Florida, state sales tax receipts show. Statewide, sales tax revenues increased 9.7 percent, from $2.02 billion in January 2014 to $2.22 billion two months ago. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Florida Municipal Power Agency lacks accountability and oversight
Greater oversight and more accountability of the Florida Municipal Power Agency is needed, according to a report from Florida TaxWatch. "Due to lack of competition and questionable business practices, many ratepayers have been left out in the cold," said Robert E. Weissert, Esq., Senior VP of Research and General Counsel of Florida TaxWatch. More about the report, here. Or, download the full report (PDF format.)
Middle East conflict fuels rising gas prices in Florida
Florida motorists saw higher prices at the pump last week as tension in Saudi Arabia and Libya caused worldwide oil prices to spike, AAA reports. [Source: Orlando Business Journal]
See also:
» AAA: Gas prices likely to dip
» Check gas prices in your Florida neighborhood
Will health care help bridge the divide between Cuba and the U.S.?
As the cold war between Cuba and the U.S. continues to thaw, health care could lead the way in bringing the two nations closer together. "There is enormous interest regarding medical suppliers," said Peter Quinter, chair of the customs and international trade law group of Florida Board of Bar Examiners. [Source: The Street]
If business is improv, then training can help
In business, there's no script, no director -- just actors playing off each other and their environment in hopefully creative and productive ways. Do it well, and bosses, employees and customers applaud and give you money. If this sounds a bit like improv theater to you, then Sarasota's Florida Studio Theatre has a new corporate training program you might be interested in. [Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Nerd Alert offers on-demand tech support [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
The latest tech venture by local entrepreneurs Julius McGee, Billy Levy, Ryan Tenbusch and Zack Zeldin is the second tech startup for the Florida Atlantic University friends and graduates.
› UCF to receive $1 million in grants to help entrepreneurs [Bright House Networks]
The University of Central Florida will receive more than $1 million to help local entrepreneurs from two grants designed to help business professionals. Penny Pritzker, the United States Secretary of Commerce, made the announcement Monday afternoon.
› Florida health officials propose Medicaid enrollment change [AP]
Florida health officials want to remove Medicaid's 30-day wait period so people can automatically enroll for health insurance once they're deemed eligible.
› Appeals Court Weighs Workers Comp Law [CBS Miami]
A South Florida appeals court Monday heard arguments in a challenge to the constitutionality of the state’s workers-compensation insurance system — as two other closely watched challenges also await rulings at the Florida Supreme Court.
Go to page 2 for more stories ...
› Israel’s tech and startup success: What can Miami learn? [Miami Herald]
The ecosystem supporting Israel’s globally recognized tech and innovation sector, dubbed “Startup Nation,” helps fuel and sustain rapid economic growth in the country. Are there takeaways for Miami as it tries to build an ecosystem? If so, 2015 is shaping up to be the year to learn.
› World's biggest cruise ship will have Orlando-designed slides [Orlando Sentinel]
Orlando-based Aquatic Design & Engineering is the creative designer for the water slides on what will become the world's largest cruise ship, the Harmony of the Seas.
› New breed of senior housing on the upswing [South Florida Business Journal]
Say hello to the new nursing home. A new style of senior housing is set to hit South Florida, as more seniors demand modern amenities now routinely found in many upscale communities
› A Wall Street star’s incredible journey from undocumented immigrant to broker [Miami Herald]
Julissa Arce was once a rising star in Wall Street, selling investment products to wealthy people from a desk at Goldman Sachs. But the secret she could share with no one gnawed at her.