Wealthy in Florida are among most undertaxed in nation

Tax systems vary dramatically across states and localities. Some states don’t have a sales tax; others don’t tax income. Many families face high property-tax burdens whereas others enjoy generous tax credits. Such diversity in taxation policies begs the question: Which tax systems are most fair? According to a survey by WalletHub, Florida has one of the "least fair" state tax systems, and ranked Florida near the bottom: 45th out of the 50 states. In other words, the wealthiest 1 percent are undertaxed in the Sunshine State. See the findings here.

Social media a growing factor in small business loans

More financial institutions and risk-assessment groups are browsing Twitter, Facebook and business sites such as Yelp! or LinkedIn to determine whether someone should be considered for a small-business loan. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]

In Florida, fears grow that environmental damage will hurt tourism

While beaches are Florida’s most popular attraction, they’re by no means the state’s only outdoor draw, nor are they alone in facing substantial environmental challenges as Florida’s population edges toward 20 million and the visitor count crashes across the nine-figure threshold. [Source: Travel Weekly]

Women's wage gap persists, study finds

A woman in Florida earns 85 cents for every dollar a man makes — about $6,203 less per year, according to a new report from the National Partnership for Women & Families. Women with full-time jobs earn an average of $34,768 a year compared with $40,971 for men, the partnership found, based on U.S. census data. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]

When the military needs snow, it goes to Florida

Located on Eglin Air Force Base, the McKinley Climate Lab -- built in 1947 and extensively renovated in subsequent decades -- has been used to test everything from the cold-weather survival skills of military troops to the extreme heat and cold tolerances of the military's most-advanced stealth fighter jets. [Source: AP]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

Florida Trend Exclusive
› Replenishing housing inventory in northeast Florida [Florida Trend]
A low inventory of homes is prompting a flurry of home building, especially along the beaches. “Things are the best they have been in the past 10 years. Houses are flying off the shelf,” says Sally Suslak, president of the Northeast Florida Association of Realtors.

› Pumpkin shortage in Illinois could surge prices in Florida [Orlando Weekly]
You eat 'em. You smash 'em. You carve 'em. Pumpkins are everywhere in the fall, that is, unless the state of Illinois has anything to say about it.

› Florida firm brings plastics parts coating technology from Germany [Plastics News]
Special Coatings USA LLC has established a Bonita Springs, Fla., facility to apply paint or lacquer to small mass produced parts, said Douglas Treadwell, president and co-owner.

› Sarasota restaurateurs branch out into a line of clothing [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
The water may have been the one thing missing from the Shore retailer and diner on St. Armands Circle. A $3.2 million purchase on Longboat Key will fix that next year.

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› Modernizing Medicine raises $38 million in new financing [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Modernizing Medicine, an electronic medical records business in Boca Raton, has closed $38 million in financing, bringing total capital raised by the company to $87 million, the company said Monday.

› Florida universities tap AXA Equitable as retirement provider [Tampa Bay Business Journal]
More than 60,000 employees of the State University System of Florida have a new choice of retirement providers. AXA Equitable was selected as a provider of retirement plans to the state system, following a competitive bidding process.

› How advertising research explains Donald Trump's profound appeal [UF News]
Politics and advertising are closely intertwined. Like a good advertisement, a good politician needs to present a compelling case for why the voter should check his or her box on the ballot over all the other options.

› Florida tour operator offering seaplane trips to tropical destinations [Orlando Sentinel]
A tour operator is taking “America’s Seaplane City” to new heights with a charter service that can take travelers celebrating special occasions to waterfront resorts from South Carolina to the Bahamas.