Despite resistance, Governor Scott wants $1 billion in tax cuts

Florida Gov. Rick Scott wants to cut taxes by $1 billion in the coming year despite likely resistance in the Republican-controlled Florida Legislature. Scott is expected on Thursday to announce a tax-cut package he will submit to state legislators along with his budget recommendations. [Source: AP]

Hispanic workers in Florida have almost made up the ground lost during the recession

The unemployment rate for Hispanics in Florida has fallen to nearly pre-recession levels, according to a study released Wednesday. But the unemployment rate for African Americans remains high. [Source: Miami Herald]

Manufacturing tax exemption critical for economic growth and diversification efforts

Florida manufacturers are exempt from paying taxes on machinery and equipment purchases, but unless lawmakers take action this spring that exemption will disappear, threatening the state’s manufacturing sector. [Source: Florida TaxWatch]

U.S. economic data seen supporting December interest rate hike

U.S. private employers maintained a steady pace of hiring in October and a jump in new orders buoyed activity in the services sector, suggesting the economy was strong enough to support an interest rate hike from the Federal Reserve in December. [Source: Reuters]

Black farmers group: Medical pot bill is discriminatory

State lawmakers’ push to legalize medical marijuana has found unusual opponents in black farmers who might otherwise be interested in growing the drug. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› CEO Mindy Grossman 'not pleased' with HSN's quarterly performance [Tampa Bay Times]
"We are not pleased with our third-quarter results," HSN CEO Mindy Grossman said in releasing the most recent financial performance Wednesday of her TV, online and catalog retailing company.

› Anthony & Partners puts women in law on equal playing field [Sponsored]
Females outnumber male partners at the Tampa firm, leading to improved work/family balance for all.

› South Florida loses 2018 College Football Playoff National Championship bid [Miami Herald]
Atlanta’s new Mercedes-Benz Stadium was chosen to host the Jan. 8, 2018 College Football Playoff National Championship, shutting out South Florida’s Sun Life Stadium bid.

› AutoNation reports best October since 2001 [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
With the U.S. auto market sizzling, AutoNation on Wednesday reported its best October for sales of new vehicles since 2001.

Go to page 2 for more stories ...

› Disney Springs hotel will reveal $10M renovation [Orlando Sentinel]
$10 million renovation at the Wyndham Lake Buena Vista Resort will be finished in the next few weeks. The renovation was led by The Gettys Group, a global hospitality design firm.

› A little techie heaven, Tech Bash returns to Marlins Park on Friday [Miami Herald]
Gadgets and gamers and drones, oh my: Marlins Park will become a field of geeks Friday night, as TigerDirect throws a Tech Bash for the community.

› NASA to recruit new astronaut class [Florida Today]
NASA will soon begin recruiting a new class of astronauts, the space agency announced Wednesday morning.

› Good news: We're not one of the fattest states in America [Orlando Business Journal]
With traditionally hearty-eating holidays fast approaching, WalletHub analysts compared the 50 states and the District of Columbia across 12 key metrics to pinpoint where weight problems are most prevalent.