Despite China Slowdown, Global Economy Expected To Gain Momentum In 2016 And 2017

A slowing China won’t stop the global economy from gaining momentum over the next two years. Global trade and economic growth, hampered throughout 2015 by a broad slowdown in China, are expected to stage a modest resurgence over the next two years. More from the International Business Times and Reuters.

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» Economic outlook and interim economic outlook

Florida Trend Exclusive
Dueling over the sun

More solar power is coming to Florida. Two constitutional amendments vying for ballot status next November aim to shape how it arrives — and who profits. But what will happen if both amendments pass? Access full story.

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» Rooftop solar systems vs. solar farm dynamics
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Big spending expected for state legislative races in 2016

National Republican and Democratic groups have set record-high fundraising goals as they try to influence the outcome of 2016 state legislative races. Independent political committees appear likely to join the fray. [Source: AP]

State's fraud crackdown slows unemployment payments

Florida's efforts to crack down on rampant unemployment fraud are delaying payments to people who truly are entitled to them, lawyers and advocates for the unemployed say. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]

Could olives be Florida's next big crop?

Despite all the naysayers, a number of growers are experimenting with olives around the state, working with University of Florida agriculture professors and entomologists to find out exactly which varieties, planted exactly where and harvested exactly when. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Three special sessions of Florida Legislature likely to cost taxpayers over $1M [Times/Herald]
In the course of just seven months, the budget fell apart and the House and the Senate fell short of agreement on redrawing congressional and Senate districts. In total, the cost to taxpayers of repeated special sessions this year is likely to exceed $1 million.

› Manufacturers fear loss of tax exemption on equipment [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Manufacturers are warning that the economy and jobs will suffer if Florida allows a tax exemption on equipment purchases to expire. Unless lawmakers take action this spring, the sales tax exemption will disappear as of 2017.

› UF researchers to study organic strawberry production [UF News]
Researchers at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences will address production constraints for organic strawberry producers, thanks to a new $2 million federal grant.

› All Aboard Florida to release first images of its trains Monday [Palm Beach Post]
All Aboard Florida will release the first images of its trains on Monday, as part of a marketing event the company said it will hold to “unveil” its passenger service between Miami and Orlando.

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› New federal bill aims to end SeaWorld's killer whale breeding [Orlando Sentinel]
The effort to shut down killer whale breeding by facilities such as SeaWorld continued Friday, with a California Congressman announcing he would introduce a bill that would phase it out.

› Homeowner co-op puts solar panels on roofs [Orlando Sentinel]
A fledgling solar nation is taking shape in Central Florida with more than two-dozen members of an east Orange County cooperative now getting power-producing panels on their rooftops and another co-op gearing up in the county's west side.

› One Spark crowdfunding festival downsizes to refocus in Year 4 [Florida Times-Union]
There will be fewer “creators” and the downtown Jacksonville footprint will be smaller, but One Spark organizers are bracing for an onslaught of those wanting to participate in the 2016 crowdfunding festival as registration begins Monday.

› State parks being reviewed for places to allow hunting [Tampa Bay Times]
A checklist that park planners use in reviewing what can be allowed in Florida's park system now calls for adding hunting as a possible activity.