State of the state workforce: A coming crisis?

With more cuts looming for state employees, critics are asking how low can Florida go? Per capita, Florida spends less and employs fewer people to inspect restaurants, enforce regulations and handle the paperwork produced by a modern society than any other state in the country. [Source: Tallahassee Democrat]

Florida Trend Exclusive
The 2016 Florida Legislature: Once more with feeling

The 2015 legislative session ended in chaos, barely avoiding a government shutdown. Now lawmakers have an opportunity to kick off the 2016 session with a little more harmony. In this Legislative Preview from Florida Trend's January issue, reporter Jason Garcia highlights major issues on the table.

See also:
» Resolutions for the Florida Legislature
» What to watch in Florida politics in 2016
» Look at what's ahead for Florida lawmakers and the governor in 2016

Gas prices might go lower in 2016

Energy prices are forecast to remain low next year, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. The EIA projects the price of WTI oil to average $50.89 next year ($49.08 in 2015), and a gallon of gasoline to average $2.36 - 7 cents lower than last year's average. More from WJXT and AOL News.

To tip or not to tip? That is the question in 2016

The new year is shaping up to be the Wild West when it comes to gratuities. New technology, minimum wage hikes, even changing social mores mean many of us agonize about the digits we scrawl above our John Hancocks. In some parts of the country, restaurant tipping is being phased out entirely. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]

Cities look at subsidized housing to stem teacher shortages

School districts in high cost-of-living areas and rural communities that have long struggled to staff classrooms are considering buying or building rent-subsidized apartments as a way to attract and retain teachers amid concerns of a looming shortage. [Source: AP]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› One year later, same-sex marriage leaves impact on Florida [Florida Times-Union]
The impact statewide of the ruling to legalize gay marriage is difficult to measure, but two things appear clear: Most of the harsh rhetoric has faded; and wedding-related businesses have recognized the opportunity to serve same-sex couples from Florida and beyond.

› Santa Rosa planning for future floods [Pensacola News Journal]
With numerous flood-prone areas throughout its streets and subdivisions, Santa Rosa County is looking to the future of flooding prevention and what projects are most-needed to minimize impacts to residents.

› Cruise industry giants switching to 100 percent cage-free eggs [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Two major cruise companies have joined the growing list of U.S. corporations committing to using only cage-free eggs. Global cruise giant Carnival Corp. last week announced plans to switch completely to 100 percent cage-free eggs across its 10 cruise brands by 2025.

› Clearwater-backed incubator works to boost businesses [Tampa Bay Times]
At Clearwater's only official business incubator, a small but growing number of entrepreneurs receive daily networking opportunities, access to work space and motivation from peers while trying to grow their businesses.

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› Theme-park fans turn out to mourn last days of rides [Orlando Sentinel]
As parks replace old attractions with new ones, fans embrace the final moments of their favorites with nostalgia and twinges of bitterness. In some cases, the goodbyes have grown into unofficial celebratory gatherings.

› With sponsorship of Fiesta Bowl, Doral-based BattleFrog leaps into national spotlight [Miami Herald]
BattleFrog principals are betting that this title sponsorship not only will help their brand compete with some of the leaders in the relatively new obstacle race industry — including Spartan Race, Warrior Dash and Tough Mudders — but it also will help the brand leap into the national consciousness.

› Tampa firm makes 75 percent of the world’s flight simulators [TBO.com]
On any given day, military pilots and flight crews from countries such as Peru, Japan or Sweden are sequestered in flight simulators near Tampa International Airport, training to confront hurricanes or enemy fire and learning how to care for wounded warriors in flight.

› Record number of Florida panther deaths in 2015 [FOX News Latino]
A record 41 endangered Florida panthers were killed in 2015, mostly as a result of collisions with motor vehicles. Florida's wild panther population is currently estimated at between 100 and 180 animals.