Monday's Daily Pulse
Florida GOP voters gain on Democrats; Hispanics surge
Republicans have cut in half the voter registration advantage Democrats enjoyed in Florida on the eve of the 2012 presidential election, when President Barack Obama narrowly carried the Sunshine State on his way to a second term. But new registration figures from the Florida Division of Elections don't bode well for Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump. The number of Hispanic voters in the state has surged since 2012, and polls show Latinos siding heavily against Trump. See a breakdown of Florida voters, county by county, here (PDF). Also read more at the Palm Beach Post, NorthEscambia.com, and NBC Miami.
Related:
» Florida Senate race too close to call
» Early voting in Florida primary to begin
» Poll: Clinton up in Florida, New Hampshire; extends lead on electoral map
» Insiders see little hope for Trump in Florida
Nothing lasts forever. Gas prices rise in Florida
After 62 days of declining gas prices, a surge in oil costs has pushed retailers to up the price per gallon by an average of 3 cents in Florida. In Florida, the average price of gas was $2.08 per gallon Sunday, which is below the national average of $2.13 per gallon. Last week gas was $2.05 per gallon in Florida. [Source: Miami Herald]
» Check current gas prices in your Florida neighborhood, here.
Some Florida farmers eyeing hops as next niche crop
With the state's iconic citrus industry reeling due to a so-far incurable bacterial disease, some Florida farmers are eyeing a new niche crop that can tap into the country's burgeoning beer-brewing business: hops. [Source: AP]
» Earlier: UF cultivating varieties of hops for microbreweries
State economists take stock today of Florida’s cash flow
Since the recession years, when state lawmakers were forced to repeatedly cut the budget because of dwindling tax receipts, Florida’s economy has been steadily strengthening. And this year’s $82 billion state budget already is expected to be completed next July with $1.5 billion left over to carry forward into 2017-18. [Source: Palm Beach Post]
Business task force leaders argue for a Florida workers' compensation fix
Persistent fears of an economic slowdown, a turbulent political season and now Zika are all nagging employers statewide. But there's a less-publicized concern that the Florida Chamber of Commerce warns could strangle small businesses, dampen investment and cause Florida's jobs recovery to stop in its tracks: a spike in workers' compensation rates. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
› Sunrise company invests in future work force with coding camp for kids [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Sunrise employer Synergistix didn't set out to create its future work force. However, the company hopes its summer tech program for children will yield long-range benefits.
› Federal aid to boost Florida child care quality [Pensacola News-Journal]
The U.S Department of Health and Human Services announced that Florida is one of nine states and territories that will get aid through the new Early Childhood Training and Technical Assistance System.
› Jacksonville entrepreneur hopes to crack fantasy football market with college angle [Florida Times-Union]
A new angle on the fantasy football boom is being generated in Jacksonville that looks to capitalize on a gap in the college game — though the odds of success are not overwhelming.
› Southwest Florida school districts need dozens of teachers [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
As fewer college graduates enter education as a career field, Southwest Florida school districts are struggling to fill teaching positions. School district officials in Sarasota and Manatee counties say they will have dozens of unfilled teaching positions as the 2016-17 school year begins this month.
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› $3.2 billion Sabal Trail pipeline finalized; construction to begin [Tampa Bay Times]
Construction of a new $3.2-billion natural gas pipeline that will travel through three Southeastern states could begin within a week after the project received its final approvals on Friday despite years of challenge from environmental groups.
› Orlando attorneys learn leadership skills in diversity program [Orlando Sentinel]
An elite group of 40 attorneys from across the state makes up The Florida Bar's leadership academy, which seeks to empower minority attorneys with the skills they need to ascend the legal field.
› Puerto Rico’s tourism industry was stung by Zika. Could it happen in Miami? [Miami Herald]
As Puerto Rico remains crippled by a stubborn recession, tourism has been the sole bright spot, with visitorship and revenues up for the past three years. Until February. Then came Zika.
› Manatee chamber announces small businesses of the year [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
The 2016 Manatee Small Business of the Year Awards judges received more than 100 nominations, whittled down to 34 finalists. But there could be only four winners announced Friday at the IMG Academy Golf Club.