Slowing growth of Florida's economy may limit state spending

Florida's economy continues to grow, but state economists concluded on Monday that there are signs of weakness in spending that could limit how much money legislators would have to spend next year. The new forecasts show that economists expect the state's main budget account to grow 3.6 percent during the fiscal year that ends next June. See the executive summary from Florida's Revenue Estimating Conference held yesterday, August 15, 2016, here. Also read more at the AP and the Palm Beach Post.

See also:
» Florida's General Revenue Fund Financial Outlook Statement (PDF)

How Florida's average salary compares to the rest of the U.S.

Florida's average salary is among the lowest in the country when compared to all other states and Washington D.C., according to a recent study from GoBankingRate.com. The survey, "Best (and Worst) States for Families to Live a Richer Life," compared states for jobs and income, housing, lifestyle, healthcare and safety. GoBankingRate pointed to Florida's lower median household income as one factor that put the state in the bottom 10. More about Florida's ranking and other results, here.

Florida's solar industry growing, leading to more higher-paying jobs

A growing industry, designed to save you hundreds in electric costs, is taking Florida by storm. Solar is growing faster than most industries across the country , leading to more higher-paying positions in the sunshine state. [Source: WFTS]

Florida cities rank high on list of best places to retire

Orlando and Tampa pulled the equivalent of a gold and silver in financial planner website WalletHub's annual ranking for the best places in the country to retire. WalletHub compared the affordability, quality of life, health care and availability of recreational activities in the 150 largest U.S. cities. More from the Tampa Bay Times and the Bradenton Herald.

Increase in minority voters poses problem for Trump in Florida

Since the 2012 presidential election, Florida’s voter rolls have grown by 436,000 — and only 24 percent of that increase is from non-Hispanic white voters while non-whites grew by 76 percent. [Source: Politico]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Transgender inmate sues Florida to get hormone treatments [FOX News]
A transgender prisoner sued the Florida Department of Corrections on Monday to demand hormone treatments that she said were promised when she pleaded guilty to attempted second-degree murder.

› Miramar-based Spirit Airlines adds to its leadership team [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
The Miramar-based, low-cost carrier has appointed Matt Klein as senior vice president and chief commercial officer and Rocky Wiggins as senior vice president and chief information officer.

› Tech entrepreneur buys ABA basketball team for Sarasota [Business Observer]
Andre Spivey, a software entrepreneur who has been involved in Ignite Tampa Bay and other startup technology industry events, has bought a team for the Sarasota-Bradenton market in the American Basketball Association.

› Florida Gov. Rick Scott appeals rejection of algae state of emergency [AP]
Florida Gov. Rick Scott is criticizing the Obama administration's refusal to declare a federal state of emergency because of algae blooms on the St. Lucie River.

Go to page 2 for more stories ...

› Florida universities take lead on Zika research and awareness [Education Dive]
While little is known about the disease spread by mosquito bites and sexual intercourse, colleges and universities throughout Florida are preparing with awareness campaigns for students.

› Orlando's Craft-A-Brew scores big on Kickstarter [Orlando Sentinel]
Entrepreneur Kyle Westfall's Kickstarter campaign has become one of Orlando's most successful ever — raising $270,000 in a few weeks.

› Tupperware sells Florida center for $121 million [Chain Store Age]
Crosslands Shopping Center, a joint development of Tupperware Brands and O’Connor Capital Partners, has been sold for $121 million just two years after opening in Kissimmee, Florida.

› Baptist Health South Florida returns to profits as bad debt falls [South Florida Business Journal]
Baptist Health South Florida returned to profitability for its fiscal third quarter as it dealt with less bad debt from patients. The non-profit hospital operator earned $37.9 million on revenue of $661.3 million for the quarter ended June 30.