Vying for swing-state voters, Pence pushes space program in Florida

Seeking to sweeten the deal for swing-state voters ahead of next week's election, Republican vice presidential candidate Mike Pence toured Florida on Monday with a message tailored to an audience whose livelihood depends heavily on federal investment. [Source: Christian Science Monitor]

See also:
» The presidential candidates march through Florida
» Early voting update: In search of the hidden Trump vote - the case of Florida
» With renewed urgency in battleground Florida, Clinton brings back Trump attacks
» Poll gives Clinton wide lead in Florida, with strong GOP support
» Florida's surge of new voters packs wallop for 2016 vote

Florida, Georgia fight over water

Florida and Georgia this week are taking their long-standing fight over the supply of water in their shared watershed to court. Arguments are expected to last for weeks, and the result could affect millions of people and major industries in both states. [Source: AP]

See also:
» Water war trial underway for disputed watershed in Southeast

Florida’s wireless tax burden still among highest in country

Wireless industry competition has led to significant reductions in average monthly bills since 2008, but consumers aren’t seeing the benefits because of growing government-levied taxes and fees. The Tax Foundation analysis ranks the Sunshine State 8th highest among states in 2016, with a 14.7 percent combined state and local tax burden. When adding a mandatory federal surcharge of 6.64 percent, Floridians end up paying 21.34 percent in wireless taxes. See the report from the Tax Foundation here, and also read more from Florida WatchDog.

» Quick poll: Are you satisfied with the service -- and price -- you pay for your smart phone(s)?

Small businesses win when banks and online lenders collaborate

Starting and growing a small business isn’t easy. Even in business-friendly environments, small business owners invest untold hours, working day and night to keep their businesses going and, hopefully, growing. To do so, they often need access to short-term or long-term funding. [Sponsored Report] Read the story here.

Messy battles over energy are on the ballot across U.S. states including Florida

As if choosing the next president of the U.S. wasn’t confusing enough, states from Nevada to Florida have energy measures on the ballot this year that have left many voters befuddled. [Source: Bloomberg]

Related:
» Florida utilities spend $35 million to make case to limit rooftop solar
» About Florida's Amendment 1: Rights of Electricity Consumers Regarding Solar Energy Choice

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Horizon Terminals begins Jacksonville operation [Florida Times-Union]
Jacksonville is already one of the busiest vehicle ports in the country, and that will be much of Horizon’s focus: new and used autos, along with large equipment and machinery.

› Royal Caribbean signs sports deal — and it’s not with a Miami team [Miami Herald]
Miami-based Royal Caribbean International is courting New York sports fans and concert-goers for its massive cruises as the newly appointed, official cruise line of the New York Knicks, New York Rangers and Madison Square Garden.

› Pipeline fire's impact on Florida gas prices may be limited [TCPalm]
A shutdown in a major gasoline pipeline supplying the southeast and eastern United States is expected to have limited effect in Florida, according to the AAA.

› No. 1 public company in South Florida inks deal with ExxonMobil [News Release]
World Fuel Services Corp. announced today that it has completed its acquisition of ExxonMobil affiliates’ based across more than 30 international airports.

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› Lakewood Ranch-based Roper buys cloud-based network firm for $632 million [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
Lakewood Ranch-based Roper, which caters to selected segments of a broad range of markets, said Monday it signed an agreement to buy ConstructConnect, which has more than 800,000 users of its software as a service (SaaS) solutions.

› Orlando's Artegon vendors holding tight as sale rumors swirl [Orlando Sentinel]
Vendors at Orlando's experimental mall Artegon Marketplace say they plan to hold tight even as the property is up for sale and rumors swirl.

› After nationwide search, Miami Chamber of Commerce chooses new CEO [Miami Herald]
Alfred Sanchez, long-time CEO of American Red Cross South Florida, has been chosen as the new president and CEO of the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce.

› Florida Technical College launches construction technology center in Kissimmee [Florida Business Daily]
With the increase in Florida-based construction, Florida Technical College (FTC) recently launched its new Construction Trade and Technology Education Center on its Kissimmee campus.