Florida non-profit hospitals brace for legislative battle

A growing number of Republican legislators are signing onto Gov. Rick Scott’s call to deregulate the health care industry, a move that non-profit hospitals fear could cripple their ability to care for the poor. [Source: Naples Daily News]

Florida's job growth swells in January

The state added 18,600 private-sector jobs in January, a 30 percent increase from 14,227 from a year ago. That was after a slowdown in December, when over-the-year job growth declined 46 percent. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]

Florida House takes first steps toward killing Visit Florida, Enterprise Florida

By an overwhelming vote, a Florida House committee voted to eliminate Visit Florida and Enterprise Florida despite testimony from dozens of businesses and economic development groups from around the state that warned them not to. [Source: Times/Herald]

Examining Florida's back to school sales tax holidays

The impact of increasing discretionary spending in the Sunshine State is very real, as the retail industry is extraordinarily important to Florida’s economy. With the increased use of sales tax holidays, it is essential that the impact on taxpayers, the retail industry, and the state of Florida is thoroughly assessed. Full story from Florida TaxWatch, here.

U.S. spending $13.6M more on citrus greening research

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has awarded $13.6 million more to citrus greening research projects, part of a program that U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Longboat Key, worked to include in the 2014 farm bill. Full news release here.

See also:
» Disappearing orange groves are forcing farmers into the beer and lubricant markets

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Deeper discounts sought for Florida boat registrations [Fort Myers News-Press]
State Rep. MaryLynn Magar, R-Tequesta, has proposed further reductions on vessel-registration fees for boaters who have purchased emergency-locator devices.

› CareerSource Florida tabs Michelle Dennard as new president and CEO [News Release]
Michelle Dennard was unanimously chosen Wednesday to become president and CEO of the workforce agency CareerSource Florida, replacing Chris Hart who recently moved to the top role at Enterprise Florida.

› Bills seek to ban immigrant ‘sanctuaries’ in Florida — with penalties for not obeying [Times/Herald]
Declaring “we are a nation of rules,” Florida Republican lawmakers have officially revived their efforts to go after so-called “sanctuary” cities and counties in Florida — and their elected officials — that don’t fully cooperate with federal enforcement of immigration law.

› PortMiami sets global passenger record [Miami Today]
PortMiami had another strong year in 2016, coming close to hitting the 5 million multi-day passenger mark. The port’s latest cruise season set a world record in cruise passenger traffic with 4.98 million multi-day passengers, a 1.5% increase from the previous year.

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› Florida says goodbye to Ringling Bros. Circus [WLRN]
After 146 years, Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus is taking down its big top. This week, Florida Matters explores the history and the economic impact of the circus.

› Orlando startup fund gets $1 million jolt from Embry-Riddle [Orlando Sentinel]
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach announced Tuesday that it had invested the money into the FireSpring Fund, an Orlando-based effort to establish a pool of money to invest in local startup companies.

› Lee County Economic Development hosts Women’s Business Summit [Florida Weekly]
The Lee County Economic Development Office will host the 2017 SWFL Women’s Business Summit on Friday, Feb. 17, at Florida SouthWestern State College, Building U, 8099 College Parkway, Fort Myers.

› North America's largest traveling wheel to debut at Florida State Fair [WWSB]
North America’s largest traveling wheel is coming to the 2017 Florida State Fair Midway beginning Feb. 9-20 at the Florida State Fairgrounds. The fair recently brought guests the largest portable roller coaster in the U.S. and this will be another “first” to Tampa.