Florida's economy ranked seventh in nation

According to U.S. News & World Report, Florida's economy is ranked no. 7 in the nation but is ranked no. 29 for education and no. 41 for economic opportunity. Compared to the nation statistic of 1.6 percent growth, Florida has grown an average of 3.3 percent in the number of young people. Read more at WTXL and the Florida Times-Union.

From pot to guns to health care, 10 big issues to watch during 2017 legislative session

Florida lawmakers are poised to return to Tallahassee for the March 7 start of the 2017 legislative session. They will grapple with hundreds of bills during the 60-day session, while also trying to reach agreement on a state budget that will top $80 billion. Here are 10 big issues to watch. [Source: Flagler Live]

The sunshine economy: The uncertainty Of Obamacare

Any changes in Obamacare will have significant economic consequences for Florida - the largest state for sign-ups - and especially for South Florida, the region with the most participants in the state. [Source: WLRN]

Florida's beer industry getting some much-needed wind in its sails

In less than five years, the local and national reputation of the Florida beer scene has gone from non-existent to cult-like. At least two Florida beers (Cigar City Hunahpu’s Imperial Stout and Funky Buddha Maple Bacon Coffee Porter) are among the most sought-after in the country. [Source: Forbes]

For better or worse, social media will drive the agenda in Tallahassee

For better and worse, social media is reshaping the political agenda in Tallahassee in ways never seen before. The session that begins March 7 is destined to be the most tweeted session ever, and the early signs don't bode well for harmony. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Military contractor CWU Inc. is moving headquarters to Tampa [Tampa Bay Times]
A Clearwater-based military contractor has big plans for 2017 which include hiring about 800 people worldwide, doubling its annual revenue and moving its headquarters to Tampa's Westshore area.

› IberiaBank strikes $1B deal to buy one of Florida’s biggest banks [News Release]
Spain's Banco Sabadell said late on Tuesday it had agreed to sell its Florida-based retail banking unit to Iberiabank Corp for $1 billion, leaving it with corporate and private banking operations in Miami.

› Miami Beach may put restrictions on liquor stores [Miami Herald]
Looking to reduce crime and drunkenness, Miami Beach might create a new restriction that would prevent new liquor stores from opening within 1,500 feet of each other, effectively limiting the number of stores that can open in some of the city’s busiest commercial corridors.

› Indiana waste services firm bought by Florida company in $66 million cash deal [Indianapolis Business Journal]
Ponte Vedra, Florida-based Advanced Disposal Services Inc., which does business in 16 states plus the Bahamas, has purchased Morristown-based CGS Services Inc., which serves 14 counties in central and eastern Indiana. Also see more at the news release, here.

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› Home prices up in South Florida, across the nation [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Home prices keep climbing in South Florida and across major metro areas nationwide. Prices in Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade counties increased by 6.8 percent in December from a year ago.
» See also: Population growth, Trump bump: 3 things to know about Palm Beach County real estate

› Harris launches effort to expand drone-safe flying zones [Orlando Sentinel]
Hurricane cleanup efforts and other operations that could be enhanced by wider drone flights might get some help soon thanks to Melbourne-based Harris Corp.

› Instacart launching in Sarasota-Manatee [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
Anyone in the Sarasota region interested in getting groceries delivered right to their door in as little as an hour through their favorite local stores will soon have a new option.

› Port Everglades posts 50,000-plus passenger Sunday as ten vessels call [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Port Everglades had more than a full house on Sunday with nine cruise ships and a fast-ferry to the Bahamas calling at the seaport. If all the ships were lined up end to end, they would equal the height of the One World Trade Center five times, port spokeswoman Ellen Kennedy said.