More Floridians means more members of Congress

Sun Belt states are likely to gain seats and influence in Congress after the next U.S. Census. Florida has grown fast enough to earn two new seats, growing its delegation to 29 members. That would make Florida's delegation the third-largest in the House, surpassing New York for the first time. See research from Election Data Services, here. Also read more at The Hill, Florida Politics, and USA Today.

See also:
» Florida is the fifth-fastest-growing state of 2017. Who beat us?

Florida may attract more athletes after tax law change

Teams in Texas, Florida, Nevada and Washington state may have become more attractive destinations for free agents following the enactment of tax law changes. Deductions for state and local taxes are capped at $10,000 in the year starting Jan. 1 for married couples filing jointly. That has a huge impact for athletes with seven- and eight-figure salaries. "Obviously, the zero income tax states have now more of an advantage than before," said baseball agent Scott Boras. [Source: AP]

How recess can make students better job candidates

While some schools have cut back on recess to make more time for standardized test prep, states like Florida and Rhode Island have been pushing back by implementing laws to make sure students get enough time for free play. [Source: Marketplace]

Florida Trend Column
VA health care is a model that could benefit Medicare patients

While not perfect, the VA offers quality health care that can possibly be expanded to benefit Medicare patients. It’s important that the discussion occurs in context. The hardest thing in thinking and writing about anything related to health care provided by the Veterans Administration is overcoming the persistent impression that it stinks. Full column by Florida Trend's executive eEditor, Mark Howard, is here.

SEC charges Florida-based fund owner over $1.2 billion Ponzi scheme

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has charged a Florida-based group of unregistered investment companies and its owner for allegedly operating a $1.2 billion Ponzi scheme that targeted seniors among other investors, the agency said on Thursday. Full news release from the SEC is here. Also read more at Reuters.

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Boeing looking to acquire Embraer, a move that could impact Brevard County [Florida Today]
The Boeing Co. and Embraer SA confirmed the two companies are exploring some type of partnership, a move that would create a powerful aerospace force.

› Central Florida leaders push back against tax district changes [Orlando Sentinel]
Central Florida government leaders are hoping to thwart proposed legislation that would reform special taxing districts, with some saying the proposals are the state’s latest attack on home rule.

› Largo recognized for economic growth [Tampa Bay Newspapers]
In the past two years, Largo has been named one of the top 25 best places in the U.S. to retire and one of top 50 best cities for new graduates to live and work. It can now say it’s one of the most prosperous as well.

› Jacksonville won’t get F-35s [Florida Times-Union]
Despite high-powered endorsements from Sen. Bill Nelson and Gov. Rick Scott, among others, to put the F-35s at the 125th Fighter Wing at Jacksonville International Airport, Air Force officials announced Thursday that Truax Field Air National Guard Base in Dane County, Wis., and Dannelly Field in Montgomery, Ala., are the preferred locations for the squadrons.

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› Many South Florida workers can expect 3 percent salary hikes in 2018, report says [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Many South Florida managers, professional workers and even hourly employees can expect a salary increase of about 3 percent in 2018, a compensation expert says in an annual outlook.

› Jeff Vinik hires Chicago Lakshmi Shenoy to run Tampa innovation hub [Tampa Bay Times]
Jeff Vinik is hiring an executive from one of the nation’s most respected startup incubators to run a similar innovation hub that he plans to launch at his Water Street Tampa project.

› CSX stock stabilizes as analysts debate impact of Harrison’s death [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
Hunter Harrison’s death sent shockwaves through the railroad and financial worlds. It was just seven months after he was hired to turn around the nation’s third-largest railroad.

› Florida lawmakers seek to raise smoking age from 18 to 21 [WFTS]
Should the state of Florida raise the legal age to buy cigarettes? A group of lawmakers thinks so. The proposal aims to make it illegal for anyone under 21 to buy tobacco products, arguing it will save the state billions in health care costs.