Forecast: Strong Florida economy into 2019, but watch out for 2020

The national, state and local economies will perform strongly into early 2019, but watch out for 2020, when a recession and interest rates hitting 8 percent could hit, Florida economist Hank Fishkind said Thursday. Fishkind's presentation is here -- or use this link to jump to the Florida information. Also read more at the Bradenton Herald and the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.

See also:
» Economy on the upswing in Tallahassee
» 2018 Forecast: Despite hurricanes, clear skies await Central Florida

Florida Trend Exclusive
Florida dining: Meat markets

In the last two years, the old-fashioned butcher shop has gained new cachet among ingredient-obsessed diners as many chefs have paired their meat counters with eat-in facilities that turn them into steakhouses, biergartens and breakfast spots. Today’s new carnivores are not squeamish about raw meat and enjoy the illusion of plain brown-paper style at restaurants named Orlando Meats, Miami’s Quality Meats or just The Butcher Shop in West Palm. Full story here.

Five new cruise ships slated for Florida debuts in 2018

Florida is going to need some extra red carpet to welcome the lineup of cruise ships coming to the state in 2018. Five ships debuting this year will call the Sunshine State home including the world’s largest cruise ship, Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas. In total, the winter seasons at both PortMiami and Port Everglades will each see close to 30 ships using it as a regular embarkation point, while Port Canaveral will have up to nine, Port Tampa Bay up to six and Jaxport home to three. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]

Florida politicians are courting displaced Puerto Ricans. But what are their motives?

Some Puerto Ricans, who traditionally lean Democrat, say the governor has a chance to win them over. Others remain skeptical of Scott’s motives. But as the governor has doubled-down in the new year on Puerto Rican outreach, his office insists his efforts are “absolutely not” related to any potential campaign. [Source: Miami Herald]

Will Florida bring back full tuition breaks for college? State senators weigh in today

The "Florida Excellence in Higher Education Act of 2018," also known as Senate Bill 4, recently sailed through three committees without a single "no" vote and is expected to pass on the Senate floor. It is a high priority for Senate President Joe Negron and was introduced by Sen. Bill Galvano, likely Negron’s successor as president after the 2018 election. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Florida House: Hand over records from Emeril's show now [AP]
The Florida House is demanding the producer of a television show hosted by celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse to turn over records in five days or risk hefty fines and even jail. The House voted Thursday to issue a subpoena for the records.

› Tension mounts over Brightline train horns [Palm Beach Post]

All Aboard Florida’s Brightline train service on Thursday faced mounting opposition from West Palm Beach residents who want the passenger fleet stopped until safety upgrades to create a quiet zone to silence train horns are completed.

See also:
» Brightline to begin introductory service Saturday, January 13

› Sarasota ranked as a top place to die in U.S. [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
Where do you want to die? It turns out not all areas are created equal. A study ranked nearly 300 regions of the country based on seven factors, such as hospice use and number of deaths in the hospital.

› Central Florida's last Kmart closing [Orlando Sentinel]
K-Mart’s last Central Florida store will close this spring, bringing to a close the once-dominant retailer known for its blue light specials and discounted goods. Sears Holdings announced Thursday it would close 103 stores nationwide, including 64 Kmart stores and 39 Sears locations.

Go to page 2 for more stories ...

› Opinion: It’s time to disrupt Florida’s electricity industry [Tallahassee Democrat]
It’s time to disrupt Florida’s electricity industry When you think about utilities – the energy that powers our homes and businesses – ‘disruption’ is probably the last word you’d think of as a positive. Yet disruption is exactly what Florida’s energy marketplace needs.

› Office Depot drops foundation that bore its name, plans its own [Press Release]
A community foundation that has been known as the Office Depot Foundation has changed its name to Listen Learn Care Foundation and is no longer receiving financial support from the Boca Raton office-supplies retailer. Also read more at the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

› Tampa restaurant chain eyes Midwest, Texas for growth [Business Observer]
Tampa-based Little Greek Fresh Grill forecasts continued growth in 2018, including openings in Texas and two new locations in the Chicago area. Little Greek Fresh Grill also has eateries in Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky and Ohio.

› Florida appears likely to ban child marriage [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
Florida law requires individuals to be 18 or older to marry, but there are exceptions when someone is pregnant or has parental consent. As a result, more than 16,400 people under the age of 18 married in Florida between 2000 and 2015, according to The Children’s Campaign.