Florida consumers haven’t been this confident for more than 15 years

Floridians are starting 2018 with their sunniest consumer outlook in 16 years, according to research from the University of Florida. They had stronger positive outlooks about what their finances should be like a year from now, as well as how they expect the U.S. economy to fare a year from now and five years from now. More from the Tampa Bay Times and UF News.

Florida bill would outlaw electronic games found in bars, malls

Controversial electronic games found in bars, strip malls and restaurants would be outlawed under a measure approved Tuesday by a House panel. The proposal is aimed at devices known as “pre-reveal games” that critics, including state gambling regulators, argue are unregulated slot machines. [Source: Palm Beach Post]

Nelson and Rubio urge the U.S. Senate not to forget about disaster aid

The U.S. Senate is operating on borrowed time, with less 10 days remaining until another potential government shutdown as a debate over immigration policy consumes Washington. But Florida Sens. Bill Nelson and Marco Rubio reminded their colleagues on Tuesday that the U.S. Senate hasn't passed a disaster relief bill in over three months. [Source: McClatchy]

Amazon's HQ2 and the Sunshine Economy

Miami is one of 20 locations in the U.S. and Canada to make the cut as Amazon considers where to build its second corporate headquarters. The economic development agencies of Miami-Dade, Palm Beach and Broward counties collaborated in the effort to lure Amazon to the region. A decision is expected sometime in 2018. [Source: WLRN]

Florida among the states with the lowest number of structurally deficient bridges

Florida is home to 265 "structurally deficient" bridges, according to a new report from the American Road & Transportation Builders Association, or ARTBA. The report examined federal data and found that there are 54,259 bridges rated "structurally deficient" out of the 612,677 bridges in the United States. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Jacksonville-based retailer Stein Mart to ‘review our strategic options’ [Florida Times-Union]
Shares of Jacksonville-based Stein Mart Inc. plunged following the announcement by the discount apparel retailer that it had formed a committee to “explore all opportunities to improve operating performance and identify potential strategic alternatives.”

› Florida Hospital pulls its Sanford Burnham offer [Orlando Sentinel]
Florida Hospital has dropped its bid to acquire the Sanford Burnham facility, only a week after the health system’s presentation to the Orange County mayor and commissioners received a lukewarm reaction.

› Florida estate sale business owner alleges Fox, 'Pawn Stars' producer damaged reputation [Legal News Line]
A Maitland, Florida owner of an estate sale business alleges the television production company responsible for "Pawn Stars" and Fox News Network damaged his reputation and forced him to close his business.

› Miami-Dade, FPL pitch deal to use treated sewage to fix nuclear cooling canals [Miami Herald]
Miami-Dade County’s mayor and Florida Power and Light have hatched a plan, likely costing hundreds of millions of dollars, to solve a looming offshore sewage problem.

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› St. Augustine named best place to live in Florida [WFLA]
As Florida’s coastal towns continue to boom, one was selected as being the best place to call home. Money named St. Augustine as the overall best city in Florida.

› Trump Golf Course in Florida Sues Over Property Tax Bill [Daily Business Review]
President Donald Trump says the Trump National Golf Club in Florida is worth more than $50 million. Palm Beach County Property Tax Appraiser Dorothy Jacks disagrees, saying the Jupiter course, where Trump plays when he visits nearby Mar-a-Lago, is actually worth much less — $19 million.

› Bill to ban orca breeding in Florida dies in the Legislature [Tampa Bay Times]
Amid strong lobbying from SeaWorld against it, a bill to ban orca breeding and future captivity in Florida has died in a legislative subcommittee. The Florida Orca Protection Act aimed to cement into law what SeaWorld voluntarily adopted in 2016 — an end to its killer whale breeding program .

› The second new Metrorail train has launched in Miami-Dade — and it’s half the size of the first one [Miami Herald]
Metrorail passengers began riding the second new train launched by Miami-Dade County since Ronald Reagan was president. The bad news: It’s half the size of the four-car train launched in November.