Texas maintains bragging rights over Florida on jobs
Florida still can't catch Texas in the hiring race. Gov. Rick Perry's presidential run continues to bring a new wrinkle to the monthly state job reports, which document how many jobs each state either created or lost. The Texas governor rightly claims his state created more than its fair share of jobs in the last few years: about one out of every three new jobs added since the recession ended in June 2009 came from Texas. But other states have caught up since then. This year, about 13 percent of the new jobs came from the Lone Star State, and in September, Florida added more jobs than Texas did -- 23,300 versus 15,400. Still, the September numbers weren't enough to give Florida Gov. Rick Scott the kind of bragging rights he wants. Read more from the The Economic Time Machine at the Miami Herald and see Florida Trend's report on Florida vs Texas:
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Florida businesses can expect unemployment tax hike
Florida's businesses will be paying higher unemployment taxes next year. Preliminary figures released on Thursday show that the minimum tax rate for employers in 2012 is expected to jump from $72.10 per employee to $170 per employee. The maximum rate is also expected to rise from $378 to $459 per employee. The Department of Revenue will mail out final tax notices for 2012 early next month. [Source: Associated Press]
Solar power is coming to a school near you
Schoolchildren across Florida will soon be managing mini solar-energy power plants this fall designed to ease utility costs, educate kids and supply campuses with power during natural disasters. The $10 million stimulus-funded project is sponsored by the Florida Solar Energy Center with the hope of creating jobs in the energy sector while firing up young children about renewable energy. "Every single day that the sun is shining you are generating electricity," said Susan Schleith, energy education coordinator for the center. "You are a little mini-power plant right there on that school." [Source: Orlando Sentinel]
Valencia College - Out of the Shadows
The University of Central Florida generates headlines as metro Orlando's leading institute of higher learning and the nation's second-largest university, but 44-year-old Valencia College is asserting itself as much more than a feeder school for UCF. The college is a finalist in a $1-million prize awarded by the Aspen Institute to recognize the nation's most innovative and effective community colleges. More about Valencia.
 Professor Barry Bunn's Intro to Business class |
Citizens cuts some insurance coverage
Starting next year, Citizens Property Insurance will drop coverage on almost everything but the main building on a property.
That means no more coverage for awnings, gazebos, tiki huts and most carports and screened-in pool enclosures.
There will be some exceptions. For instance, patios attached to the main building with the same roof material likely would be covered, according to an email Citizens sent to agents on Thursday.
[Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Ybor City's controversial Empire Night Club closes
Ybor City's controversial Empire Night Club, the scene of a fatal shooting last month, has closed, an attorney for the business told the City Council on Thursday.
The reason was economic, said attorney John Brewer, who represents his brother, Joel Brewer, the sole owner of the club.
"You can't stay open if you're losing business," Brewer said.
› New Miami restaurant features award-winning chef Van Aken
One long look out the eighth-floor window of Miami-Dade College's new building and award-winning chef Norman Van Aken knew this was the place. Stretching before him: the Freedom Tower, the Arsht Center, American Airlines Arena and the promising expanse of downtown skyline and blue Biscayne Bay.
› Spine-stretcher draws FDA fire
A type of chiropractic device mired by lawsuits and controversy is again under fire in Florida.
This time, the FDA's focus is Spinetronics, owned by Coral Springs chiropractor David Bass. FDA says Bass over-stated the treatment capabilities of a spine-stretching device he invented, the Antalgic-Trak.
Sarasota-based Axiom Worldwide and Melbourne-based Vax-D have also run into trouble in recent years for misrepresenting similar "spinal decompression" devices.
› All is bright at Florida's theme parks for the holidays
Everybody knows: a turkey and some mistletoe (and a visit to Central Florida's theme parks!) will help to make the season bright. The parks are dressed to the nines for the holidays with 70-ft. tall Christmas trees, thousands of poinsettias, miles of garland and literally millions of twinkling lights. That said, the holidays are one of the theme parks busiest seasons, so expect crowds. Here is some of what's on tap at a variety of parks.
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› Gov. Scott Wants Recommendations from Citizens by Dec. 6
Gov. Rick Scott wants the state-backed Citizens Property Insurance Corp. to recommend ways to shore up the troubled insurer.
Scott, who would prefer the insurer be sold to a private company, wants answers from the Citizens' board by a Cabinet meeting Dec. 6.
"I expect them to come back with ideas of things they can do without the Legislature, things that we have to go to the Legislature with," Scott said Tuesday. "We shouldn't be sitting here just hoping every hurricane season that we're not going to have a hurricane. Someday we're going to have a hurricane."
› Port of Miami tunnel boring postponed after Key Biscayne objects
The start of boring of the Port of Miami tunnel, scheduled for next week, has been cancelled indefinitely, apparently because of a last-minute objection from Key Biscayne.
The state Department of Transportation, which is overseeing the $1 billion project, issued a brief news release Thursday morning announcing that a launch ceremony scheduled for Friday has been cancelled. The release says the Village of Key Biscayne has asked more time to consider whether it will challenge a state permit for the boring work.
› UCF private-fundraising drive part of a national trend
More than ever, educators say, public universities across the country are taking their financial futures into their own hands amid continuing cutbacks by state governments.
While fundraising among colleges isn't new, schools are increasingly relying on the goodwill of private donors to erect buildings, hire staff and create student scholarships to accommodate growing enrollments.
And they're seeking amounts that are unprecedented.
› Tampa airport nets more in profits than projected
Despite the poor economy that's keeping passenger traffic flat at Tampa International Airport, officials reported $2.2 million more in net profits than budgeted for the fiscal year ended Sept. 30.
Tampa International ended the year with a $23.7 million net profit, a figure chief executive Joe Lopano expects to increase to $26 million in fiscal 2012.
That money can be used for improvements and marketing for new flights.
› 'Black market' fish-selling sting nets Brevard restaurant workers
Several local food-service workers have been charged or ticketed after an undercover operation in which "black market" fish were sold to local restaurateurs.
The six-month effort by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission resulted in 65 citations and possible charges against 17 people in Brevard and Indian River counties.
According to the state agency, undercover officers approached employees at 44 restaurants and offered to sell them fish that cannot legally be purchased.
› Florida Lottery warns of scam
The Florida Lottery is warning people about a scam that has already made victims of several state residents. In this scam -- often referred to as a pigeon drop -- the con artist tells the victim he has a winning ticket but can't claim the prize because of he's in the country illegally, according to an agency news release. The con artist offers to hand over the ticket for cash or "good faith money."