March 29, 2024

Wednesday's Daily Pulse

What you need to know about Florida today

| 1/16/2013

Support mounts to allow unlimited political contributions in Florida

Florida's campaign finance system is so riddled with holes that a state ethics watchdog group will urge lawmakers today to open the spigot and let an unlimited amount of cash gush into campaign coffers. Integrity Florida, a nonprofit, independent ethics advocacy organization, will tell the House Ethics and Elections Committee that the state should allow no-limits campaign finance in exchange for public disclosure of all donors. [Source: Times/Herald]


Group wants private prisons to rehab Florida inmates

group with strong business ties urged Florida lawmakers to divert nonviolent felons into privately operated prisons for substance abuse and mental health treatment to cut costs and help prevent them from returning to crime when they are released. The proposal by the Florida Smart Justice Alliance drew opposition from public employee unions representing guards and other prison workers. [Source: AP]


Gas prices to drop in 2013, U.S. agency and AAA say

The average price for gasoline likely will drop this year, thanks in part to increased oil production in the United States, a leading federal energy agency and travel club AAA predict. Lower gas prices would be welcome news for Florida consumers who face a torrent of other rising costs this year, from payroll taxes to electricity rates and home insurance premiums. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]


Viva Florida 500th anniversary campaign unveiled

Juan Ponce de Leon’s landing in Florida in 1513 could have a billion-dollar payoff for Floridians, state officials told a Senate committee Tuesday. A year-long celebration, anchored around the brand Viva Florida 500, is expected to spike tourism in coming months, yielding dollars and jobs in a state struggling with an 8.1 percent unemployment rate. [Source: Palm Beach Post]

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» Viva Florida! In 2013, Florida celebrates 500 years


University of South Florida's online programs ranked among best in the country

Looking for a prime college to attend from the comfort of your computer? The University of South Florida is one of the best, according to new education rankings. U.S. News & World Report named USF's online graduate programs in engineering and education among the best nationally for the second year in a row. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]


ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Fort Pierce researcher comes up with monster discovery
It's a fabled creature that's fascinated man for thousands of years, spawning fishermen's tales of enormous sea monsters such as the Norse kraken or the Scylla of Greek mythology. Yet within the past few months scientists actually have been able to record the giant squid in its natural environment.

› Charter school parents call on state for more money
Nearly 1,000 Pembroke Pines parents said they'll push the state Legislature to dig up more money for schools until there is equal funding for the A-rated charter school system.

› Florida superintendents ask for more money, flexibility to improve school safety
In the month since the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, officials nationwide have reviewed safety and security plans with fresh, newly sobered eyes.

› December a high point for Sarasota luxury home sales
December was a monster month for Sarasota County luxury sales, with a total of 47 homes and condominiums selling for more than $1 million apiece. That was more sales than in any other month in 2012.


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Facial recognition cameras in Florida city spark privacy concerns
Facial recognition cameras in Florida city spark privacy concerns

New security cameras in downtown Lakeland are raising concerns about privacy. The Lakeland Downtown Development Authority has begun installing 13 new security cameras on streets, sidewalks, and alleyways, and there are mixed feelings about them.

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