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Wednesday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
State to spend nearly $400,000 on gambling study
Florida is moving ahead with a critical study that could set the stage for the future expansion of gambling in the state, including whether or not Miami could become a rival to Las Vegas. The two leaders of the Republican-controlled Legislature late last week signed a nearly $400,000 contract to have New Jersey-based Spectrum Gaming Group conduct a comprehensive study of gambling. Read more from the AP.
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» Legislators turn to familiar company for gaming study
Immigration bill could help growers, consumers
Those who grow or buy Florida fruits and vegetables could be big winners from an immigration-overhaul bill unveiled on Tuesday by U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio and seven fellow senators. Under the proposed bill, the estimated 825,000 foreign workers and their families who are living in the state would have a chance to get legal, compete for higher-paying jobs and eventually become citizens. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]
Teacher unions sue state over teacher evaluations
Teachers unions on Tuesday sued the state and three local school boards over performance evaluations that grade Florida's teachers on subjects and students they don't teach, which they called "arbitrary, irrational and unfair." The suit, backed by the National Education Association and Florida Education Association, includes seven teachers from around the state as plaintiffs. More from the AP, StateImpact Florida and the Orlando Sentinel.
Why your boss wants you to retire on time
More boomers want—or need—to stay in the workplace longer. But staying on the job as you approach retirement age tends to makes you more expensive to an employer, because of your health-care costs. And that’s why workers now face a growing wave of initiatives from companies designed to keep those costs down. [Source: Market Watch]
Online-travel tax fight may go to Florida's high court
The 1st District Court of Appeal on Tuesday asked the Florida Supreme Court to resolve a dispute about whether companies such as Expedia and Orbitz are paying the proper amounts of tourist-development taxes to counties when customers book hotel rooms on their websites. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› International officials inspect Sarasota rowing facility
Four representatives of the international rowing body charged with reviewing Nathan Benderson Park's bid to host the sport's 2017 world championships toured the site Tuesday by boat, the first stop on a four-day trip that will canvas the area.
› Activists urge Floridians to fight anti-sick-time bills
A coalition of activists urged Floridians on Tuesday to oppose statewide legislation blocking local governments from adopting benefit provisions such as the pending paid sick time referendum in Orange County.
› 7 teams set spring training attendance records in Florida
The governor's office said spring baseball drew more than 1.6 million fans for the second consecutive season. Box office numbers show 1,638,457 fans attended 247 games of the 2013 season at 14 locations statewide. Only 2 games were rained out.
› Tampa’s business climate to get spotlight
United Airlines has chosen the Tampa Bay area as the first region to be featured as part of an economic development series by United “Hemispheres,” its in-flight magazine.
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