Wednesday's Afternoon Update

What you need to know about Florida today

| 4/16/2014

Amazon will start collecting sales tax in Florida on May 1

The online retailer Amazon will start collecting sales tax from customers in Florida on May 1. Amazon is building massive warehouses in Hillsborough and Polk counties to process and ship orders. Opening a physical location in the state means the retailer will be required to collect sales tax from Florida customers. More at Tampa Bay Times.

U.S. industry shows some vigor, but housing remains soft

U.S. industrial production rose at a faster-than-expected clip in March, the latest sign the economy was gaining momentum. Groundbreaking for new homes also increased but remained well below the post-recession peak hit in November, signaling the drag the housing market is placing on the economy. More at Reuters.

Florida Law
Stepping down at Ave Maria's School of Law

As dean, Eugene R. Milhizer oversaw a slew of initiatives at the Florida law school. But perhaps what he will be most remembered for is his decision to move the Catholic law school founded by Domino’s Pizza founder Thomas S. Monaghan from Michigan to southwest Florida in 2009.

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For workers, low wages still create stress

Low pay again tops the list as the biggest stressor for working Americans as it has for the last four years. Even as the U.S. economy finally is growing, Americans are stressed about what we earn. Our costs are rising, raises stagnating and workloads increasing. More at the Miami Herald.

South Florida merger deals total $465 million

In all, 17 mergers were announced in South Florida, according to Mergermarket, an intelligence and news service that tracks global merger and acquisition activity. The deals totaled $465 million, according to the report. More at the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

eMerge Americas Techweek to bring in array of experts, events

With more than 100 speakers and about a dozen events, contests, expos and parties, next month’s eMerge Americas Techweek will bring together executives and entrepreneurs from large technology companies and emerging ventures throughout South Florida and Latin America. More at the Miami Herald.

Education
Day care costs more than college in 31 states

College costs loom large in the parental mind. According to a 2013 report by Sallie Mae, half of parents are putting away money for their kids' education. Those who aren't are fretting about it, saying that they feel "frustrated," "overwhelmed" and "annoyed" when they think about college savings. But most parents will deal with an even larger kid-related expense long before college, and it's a cost that very few of them are as prepared for. That expense is day care.