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Friday's Afternoon Update
What you need to know about Florida today
$21 million in tax breaks: Shopping holidays, Hurricane Michael expenses, commercial leases
Refunds on farm repairs and fuel used in hauling debris from Hurricane Michael have replaced controversial proposals involving charter schools and hospitals in a tax-relief package ready for Senate approval. The amended package, which also would need House approval before the legislative session ends this week, includes popular sales-tax “holidays” on back-to-school items and for hurricane preparation, along with a business-backed reduction in a sales tax on commercial leases. More from the Tampa Bay Times.
Spooky Empire horror-themed convention says it had no choice but to relocate from Orlando to Tampa
A popular horror-themed convention that announced this week it would relocate to Tampa after more than a decade in Orlando was forced to do so after it could not find enough floor space for its growing show, its leaders say. Although some tourism officials say they will work to bring the company back in the future, one expert says that will be tough. More from the Orlando Sentinel.
Office Depot, Inc. appoints Richard Haas Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer
Office Depot, Inc., a leading B2B integrated distribution company providing business services and supplies, products and technology solutions, today announced the appointment of Richard Haas as Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer, effective June 14, 2019. More from Florida Trend.
Florida occupational licensing reform effort is dead for 2019
Occupational licensing reform seemed a slam-dunk when the Legislature convened in March after Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed “champion of deregulation” Halsey Beshears to lead the state’s Department of Business and Professional Regulation [DBPR] and then orchestrated the state’s first-ever “Deregathon.” However, the occupational licensing deregulation effort that held so much promise two months ago is now likely dead for the year. More from the Florida Watchdog.
Sales, profits rise at PGT Innovations
That first out-of-state acquisition is paying off for PGT Innovations Inc. The Venice-based maker of impact-resistant doors and windows reported a first-quarter profit of $8.25 million, or 14 cents per diluted share. That was up from net income of $7.34 million, or 14 cents per share when fewer shares were outstanding. Sales jumped nearly 24 percent to $173.73 million, boosted in large part by last year’s purchase of Western Window Systems of Phoenix, which added $32 million. More from the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
Tourism Trends
2.8 million fliers set spring break record at Tampa International
Tampa International Airport braced itself this year for its biggest spring break ever, and that's exactly what it got. The airport had 2.8 million passengers from March 5 through April 9, the period during which waves of spring breakers head to Florida for a week of revelry. The passenger count was 7 percent more than spring break 2018.
» More from the Tampa Bay Times.
Out of the Box
Hello Alfred
Imagine having your own butler like Batman. Hello Alfred, named for the fictional Batman’s butler, recently launched its butler-like service — actually called “home managers” — in South Florida. That person, who is the go-to when you need something done, such as putting away ordered groceries or picking up dry cleaning.
» Read more from the Miami Herald.
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