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Monday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
Florida unemployment rate dips to 4.6 percent
Florida’s jobless rate dropped to 4.6 percent in October, with a state economist saying the dip represents “continued positive growth” of people back in the labor force during the COVID-19 pandemic. The October rate was down from 4.8 percent in September and represented an estimated 491,000 Floridians being out of work in mid-October from a labor force that grew by 29,000 to 10.59 million, according to a report released Friday by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
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Business Florida - A welcome to Florida business leaders
It is a dynamic, growing state of more than 21 million residents and increasing by nearly 300,000 each year. Throughout Florida’s 67 counties, we are confident you will be able to find your perfect place in the sun to start, expand or relocate your business. Florida is the right place to do business, with no state personal income tax, no income tax on corporations or limited partnerships or subchapter S-corporations, no state-level property tax assessments, and no property tax on business inventories. [Source: Business Florida]
Disney World halts vaccine requirement for workers after Florida restricts employer mandates
In a statement to The Washington Post on Saturday, Disney said it still believes its “approach to mandatory vaccines has been the right one.” But amid the uncertainty caused by the new state laws, Disney “will address legal developments as appropriate,” the statement said. Under the legislation passed in a special session last week, Florida companies are barred from mandating that all employees get vaccinated, and instead must allow workers to “choose from numerous exemptions,” according to a statement from DeSantis. [Source: Washington Post]
Florida remains a strong market for new construction
The demand from homebuyers across the nation, historically low mortgage rates, and rising equities for homeowners has allowed the real estate market to flourish in new ways following the uncertainty of the pandemic. On the other hand, limited inventory of existing homes amidst an enduring high level of demand has led to an increase in home prices that has left some people exhausted in their home search. The new construction and development industry is also facing some challenges. [Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
New GOP weed approach: Feds must ‘get out of the way’
Republicans are warming to weed. Nearly half of Republican voters support federally decriminalizing cannabis, and GOP lawmakers are now beginning to reflect their constituents’ view by increasingly supporting broad legalization at the state and federal level. “We need the federal government just to get out of the way,” said Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.), who introduced the first Republican bill in Congress to decriminalize marijuana this past week and pointed to more than 70 percent of Americans supporting the idea. [Source: Politico]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Opinion: Planes, trains and electric automobiles; Infrastructure law holds promise for Florida
It will get harder, in days ahead, to deny the power of government working for the common good.
› How is the new tech crowd impacting the local economy? A Miami caterer can tell you
“I don’t know if South Florida will ever be the same.” That is how Lina Cruz summarizes the impact of the influx of newcomers to the Miami area over the past year.
› USF and hotel operator partner to help train the next generation of hospitality managers
When Cihan Cobanoglu took over as dean of USF's School of Tourism and Hospitality Management in August, one question he asked was how the college was different compared to other programs across the state.
› Streamline Air Charters in Milton aims to be 'passport to the Southeast'
Three years ago, Dr. Carlos Diaz envisioned a way to make air travel convenient and easy for Northwest Florida.
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