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Thursday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
Florida tax collections top expectations
State general-revenue collections topped projections in September by $215.4 million, with most of the gains coming through sales taxes, corporate income taxes and earnings on investments. The Legislature’s Office of Economic & Demographic Research posted a report Wednesday that said net general revenue in September was nearly $3.976 billion. That topped a projection, issued in August, by 5.7 percent. General revenue is closely watched because it plays a key role in funding education, health-care and prison programs. [Source: News Service of Florida]
Audit finds Florida agency didn't properly monitor elevator safety programs
An audit of the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation by the state’s auditor general has uncovered several issues concerning the agency’s regulatory work on elevator safety. According to the report, the department failed to effectively monitor the local elevator safety programs, which were established by authorized jurisdictions to ensure that compliance requirements within the Elevator Safety Act were met. [Source: The Center Square]
See how SpaceX's Starlink is driving record rocket launches on Florida's Space Coast
SpaceX and two other companies have launched twice as many rockets from the Space Coast this year than the United States did in the heat of the Space Race in 1966, and the pace doesn’t appear to be slowing anytime soon. On Monday, SpaceX launched its 44th rocket of the year in Florida, leaving the state just one shy of 60. But launches probably won't stop there: On average, one rocket has launched every five days, which puts the Space Coast on pace for 70 or more this year. [Source: Florida Today]
1 month left in hurricane season as NHC keeps track of Caribbean system
With one month left before the end of hurricane season, the tropics have quieted some, and the National Hurricane Center is now only tracking one system in the Caribbean with a moderate chance of forming into the next tropical depression or storm. The trough of low pressure now in the central Caribbean and headed west toward Central America features disorganized showers and thunderstorms. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]
After pandemic rush, South Florida office market sees steady demand
As hybrid work models continue to evolve and transform the workplace, owners of commercial real estate have been rethinking how the corporate office should look — even in a market like South Florida, which has proved better insulated from the downturn in office space that has hobbled other metro areas like New York and San Francisco. [Source: New York Times]
Where world-class medical experts meet care with empathy. That's the BayCare effect.
There’s a feeling you get when you’re being cared for by leading experts who also give you an unmatched level of compassion. Getting both together is a rare and powerful thing. When you experience health care that exceeds your expectations in every way. And you have access to more than 4,000 providers, 30,000 team members and hundreds of convenient locations — that’s when you feel it. That’s the BayCare effect. [Sponsored report]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Florida's first 'air taxi' test to take place this week, allows for short-range travel within cities
The Tampa International Airport will soon hold the first ever “air taxi” flight in the state of Florida. A TPA release said the airport and Volocopter collaborated to have the first urban air mobility test at a large U.S. airport this Thursday. UAM flights are a new type of aircraft flight that focuses on short and medium-range flights that will take people and objects across urban environments, allowing for travel between and even within cities.
› Orange County Library System turns 100 with free cookies, birthday cards
As the Orange County Library System turns 100, the library finds its mission is still as relevant as ever, even in an ever-changing, fast-paced digital world. While OCLS has been celebrating its centennial all year, the public library system marks its official anniversary on Nov. 8 with free cookies for visitors at all branches (while supplies last) and the option to wish the library a happy birthday with handwritten cards.
› CEO of nonprofit behind The Bay project in Sarasota steps down after 4 months
The founding chief executive of the nonprofit organization that manages the design and multimillion-dollar transformation of 53 acres of downtown bayfront property into a world-class park is back in charge of the effort after one of its top leaders stepped down, according to a news release. The change in leadership is effective immediately.
› Miami hotel rates, revenues near top in nation
Miami-Dade County’s hotels are booming, third in the nation in both their average daily room rates and revenue per available room in the fiscal year ended Sept. 30, the annual meeting of the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau was told last week. The county’s hotels were sixth in average occupancy, said David Whitaker, bureau president and CEO, who noted the delicate balance between rates and occupancy by saying that if average rates had been $49 per night, every hotel room in the county would have been full all the time.
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