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What You Need to Know About Florida Today
THURSDAY, FEB. 4, 2010
TALLAHASSEE:
Lawmakers Work to Soften Unemployment Tax Increase
ICON |
Tens of thousands of Florida businesses will get hit with higher unemployment-compensation taxes this spring. The big question: How bad will it be? State lawmakers Wednesday began working on a bill that would head off a dramatic tax increase one retail official said would "kill current jobs" if it hits already-struggling businesses. Taxes would still increase if the bill passes because the state's unemployment-compensation fund is depleted. But the increases would be smaller than businesses otherwise would face this year. "We're just trying to make a horrible situation a little bit better," said Allen Douglas, a lobbyist for the National Federation of Independent Business who has worked on the issue. [Source: Tallahassee Democrat]
STATEWIDE:
iFlorida
From football to fish to hospitals, there are plenty of Florida-specific iPhone applications. Should your company consider making one? Read story from Cynthia Barnett ... [Source: Florida Trend]
TALLAHASSEE II:
State Farm Auto Files for 9.2% Rate Increase
The price for auto insurance is trending up. Among those leading the way is State Farm. The insurer filed with regulators this week for an average 9.2% rate hike for its 2.7 million auto policies statewide. "We've seen the number of auto claims increase, and the cost of those claims increase and that's reflected in our rate request," said State Farm's Chris Neal. "We had several years in a row where we were reducing rates. ... Clearly that trend has ended." With roughly 20% of the market, State Farm could be a bellwether for other insurers to follow. Some, including Allstate and Geico, have already made the plunge. [Source: St. Petersburg Times]
MIAMI BEACH:
More Homeowners Walk Away
In 2006, Benjamin Koellmann bought a condominium in Miami Beach. By his calculation, it will be about the year 2025 before he can sell his modest home for what he paid. Or maybe 2040. New research suggests that when a home’s value falls below 75% of the amount owed on the mortgage, the owner starts to think hard about walking away, even if he or she has the money to keep paying. [Source: New York Times]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
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Health Officials Won't Search for Cause of Cancer Cluster
Outrage erupted among residents and politicians Wednesday after state health officials announced they don't plan to search for an environmental cause of The Acreage's cancer cluster — and instead will mount a campaign to raise "awareness" about childhood brain cancer.
› Fla. Supreme Court to Hear Case Over U.S. Sugar Land Deal
The court has agreed to hear a challenge of plans to bankroll the $536 million purchase with bonds issued by the South Florida Water Management District.
› Hotelier Harris Rosen Wants to Send Houses to Haiti
The house — built to resist hurricane-force winds and earthquakes — is a prototype of the "Little Haiti House Project," brainchild of Orlando hotelier Harris Rosen in what he says is the second and more sustained phase of his relief effort for survivors of last month's earthquake.
› Kottkamp: Commuter Rail First, Then High-Speed
Florida doesn't need high-speed rail now and the recently approved federal stimulus won't be enough to pay for it, Lt. Gov. Jeff Kottkamp said Wednesday.
› Panther Refuge Worth Millions
Land designated as a crossing for them could generate big profits for ranchers. The panthers don't actually live on the property. A few have passed through, mostly headed north because they're being crowded out of South Florida.
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UNF to Fire Professor Accused of Battery
Provost says professor demonstrated "violent" and "threatening" conduct.
› Raymond James Fined $12M, Forced to Restate Earnings
An arbitration panel has ordered St. Pete-based Raymond James Financial to pay $12 million, saying it was liable in a case involving broker raiding.
› Rubio Wins Big Bend GOP Straw Poll
Crist shrugged off the 71-15 vote by the Capital City Republican Club. Also: Crist blasts Rubio on counting illegal immigrants
› Super Bowl: Economic Windfall or Hot Air?
Critics say the economic impact of Super Bowls is vastly overblown and that football fans, particularly in a winter destination such as South Florida, are just displacing tourists who would visit if the Super Bowl weren't in town. Also: Technology plays a big role at Super Bowl
›
No Easy Fix for Troubled Jackson Health System
Miami-Dade's healthcare leaders agreed Wednesday that the county dare not let the beleaguered Jackson Health System fail, but no one yet has a clear idea of how to keep it going.
"This is the safety institution for all of South Florida," said Brian Keeley, chief executive of Baptist Health. "Everybody counts on it. I can't imagine the County Commission letting it fail."
›
TECO Exec Lands on Elite List with the Likes of Oprah Winfrey
TECO technology VP and chief information officer Karen Mincey landed on Black Enterprise magazine's list of the 75 Most Powerful Women in Business.
Go to page 2 for more stories ...
› Mosaic Buying Naming Rights to Stadium in Port Charlotte
The Rays announced Wednesday that they have agreed to sell the naming rights for their spring training home, the Charlotte Sports Park, to the Mosaic Co., which mines phosphate to produce fertilizer.
› Brevard Company Chooses Melbourne Over Dallas for $4.3M Expansion
Melbourne-based United Service Source Inc. said Wednesday it has selected Brevard County over Dallas for a $4.3 million expansion that's expected to add more than two-dozen technical jobs.
commentary
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Serve Those Who Need
The coalition of private schools is fretting over deep cuts to a 31-year-old program called the Florida Resident Access Grant, often called FRAG.
› Panel Issues Growth Recommendations, Struggles for Money
The Century Commission for a Sustainable Florida this year has issued four recommendations, most of them suggesting follow-up action on previous recommendations.
› Juvenile Justice Officials Give Up Car Perks Amid Probe
Florida Juvenile Justice Secretary Frank Peterman and three deputies gave up their take-home cars after a report found the deal might violate federal tax rules.
