Five things we learned from Florida's Republican primary
Florida spoke loudly and clearly Tuesday and, while it may take months to be sure, probably picked the Republican presidential nominee. A contest that looked uncertain when a wounded Mitt Romney came to America's biggest battleground state 10 days ago now looks much clearer thanks to Florida Republicans.
Adam Smith of the Tampa Bay Times brings us five lessons from the Florida primary.
Related:
» The Florida primary and immigration
» Florida's I-4 corridor: a trip across 'the swing part of the swing state'
» Florida’s Vote: Clues to the November Election
» Florida GOP Voters Hurt By Economy, Foreclosures
» Romney expects big boost from Florida
» Florida primary election map
Small business healthcare plans
Florida insurance agents say the premium increases their customers are seeing vary from low single digits to double digits, but a 2011 Kaiser Family Foundation annual national survey found an 8% increase in premiums for employee coverage. In Florida, the size of premium increases has much to do with geography, the age of a small business's workforce and its claims history. Read more...
 David Hurley, owner of Landmark Engineering and Surveying in Tampa, had to offer higher deductible coverage with less generous benefits. [Photo: Michael Heape] |
Floridians' consumer confidence jumps in January
Floridians' consumer confidence jumped in January with many showing the same level of optimism they had a year ago before their hopes were sunk with a faltering economy, a University of Florida survey found. A lower unemployment rate in the Sunshine State as well as rising housing prices and stock market investments may have helped boost Floridians’ spirits. Read more from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel and UF News.
Business leaders' emotions mixed on economy
Southwest Florida is seeing some recovery, but it’s crawling at a slow pace and may stay that way for a few years yet. That was the overall sentiment from business leaders and analysts who shared their thoughts with about 70 members at a Chamber of Southwest Florida event on Tuesday at the Hilton Garden Inn — Fort Myers Airport/FGCU. [Source: Fort Myers News-Press]
Gov. Rick Scott says he will veto tuition hike
The first budget confrontation of the legislative session emerged Tuesday when Gov. Rick Scott declared his opposition to an 8 percent tuition increase at state colleges and universities that Republican lawmakers support.
"I don't believe in tuition hikes," Scott said. "We have to do what the private sector has done and what every family has done and that's tighten our belts. ... That's the first thing I want to focus on, is how we can reduce our costs rather than how do we raise tuition."
[Source: Tampa Bay Times]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Tampa expects a $2M hotel bill for out-of-town police during convention
Bringing in 3,000 outside law enforcement officers for the Republican National Convention will require about 1,500 hotel rooms, so the city has been busy making reservations.
A travel agent for the city has booked rooms at dozens of hotels throughout the Tampa Bay area, with negotiated double-occupancy rates ranging from $61 to $329 a night.
› Brevard shrimpers: Coral plan could crush industry
Shrimpers know where the coral is and don’t want to ruin their nets dragging them over the brittle deep-sea reefs.
But federal regulators plan to expand an off-limits deep-sea coral area anyway, closing waters shrimpers have crossed for decades.
“This would just be another nail in the coffin of the commercial fishing industry in Port Canaveral,” said Laurilee Thompson, owner of Dixie Crossroads Seafood Restaurant in Titusville.
› Saveology's new office offers unusual work environment
A new corporate headquarters opening in Margate this week gives a fresh dimension to the notion that business is a jungle.
Small monkeys swing from branches in their special habitat and macaws squawk as workers go about their business.
The center's 600 employees also enjoy a koi pond, putting green, basketball court, a jean bean wall, and soon, a barbershop.
› A look at Washington aid in South Florida
With Florida Republicans deciding who they want to occupy the White House next year, we think it’s a good time to revisit the Economic Time Machine’s primer on who gets the bulk of Washington money in South Florida.
Go to page 2 for more stories ...
› OUC to cut fuel surcharge 11 percent
For the first time in five years, Orlando Utilities Commission plans to cut its fuel surcharge, a move that could save residential and commercial customers a combined $30 million this year.
› USF wins $1.57 million grant to study battlefield-related injuries
The University of South Florida's efforts to help veterans returning home from war has already drawn praise from First Lady Michelle Obama. On Tuesday, it got another boost — a $1.57 million grant from the Department of Defense to study traumatic brain injury and other battlefield-related injuries and diseases.
› Broward says yes to Florida Panthers $7.7 million loan
Broward County commissioners overcame concerns about a lopsided deal for taxpayers and gave the Florida Panthers a $7.7 million loan for arena renovations.
The Panthers' sister company, Arena Operating Company, plans to plow the millions back into the county's BankAtlantic Center on 1 Panthers Parkway in Sunrise.
› Citigroup unit to pay $500,000 in age bias case
A unit of Citigroup must pay $500,000 to a former branch manager who alleged the company fired him because of his age, according to a decision by a Financial Industry Regulatory Authority arbitration panel.
The ruling, made by FINRA on January 25, found Citigroup Global Markets violated Florida's civil rights statute in 2008 when it terminated Edward Laurence Bowne, then a branch manager in Stuart, Florida.
› Tampa's Numara Software purchased by Houston firm
Tampa's Numara Software becomes the latest area technology up and comer to be acquired with its announced sale to Houston's BMC Software, a publicly traded company with a $6 billion market value.
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