Tuesday's Daily Pulse
All eyes on governor's race in Florida primary, turnout is key
When voters go to the polls in primary elections across Florida on Tuesday most attention will be focused on the race in November for the state's governor's mansion, shaping up to be one of the most contested - and expensive - in recent memory. More from Reuters and the Washington Post.
See also:
» Voter's Guide for the Florida Primary Election
» New Florida Law Brings Shorter Lines But Same Amount of Early Voters
» Primary will test Crist's support among Democrats
» Column: Why I can’t vote in Florida’s primary election
Florida Trend Exclusive
Foreign trade lending tightens
John Rodriguez, a past president of the Florida International Bankers Association, a current member of its foreign trade committee and its representative to the Miami-Dade International Trade Consortium, talks about the impact of stricter lending standards on Florida’s economy. Access full story.
Opting out of testing would come at a cost for school districts
A handful of Florida districts are talking about skipping state-required tests this year, including the new Florida Standards Assessment replacing most of the FCAT. But skipping the tests could mean losing money for the school districts.[Source: WLRN]
Florida Retail Report: Orlando leads urbanization trends
Orlando’s downtown population has grown at a faster rate than other downtown areas in Florida, according to the 2014 Florida Retail Report, released Monday in Orlando. In general the report said Florida’s recovering economy, tourism sector and employment rates are supporting growth in retail. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]
All aboard? Not quite yet as work starts on Florida fast train
Preliminary work has begun for construction of a $2.5 billion express passenger train between Miami and Orlando. All Aboard Florida, as the project is called, is expected to begin operations in two phases: first between Miami and West Palm Beach in 2016 and then between West Palm Beach and Orlando in 2017. [Source: Bradenton Herald]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› IKEA brings megastore (and its meatballs) to Miami area [Miami Herald]
IKEA Miami will open its doors Wednesday in Sweetwater, the behemoth Swedish home furnishings retailer’s 39th store in the United States. Under construction for more than a year, the store is IKEA’s largest on the East Coast and its second-largest nationwide.
› The light of the future, coming to you from Bradenton [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
Between his thumb and index finger, Beacon Products' Perry Romano holds a wireless transceiver the size of a Frito snack chip. When plugged into 18 tiny light emitting diodes, it'll shine light into the parking garages of the future.
› Disney files patent applications to use drones in its theme parks [Orlando Sentinel]
Has Disney decided to go all in with the U.S. military’s anti-terrorism efforts? After all, why else would the company file patents to use drones?
› Burger King in talks to buy Tim Hortons [Miami Herald]
Burger King is in talks to buy doughnut chain Tim Hortons and create a new holding company headquartered in Canada, a move that could shave its tax bill.
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› Florida 9th best state for women's equality [Orlando Business Journal]
To gauge the scope of gender-based disparities in the United States, WalletHub ranked each of the 50 states based on 10 key metrics, ranging from the gap in the number of female and male executives to the disparity between women’s and men’s life expectancy and the imbalance of their political representation.
› Embraer Legacy deal: Jobs, $48 million in funding [Florida Today]
Including an estimated 850 spinoff jobs, economic development officials said the Embraer project would create 1,451 jobs with a total annual payroll of $75 million.
› Florida’s Flood Agency Stops Writing New Business in Tampa Bay Region [Insurance Journal]
One of the first entities to step forward and provide private flood insurance in Florida has announced it will stop writing new business in the Tampa Bay region in order to manage its exposure.
› State Buys Land For Florida Greenway [WUFT]
State park managers have said they will be buying or trading land in Marion, Palm Beach, and Jackson counties. This is to fill the gaps of the Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway, a recreational outdoor area that spans 110 miles.