Wealth gap putting the squeeze on state revenue

Even as income for the affluent has accelerated, it's barely kept pace with inflation for most other people. That trend can mean a double-whammy for states: The wealthy often manage to shield much of their income from taxes. And they tend to spend less of it than others do, thereby limiting sales tax revenue. [Source: AP]

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Boat retailers see new wave of customers

According to the National Marine Manufacturers Association, Florida sales of powerboats, motors, trailers and accessories totaled nearly $1.96 billion, a 16 percent increase from 2012. The association said there could be as much as a 5 to 7 percent increase in new powerboat sales for 2014. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]

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Can genetic engineering save the Florida orange?

In a few select Floridian orchards, there are now trees that, thanks to innovative technology, can fight the greening tide. These trees have the potential to keep Florida orange juice on your breakfast table—provided you are willing to drink the juice of oranges that have been genetically modified to contain genes from spinach. [Source: National Geographic]

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Featured on FloridaTrend.com: The community portrait of Florida's Heartland includes the counties of DeSoto, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, Okeechobee and southern Polk.

Florida GOP optimism grows as election approaches

Six months ago, Scott was the underdog in his bid for a second term, with former Gov. Charlie Crist — a Republican turned Democrat — holding a solid lead in the polls. But recent surveys have shown the race tightening, and several polls have given Scott a small lead. [Source: Miami Herald]

See also:
» Florida GOP makes final push for Gov. Scott

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Money crunch forces Florida Guard to suspend drills

Last year it was a government shutdown that shook up the ranks of Florida's "citizen soldiers." This month, another form of funding shortfall has forced the Florida Army National Guard to suspend its drills, disrupting training plans and jeopardizing paychecks for thousands. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]

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ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Walmart developer faces Florida environmentalists [AP]
The Palm Beach developer who wants to build a Walmart store on an area containing an endangered forest faced his opponents for the first time. Peter Cummings promised to make his project a model for environmentally sensitive development.

› Port Manatee reconsidering return of cruise ships [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
More than a decade has passed since a cruise ship embarked from Manatee County's seaport. For most of that time, the publicly owned port on Tampa Bay did not strive to attract another.

› It costs, and pays, to live on Sarasota's waterfront [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
While it's no secret that waterfront property can be pricey, a new study concludes the gap between waterfront and other homes in Sarasota is the second highest in the nation.

› Ivan's surprising impact a decade later [Pensacola News Journal]
The long-term impacts of Hurricane Ivan on Pensacola are a mixed bag 10 years after with some segments of the economy stronger and better braced for future disasters.

Go to page 2 for more stories ...

› Rock Creek Pharmaceuticals stops selling main product [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
Rock Creek Pharmaceuticals last month suspended sales of Antabloc, which is based on the locally based company's patented formulation of the tobacco extract anatabine.

› In southwest Florida, man and panther vie over goats and state's true nature [Tampa Bay Times]
In 2005, nobody in southwest Florida reported losing any livestock to panthers, according to a government report. In the year that ended June 2013, panthers killed 25 goats, cows, lambs and house cats.

› Activists demand stepped up manatee protection [AP]
Environmentalists say the federal government's fast-track permitting process for Florida waterfront access, means the already endangered manatee could be increasingly at risk.

› 'Engineers on Wheels' Roll into Florida Schools [The Journal]
"Engineers on Wheels" will be rolling into high school campuses all over South Florida this fall. The Chrysler van, loaded with hands-on activities and engineering experiments, will visit classrooms as part of a Florida International University (FIU) initiative to introduce the subject to high school students.