Wednesday's Afternoon Update
Gov. Rick Scott leaves meeting with HHS empty-handed
Florida Gov. Rick Scott met with U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell this morning to talk about renewing a $2.2 billion hospital funding program for Florida. HHS had told Florida the program is being phased out. After the meeting, Scott told reporters "we don't have a resolution" to the hospital funding dispute. This dispute, along with conflict over whether to endorse a Medicaid expansion, has prevented a state budget from being finalized. More from the Tampa Bay Times.
Hiring slows sharply in April
U.S. companies hired in April at the slowest pace in nearly a year and a half, a private survey found, as the strong dollar dragged down overseas sales and energy companies cut back on spending in the face of lower oil prices. More at the AP, the Wall Street Journal, and USA Today.
Cyber Security
» This story, and more, are part of a business roundup for Southwest Florida. |
SpaceX completes Dragon pad abort test from Cape
SpaceX this morning completed an apparently successful test of a system that would allow astronauts in its Dragon capsule to escape a launch pad emergency. At 9 a.m., a prototype Dragon carrying only a test dummy fired eight engines to rocket from a stand on Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral. More from Florida Today, Business Insider, and the Orlando Sentinel.
Grow America Act could fuel highways
By all accounts, the economic success of South Florida depends in large part on the efficiency of its transportation infrastructure and needs adequate funding for maintenance as well as new projects, which the proposed Grow America Act promises to ensure through steady funding. More at Miami Today.
Disney, through ESPN, entering daily fantasy sports
Florida's best-known casino opponent is investing $250 million in the fastest-growing form of gambling: online fantasy sports. Walt Disney Co. is putting money into DraftKings Inc., which allows fans to bet on a per-game basis rather than locking in with a team for an entire season. More at the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.