A look into Florida's finances for 2017

This year, as lawmakers make decisions about the next fiscal year beginning in July, it’s expected state revenues will only increase about $1.2 billion. Yes, it’s a lot of money, but not in the scope of Florida’s annual state spending plan. It represents the smallest annual percentage increase in Florida state government’s revenues since 2012. [Source: WLRN]

What one venture capital leader sees ahead for Florida’s startup sector

Steady economic expansion, a track record for success and growing infrastructure to support startups are some of the reasons there’s been a turnaround from just a few years ago, when it was much harder for new Florida companies to find capital backing. [Source: Tampa Bay Business Journal]

Detention has begun for some Cubans, causing anguish and fear of deportation

Since the end of wet foot, dry foot policy — announced last week by the Obama administration — at least two Cubans have been sent back to Cuba, and others are being held at immigration detention centers. [Source: Miami Herald]

Manpower shortage could lead to higher wages for Florida construction workers

Business is booming for those in Florida's construction industry. In some places, demand for new projects is so high, construction companies are having a hard time finding enough skilled workers to fill open positions. [Source: WEAR] Also see the Florida 2017 Construction Outlook Survey (PDF).

Atmospheric quirk protects Florida during busy hurricane seasons

An atmospheric bubble wrap of cooler ocean temperatures and lofty crosswinds is shielding Florida during active hurricane periods, limiting Mother Nature’s wrath near shore even as she rages in the open ocean, a new study found. [Source: Palm Beach Post]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› 21 Florida projects named as finalists in the Knight Cities Challenge [News Release]
City projects in Bradenton, Miami, Tallahassee and Palm Beach County have earned a spot as a finalist in the third annual Knight Cities Challenge. Winners will receive up to $5 million each. See a list of all the finalists here.

› Details emerge on Atlanta Braves' Palm Beach proposal [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
The Atlanta Braves are reportedly still considering plans for a spring training complex in Palm Beach County in addition to the team's ongoing planning for a North Port facility.

› Amazon.com a logistics game-changer for Jacksonville economy [Jacksonville Daily Record]
Amazon.com Inc. will be a game-changer for the Jacksonville economy, as the online retailer builds two fulfillment centers bringing up to 2,700 jobs to the area.

› Latest national Florida Atlantic poll shows Hispanic Democrats, Republicans switch financial outlooks [FAU News]
resident-elect Donald Trump winning the election has affected all Americans, but one Florida Atlantic study is showing a significant change within the Hispanic community in the United States.

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› Circus saw a decline for years, Ringling executives say [Miami Herald]
Feld Entertainment executives held a news conference in Florida, where circus roots run deep, to explain the factors that contributed to shutting down the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus in May.

› Possible changes to Jacksonville’s tourism contract could hire multiple agencies or companies in hopes of luring more visitors [Florida Times-Union]
Visit Jacksonville, the city’s tourism bureau, has had the sole contract for marketing the city to visitors for more than three decades and that may come to an end this year.

› Boats kill record number of Florida manatees in 2016 [Daytona Beach News-Journal]
Statewide last year, 520 manatees were found dead in waterways across the state, the third deadliest year since record keeping began, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission records show. Of those, at least 104 deaths were watercraft-related.

› CareerSource Brevard relaxes dress code [Florida Today]
CareerSource Brevard is starting 2017 aimed at being more user friendly. It has re-opened its job centers on Fridays and is relaxing its dress code so those using CareerSource Brevard's others services can now wear shorts, sandals and flip flops.