Florida Trend | Florida's Business Authority

Monday's Daily Pulse

Gov. Scott wants tax holidays and cuts in license fees

Florida Gov. Rick Scott during his final year in office wants fees and taxes cut by $180 million. The package is much smaller than last year's $618 million request and is directed at residents instead of businesses. His proposal -- which will be considered during the 2018 legislative session that starts in January -- includes a 10-day back-to-school tax holiday and tax holidays for hurricane preparation supplies. Specifics on the proposal will come during Scott's announcements at businesses in three Florida cities today. [Source: AP]

» UPDATE, 11:30 am: Read Gov. Scott's proposal for $180 million in tax cuts

Five ways the proposed tax plan impacts Florida

The proposed federal tax overhaul — outlined in depth in the 429-page "Tax Cuts and Jobs Act" — will affect every taxpayer differently. But in multiple ways, most Floridians will be less adversely impacted than others since Florida has no state income tax, no state estate tax and has both relatively affordable housing and median household incomes lower than most of the country. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]

Your turn:
» Do you support the GOP's proposed federal tax ovehaul? (quick poll)

UPDATE: Florida Governor's race
The declared candidates
Seeking the Republican nomination:
• State Sen. Jack Latvala
• Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam

Seeking the Democratic nomination:
• Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum
• Former U.S. Rep. Gwen Graham
• Winter Park businessman Chris King
• Miami Beach Mayor Phil Levine

Undeclared (undecided)
• House Speaker Richard Corcoran
• Attorney John Morgan

Undeclared candidates hover over governor race as jockeying begins

A year out from the 2018 general election, the race for governor is already crowded with three major Democratic candidates and two major Republicans, and likely more on the way. But it's the undeclared candidates who are dominating the conversation. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]

Florida's medical marijuana dispensaries blocked from opening by moratoriums, bans

Although Florida voters, a year ago, overwhelmingly approved a state constitutional amendment allowing the use of medical marijuana for cancer patients and others with a range of medical conditions, many cities and towns have enacted moratoriums or bans on the opening of medical marijuana dispensaries. [Source: Florida Today]

Florida's disaster food program tops $1.3 billion — and it's not over

As Florida enters its final week of a massive and sometimes troubled Hurricane Irma food relief program, the price tag has climbed to more than $1.3 billion — one of the largest food disaster programs in U.S. history. This week, food assistance sites will be opening in Broward, Miami-Dade and Pasco Counties. See the locations here. Find more information about the programs including who is eligible and how to apply, here. Also read more at the Orlando Sentinel.

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Orlando stylist launches hair-care line
Orlando hair stylist Dale Dees thinks he has the answer to Central Florida’s frazzling effect on hair. Dees spent the last two years developing a new line of hair care products called GoGlam, and is launching the hair care items at a few local salons and supply shops.

› TV producer sues Florida House over Emeril’s show
A television show hosted by celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse is at the center of a brewing court battle pitting the Florida House against the producer behind the cooking show.

Florida's Movers & Influencers
See some of Florida's top executive moves, board appointments, civic accomplishments, and more at Florida Trend's Movers & Influencers. Each profile appears in three places: in a weekly eNewsletter, online at FloridaTrend.com and in a monthly print issue of Florida Trend. Read more here.

› Boca Raton drone software company has eye on Florida's public safety
EagleEye Intelligence is a two-year-old Boca Raton software company co-founded by long-time entrepreneur Scott Adams. EagleEye’s drone security systems are catching the attention of public safety and law enforcement agencies, while also attracting investors.

› MetLife to add 430 jobs at expanded Tampa campus
MetLife plans to add 430 new jobs and spend $25 million upgrading its existing campus in New Tampa, the nonprofit Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corp. announced Friday. Full news release, with information on how to apply to MetLife, is here. Also read more at the Tampa Bay Times.

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› Zika researchers congregate at UF
From across the world, leaders in Zika research came to the University of Florida for a two-day meeting about the virus. The ZIKAction Consortium Meeting, funded by the European Commission, was held at the Emerging Pathogens Institute on Thursday and Friday.

› Miami's TPS Recipients Anxiously Await Decision by DHS
TPS recipients and community leaders will convene at FANM’s (Haitian Women of Miami) office in Little Haiti to share their personal stories as a decision by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on the future of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is expected to be announced in the coming days.

› Trump will arrive as charities flee Mar-a-Lago
It's November, which means President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago is reopening after being closed during the brutal heat and humidity of Florida's summer. If last season is a guide, the president will soon visit his Winter White House, staying several days at Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's and then return many more weekends until May.

› On front lines of opioid crisis, Tampa Bay cops add Narcan to toolkit
In Tampa Bay, major law enforcement agencies have taken their own steps to equip their officers with Narcan through grants or from their own coffers.