Friday's Afternoon Update
‘Freedom Week' tax holiday coming up. How will it affect Florida's tax revenue?
State economists acknowledge the upcoming “Freedom Week” tax holiday is uncharted territory when it comes to estimating reductions in tax revenue. Lawmakers approved the first-of-its-kind tax holiday, which will run from July 1 through July 7, to help spur people to get out and enjoy activities after being cooped up at home during the coronavirus pandemic. During the holiday, people will be able to avoid paying sales taxes on tickets purchased for such things as live music, athletic contests, in-theater movies, cultural events and entrance to museums and state parks. More from the News Service of Florida.
Column: In Florida’s urban areas, broadband costs create a digital divide
We have learned many things during the pandemic. If you are privileged, one that you may not have realized, is just how important broadband internet access has become in our modern world. When the pandemic hit, many Floridians quickly adjusted to working from home, shopping online and attending school remotely. However, for some, that was not an option. Why? Because they lacked the broadband internet access that made it possible. More from the Tampa Bay Times.
Florida Trend Exclusive
Duval County non-profits join forces to find successful arts programs
Several non-profits have joined forces in Duval County to launch a web-based regional map of educational offerings in the arts. Modeled after an art map in Chicago developed by Ingenuity, the interactive Landscape of Education in the Arts in Duval (LEAD) Artlook map (jacksonville.artlookmap.com) can be used by parents, corporations, schools and arts educators to identify successful arts programs and opportunities. More from Florida Trend.
Will DeSantis veto the repeal of ‘no-fault’ car insurance? Strong lobbying is underway
Gov. Ron DeSantis has toured the state over the past month touting a wave of conservative legislation recently passed by state lawmakers. But he’s been mum on an outstanding bill that would affect more Floridians than any of those policies. DeSantis has yet to take action on a measure that would require every motorist in the state to get a new automobile insurance policy next year. More from the Miami Herald.
SeaWorld offers hiring bonus as it looks to add about 600 restaurant workers
SeaWorld is hiring about 600 food and beverage workers across its Orlando parks and offering a signing bonus to bring in employees. Food and beverage service ambassadors, as well as prep and line cooks, are eligible for a $1,000 hiring bonus according to a news release. The starting wage is $14.75 per hour. More from the Orlando Sentinel.
Business Beat - Week of June 25th
Get top news-to-know with Florida Trend's headline-focused video news brief, hosted by digital content specialist Aimée Alexander.
Out of the Box
ABC Fine Wine & Spirits looks to diversify with car washes
ABC Fine Wine & Spirits is looking to diversify by getting into the car wash business. The Orlando-based chain is early in the process of evaluating locations for future car washes, chief marketing officer Sean Kelly said. The business name is Tux Car Wash, but ABC is still in finalizing details of its structure. ABC has 123 stores in Florida and continues to open two to four stores a year.
» Read more from the Orlando Sentinel.