Florida's wage growth rate outpaces the national pay increase in February

A recent report by ADP shows that wage growth is rising in Florida, and median salary continues to increase for workers who have stayed in their roles for a year or more. The financial services website released its monthly job report highlighting the salaries of the same cohort of almost 10 million individual employees over 12 months. Workers in Florida are making 5.6% more on average compared to February of last year. That brings the median annual salary to $51,900 for Florida workers who've stayed in their role for the past 12 months. [Source: Tampa Bay Business Journal]

Funding gap continues: Here's how female tech founders in Florida fared in 2023

Businesses with female co-founders in Florida raised $309 million over 116 deals in 2023, with about one-third of that directed to businesses with all-women leadership. Startups in the Miami metro area raised $143 million across 74 deals, including $40 million across 19 deals for all-women teams. Exits for U.S. female founders declined for the second year in a row and hit its lowest value since 2016. [Source: Miami Inno]

Florida exceeds 25,000 manufacturers in state, TaxWatch report finds

Florida is now a formal “manufacturing state,” at least according to Florida TaxWatch and FloridaMakes per a new report detailing manufacturing growth in the Sunshine State. TaxWatch, a Florida government watchdog and taxpayer advocacy group, and FloridaMakes, a manufacturing support organization, noted that there are now more than 25,000 manufacturers that are based in the state for the first time. The figure was established in the “MakeMore Manufacturing Summit” report issued this month. [Source: Florida Politics]

10 high-profile issues that died in Florida’s 2024 legislative session

When Florida lawmakers went home after ending the 2024 legislative session Friday, they left behind hundreds of bills that did not pass. Here are snapshots of 10 issues that died during the session: Defamation: Proposals to revamp defamation laws could have exposed media organizations to increased liability. Lawsuit limits: House and Senate proposals could have increased limits on the amounts of money that government agencies can be required to pay in lawsuits. [Source: News Service of Florida]

For the first time, Floridians may get a heads-up if the house they’re buying has flooded

Florida has more homes at risk of flooding than anywhere else in the nation, yet until this week, it was one of a handful of states that didn’t require sellers to tell buyers if the property had previously flooded. That changed when the Florida legislature passed the first flood disclosure bill in state history. If signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis, it would reveal some — but not all — flood risks of a potential home. [Source: Miami Herald]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Orlando’s Sunbridge annexation moves ahead, defying Orange County’s objection [Orlano Sentinel]
Orlando city commissioners unanimously pushed forward Monday to bring more than 6,300 acres approved for a huge development into the city limits, rejecting Orange County’s gripes with the effort. The acreage extends from the southern portion of Alafaya Trail south to State Road 528, and if the city is also successful in a second phase of annexation, would bring Orlando’s fingerprint as far as the Osceola County line.

› Daytona's Bike Week rolls on, but did rainy forecasts dampen impact for hotels, merchants? [Daytona Beach News Journal]
Daytona Beach hoteliers report fewer guests at lower rates than anticipated, a potential side effect of weather forecasts that called for high rain chances throughout the event. Although weather was a factor, room rates that have been on the rise in the Daytona Beach market since the destination enjoyed a record-setting rebound in the wake of the pandemic might be hitting a plateau for potential guests.

› Tampa law firm names first female managing partner in 45 years [Tampa Bay Times]
Tampa Bay law firm Butler Weihmuller Katz Craig says Denise Anderson has been named managing partner, the first woman leader in the law firm's 45 years of business. The firm, in a statement, says the promotion "sends a clear message of empowerment to women across the legal industry."

› Homebuying heats up in Northeast Florida [Jax Today]
The housing market in Northeast Florida is heating up faster than expected. More homes sold in February than the month before; the median price was higher; and buyers had more houses to choose from, according to data released Monday by the Northeast Florida Association of Realtors.

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› A feast for the eyes, ears and palate: EPCOT's International Flower & Garden Festival [Florida Today]
It's not like there isn't always a festival vibe at EPCOT, because the place is practically pulsating with it at celebrations year-round. But there's something extra-special about the advent of spring, and the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival, which this year runs through May 27.

› Tallahassee, capital region economy could get $200 million boost from state budget [Tallahassee Democrat]
There’s $201 million in state spending for Senate District 3, which includes Tallahassee, Leon County and 12 rural, sparsely populated counties, taking in much of the Big Bend. A big chunk of that total includes $80 million to build a new headquarters for the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and another $50 million for school construction, leaving the rest to go towards local projects.

› Here's how Brevard Schools is working to navigate advancements in AI [Florida Today]
At this point, Brevard Public Schools doesn't have any policies related to the use of AI. But that doesn't mean students are allowed to use it — ChatGPT is blocked from students on district networks, and teachers are allowed to use AI only in some instances. It's a topic the district plans to address in the 2024-2025 student code of conduct and is continuously monitoring as AI continues to evolve.

› Here's how far your salary can stretch in Orlando [Orlando Business Journal]
Orlando ranks No. 84 out of 189 cities where you can get the most out of your income, according to a report from RentCafe. The report takes several benchmarks like the cost of utilities, food and healthcare into consideration when determining placement. Based on income, Orlando placed No. 122 for rent, No. 46 for utilities, No. 59 for food, No. 28 for health care and No. 63 for transportation.