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By:
TonyC
On:
1/26/2010 3:01 PM
The Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index is at its highest level since the start of the recession. (See Conference Board website for more info.) The Present Situation Index increased to 25.0 from 20.2. The Expectations Index increased to 76.5 from 75.9 last month.
Florida’s consumer confidence rose in January by five points to 74, also to its highest level in more than 2 years, according to the University of Florida survey....
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By:
TonyC
On:
12/24/2009 10:56 AM
The summer headlines heralded the death of Florida with leads that we were down 58,000 residents but today the Census Bureau actually reports that our net population increased by 114,000 (see http://tr.im/lvJB). So what gives?
Well, both statements are right to some degree. Our total population actually increased between July 1, 2008 and July 1, 2009 by 114,091 thanks in part to an increase in births in Florida. We did lose some 31,179 folks to other states...
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By:
TonyC
On:
12/24/2009 8:52 AM
Florida has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to participate in a federal education grant program – Race to the Top – which could generate up to $700 million for local school districts in Florida. For months, the Florida Department of Education has worked with education and business leaders, experts and stakeholders to design an ambitious, yet achievable plan which has two clear purposes: to help Florida students, teachers, and principals improve their...
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By:
TonyC
On:
12/22/2009 8:50 AM
2010 is already looking bright. With the news that Dale Brill will be joining the Foundation team as our new president, you can be sure that the 2030 Project and all the great work of the Foundation is in good hands.
To all our friends that might be a bit confused, I remain as EVP and will direct the research programs, TheFloridaScoreCard.com, and development of caucuses around the 6 economic drivers. Dale will oversee our entire operations with particular focus on the...
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By:
TonyC
On:
11/30/2009 11:35 AM
Last month unemployment in Florida hit another high, 11.2%. More than 1 million Floridians are out of work and this doesn’t capture all those who are underemployed in the current economy. The predictions of a jobless recovery and slow growth projections are going to compound the problems in Florida for a while.
I start with this because I don’t want to appear clueless when I discuss the other news that came out last month…the Florida Workforce Estimating...
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By:
TonyC
On:
11/10/2009 12:41 PM
Below are links to two archive documents that provide good overview on Florida's budget & Florida's revenue estimating conference. (Read them for the process, not the specific stats that have since changed considerably):
- About the State Budget: "The Florida Budget for Fiscal Year 2007-2008", Whip's Policy Brief (Representative Ellyn Bogdanoff), April 11, 2007...http://shar.es/akD3t
-About the State Revenue Estimating Process, by the Florida Legislature's Office and...
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By:
TonyC
On:
11/10/2009 11:52 AM
US Sen. LeMieux (R- Florida) recognized four outstanding Florida companies who excel in the area of increasing American exports. Lexington International of Boca Raton and The Produce Connection of Miami received the President's "E" Award for Exports in recognition of their achievement in supporting export growth in the U.S. business community. In addition, Domestic Environmental Corporation of Pompano Beach and Enterprise Florida of Orlando were each given an "E" Star Award for Exports for...
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By:
TonyC
On:
10/28/2009 5:46 PM
Much hay has been made about Florida losing 58,000 residents this past year. The rising cost of living here and opportunities elsewhere have been to blame but let's not discount the impact the freezing of traditional inflow markets has had on this trend.
Losing residents on an annual basis is pretty normal for a state as dynamic as Florida. What we have not had is replenishment from the traditional NE and midwest markets. If you can't sell your home...
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By:
TonyC
On:
10/27/2009 9:04 AM
Florida Chamber Foundation: The Florida Scorecard
www.thefloridascorecard.com
It is hard to deny that these are hard times. Even the most optimistic among us find cause to sulk a moment each day. Sure, good times are still coming but, as a recent cartoon I keep posted on my desk suggests, "they must be taking the scenic route."
I personally take my comfort from researching and knowing the truth. Only by facing hard truths, as Jim Collins says, can we...
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By:
TonyC
On:
10/15/2009 2:24 PM
SSI increases are pegged to inflation but since no rise this last year there will be no increase to Social Security payments next year. Probably not a problem until you consider that Medicare premiums, which are deducted from SSI payments, will increase by about 11% next year (see http://tr.im/BUkb). That means more than 3.5 million Florida recipients negatively impacted. What should we be doing/considering?...
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