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Monday's Top Stories
What You Need to Know About Florida Today
MONDAY, MARCH 29, 2010
WASHINGTON:
Crist, Rubio Debate Over Money, Obama
It was Gov. Crist, who has worked hard to cultivate a nice-guy image, immediately and aggressively questioning Rubio's character over reports he misused Republican Party money and a campaign "slush fund" for "personal enrichment."
Crist riffed on haircuts and minivan repairs and double-billed plane trips.
And it was Rubio who, in a more measured but equally persistent way, deflected the attacks with his own -- on a bloated federal government, the $789 billion stimulus package and all things Obama.
"You just don't get it," Rubio said to Crist, who supported the stimulus.
"This campaign is not about you and it's not about me," Rubio said. "It's about the people watching this program, that are watching their country being fundamentally redefined by this administration and this Congress."
The lofty approach of Rubio and the in-your-face hammering of Crist made for an engaging debate, their first in a race that has gotten increasingly bitter.
[Source: SP Times] Watch full debate:
STATEWIDE:
If You’re Wealthy, Get Ready to Pay
The healthcare overhaul that became law last week reaches beyond regulation of the insurance industry and upends almost 30 years of trickle-down economic policy by imposing new taxes on the wealthy and providing subsidies for the poor, accountants and tax experts said. “This is a partial undoing of the Bush tax cuts,” said Eric Toder, a senior analyst with the Tax Policy Center in Washington. Still, four out of five Americans won’t notice the new taxes, the Tax Policy Center predicted. That’s because the two key tax provisions apply only to individuals who earn more than $200,000 and couples who earn more than $250,000. [Source: Post]
BREVARD COUNTY:
The Cost of Luring Tourists
The Cocoa Village-based Tourism Development Council spend more than $1 million in five years on meals, hotel rooms, airfare, taxis, rental cars, convention registration fees, attraction tickets, dry cleaning and trophies, according to credit card records. But that spending represents just 5%-8% per year of the TDC's $3.3 million annual marketing budget, which also pays for billboards, TV spots, magazine ads, promotional events like the Art of Sand and other outreach. Marketing consumes about 46% of the agency's operating revenue, money raised by Brevard County's "bed tax" of 5% on hotel rooms and vacation rentals. [Source: Today]
TAMPA:
Former OSI Executives Buy an Interest in World of Beer
The owners of World of Beer Franchising Inc. have entered into an agreement with a company headed by former Outback Steakhouse president Ben Novello that could help take the brand national. Read on ... [Source: SP Times]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
›
Reasons for Optimism About Recovery?
Beth Kassab: Three developments during the past week converged to lend new optimism about our financial mending.
Also: Where are jobs after stimulus is gone?
› Hotel Packages Offer 'Passover Without the Hassle'
Sipping kosher cocktails by the pool, indulging in gourmet grain-free concoctions...when it comes to Passover vacations, South Florida does it bigger and better than anywhere.
›
Regulators Close Florida Bank
Key West Bank is 41st closure this year nationwide.
› Survivors and Deals Fuel Commercial Market
Occupancy and rental rates are down across the country, but even in the toughest commercial market since the S&L crisis there is movement.
›
Orlando Apartment-Condo Prices Now Less Than Half ’06 Peak
The average per-unit sales price for apartment complexes in Central Florida has fallen from a five-year peak of $90,308 just four years ago to a current average of $39,653, according to a report by Charles Wayne Consulting Inc.
› USF Gets New Pharmacy School, But Not Where It Expected
The pharmacy school won't be located in Tampa near USF's medical school. Instead, it will be based in Polk County, at the university's fledgling polytechnic school — a project near and dear to Polk's most influential politician, the Senate's powerful budget writer, Sen. JD Alexander of Lake Wales.
›
Poll: Majority of Florida Voters Dislike Healthcare Law
Florida voters dislike the new health reform law so much that President Barack Obama and the state's top Democrat, U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, are paying a hefty political price, according to a new survey and analysis by Mason-Dixon Polling & Research.
› Florida Rebukes Insurer Over Transactions
State regulators gave Homeowners Choice Property and Casualty 21 days to seek the return of more than $9 million it paid last year to Claddaugh, an offshore affiliate. Regulators could suspend Homeowners' insurance license if it does not comply.
› Jackson Memorial Cuts Raise Concerns About Care
Deep money troubles at Miami's Jackson Health System are worrying some of the sickest people in Broward and Palm Beach counties.
commentary
› Find Money for Sugar Deal
Buying U.S. Sugar's land is more important to Everglades restoration than lesser projects under way. The South Florida Water Management District Governing Board must scrutinize the agency's budget and determine what to sacrifice to deliver the greater long-term benefit.
Go to page 2 for more stories ...
› LNR: Wall Street's Secret Battleground
To visit a central battleground in Wall Street's commercial real estate crisis, head to the corner of 16th and Washington in South Beach.
In an eighth floor office there, LNR Property Corp. is trying to fix nearly $22 billion worth of troubled commercial mortgages -- loans sliced up and sold as bonds to investors around the globe.
It's the largest portfolio of its kind, with LNR managing roughly 25% of Wall Street's distressed commercial real estate debt.
› Report: Marshall Coach Accepts UCF Basketball Job
Marshall coach Donnie Jones, a former Florida Gators assistant, is headed to UCF to take over the men's basketball program, according to multiple media outlets citing sources close to Jones or with knowledge of the search.
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Obama Pushes Through Frank Sanchez Appointment
Tired of waiting for the full senate to vote on more nominations to key posts, President Obama announced he will circumvent the normal process with 15 recess appointments -- including Tampa businessman Frank Sanchez as Under Secretary for International Trade in the Department of Commerce.
