TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2009
STATEWIDE:
Number of Zero Star Banks Jump
FLORIDA WETLANDS |
The roster of severely troubled Florida banks jumped more than 70% in the fourth quarter, increasing the likelihood of more bank failures. See list of 19 ... [Source: St. Petersburg Times]
MIAMI:
For Small Businesses, a Break on Borrowing
When Maria Elena Ibañez, chief executive of Miami company Intermark Foods, borrowed money for her business two years ago, she didn't have time to go through the paperwork necessary to take out a loan from the Small Business Administration. But with President Barack Obama's announcement Monday of a federal aid package targeted at small businesses, Ibañez said she has renewed optimism about the ease of getting government loans. This most recent aid package is part of a push to get big banks to dole out their portion of the federal bailout money to small businesses, many of which are struggling. [Source: Miami Herald]
CAPE CANAVERAL:
Cape Wins 4 Launches
NASA awarded a $600 million contract Monday for four Atlas V rocket launches from Florida's Space Coast during the gap between next year's shuttle retirement and the first launches of Ares rockets and Orion spacecraft in 2015. Two communications satellites and two science missions will be launched from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station under the contract, which officials called good news at a time when NASA is planning to cut about 3,500 jobs at Kennedy Space Center.
[Source: Florida Today]
»Blog: Discovery mission update
TALLAHASSEE:
5% Pay Cut Proposed for State Workers
State employees, who have not had a general pay raise in three years, could get hit with a 5% pay cut as Florida deals with an unprecedented fiscal crisis, a major Senate money manager said Monday. Nothing is final and "everything is on the table," Senate budget chairman J.D. Alexander, R-Winter Haven, said.
A pay cut, if it comes, might be graduated to spare the lowest-earning state employees and more heavily hit the upper salary scales. [Source: Tallahassee Democrat]
»Roundup: More legislative news
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› USF Pushes Doctors to Go Electronic
The University of South Florida on Monday launched a drive to persuade area doctors to ditch their paper medical records and switch to an all-electronic prescriptions system.
Funneled through a public-private partnership, the university will help deploy more than 100 medical software trainers, plus a range of subsidies, to help convert physicians' offices.
› FBI Seized $139,000 from Ex-JaxPort Figure Tony Nelson
Court records show the U.S. Attorney’s Office received a three-month extension — until June 8 — to either file an indictment or file paperwork to start a civil forfeiture to keep the money.
small business advice
› Crisis Is a Terrible Thing to Waste
Rather than saying, "We just have to survive this recession," we need to say, "hat can we do to make our company better to exist and grow in the future?"
› Babcock Purchase Earns Federal Dollars
Lee County will receive $2.8 million in federal money to use toward land conservation because of its $41.5 million investment in Babcock Ranch. From Trend: 'Full steam ahead' for Babcock Ranch
› More Problems for Tampa Bay Water Desalination Plant
The $158 million plant, which opened five years late and cost $40 million more than expected, remains unable to supply the full 25 million gallons a day that was originally promised.
› Florida's Time Shares Not Resting During '09 Legislature
Florida's time-share industry is close to scoring a victory in the state Capitol that would shield some of its business from county bed taxes.
› Homestead Laws Could Protect Madoff MansionFederal prosecutors intend to go after Ruth Madoff's money for any role she may have played in her husband's Ponzi scheme, but property records show she has filed for and been granted a 2009 homestead exemption on her $9 million Palm Beach mansion -- a move that could make it much harder for victims to collect from that property. Also: Bernard Madoff investment groups in Florida pooled dollars and dreams — and lost both
› Discount Grocer Aldi Plans More Central Fla. Stores
Aldi first appeared in the Central Florida market last year and has nine stores in the region so far.
› Broward Hospital District Officials Gather at Costly Resorts
The district violated its own written policy of not paying for accommodations and meals in the tri-county area.
› Sizing Up the Bear
Here is a comparison of bear markets since 1929. A line's movement to the right reflects the Dow Jones Industrial Average's time in decline. Its movement downward shows the decline in value before the market turned around.
Go to page 2 for more stories ...
› Race-Based Work on Marlins Stadium Hits Potential Obstacle
A promise to black-owned businesses has severely damaged the Marlins' stadium deal, Miami-Dade County's attorney reportedly told commissioners.
› Judge Hears Arguments in Everglades Land Deal
The South Florida Water Management District wants a judge to approve the issuance of bonds for the $1.34 billion purchase from U.S. Sugar Corp. The district wants to use some of the land as part of Florida's efforts to restore the Everglades.
› GOP, Dems Bicker Over Sales-Tax Exemptions
For the past six weeks, the House Finance and Tax Council held hearings to review sales-tax exemptions on everything from Super Bowl tickets to satellites, Bibles and even dirt. Also: Two new property tax cuts in the offing
› Consultant: Convert W. Palm Beach Condos into Hotel for County Convention Center
Palm Beach County has spent more than four years trying to build a hotel next to its downtown convention center.
› Lakeland Electric to Cut Rates
City officials announced Monday that the utility will lower its monthly residential charge by $4, from $119.39 to $115.39 per 1,000 kwh, starting April 1.
› Tampa Sports Authority Chief Resigns
Henry Saavedra didn't wait for the Tampa Sports Authority to fire him.
› Citizens' Reassessments Hit Some Homeowners Hard
Walter Baker is reeling from sticker shock: The insured value of his Lake Worth home has nearly tripled to $300,000, a jump that increased his windstorm insurance premium with Citizens Property Insurance Corp. from $1,300 to $3,000.
› Office Depot Among Best Firms for Women to Work
Office supplies retailer Office Depot Inc. has been named for the fifth executive year to the National Association of Female Executives' list of Top 50 Companies for Executive Women. Last month, the Boca Raton-based company was also recognized by Women's Executive Leadership as one of 16 Florida companies with two or more female board members.