Pumping Savings into the Economy Thursday, February 25, 2016 / Categories: Research, Economic Development, Taxpayer Guide, Transportation There are very few products or services that impact, in one way or another, nearly every consumer in the United States. One product that does is gasoline. This Economic Commentary focuses on the impact of the reduction in oil prices on the U.S. and Florida consumers. Read more
Q2 2016 Broward Schools SMART Program Report Review Wednesday, February 24, 2016 / Categories: Research, Local Government, Broward BOC Presented to the Bond Oversight Committee on February 25, 2016, this report examines the SMART program quarterly report for Q2. Read more
Welcoming the World Monday, February 22, 2016 / Categories: Research, Economic Development, Tourism Tourism is vital to the economy of Florida, and with the recovery of the world economy, international travel across the world is reaching record highs. This, coupled with data showing the major positive impact international tourists have on economies, provides evidence that Florida should expand its efforts when it comes to attracting foreign visitors to the state. Read more
Budget Watch - Proposed House and Senate Budgets for FY2016-17 are $1 Billion Apart Sunday, February 21, 2016 / Categories: Research, Taxes, Budget/Approps, Cost Savings The House and Senate passed their respective state budgets for FY2016-17 with four weeks remaining in the 2016 Session. They will now go into the budget conference process to negotiate the differences. Conference meetings could start as early as this week (the week of February 22). Read more
A Catalyst for Growth Wednesday, February 17, 2016 / Categories: Research, Economic Development This analysis finds that Florida’s competitive tax climate and welcoming weather entice businesses to our state, but Florida must provide targeted incentive packages that will help create high-paying jobs in the Sunshine State as we compete with other states for domestic and global business. Read more
Building Florida's High-Tech Manufacturing Sector Sunday, February 7, 2016 / Categories: Research, Economic Development As the global manufacturing industry shifts away from classically portrayed steel and car plants to a modernized approach of high-tech manufacturing; companies, countries, and states find themselves looking for a way to best position themselves to benefit from the future of manufacturing. Florida finds itself in a unique position to capitalize on an existing project that could help the state become a world leader in high-tech manufacturing for years to come. Read more
Meeting Florida's Transportation Investment Needs Wednesday, February 3, 2016 / Categories: Research, Transportation Florida continues to grow and is now the nation’s third largest state. After a slowdown during the Great Recession, Florida is on the rise again, and the state will add more than four million new residents by 2030. This report examines the expected needs of the transportation system across the state. Read more