Guest Author - page 25

Florida’s unemployment rate is at 6 percent. It is hard to imagine a more deliberate focus on job creation than the state witnessed in the past four years. But what happens when we broaden the goal of economic development beyond job creation? In fairness, there is an obligation to demonstrate first why job creation is not enough. Consider the United Way of Florida’s ALICE Report released on Nov. 11 that revealed that 45 percent of all households in Florida are…

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There’s finally a chill and certain festiveness in the air as most of us try to take time off from work to enjoy spending quality time with family and friends and reflect on the passing year. Children will be out of school on winter break soon, and while the holiday season is upon us, so are several traditional hunting opportunities. Or, you may opt to get a Lifetime Sportsman’s License instead. That license allows you to hunt and fish in…

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The information technology field in Florida and across the country has been expanding rapidly with innovative technologies and services hitting the market all the time. Our banks, large retailers and, most importantly, our state government depend on this ever-growing field. And while we will be addressing many issues this legislative session, we need to keep up with the evolving IT sector and focus on improving the state’s effective use of information technology. Unfortunately, Florida has not kept pace with changing…

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According to a Gallup poll conducted this summer, asking people how much confidence they have in various institutions, only 7 percent of Americans said they trusted Congress a great deal or quite a lot. A mere 29 percent trusted the presidency. Small business, on the other hand, came in second, with 62 percent considering it trustworthy. The only organization to score higher, not surprisingly, was the military. While our politicians continue to disagree and disappoint, Main Street has found a…

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On Tuesday, be sure to thank a Florida veteran. It shouldn’t be too difficult to track one down, as Florida is home to more than 1.6 million veterans. That’s one in every 12 adults. It’s no surprise that the state has the third-largest veteran population in the nation, because Florida policymakers have worked hard to make Florida the most veteran-friendly state. The Legislature and Gov. Rick Scott deserve a pat on the back for recognizing the importance of giving back…

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Voting is a right that we weren’t given, it is a right that we earned. Many people had to fight and die for the right to vote, and it is our responsibility to exercise that right. If you are of voting age, I urge you to take advantage of the opportunity to take part in democracy. It is easy to get disillusioned and to feel that your voice doesn’t matter. History has proven that your voice matters, and that still…

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