By Marisa Lupica and Matt Kelly States have been competing fiercely for movie productions with tax incentives since the early 2000s. Such incentives include cash grants, income tax credits, sales tax rebates, or payroll tax credits. Today, 37 states offer tax incentives for film productions. However, recent economic research shows that film tax incentives fail … Continue reading Defunding Florida’s Film Industry Incentives was Example of Evidence-Based Policy
Tourism Vital to Florida’s Economy
By Erick Winterkamp Florida is known around the world for its white sandy beaches, diverse wildlife and theme parks. These environmental and manmade attractions make it a hotspot for domestic and international tourism. State and local taxes and spending have impacted the tourism industry, but Florida would likely be a tourism destination with or without … Continue reading Tourism Vital to Florida’s Economy
Price Regulations Complicate Net Metering and Solar Energy
By Logan Shewmaker As in four other states, all electricity for residential use in Florida must be purchased from franchised utility companies. However, solar energy advocates are trying to change this by allowing private purchase agreements between residents and solar companies in order to expand rooftop solar power production in the Sunshine State. Crucial to … Continue reading Price Regulations Complicate Net Metering and Solar Energy
Off The Grid: The Future of Solar Power
By Logan Shewmaker According to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), Florida ranks 3rd in the United States for rooftop solar energy potential. But Florida only ranks 13th in “cumulative solar capacity installed.” Some experts think that this lack of solar energy installation stems from poor policy. James Fenton, director of the Solar Energy Center … Continue reading Off The Grid: The Future of Solar Power
Florida’s Dysfunctional Property Insurance System
By Matt Kelly Many readers will remember the hurricane season of 2004 as a chaotic time to be a Florida resident. The Sunshine State received four torrential storms that year, causing $45 billion in losses. School was cancelled, streets were covered with debris, and 37 lives were lost. Since 2005, Florida has experienced a nine-year … Continue reading Florida’s Dysfunctional Property Insurance System
Reforms are Brewing in Florida
By Matt Kelly Floridians are brandishing their growlers as the state’s legislature considers reforms that would finally legalize the popular 64 oz. alcoholic beverage container. Florida is the only state in the nation to prohibit the growler, a legal idiosyncrasy that craft brewers say stifles their growth. An exemption to allow small brewers to self-distribute … Continue reading Reforms are Brewing in Florida
Florida Workers Would Suffer from Minimum Wage Increase
Original post date: September 10, 2014 Article by: Matt Kelly 6/9/2023 Edits: Some links that were no longer working have been fixed. As Floridians nurse their Labor Day sunburns, it’s worth remembering the twentieth century labor movement’s legacies. Chief among them is the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, a federal law that established the … Continue reading Florida Workers Would Suffer from Minimum Wage Increase