Florida News Straight From the Source
In an article published today, The Democratic candidate for Attorney General, Sean Shaw speaks to The New Yorker about his intention to investigate President Donald Trump’s seemingly unlawful profiteering and financial dealings in Florida. [Read more…] about The New Yorker highlights Sean Shaw’s Intentions to Investigate Donald Trump
President Trump today abandoned the United States’ commitment to reducing pollution under the Paris Climate Agreement. This action increases the risks that the world will face from global warming – including dirtier air, water and food shortages, spreading disease, increasingly extreme weather, and loss of land mass to flooding.
Under the previous president, the country began making progress in reducing pollution. Now President Trump’s actions threaten to take the country in the wrong direction.
Jennifer Rubiello, state director of Environment Florida, made the following statement in response:
“When the nations of the world joined in the Paris accord, we all finally stood as one to begin to address the climate crisis. This embarrassing decision says to the world that the United States – the nation most responsible for global warming – feels no responsibility for cutting pollution, and pretends to prioritize the economy over the wellbeing of the world.
President Trump has got it exactly backwards: there’s no sound economy in our future without a healthy planet. If both our national and state leadership choose to ignore that reality, then mayors must step in to fill the leadership void to show the world that Americans will do our part to address the climate crisis.
Averting disaster would be easier with strong state and federal leadership, but it’s not too late to defend clean air and a livable climate. If President Trump won’t stick by the U.S. commitment to reduce pollution and if Governor Scott continues to bury his head in the sand, then it’s up to our cities and industries to take the lead in moving us towards a clean energy future.
Hundreds of cities in the United States and around the world have pledged to accelerate carbon reductions to meet the goals of the Paris accord. Orlando, Florida is just the most recent of dozens of cities announcing a plan to shift to 100% clean renewable energy. To accelerate progress, every city in Florida and in the country must step up and take similar action. And clear-eyed players in the business community must lead on this issue as well.
In Washington, D.C., our U.S. Senators must act to protect vital pollution-cutting programs — including clean car standards and clean air standards — from any attack.
Ultimately, we all must work together to reduce and eliminate the pollution that is causing the world to warm. The health of Florida families and the world ecosystem are at stake.”
Throughout his entire career, Trump has put his own profits before American workers. Instead of using American workers and American goods, Trump makes his ties in China using foreign workers and uses cheap Chinese steel to make his buildings.
On Thursday, Chinese President Xi Jinping will visit Mar-a Lago. Trump will be able to thank the Chinese President for the cheap Chinese goods, which has made Trump very rich at the expense of US manufacturing jobs.
To mark the occasion, members of Women’s March Florida, along with members of Palm Beach County Democrats, will show up on Bingham Island- the doorstep to Mar-a-Lago- to protest Trump’s reliance on Chinese goods & labor, which hurt working Americans. We intend to send a very clear message that Palm Beach County (and the majority of America!) does not endorse Trump’s hypocrisy and conflicts of interest.
Who: Women’s March Florida and Palm Beach County Democrats
What: Protest on Bingham Island
When: April 6th, 2017 4-6pm
Where: Bingham Island (Southern Blvd Bridge), West Palm Beach
Interviews: Alex Newell Taylor or Terrie Rizzo
Links: https://www.facebook.com/events/1398412893551394/
Just a few turbulent weeks into President Donald Trump’s administration, forecasters’ fears of a recession continue to decrease, according to the latest U.S. forecast from the Institute for Economic Competitiveness at UCF College of Business.
In the first Survey of Professional Forecasters by the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia since Trump took office, the forecasters indicated an 11.21 percent chance that a decline in real Gross Domestic Product will occur in the second quarter of 2017.
“That anxious index, which is a term coined by The New York Times reporter David Leonhardt, indicates the probability of a decline in real GDP in the quarter after a survey is taken,” said Sean Snaith, director of the Institute for Economic Competitiveness, in his first quarterly national economic forecast of 2017. “In the most recent survey, the forecasters’ assignment of probability for a near term contraction in real GDP is the lowest since 2015.”
Snaith said he anticipates faster economic growth and higher inflation—both of which have eluded the Federal Reserve for years—based on Trump’s proposed economic policy path, which emphasizes tax reform, regulatory rollbacks and infrastructure spending.
“As details of the economic policies pursued by the Trump administration become available and the wild ride of the initial weeks of the administration concludes, the possibility that economic growth could accelerate at an even faster pace, which seemed unlikely prior to the presidential election, could very well come to pass,” said Snaith, likening Trump’s first few weeks in office to Disney’s topsy-turvy Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride. “But if the wild ride lasts longer than expected, economic motion sickness could change this positive outlook to a negative one.”
The Institute for Economic Competitiveness report forecasts average real GDP growth from 2017 to 2020 of 3.1 percent. The projected growth rate for 2019 would be the first time the U.S. economy experienced annual growth at 3.4 percent or higher since 2004, according to the forecast.
Average monthly payroll job growth has been decelerating since 2014, but the forecast projects the new administration will provide a bump to job growth in 2018-19. Snaith said uncertainty and regulatory burdens have been hindering payroll job growth, which will slow to a growth rate of 1.5 percent in 2017 before increasing to 1.6 percent in 2018 and 1.7 percent in 2019.
A stronger dollar in a world of weak growth and rising interest rates in the U.S. are expected to boost imports and depress exports. As a result, Snaith said he expects net exports to weigh on the economy through 2020, although he notes Trump’s trade policies could alter this outlook significantly.
The forecast shows the housing market slowly improving through 2020, despite rising interest rates, with housing starts rising from 1.28 million in 2017 to 1.67 million in 2020. Unemployment rates are expected to decline to 3.8 percent in mid-2020, and job growth will be enough to keep up with labor-force growth until 2019 when unemployment stabilizes.
Inflation is expected to accelerate in 2017, which Snaith says will push the Fed to move more quickly to raise interest rates. Core Consumer Price Index inflation is expected to average 2.5 percent during 2017-20.
For the full forecast, visit: https://issuu.com/ucfbusiness/docs/ucf-us-forecast-feb_2017
Snaith is a national expert in economics, forecasting, market sizing and economic analysis who authors quarterly reports about the state of the economy. Bloomberg News has named Snaith as one of the country’s most accurate forecasters for his predictions about the Federal Reserve’s benchmark interest rate, the Federal Funds rate.
The Institute for Economic Competitiveness strives to provide complete, accurate and timely national, state and regional forecasts and economic analyses. Through these analyses, the institute provides valuable resources to the public and private sectors for informed decision-making.
About UCF College of Business Administration
Established in 1968, the UCF College of Business Administration offers degrees at the bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, and executive levels. All programs, as well as the Kenneth G. Dixon School of Accounting are accredited by AACSB International – the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. The college provides high-quality academic programs designed to give students a competitive advantage in the world of business now and in the future. Learn more at business.ucf.edu.
U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL) sent a letter today to President Trump to express his concern that the president’s executive order on immigration could undermine our national security.
Below is the full text of Nelson’s letter:
January 30, 2017
President Donald J. Trump
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500
Dear Mr. President:
I write to express my concern with your recent Executive Order, “Protecting the Nation from Foreign Terrorist Entry into the United States.” Regardless of the constitutionality or legality of this Executive Order, I am deeply concerned that it may do more harm than good in our fight to keep America safe.
Defeating the diabolical threat of terrorism is imperative to our national security. Our military and intelligence professionals are engaged around the world in the fight against terrorist groups like ISIS. Our success in this fight, both at home and abroad, depends on the cooperation and assistance of Muslims who reject radicalism and violence. Whether intended or not, this Executive Order risks alienating the very people we rely upon in the fight against terror.
Over the weekend, numerous people were detained at U.S. ports of entry, including an Iraqi interpreter who served alongside our troops. When we promise sanctuary to individuals who risk their lives assisting U.S. forces in the fight against terrorism, it is both unfair and counterproductive to turn them away at our shores.
While we must do everything in our power to protect the United States, I am concerned this Executive Order will only undermine our counterterrorism efforts. I urge you to develop policy that keeps America safe, builds trust with our partners, and demonstrates compassion to those who need our help.
Sincerely,
cc: Secretary of Homeland Security John Kelly
Secretary of Defense James Mattis
Director of the Central Intelligence Agency Michael Pompeo
Acting Director of National Intelligence Michael Dempsey
