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SRQ DAILY May 22, 2017

Monday Business Edition

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Monday Business Edition

"It’s a lot in the sense that we finally got something started."

- State Rep. Jim Boyd, R-Bradenton
 

[Politics]  Where The Votes Are: Older Voters
Jacob Ogles, jacob.ogles@srqme.com

While younger voters make a larger percentage of voters in the City of Sarasota, they continue to make a small portion of the electorate participating in city elections. While registered voters in their 20s now outnumber voters in their 70s, nearly eight times as many voters in their 70s cast ballots than voters in their 20s in a May 9 Sarasota City Commission election. That's according to SRQ's most recent Where The Votes Are analysis of election returns.

The analysis will be discussed at a special event Tuesday morning at SRQ's corporate headquarters at 331 South Pineapple Ave. in Sarasota. Doors open at 7:30am, with the presentation starting at 8am. A $5 cover includes coffee and bagels.  

[Government]  Business Rent Tax in Florida Budget
Jacob Ogles, jacob.ogles@srqme.com

It may not sound like a lot to cut Florida’s business rent tax from 6 percent to 5.8 percent, but after years of calling for the elimination of the levy, lawmakers home from legislative session say that education shouldn’t be ignored. “It’s a lot in the sense that we finally got something started,” says state Rep. Jim Boyd, R-Bradenton. “My goal next year is for us to continue whittling away at that.”

Florida today stands as the only state in the union to charge a tax on commercial leases, something conservative watchdog groups say makes the Sunshine State less competitive in terms of commerce. Florida businesses paid $1.7 billion in business rent taxes last year. “It is a tax on a tax and should be reduced or removed over time,” says Ian Black, a commercial real estate agent and owner of Ian Black Real Estate.

Gov. Rick Scott this year called for a 25-percent reduction in the tax, and Boyd says he has wanted to slash the tax for years. While the actual cut amounted to a little more than a 3-percent reduction, Boyd, now the House Ways and Means committee chairman, says this is the first time in seven regular sessions during which he has served when a cut in the tax has made the final budget.

The rent tax was among the top priorities for fiscal conservatives entering the session this year. “The business rent tax places a disproportionate burden on small businesses and startups that do not have the capital to purchase bigger office space, hire new employees or expand to other locations,” wrote Florida TaxWatch chairman-elect Pat Neal in a letter to SRQ. “All of this creates a chilling effect on many of Florida’s more than two million small businesses.”

The rent tax was part of $90.7 million in tax cuts included in the $82.4 billion passed by lawmakers this year. 

[Recognition]  Sarasota County Improves Language Arts Test Scores

The performance of Sarasota County third-grade students who scored as proficient in the Florida Standards Assessment in English Language Arts rose by three percentage points compared to 2016 district results. The district’s 71-percent proficiency rate is 13 points higher than the statewide average of 58 percent. The assessment tests proficiency in reading and writing. In Sarasota County public elementary schools, 3,354 third-grade students participated in the April 2017 Florida Standards Assessment in English Language Arts. The results reported are based on all students tested, including students with disabilities, English-language learners and third-grade students retained from 2016. The percentage of third-grade students scoring in achievement Levels 1, 2 and 3-5 are provided for the district and the state in the table below. Students must attain a score of Level 3 or higher to be considered proficient and must achieve a score of Level 2 or higher to be promoted to fourth grade. 

Sarasota County Schools

[Expansion]  Port Manatee, Guatemala Seek to Grow Trade

Port Manatee and Guatemala are seeking to build upon their already significant relationship in the wake of a visit from Guatemalan Trade Commissioner Dunia Miranda-Mauri.Already ranked among Port Manatee’s top five trade partners, Guatemala exports fresh bananas, pineapples, melons and plantains, as well as frozen pineapple juice, into Port Manatee, while imports to Guatemala from the Central Florida Gulf Coast port are led by Kraft linerboard, vehicles, auto parts and lubricating oils.Vanessa Baugh, chairwoman of the Manatee County Port Authority, said she welcomes the opportunity to enhance commercial ties between Port Manatee and Central America’s most populous nation.Mirandi-Mauri’s trip to Manatee County is among several such in-person visits to be coordinated by the International Trade Hub at Port Manatee since it began operation in 2014 to boost worldwide links for the county, port and local business interests.Port Manatee is the closest US deepwater seaport to the expanded Panama Canal, with ten 40-foot-draft berths serving container, bulk, breakbulk, heavylift, project and general cargo customers. The port generates more than $2.3 billion in annual economic impact for the local community, while supporting more than 24,000 jobs, without levying ad-valorem taxes. 

Port Manatee

[Recognition]  Crabtree Receives Realtor Honor Society Recognition

Michelle Crabtree, realtor with Premier Sotheby’s International Realty Lakewood Ranch office, was presented with the Florida Realtors Honor Society, 10th-year pin. The 155,000-member Florida Realtors established the Honor Society 30 years ago to recognize participation at the local and national levels of the Realtor organization activity in National Association of Realtor's institutes, societies and councils; for designations earned; for educational activities; and for political involvement. Crabtree is a third generation Sarasotan and has been a licensed Florida Real Estate Broker since 1982. She chaired the Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee Communications committee in 2016 and currently serves on the RPAC committee. Crabtree was Director on the Sarasota Board of Realtors (SAR) 2008-2010 and received the SAR Meritorious Service Award in 2007. She was the Sarasota Women’s Council of Realtors’ Business Woman of the Year for 2009 and was also chapter president in 2007. In addition, Crabtree is a Five Star Real Estate Agent – Best in Client Satisfaction for 10 years. 

Michelle Crabtree - Premier Sotheby's



[TODAY]  GALLERY: Marc Chagall, Flowers and the French Riviera: The Color of Dreams , February 12 – July 31, 10am–5pm daily

A first-of-its-kind, immersive exhibition of Marc Chagall’s nature-inspired artwork, on display in Sarasota’s world-renowned botanical garden. As the first botanical garden to exhibit Chagall’s work, “The Color of Dreams” also marks the first time that the profound influence of nature on the great artist is examined in-depth. Tickets and more info at www.selby.org.

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, 811 S. Palm Ave., Sarasota

[SOON]  BUSINESS: Where The Votes Are , May 23, 7:30am-9:00am

Join SRQ Media and Senior Editor Jacob Ogles on Tuesday May 23rd from 7:30am-9:00am at SRQ Studios for a precinct-by-precinct analysis of the May 9 Municipal Election featuring highlights and key findings. $5 cover includes a morning spread of coffee and mouth watering donuts courtesy of FiveO Donut Co. Please rsvp to rsvp@srqme.com at your earliest convenience.

SRQ Studios , 331 S. Pineapple Ave, Sarasota 34236

[SOON]  SPORTS: Golfing for our Veterans , May 25, 8:00am

At a shotgun start, you are playing for cause! All proceeds for The SRQ Beer Invitational go directly to SRQ Vets, a local foundation. There is a 4 man scarmble offered for $200. This includes golf, beer, cart, tip and meal provided at JDub's Brewing company. Single players are $50 each. For more information visit the SRQ Beer Invitational website.

Rolling Green Golf Club, 4501 North Tuttle Ave, Sarasota.

[SOON]  GRAB BAG: Bookstore1 Host Creepy Book Club , May 25, 11am

Thursday, May 25th at 11:00 am. Mysteries to Die For Book Club. Led by Elsie Souza. Meets at Bookstore1, 12 South Palm Avenue.  Elsie is our mystery guru and she always chooses intriguing books. This month it’s Little Face by Sophie Hannah. Little Face is a creepy, fast-paced psychological thriller about a mother’s worst nightmare, a missing child. Hannah is the author of The Wrong Mother and The Other Woman’s House. Purchase of the book at Bookstore1 required for participation. More event info at www.sarasotabooks.com or 941-365-7900

Bookstore1, 12 South Palm Ave., Sarasota

[SOON]  SEMINAR: 10X10 Ten Slides Ten Speakers , May 25, 5:30 pm- 7:00 pm

The 10x10 events showcase and introduce a diverse group of leaders and creative minds from our community. A graphic designer, a chemist, two architects, a dancer, a writer, an editor, the director of the Sarasota Museum of Art, and the founder of the Community Within will be giving presentations at The Francis Thursday May 25. These 10 speakers are invited to present 10 images of their work, interest, or inspiration. Slides will advance automatically every 30 seconds with brief introductions between speakers.  Admission is $10 at the door to cover appetizers and room reservation.  A cash bar will be hosted by Louie’s Modern.  Please RSVP at 10slides10speakers to help us estimate the number of attendees.   

The Francis , 1289 N Palm Ave, Sarasota, FL 34236

[SOON]  PERFORMANCE: Sarasota Cuban Ballet End of Year Performance , May 27, 7pm

The Sarasota Cuban Ballet will present its annual end-of-year performance, Students will perform variations, pas de deux and ensemble pieces, with choreography by the SCBS staff. The public can come and see everything our dancers have learned throughout the year. Tickets are $25 for adults and $15 for students 18 and under as well as $65 and over. Tickets can be purchase in advance by calling the Sarasota Cuban Ballet School from 2pm to 6pm or tickets can be purchased at the door for $30.  For more information please visit www.srqcubanballet.com

Booker High School, 3201 N. Orange Ave., Sarasota

[SOON]  GALLERY: "Celebration of Color and Life" , May 31 – June 3

Art Uptown Gallery will be hosting "Celebration of Color and Life" at the Bird Key Yacht Club May 31- July 3. Arts featured will be: Kasia Bruniany, Jill Krasner, and Elisabeth Trostli. The show will primarily be made up of a collection of oil, acrylic, and digital paintings on canvas, in addition to a jewerly display by Jill Krasner. 

Bird Key Yacht Club, 301 Bird Key Dr. Sarasota

[SOON]  THEATER: Shirley and Me , June 9, 8pm

Shirley and Me is the first encore presented from the SaraSolo Film Festival. This one woman play stars Jan Wallace and is about is about her relationship over the years with her beloved theatre and movie character, Shirley Valentine. Tickets are $15 at the door. 

Starlite Room , 1001 Cocoanut Ave, Sarasota.

[SOON]  BUSINESS: Marketing On Main , May 31, 5:30

This motivational event is made by business owners for business owners. This gives our community the opportunity to network with each other! Complete with speakers and live music this is sure to be the talk of the town! Visit Marketing On Main's facebook page for more details.

Hotel Indigo, 1223 Blvd. of the Arts, Sarasota.

[SOON]  GALA: Sail Into Freedom , June 15, 6:00- 8:00 pm

Join Selah Freedom and bring light to the darkness of sex trafficking at the Sarasota Yacht Club with Sail Into Freedom from 6:00pm-8:00pm. Take in nature’s beauty with a brilliant sunset and the tranquil sound of the gulf all while enjoying heavy hors’ d'oeuvres and libations. Dr. Jason Quintal will be the honored guest of the evening who works with survivors, donors, and volunteers. All proceeds benefit Selah Freedom and their mission to effectively bring solutions to survivors of sex trafficking & exploitation.

Sarasota Yacht Club , 1100 John Ringling Blvd, Sarasota, FL 34236

[SOON]  THEATER: Loveland: Las Vegas . . . Under the Neon Lights , June 1 – June 4

Venice Theatre and the Loveland Center have been partnering for 20 years to provide adults with developmental disabilities the chance to grow and learn through theatre study. Loveland students, under the direction of professional staff and with help from community volunteers, rehearse all season to present this full-scale musical on MainStage. Join them in Sin City, where spontaneous marriages are expected and where one Elvis isn’t enough. In a city where there’s a little bit of everything, who knows what kind of trouble—financial or otherwise—this cast of colorful characters will get themselves into?

Venice Theater , 140 W. Tampa Ave., Venice

SRQ Media Group

SRQ DAILY is produced by SRQ | The Magazine. Note: The views and opinions expressed in the Saturday Perspectives Edition and in the Letters department of SRQ DAILY are those of the author(s) and do not imply endorsement by SRQ Media. Senior Editor Jacob Ogles edits the Saturday Perspective Edition, Letters and Guest Contributor columns.In the CocoTele department, SRQ DAILY is providing excerpts from news releases as a public service. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by SRQ DAILY. The views expressed by individuals are their own and their appearance in this section does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. For rates on SRQ DAILY banner advertising and sponsored content opportunities, please contact Ashley Ryan Cannon at 941-365-7702 x211 or via email

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