Dear Fellow Floridian:

Last week, the Office of Economic and Demographic Research (EDR) released its revenue projections for the next fiscal year. Florida’s economists predict a $71.3 million surplus next year even without the $1 billion we currently have in reserves. We are fortunate to have a budget surplus because of Florida’s fiscal discipline over the last few years. These projections are the best our state has seen since the recession hit Florida in 2006, creating the first budget surplus in five years.

We have made the necessary choices to provide for a prosperous future, just as every Florida family must do during challenging economic times. Gov. Rick Scott and state legislators have kept spending under control and maintained low taxes, thereby preserving Florida’s AAA credit rating—one of only nine AAA-rated states in the country—and saving taxpayers millions of dollars. Last year, Florida was also able to reduce its debt by $500 million. If we remain committed to a fiscally responsible path, we can keep more money in the pockets of Floridians and help improve our opportunities for economic success.

'Registration of Emergency Contact Info' & 'Financial Planning' Resolutions in Cabinet

CFO Atwater sponsored two resolutions during Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting that recognize the first week of October as both Register Your Emergency Contact Information Week and Financial Planning Week.

With the resolution, CFO Atwater encouraged all Floridians to register with the emergency contact database, created in 2006 to help Florida law enforcement personnel get in touch with family members of vehicle crash victims. The database is accessible through the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles website and currently contains information for about six million of the more than 16 million drivers in Florida.

Also during the Cabinet meeting, representatives from the 1,400-member Financial Planning Association of Florida were commended for their efforts in helping Floridians achieve their financial goals. The resolution, recognizing Oct. 1–7 as Financial Planning Week, emphasizes the importance of each Floridian mapping out his or her financial future.

News of Interest

WCTV News: Florida Officials Urge Citizens to Register Emergency Contact Information

Miami Herald: US housing starts rose 2.3 percent in August

Naples Daily News: Naples entrepreneurs connecting parents, teachers with new software

Reuters: Apple sells 2 million new phones, shares touch $700

Miami Herald: Two South Florida women entrepreneurs win national contest

Orlando Business Journal: Orlando’s Hispanic Chamber named Hispanic Chamber of the Year

Florida Times-Union: Arts organizations had $66 million impact on Jacksonville's economy

Florida Today: Aircraft to be built in Brevard after $28m Chinese city purchase

Tampa Bay Times: Tampa Bay's economic recovery looks healthier compared to others

Florida Times-Union: Jacksonville company takes bite out of crime with global sales

Florida's Bottom Line

This issue of Florida’s Bottom Line focuses on Florida’s small business community and how to provide a stable economic environment so that we can continue to help businesses flourish and expand.

The companion website features business news updates and Florida By the Numbers, a collection of key statistics illustrating important changes in Florida’s economy over the past month. The latest data is shown on topics such as consumer confidence, unemployment rate, new foreclosure activity and Florida's leading, stock and retail index graphs. Updates are made as new statistics become available.