WMFE-FM: Fishkind Commentaries Podcast

Fishkind Commentary: Impact of Major Storms on Florida's Economy

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 20:55:52 -0400

June 11th, 2013 | WMFE- Hurricane season is upon us, and Florida has already seen its first tropical storm. Although Andrea was just a warning shot compared a devastating hurricane like 1992's Andrew, 90.7's economic analyst Dr. Hank Fishkind says a major storm can have a dramatic effect on insurance markets, property values and the state's overall economy. 90.7's Nicole Creston asked Dr. Fishkind to explain how lessons learned from Hurricane Andrew about storms and property insurance are holding up, and how Florida remains in the cone of economic uncertainty when it comes to hurricane risk. He tells 90.7's Nicole Creston that the size and the scope of recent expansions and updates in many local theme parks, large and small, are positive signs for the Orlando area.

Fishkind Commentary: Theme Parks Offer Insight Into Central Florida's Financial Outlook

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 20:55:47 -0400

June 4th, 2013 | WMFE- Most Central Floridians know that the tourism industry is a major player in the local economy. But 90.7's economic analyst Dr. Hank Fishkind says following the trends of the area's theme parks can offer helpful insight into Central Florida's future financial outlook. He tells 90.7's Nicole Creston that the size and the scope of recent expansions and updates in many local theme parks, large and small, are positive signs for the Orlando area.

Fishkind Commentary | Florida Budget 2013

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 20:55:40 -0400

Florida Governor Rick Scott last week signed a $74.1 Billion budget.

Economic analyst Hank Fishkind tells 90.7’s Matthew Peddie, even after Governor Scott cut $350 million dollars in so called “turkeys” from the budget- it’s still the largest in the state’s history.

For more commentaries and to download the weekly podcast, go to wmfe.org/fishkind

Fishkind Commentary: Florida's Business Friendliness

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 20:55:32 -0400

Florida’s often touted as one of the most business friendly states in the country- but a couple of recent economic studies cast doubt on that claim.

One report ranked Florida’s business tax burden among the highest in the US.

However, Economic analyst Hank Fishkind tells 90.7’s Matthew Peddie that report- from the Anderson Economics Group- doesn’t tell the full story of the state’s economy.

Fishkind Commentary: On Florida's Rejection of Federal Healthcare Funds

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 20:55:23 -0400

The end of Florida’s 2013 legislative session is barely in the rearview mirror – it wrapped up just over a week ago – and controversy remains over the Legislature’s handling of healthcare. Despite support from Florida Governor Rick Scott and the state Senate, the Florida House refused to accept $51 billion in federal funds to provide health insurance to 1.1 million uninsured Floridians, by expanding Medicaid coverage under the federal Affordable Care Act. Economic expert Hank Fishkind says leaving billions in federal funds on the table will impose substantial economic cost on Florida, and Central Florida in particular. 90.7’s Nicole Creston asked Dr. Fishkind for his opinion on the future of the relationship between Florida and the Affordable Care Act, starting with what’s next for the 1.1 million uninsured Floridians.

Fishkind Commentary: An Economist's View of the 2013 Legislative Session

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 20:55:18 -0400

Florida’s 2013 legislative session came to an end on Friday, with a $74.5 billion dollar budget passed, some significant new laws made, and some major legislation that didn’t make it to Governor Rick Scott’s desk. 90.7’s Nicole Creston asked economic expert Dr. Hank Fishkind for his analysis of the session and what it means for Central Florida’s economy…starting with that $74.5 billion budget. It is a $4.5 billion increase over last year, but Fishkind explains that’s only part of the story.

Fishkind Commentary: Central Florida Economic News Roundup

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 20:55:11 -0400

It's been a busy week for Central Florida financial news, as a new national economic report spells unexpected good news locally, the Florida legislature battles over the future of Medicaid across the state, and Central Florida's tourism-driven economy narrowly avoids a crisis when flight delays brought on by the sequester’s air-traffic controller furloughs come to an end. 90.7’s Nicole Creston asks economic expert Dr. Hank Fishkind for his analysis of the latest financial news, and what it all means for Central Florida’s pocketbook.

Fishkind Commentary: Housing Prices Jump in Orlando - What Does It Mean?

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 20:55:06 -0400

A new report from the Orlando Board of Realtors shows homes sales up and housing prices skyrocketing for March in Central Florda. Could this be a sign of a stabilizing market after years of being hit hard by foreclosure? Or is the Orlando area headed for another housing bubble? 90.7's Nicole Creston asked economic expert Dr. Hank Fishkind for his perspective on the report and what it could mean for Central Florida’s housing market in the coming months.

Fishkind Commentary: Local Impact from the Surprise Retail Sales Drop

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 20:55:00 -0400

The latest national economic numbers have many financial experts scratching their heads over a retail sales slowdown in the first quarter of this year, especially in March. Consumer confidence slipped, too, according to the new reports. 90.7's Nicole Creston discussed the retail numbers with economic expert Dr. Hank Fishkind, and asked him to explain how those national figures impact Central Florida’s economy.

Fishkind Commentary: Best Uses of the Tourist Development Tax

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 20:54:55 -0400

Construction on downtown Orlando's Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts got a boost last week when Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs announced she’d be kicking in another $25 million dollars from the tourist development tax, TDT for short, to help the unfinished venue get off the ground. Jacobs has also said revenue from the TDT, sometimes known as the hotel tax, is higher than this time last year, and that’s good news for Central Florida’s tourism economy. 90.7's Nicole Creston asked economic analyst Dr. Hank Fishkind for his take on the tourist development tax, starting with a refresher on what the TDT is, and how it’s used.