5A - IDENTIFYING LOCAL OPPORTUNITIES
1)
Title: State senator calls for plastic bag, straw ban for businesses that sell take-out food
Link: https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/politics/fl-ne-nsf-plastic-straw-bill-introduced-20190124-story.html
Summary: A law is being passed in Tallahassee to bank plastic bags and straws from restaurants, this law is not yet fully passed but it did pass the first step, the final bill will be voted at the end of February. The ban also set a fine for restaurants that violate this bill, $500 fine for the first time and $1000 for any subsequent violation. The article also mentions how cities in Broward county already banned straws and plastic bags, and cities like Hallandale and Fort Lauderdale are following the measures taken first by Delray Beach.
What is the problem? The problem is that many restaurants will be forced to give other alternatives when it comes to plastic bags or straws. This will become an issue because the costs will change for many businesses, so for some, it will make them less profitable.
Who faces the problem? The people mainly affected will be the producers of plastic bags and straws if this law is passed because their sales will drop tremendously, and you would be putting people out of work with this bill.
2)
Title: FPL fights rate review that would pass on tax savings to customers
Link: https://infoweb-newsbank-com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&t=pubname%3AORLB%21Orlando%2BSentinel%252C%2BThe%2B%2528FL%2529/year%3A2019%212019/mody%3A0123%21January%2B23&f=advanced&action=browse&format=text&docref=news/1712148F88E1C9D8
Summary: Florida Power and Lightning (FPL) has benefitted tremendously by the recent changes to tax reforms. Previous to the reform FPL was paying 35% in taxes but now that has plummeted to 21%, saving FPL a huge amount of $750 million, where FPL this past year charged the same amount for base taxes in the previous years, so this money is virtually just going to FPL's pocket while consumers are paying the same or more.
What is the problem? The problem here is very clear, FPL is getting a huge amount of money due to tax breaks, but yet they are charging the same base tax than they were doing in previous years.
Who faces the problem? The problem is for all Florida citizens that are paying the same amount of taxes to FPL, and they are getting huge amounts of money in their pocket, but not lowering it to consumers.
3)
Title: Orlando No. 1 for pedestrian deaths
Link: https://infoweb-newsbank-com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&t=pubname%3AORLB%21Orlando%2BSentinel%252C%2BThe%2B%2528FL%2529/year%3A2019%212019/mody%3A0124%21January%2B24&f=advanced&action=browse&format=text&docref=news/171269CE35BFB078
Summary: The city and region of Orlando, FL is now known as the riskiest sidewalks and roads for pedestrian, as the region suffered of 50,000 people being killed during the years of 2008 and 2017.
What is the problem? Many people are being killed while walking, crossing the street or any related activity related to pedestrians. The numbers of people killed is an average of more than 462 pedestrians a month.
Who faces the problem? Pedestrians should feel unsafe when using sidewalks or crossing streets, as numbers of death is quite large. The city should do more efforts to increase the safety of pedestrians and vehicle drivers.
4)
Title: Federal employees offered free admission to attractions
Link: https://infoweb-newsbank-com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&t=pubname%3AORLB%21Orlando%2BSentinel%252C%2BThe%2B%2528FL%2529/year%3A2019%212019/mody%3A0124%21January%2B24&f=advanced&action=browse&format=text&docref=news/171269CDCB6A2A38
Summary: Many amusement parks, like the Central Florida Zoo, Botanical Gardens, Madame Tussaud, Sea Life and many other located around Central Florida are offering free entrance to goverment employees because of the shutdown. Many of these employees have been affected for more than a month without receiving any paychecks.
What is the problem? The problem is that due to the partial shutdown many people are not receving their paychecks and it is affecting businesses because government workers are trying to save their money instead of spending it, since they are not getting paid.
Who faces the problem? The problem is for theme parks that have seen a dip in their visitors due to the partial shutdown and also it is a problem for government workers as they cannot enjoy activities with their families because they are not receiving any money.
5)
Title: Fla. student debt ranks highest in country - Experian study says rate spiked 35% in three-year timespan
Link: https://infoweb-newsbank-com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&t=pubname%3AORLB%21Orlando%2BSentinel%252C%2BThe%2B%2528FL%2529/year%3A2019%212019/mody%3A0122%21January%2B22&f=advanced&action=browse&format=text&docref=news/1711BDECA5359E98
Summary: The article talks about how the amount of college debt in the state of florida is rising at the highest pace in the country. In the previous three years, there has been an increase of 35% college student debts.
What is the problem? The amount of college debt owed by students is increasing at an alarming rate in the state of florida, being florida the state with the highest jump in the last couple of years. This can be because of many factors but mainly because grants being given are not as much as they used to be in years past.
Who faces the problem? The problem is only for students, because they are receiving less grants, tuition prices increases, and thus they have to take more loans in order to afford college and receive higher education which is quite exnpensive now a days especially for out of state students and attending private universities.
Title: State senator calls for plastic bag, straw ban for businesses that sell take-out food
Link: https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/politics/fl-ne-nsf-plastic-straw-bill-introduced-20190124-story.html
Summary: A law is being passed in Tallahassee to bank plastic bags and straws from restaurants, this law is not yet fully passed but it did pass the first step, the final bill will be voted at the end of February. The ban also set a fine for restaurants that violate this bill, $500 fine for the first time and $1000 for any subsequent violation. The article also mentions how cities in Broward county already banned straws and plastic bags, and cities like Hallandale and Fort Lauderdale are following the measures taken first by Delray Beach.
What is the problem? The problem is that many restaurants will be forced to give other alternatives when it comes to plastic bags or straws. This will become an issue because the costs will change for many businesses, so for some, it will make them less profitable.
Who faces the problem? The people mainly affected will be the producers of plastic bags and straws if this law is passed because their sales will drop tremendously, and you would be putting people out of work with this bill.
2)
Title: FPL fights rate review that would pass on tax savings to customers
Link: https://infoweb-newsbank-com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&t=pubname%3AORLB%21Orlando%2BSentinel%252C%2BThe%2B%2528FL%2529/year%3A2019%212019/mody%3A0123%21January%2B23&f=advanced&action=browse&format=text&docref=news/1712148F88E1C9D8
Summary: Florida Power and Lightning (FPL) has benefitted tremendously by the recent changes to tax reforms. Previous to the reform FPL was paying 35% in taxes but now that has plummeted to 21%, saving FPL a huge amount of $750 million, where FPL this past year charged the same amount for base taxes in the previous years, so this money is virtually just going to FPL's pocket while consumers are paying the same or more.
What is the problem? The problem here is very clear, FPL is getting a huge amount of money due to tax breaks, but yet they are charging the same base tax than they were doing in previous years.
Who faces the problem? The problem is for all Florida citizens that are paying the same amount of taxes to FPL, and they are getting huge amounts of money in their pocket, but not lowering it to consumers.
3)
Title: Orlando No. 1 for pedestrian deaths
Link: https://infoweb-newsbank-com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&t=pubname%3AORLB%21Orlando%2BSentinel%252C%2BThe%2B%2528FL%2529/year%3A2019%212019/mody%3A0124%21January%2B24&f=advanced&action=browse&format=text&docref=news/171269CE35BFB078
Summary: The city and region of Orlando, FL is now known as the riskiest sidewalks and roads for pedestrian, as the region suffered of 50,000 people being killed during the years of 2008 and 2017.
What is the problem? Many people are being killed while walking, crossing the street or any related activity related to pedestrians. The numbers of people killed is an average of more than 462 pedestrians a month.
Who faces the problem? Pedestrians should feel unsafe when using sidewalks or crossing streets, as numbers of death is quite large. The city should do more efforts to increase the safety of pedestrians and vehicle drivers.
4)
Title: Federal employees offered free admission to attractions
Link: https://infoweb-newsbank-com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&t=pubname%3AORLB%21Orlando%2BSentinel%252C%2BThe%2B%2528FL%2529/year%3A2019%212019/mody%3A0124%21January%2B24&f=advanced&action=browse&format=text&docref=news/171269CDCB6A2A38
Summary: Many amusement parks, like the Central Florida Zoo, Botanical Gardens, Madame Tussaud, Sea Life and many other located around Central Florida are offering free entrance to goverment employees because of the shutdown. Many of these employees have been affected for more than a month without receiving any paychecks.
What is the problem? The problem is that due to the partial shutdown many people are not receving their paychecks and it is affecting businesses because government workers are trying to save their money instead of spending it, since they are not getting paid.
Who faces the problem? The problem is for theme parks that have seen a dip in their visitors due to the partial shutdown and also it is a problem for government workers as they cannot enjoy activities with their families because they are not receiving any money.
5)
Title: Fla. student debt ranks highest in country - Experian study says rate spiked 35% in three-year timespan
Link: https://infoweb-newsbank-com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&t=pubname%3AORLB%21Orlando%2BSentinel%252C%2BThe%2B%2528FL%2529/year%3A2019%212019/mody%3A0122%21January%2B22&f=advanced&action=browse&format=text&docref=news/1711BDECA5359E98
Summary: The article talks about how the amount of college debt in the state of florida is rising at the highest pace in the country. In the previous three years, there has been an increase of 35% college student debts.
What is the problem? The amount of college debt owed by students is increasing at an alarming rate in the state of florida, being florida the state with the highest jump in the last couple of years. This can be because of many factors but mainly because grants being given are not as much as they used to be in years past.
Who faces the problem? The problem is only for students, because they are receiving less grants, tuition prices increases, and thus they have to take more loans in order to afford college and receive higher education which is quite exnpensive now a days especially for out of state students and attending private universities.
We both identified the same opportunity: the upcoming plastic straw ban that is being adopted by many cities in Florida. What I found most interesting, though, is that we have different perceptions of who has the problem. To me, it would be the people who will now have an unmet need due to the ban, that is, people who use plastic straws because they are hygienic or because they like sipping/slurping their drinks.
ReplyDeleteHi Mario
ReplyDeleteNice list, I really enjoy the stories you shared, but what really got my attention is ban for the plastic bag and straws, I personally do agree on ban for the plastic bags and the straws because of the damage it can cause to our environment, like burning of plastic in the open air, leads to environmental pollution due to the release of poisonous chemicals