Things To Do In SW Florida

Most Americans have jobs that withhold payroll taxes (aka FICA taxes) that contribute to the Social Security system, and when they reach retirement age they are able to claim a Social Security benefit based on their earnings. Other people work at jobs that are not within the Social Security system, meaning no Social Security taxes are paid that accrue to a future benefit. But some people spend enough time in both kinds of job that when they retire, they are due both a pension and a Social Security benefit.

I hear from readers who fall into that latter category. They write saying that they believe that the provisions of Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO) reduce Social Security benefits and are unfair both to them and their beneficiaries. Members of Congress, for many years, have proposed legislation that would repeal WEP and GPO. In an environment in which Social Security is facing shortfalls, the proposed legislation has not been approved by Congress. read more

By JOSH BOAK

WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump loved to use tariffs on foreign goods during his first presidency. But their impact was barely noticeable in the overall economy, even if their aftershocks were clear in specific industries.

The data show they never fully delivered on his promised factory jobs. Nor did they provoke the avalanche of inflation that critics feared.

This time, though, his tariff threats might be different.

The president-elect is talking about going much bigger — on a potential scale that creates more uncertainty about whether he’ll do what he says and what the consequences could be.

“There’s going to be a lot more tariffs, I mean, he’s pretty clear,” said Michael Stumo, the CEO of Coalition for a Prosperous America, a group that has supported import taxes to help domestic manufacturing.

The president-elect posted on social media Monday that on his first day in office he would impose 25% tariffs on all goods imported from Mexico and Canada until those countries satisfactorily stop illegal immigration and the flow of illegal drugs such as fentanyl into the United States. read more

By Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times (TNS)

Every day millions of people share more intimate information with their accessories than they do with their spouse.

Wearable technology — smartwatches, smart rings, fitness trackers and the like — monitors body-centric data such as your heart rate, steps taken and calories burned, and may record where you go along the way. Like Santa Claus, it knows when you are sleeping (and how well), it knows when you’re awake, it knows when you’ve been idle or exercising, and it keeps track of all of it.

People are also sharing sensitive health information on health and wellness apps, including online mental health and counseling programs. Some women use period tracker apps to map out their monthly cycle.

These devices and services have excited consumers hoping for better insight into their health and lifestyle choices. But the lack of oversight into how body-centric data are used and shared with third parties has prompted concerns from privacy experts, who warn that the data could be sold or lost through data breaches, then used to raise insurance premiums, discriminate surreptitiously against applicants for jobs or housing, and even perform surveillance. read more

Six Central Florida restaurants shut down the week of Nov. 17-23, according to data from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation.

Orange

LS Garden Of Love at 2723 Silver Star Road in Orlando shut down on Nov. 19. Inspectors found 20 violations, three of which were a high priority for rodent activity, a stop-sale on pickles and other food held at the wrong temperatures. A second inspection the same day found 17 violations. Officials issued time extensions for two high-priority violations. The restaurant met inspection standards.

Volusia

Oudom Thai Restaurant at 217-B N. Woodland Blvd. in DeLand shut down on Nov. 20. Inspectors found 18 violations, five of which were high priorities. Those violations included an employee working with utensils without washing their hands, rodent activity and raw sewage on the kitchen floor. Officials conducted a second inspection on Nov. 21. Inspectors found three violations and issued a time extension for an employee working without washing their hands. The restaurant met inspection standards. read more

By FATIMA HUSSEIN and JOSH BOAK

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump is turning to two officials with experience navigating not only Washington but the key issues of income taxes and tariffs as he fills out his economic team.

Trump on Tuesday announced he has chosen international trade attorney Jamieson Greer to be his U.S. trade representative and Kevin Hassett as director of the White House National Economic Council.

While Trump has in several cases nominated outsiders to key posts, these picks reflect a recognition that his reputation will likely hinge on restoring the public’s confidence in the economy.

The president-elect also announced a number of other key personnel choices, including Vince Haley, who led Trump’s speechwriting department in his first term, as director of the Domestic Policy Council.

Trump said in a statement that Greer was instrumental in his first term in imposing tariffs on China and others and replacing the trade agreement with Canada and Mexico, “therefore making it much better for American Workers.” read more