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Digest

Talk of the bay

By TIMES WIRES
Published December 28, 2006

ECONOMIC TIMES ARE SUMMED UP IN HIS RHYMES

Mixed, but moderate in 2006,

And nothing you'd call heaven.

But if you liked the '06 mix,

You're bound to love '07.

... Okay, he's no poet laureate, but Raymond James & Associates senior economist Scott Brown did put his commentary on the 2006-2007 economic scene into rhyming, four-line stanzas - 21 of them, in fact. Like this one:

Three-dollar gasoline was a bummer,

Consumer attitudes turned sour.

But the drop in energy prices since summer

Finally lifted their purchasing power.

Robert Frost has little to fear, but it's not a bad read if you're looking for some insight into the Federal Reserve and the housing market. Read it at www.raymondjames.com/monit1.htm.

Orlando rolls out new theme in ads

Heads up, Tampa Bay economic developers. A one-minute commercial promoting the city of Orlando as a high-tech up-and-comer (and no longer as just a tourist hangout for theme parks) will air nationally in the next few weeks. Showing on ABC during Orlando's Champs Sports Bowl on Friday and then twice during the Capital One Bowl on Monday, the commercial highlights the Orlando community and what its expanding economy offers, from an on-the-move University of Central Florida to its defense industry. "People here keep our country safe," says one child in the ad. "We build cool new airplanes," says another. "While fantasy worlds may have put us on the map ..." adds another voice promising Orlando has become much more than Disney or Universal Studios. Want a sneak peak, and a reminder that Orlando is getting its economic message together? Check out one of the commercials online at www.OrlandoWorks.com.

Sales tax break will have to wait

Tax tip: You'll have to wait until February to file if you want to claim the sales tax deduction on your 2006 income tax return. Because of last-minute changes in the tax law, the IRS says it will be "early February" before it is able to process returns claiming deductions for state and local sales taxes, tuition and fees or educator expenses. Last year, nearly 1-million January returns claimed one of those deductions.

. THE TICKER

. tampabay.com

All about money

Times personal finance editor Helen Huntley talks about money topics and answers your finance questions at blogs.tampabay.com/money.

[Last modified December 27, 2006, 22:56:20]