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Jump start: News of the business week to come

News of the business week to come

By Times Staff
Published December 10, 2007

The H. Lee MoFfitt Cancer center & Research Institute plays host today to the Florida Smoking Policy Symposium. Business execs, health experts and legislators discuss ways to lower health care costs and improve the health of Floridians by helping smokers across the state eliminate cigarettes from their lives. The symposium is free and open to the public. To register, call toll-free 1-866-543-6461, ext. 101, or visit www.menshealthconferences.com.

How much money consumers save, as well their attitudes toward saving, is the focus of a survey released today by the Consumer Federation of America and Wachovia. Among the topics explored, the CFA promises, are "surprising results on who's having the hardest time saving."

THE FLEDGLING TAMPA BAY CEO MAGAZINE is bringing movers, shakers and wannabes together Tuesday for its CEO of the Year dinner and awards banquet. The spate of hopefuls includes Geoffrey Dyer of Lifestyle Family Fitness, Larry Thompson of Ringling College and developer Grady Pridgen of ... well, you know. Tampa Bay CEO magazine started this year and has a circulation of 11,000, says publisher and CEO David Glass. See the mag's Web site, www.tampabayceo.com, for details.

A FURTHER easing of interest rates is likely in store when the Federal Reserve meets this week. What's uncertain is the size of what would be the third "insurance" interest-rate cut of the year. Central bankers are concerned that lenders will tighten the terms of loans to smaller businesses and consumers. Look for the announcement Tuesday afternoon.

A SENATE COMMITTEE IN TALLAHASSEE holds a hearing Wednesdayregarding the Carlyle Group's planned purchase of Manor Care facilities. The Washington, D.C., private-equity fund will pay $6.3-billion in a buyout that has been approved by Manor Care shareholders. Manor Care has 29 nursing homes in Florida, including five in the Tampa Bay area. Critics are concerned about Carlyle's ability to maintain staffing levels at nursing homes because of the high level of debt in the deal. Transfer of ownership of the Florida facilities requires approval by the Agency for Health Care Administration.

FIVE GREEN GOVERNORS? Sounds like a verse to a Christmas carol. Florida Gov. Charlie Crist and four other governors will be holding a press conference about alternative fuels and clean transportation at 10 a.m. Thursdayat the InterContinental Hotel in Tampa, according to the National Governors Association. Crist will be joined by the governors of Minnesota, Kansas, Montana and Wisconsin. The five plan to issue a call to action and unveil new transportation policies for their states.

[Last modified December 7, 2007, 21:32:19]