Business briefs

TALLAHASSEE -- Florida's back to school sales tax holiday will be scaled back this year.

A key Senate panel on Thursday approved a bill that would cut back the tax holiday from 10 days to just three days in August.

During that time period shoppers will be able to purchase clothes and school supplies without paying sales taxes.

Legislators are limiting the tax holiday to clothes that cost $60 or less. Last year the tax holiday covered anything that cost $100 or less. This year's tax holiday will not cover the purchases of computers like it did in 2015.

The House had initially proposed a 10-day back to school sales tax holiday. But during budget negotiations legislators scaled back how much money they were willing to set aside for tax cuts.

Publix one of Americas best places to work, again

Publix Supermarkets is the only Central Florida headquartered company on Fortune's Best Companies To Work For list.

Lakeland-based Publix ranked No. 67 on the list, up from No. 81 last year. Publix has placed on the magazine's list every year since it was first published in 1998.

The employee-owned grocery store chain was praised for its low employee turnover, its employee-stock program and its promotion from within program. This year, Publix announced one-time stock boy Todd Jones would be elevated to chief executive in May.

The company also offers tuition reimbursement and benefits to its part-time employees.

Publix reported record revenues and profits this year and has 175,000 employees at more than 1,100

stores.

Also on Fortune's list, which was released Thursday, are some South Florida companies including Ultimate Software in Weston at 15, Baptist Health South Florida in Coral Gables, manufacturing company Arthrex in Naples and JM Family Enterprises, another manufacturer, in Deerfield Beach.

Tech giant Google took number one on the list, followed by Acuity Insurance in Wisconsin. Wegmans Food Markets in Rochester, N.Y., was number four.

Seminars offered on 529 college savings plans

Jim Zientara, financial planner with Raymond James Financial Services Inc. will speak about Section 529 of IRS code on college savings plans.

The seminars will be at the Braden River Library, 4915 53rd Ave. E., Saturday at 2 p.m. and the Palmetto Library, 923 Sixth St. W., March 15 at 6 p.m. He also will speak at the South Manatee Library, 6081 26th St. W., March 29 at 6 p.m. For information or reservations call 941-750-6818.

-- Herald staff, wire reports

This story was originally published March 3, 2016 at 8:26 PM with the headline "Business briefs ."