The White House sought today to stress the positive in a looming fight with Congress over a $3.6 trillion budget, saying blueprints put forth by Democratic allies in both chambers hew closely to President Barack Obama's priorities. ...more

March 25, 2009

Finally, it's official. There will be a special legislative session next month. Gov. Charlie Crist, not a proponent previously, is now on board. That (2008-09) $2.3 billion state budget hole - that could deepen to $3.8 billion or more in 2009-10 - plus possible harm to Florida's credit rating and Medicaid scenarios from hell has everyone finally fixated on a resolution. Presumably, everything is on the table, especially in a state that hasn't fundamentally changed its revenue-raising ways from the LeRoy Collins administration years. ...more

December 24, 2008

The American public has seen enough of Congress's political sleight of-hand. ...more

December 19, 2008

Cue Chriss Angel and David Blaine: In what might be described as supermarket sleight-of-hand, Publix plans to move an entire grocery store from one side of Brandon Boulevard to the other, overnight - sort of. ...more

October 1, 2008

Highlands County Commissioner Guy Maxcy asked an interesting question at this week's meeting where next year's budget was approved. He asked if anyone in the audience thought they received tax relief from the governor or the legislature last year. All that was heard was a groan from the large crowd. That is a perfect example of how the Legislature and governor have passed the buck to local governments, claiming they are cutting taxes, when in fact they are not. ...more

September 19, 2008

Homeowners have every right to be angry about the property-tax notices that recently arrived in mailboxes. ...more

September 2, 2008

LAND O' LAKES - The telephone call that spelled the end of Jim Piculas' career as a substitute teacher in Pasco came on a January day about a week after he performed the disappearing-toothpick trick for a group of rapt middle school students. ...more

May 5, 2008

Gov. Charlie Crist unveiled an ambitious education budget proposal last week to help win support for the property tax amendment that is on the Jan. 29 ballot. ...more

January 23, 2008

Lawmakers from unincorporated areas of Hillsborough County used some legislative sleight-of-hand Friday to advance a bill that would reduce the city of Tampa's power on two important local boards. ...more

December 8, 2007

The University of Central Florida is located near the Magic Kingdom, but it was Matt Grothe who once again provided most of the sleight of hand - and feet - during the University of South Florida's 64-12 win on Saturday. ...more

October 14, 2007