Here's some of what the economic stimulus bill could deliver to Florida and the Tampa Bay area, according to lawmakers and analysts: ...more

January 29, 2009

Bracing for state budget cuts due to the economic downturn, Highlands County Superintendent of Schools Wally Cox is asking his administrators to meet with their staff to rank 10 suggested budget-cutting measures. ...more

January 29, 2009

A grand jury in Leon County decided Monday to investigate complaints about House Speaker Ray Sansom and his dealings with Northwest Florida State College. ...more

January 27, 2009

indeed, deserves - flourishes of attention. Publicly praising a dutiful employee, for instance. Reiterating abiding affection for a spouse. Telling the offspring you're proud of them, and explaining why. ...more

January 23, 2009

Florida could get about $4.3 billion in added federal Medicaid funding this year under the $825 billion economic recovery package being crafted by President Barack Obama and congressional leaders, said Democratic U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor of Tampa. ...more

January 23, 2009

Gov. Charlie Crist may override the Legislature's decision to suspend the $300 million Florida Forever land conservation program, even as lawmakers prepare to make further state budget cuts this spring. ...more

January 23, 2009

Florida House Speaker Ray Sansom said Gov. Charlie Crist should suggest ways to offset any items he vetoes in a deficit-elimination package when he submits his recommendations for the next state budget. ...more

January 22, 2009

We all know there is a need for cutbacks in the budget, nationally, on the state level, and even in our own homes, but I feel the State of Florida has gone too far in their budget cuts. I attended the District School Advisory Council meeting at the Highlands County School Board for January and came away disheartened at how little our children seem to mean to the State of Florida. According to the paperwork I received there, our state ranks 50th in school spending and the budget just keeps getting cut further. ...more

January 19, 2009

LAND O' LAKES - As model airplanes buzzed overhead, a hundred or so people braved the blustery wind blowing from the north Friday afternoon to celebrate the opening of Conner Preserve, the newest addition to Pasco County's roster of public lands. ...more

January 17, 2009

The Legislature this week cut spending by roughly $2.8 billion to bring the state budget in balance. Then Gov. Charlie Crist threatened to veto the portion of the spending-cut plan that would take money from public education. We have a much better target for him if the governor is looking to wield his veto pen. ...more

January 17, 2009