After a challenging 2008, Highlands Today asked some government officials their assessments of the budget situation for next year. ...more

December 23, 2008 |

Barbara Stewart, chairman of the Highlands County commissioners, called for greater emphasis on planning, efficiency, accountability and oversight in county government as she spoke to the Highlands County Homeowners Association Monday morning. ...more

December 9, 2008 |

The city will hold a special budget meeting in January to address an anticipated $157,000 shortfall in revenues. ...more

December 9, 2008 |

Highlands County residents serving in the military will get a $75 grant from county government for every month of duty in a combat zone. ...more

November 20, 2008 |

The very concept of a "crash tax" seemed repugnant a year ago. Then Amendment 1 passed, and city officials watched their tax revenues shrink by $400,000 this year. ...more

November 12, 2008 |

Efforts to lure T. Rowe Price to Pasco County moved forward Wednesday, with Pasco County commissioners approving a package of incentives to offer the investment giant. ...more

November 6, 2008 |

In the race for County Commission District 3 the Republican incumbent, Ann Hildebrand, is facing off against Democrat Teresa "Terri" Conroy. ...more

October 22, 2008 |

Criticizing Sarah Palin is truly shooting fish in a barrel. But given the huge attention she is getting, you can't just ignore what she has to say. And there was one thing she said in the debate with Joe Biden that really sticks in my craw. It was when she turned to Biden and declared: "You recently said paying taxes is patriotic. In middle-class America, where I have been all my life, that is not considered patriotic." ...more

October 9, 2008 |

I have watched, listened and read with tongue in cheek as the spin doctors of our two respective presidential candidates seek to discredit and vilify each other. Is anyone else getting sick and tired of the mud slinging and negativity employed in politics from the national on down to the local level? I think you are! I recently had an appointment at the West Palm Beach V.A. hospital, where I used my time between exams to talk a little politics with other vets. What I found was nearly all are feeling betrayed by our own government, frustrated by the outsourcing of our jobs overseas, angry with our faulty immigration policy, and wondering when our elected leaders are going to start listening to "we the people." ...more

October 4, 2008 |

As the economy has weakened and citizens have become weary of increased taxes, more pressure is being put on state governments to find "painless" alternatives to fund education, which accounts for the largest category of state expenditures. ...more

October 4, 2008 |