These are indeed difficult times. Floridians are losing their jobs, consumer consumption is at very low levels, global trade volumes are declining and Florida is facing a significant budget deficit. Yet this is also a time of opportunity for us as a state to create jobs now and position our economy for the future. ...more

March 15, 2009

Lawmakers got the bad financial news most were expecting Friday when state economists said they now expect general revenue to be down about $1 billion in the current budget year and more than $2 billion in the next one compared with estimates made four months ago. ...more

March 14, 2009

The Legislature has another major headache beside a revenue shortfall on its hands during its 2009 regular session. Lawmakers are coming to more fully understand the enormity of the financial hole they and Gov. Charlie Crist have been digging for Florida taxpayers as they have tried to "protect" them from rate increases from "greedy" insurance companies. ...more

March 14, 2009

The red-hot housing market has gone so cold, State Rep. Denise Grimsley has introduced a House bill to impose a three-year moratorium on impact fees. ...more

March 12, 2009

You've got to love Charlie Crist. With so much negative energy pressing on this economy, the governor's "I believe in Florida" message stands as an inspiration and a lesson in functional economics. ...more

March 11, 2009

The organizer of a day that brought nearly 200 Florida Muslims to the state Capitol to lobby politicians Tuesday was called a "known terrorist sympathizer" by a head lawmaker and others, a label the leader emphatically rejected. ...more

March 11, 2009

Florida has recorded twice as many wildfires this year compared with this time a year ago, and the danger increases every day. ...more

March 11, 2009

You've got to love Charlie Crist. With so much negative energy pressing on this economy, the governor's "I believe in Florida" message stands as an inspiration and a lesson in functional economics. ...more

March 11, 2009

The organizer of a day that brought nearly 200 Florida Muslims to the state Capitol to lobby politicians today was called a "known terrorist sympathizer" by a head lawmaker and others, a label the leader emphatically rejected. ...more

March 10, 2009

The state board that oversees the fund designed to pay homeowner claims in the event of a catastrophic hurricane searched Tuesday for ways to reduce its risk with hurricane season only months away. ...more

March 10, 2009