The Florida Supreme Court has ordered the state to reimburse $70,000 to Hillsborough Circuit Judge Gregory Holder for his expenses in successfully defending himself against plagiarism charges. ...more

September 26, 2009

The Florida Supreme Court has ordered the state to reimburse $70,000 to Hillsborough Circuit Judge Gregory Holder for his expenses in successfully defending himself against plagiarism charges. ...more

September 25, 2009

In the mid-1960s, Tampa was in the midst of a garbage crisis. The city's municipal landfills were nearing capacity and a new incinerator was months from being built. Illegal dumps were cropping up across Hillsborough County. ...more

March 23, 2009

No meeting of the Legislature would be complete without political sniping over education, particularly when it comes to expert opinion. ...more

March 18, 2009

It's understandable that some Republican lawmakers in Pasco County are upset with school board member Cathi Martin, whose current term has been marred by numerous missed meetings. Everyone should be. ...more

March 16, 2009

As Florida newspapers call attention to laws that guarantee access to public records and government meetings, lawmakers are considering dozens of bills to block information now available to citizens. ...more

March 15, 2009

As school budgets shrink, so does the state's ability to reduce the size of classrooms. ...more

March 7, 2009

The 2009 regular session of the Florida Legislature is under way. The issue dominating the proceedings is the dwindling state government revenue stream. According to current estimates, planned spending for the state's 2010 fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1, will have to be cut by $5 billion. If not, there would be a budget deficit, which the state constitution bans. The Legislature could reduce the future red ink potential by asking the Florida voters to do away with the class size amendment to the state constitution they approved in 2002. Unfortunately, lawmakers may only delay class-size compliance a year and ask voters to approve a change in the way compliance is determined next year. ...more

March 4, 2009

Here's hoping that the most significant event to come out of the upcoming legislative session is not the formal debut of newly anointed House Speaker Larry Cretul. The Ocala Republican takes over for Ray Sansom, whose Funnel Vision finally caught up with him. ...more

February 11, 2009

Here's hoping that the most significant event to come out of the upcoming legislative session is not the formal debut of newly anointed House Speaker Larry Cretul. The Ocala Republican takes over for Ray Sansom, whose Funnel Vision finally caught up with him. ...more

February 11, 2009