Cigarettes have been a relatively inexpensive addiction for smokers in Florida, even as a pack has neared $4 for most brands. ...more

March 27, 2009

A plan to help disabled veterans created controversy Tuesday when a Senate committee combined it with one to expand term limits for state lawmakers. ...more

March 25, 2009

With the state facing at least a $3 billion shortfall, Gov. Charlie Crist and state lawmakers must get serious about generating more revenue. Yes, more budget cuts are inevitable, but Florida already spends less per person than any state in the South. The surest way to doom the state's economic prospects is to neglect its education system, infrastructure, resource protection and the social safety net that helps those in need regain self-sufficiency. ...more

March 25, 2009

A citizens panel that advises the Hillsborough County School Board recently weighed the district's proposed budget cuts - and came up with some ideas of its own. ...more

March 25, 2009

A citizens panel that advises the Hillsborough County School Board recently weighed the district's proposed budget cuts – and came up with some ideas of its own. ...more

March 24, 2009

For three weeks, they've listened. Now comes the hard part. Lawmakers spent the first weeks of their spring session listening as state agencies rolled out the stark options for shrinking the $65 billion state budget. ...more

March 24, 2009

The Horrors Of FCAT At least this year my son didn't throw up before he walked through the gates of school to face the FCAT. But he lay awake nights, worrying. ...more

March 22, 2009

It's reassuring to see the Tampa City Council understands the urgent need to conserve water. It's dismaying to see state lawmakers don't have a clue about the need to protect Florida's water resources. ...more

March 21, 2009

The power drain on the wallets of Progress Energy Florida customers will drop some $15 to $18 a month on typical bills by April. Even so, state lawmakers could turn the lights out on a fee the utility began charging for preconstruction costs of a nuclear power plant that could take another decade to complete. ...more

March 21, 2009

The Seminole Tribe has exaggerated the economic benefits of a planned $3 billion expansion of its casino and convention sites, which will take workers and business away from existing Florida companies, a top state economist said Friday. ...more

March 21, 2009