It's the holiday season, but it's not a cheery time for Floridians with disabilities and their families. The state is in the process of reviewing individual "cost plans" - a process that likely will result in painful service reductions for many of Florida's most vulnerable citizens. ...more

December 20, 2009

County administrator Pat Bean survived her annual evaluation today with her job intact but at the end of what one commissioner called a "short rope" that could be jerked if she doesn't improve her performance. Commissioner Mark Sharpe received no support for a motion he made to fire Bean and fill her position by a coalition of her assistant county administrators until the job could be filled permanently. ...more

December 16, 2009

Please tell me this was a typo: Judge Michael Andrews approved paying $125 a day to a make-up artist so that an accused criminal's tattoos can be covered up. ...more

December 10, 2009

Twenty years ago, Shirley Grimes wished for a home that "no one could take away from her." ...more

December 10, 2009

I am outraged by Ron Smith's comment ("Agency spends $20,000 on food," front page, Nov. 24) regarding the excessive catering bills for the working lunches: "I think you're nitpicking, end of subject." I have had working lunches in my lifetime, but they never came anywhere near $155.94, even with the tip included. ...more

November 27, 2009

WASHINGTON (AP) — With more Americans going hungry than ever before, the Agriculture Department is concerned that dozens of states aren't adequately administering food stamp programs designed to provide food to low-income Americans. Many of the states that struggled were among the most populous, including Florida, where 57 were enrolled. ...more

November 24, 2009

Let's dispense with three fallacies swirling about the question of abortion coverage in health care reform. Two are being peddled by anti-abortion forces. One, perhaps the most relevant, is being pushed by the pro-choice side. ...more

November 22, 2009

As if things couldn't get any worse for the millions of Americans who are barely scraping by comes the news that a tax credit implemented in April to boost take-home pay will likely have a negative impact when it comes time to pay taxes. ...more

November 21, 2009

The Cone Ranch Advisory Committee, of which I am a member, was asked to listen to the proposal by Florida Conservation & Environmental Group and recommend to the Hillsborough County Commission the best way to preserve and protect Cone Ranch. ...more

November 6, 2009

If you own property in Highlands County you should have received, or soon will be receiving, your tax bill in the mail from the Highlands County Tax Collector's Office. ...more

November 5, 2009