Convincing county constitutional officers to relinquish some independence could be a tough sell for County Administrator David Hamilton. ...more

July 3, 2008

SHERIFF MOST VOCAL OPPONENT TO CUTS ...more

July 2, 2008

Once again in Florida, a write-in candidate for public office is taking advantage of a damaging loophole in state law that threatens to leave more than 100,000 voters with no voice in an election. ...more

June 30, 2008

The battle in Florida over school vouchers returned to the courts on Friday when teacher, civil rights and other groups sued the state to keep two voucher-related proposals off November's ballot. ...more

June 14, 2008

Local and state governments may have to live within strict new spending and revenue limits if the Taxation and Budget Reform Commission adopts a proposal that cleared one of its committees Monday. ...more

February 11, 2008

In Hillsborough County, the name E.J. Salcines is virtually synonymous with the word "lawyer." ...more

February 8, 2008

A citizen initiative to ban gay marriage will be on the November ballot, the only one of more than 50 active petition drives that qualified Friday at the deadline for signature verification. ...more

February 2, 2008

Gov. Charlie Crist violated the Florida Constitution when he agreed with the Seminole Indian Tribe to expand gambling in the state, an attorney for the Florida House told the state Supreme Court on Wednesday. ...more

January 31, 2008

On Jan. 29 the voters of Highlands County will be deciding on an amendment to the Florida Constitution which, if passed, will result in some property tax relief. Is it everything we need in tax reform? No! However it does provide much needed relief to Florida residents who are "stranded" in their homesteads, unable to move to either a larger or smaller home because they would lose the protection they have accrued over the years through the Save Our Homes exemption. Amendment 1 will, if approved, make Save Our Homes portable. If the amendment passes, a young family will be able to take their lower tax rate with them when they outgrow their residence and purchase a larger home. A retired couple will be able to "downsize" without running the risk of doubling or tripling (or worse!) their current property tax bills. ...more

January 27, 2008

Backward Steps Regarding "Explosive Issues," letters, Monday: Arthur Hayhoe is trying to compare apples and oranges. The Second Amendment to our Bill of Rights acknowledges the right of the people to keep and bear arms. ...more

January 16, 2008