A recent editorial rebuked the federal government of shortchanging Florida in its effort to provide more educational funds (stimulus) for our schools. How could the feds be so mean to require the state to request a waiver because it had cut funds for education instead of increasing funds? In reviewing Florida's record relating to educational funding, one will discover that Florida had shortchanged education for decades. The late governors Askew, then Collins, tried to turn the tide and move Florida up about 45th in the nation on funding, only to have the Democratic legislature to again decrease funding. Governor Graham worked to improve funding, but again that was reversed. The late Governor Chiles had a Republican legislature that under funded education. The state is currently near the bottom in funding education. ...more

March 15, 2009

At 94 years old, Lillian Webb is still going for the gold. In early August, she hopes to be in San Francisco, competing for the eighth time in the National Senior Games. ...more

March 14, 2009

In a move that angered some conservatives but could please minority supporters, Gov. Charlie Crist has named Circuit Judge James Perry of Sanford to the Florida Supreme Court. ...more

March 12, 2009

In a move that angered some conservatives but could please minority supporters, Gov. Charlie Crist has named Circuit Judge James Perry of Sanford to the Florida Supreme Court. ...more

March 11, 2009

When the state's development friendly lawmakers aren't trying to undo growth management laws, they're trying to gut or eliminate altogether the agency charged with enforcing them, the Department of Community Affairs. ...more

March 8, 2009

AARP is cheering Gov. Charlie Crist's move to abandon what remains of a Jeb Bush-era initiative to overhaul long-term care for seniors. ...more

March 6, 2009

One of the lowest moments of President Bush's second term was his congratulatory slap-on-the-back of former FEMA head Michael Brown - "Brownie, you're doing a heck of a job" - amid the government's chaotic response to Hurricane Katrina. Many people at the time thought it too bad that Craig Fugate was not in charge of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. ...more

March 6, 2009

A family spokesman says former first lady Barbara Bush had successful open heart surgery. ...more

March 5, 2009

Former first lady Barbara Bush underwent successful open heart surgery Wednesday to replace her aortic valve, a family spokesman said. ...more

March 5, 2009

President Barack Obama announced Wednesday his intention to nominate Florida's disaster management chief, Craig Fugate, to head the much-criticized Federal Emergency Management Agency. ...more

March 5, 2009