WHAT'S IN: •Budget Cuts. Lawmakers in both chambers now anticipate cutting recurring costs by roughly $1 billion. That likely means cutting into health, education and public safety and other vital services, which could trigger layoffs and jeopardize the welfare of some of Florida's neediest residents. ...more

January 3, 2009

Finally, it's official. There will be a special legislative session next month. Gov. Charlie Crist, not a proponent previously, is now on board. That (2008-09) $2.3 billion state budget hole - that could deepen to $3.8 billion or more in 2009-10 - plus possible harm to Florida's credit rating and Medicaid scenarios from hell has everyone finally fixated on a resolution. Presumably, everything is on the table, especially in a state that hasn't fundamentally changed its revenue-raising ways from the LeRoy Collins administration years. ...more

December 24, 2008

Florida Senate President Jeff Atwater and House Speaker Ray Sansom obviously are in denial. In setting a January special session to deal with the state's financial crisis on Monday, they retreated to the same old way of doing business - pledging only to target "spending reductions and trust fund transfers." ...more

December 17, 2008

A Seminole Heights agency for former women inmates and a Sulphur Springs center for children were among eight recipients of money from the Tampa Palms Women's Club. ...more

December 17, 2008

Eight charities received a total of $6,000 in donations recently from the Tampa Palms Women's Club. ...more

December 17, 2008

Raise Alcohol Levy Regarding "Raiding Fund Easy Out For Visionless Pols" (Our Opinion, Dec. 10): ...more

December 15, 2008

Democratic lawmakers want to raise the cigarette tax, and some Republicans are warming to the idea. Gov. Charlie Crist says he hasn't. ...more

December 11, 2008

The family of former Gov. Lawton Chiles said they will sue state leaders if they decide to raid the Lawton Chiles Endowment Fund for children and seniors in an attempt to balance the budget. ...more

December 7, 2008

As Tony Harris can tell you, picking out a Christmas tree for the governor is a big honor. ...more

December 3, 2008

Kindergartners help fell Florida-grown cedar ...more

December 3, 2008