The Florida Senate appears to have come to consensus on a $1 a pack cigarette tax increase, plus comparable taxes on other tobacco products including cigars - news that raised an alarm for Tampa's cigar industry Monday. ...more

March 31, 2009

The state Senate appears to have consensus on increasing taxes on tobacco products. ...more

March 30, 2009

Nearly 12 years after Florida's historic victory that sent the Marlboro Man riding into the sunset on Joe Camel, it's time to update Florida's tobacco policy to ensure Florida's newest members of the Big Tobacco club pay their fair share. ...more

March 23, 2009

The federal stimulus package includes important provisions related to the administration of Florida's Medicaid program. The stimulus bill provides a temporary increase in the federal match of Medicaid costs, which means Florida will pay a lower share for Medicaid services. ...more

March 22, 2009

The government's new stimulus plan offers tax breaks that will help millions of taxpayers when they do their 2009 returns next year. ...more

March 6, 2009

After a challenging 2008, Highlands Today asked some government officials their assessments of the budget situation for next year. ...more

December 23, 2008

1 in 6 Low-income people are covered by Medicaid 50 Percent of Medicaid enrollees are children ...more

December 22, 2008

Billionaires Ross Perot and Boone Pickens have far more in common than their bank accounts. ...more

July 17, 2008

Like it or hate it, Medicaid reform probably isn't in Tampa's near future. ...more

December 7, 2007

When the last state administration rolled out a Medicaid reform plan in 2005, proponents painted a bright picture of choice, quality and cost containment. As the Tribune noted ("Weakness in Medicaid Reform Portends No Expansion," Our Opinion, Oct. 28), the bright claims now ring hollow. ...more

November 6, 2007