Florida's state and local governments have given away more than $1 billion in incentives to lure biotechnology firms to the state, but a startling new report raises serious doubts about the state's deep-pocket strategy. The grim fact is Florida is losing ground in the biotech race. ...more

July 3, 2008

As if dealing with a delinquent tenant wasn't bad enough. Starting today, Florida landlords will have to pay more to file eviction notices - nearly 240 percent more. ...more

July 1, 2008

Fifteen years ago, a disastrous flood swept through the Midwest, causing an estimated $20 billion in flood damage, nearly 50 deaths and untold trauma to the hundreds of thousands whose homes were damaged or destroyed. Today we see the same kind of flooding in many of the same areas. Twenty-four deaths have been attributed to this year's floods, and economic damage is escalating into the billions of dollars. The flooding of cropland has already been reflected in rising commodity prices and will soon hit grocery store prices. Tens of thousands of people have seen their homes destroyed. ...more

June 30, 2008

The recent filing of a federal lawsuit is aimed at qualifying Florida Hometown Democracy for this year's election. Should the court order Hometown Democracy onto the ballot, it will validate what the over 820,000 people who have already signed petitions know - that the people must have the power to make major growth decisions directly. State and local governments have shown no ability to stand up to the development industry. ...more

June 26, 2008

Florida has managed to create a small scientific research industry that has put the state on the life sciences map, even if its industry is tiny when compared with Boston or San Diego. ...more

June 13, 2008

Chutzpah is such a wonderful thing, especially if you are a politician, when your plate overflows with the stuff. ...more

May 21, 2008

The economy in general, and the housing market in particular, is in less than ideal shape, forcing state and local governments and school districts to cut spending and in some cases eliminate jobs. The horrendous tragedy Cyclone Nargis inflicted on the Southeast Asian nation Myanmar is sending the Suncoast a sobering reminder that the start of the 2008 Atlantic Hurricane season is less than three weeks away. To top all that off, the price of a gallon of gasoline is near the $4 level. ...more

May 10, 2008

Imagine collecting your full retirement pension while still earning your full paycheck from the same employer. To do that in the private sector, you'd probably have to retire and find a new job. ...more

February 26, 2008

State Rep. Ed Homan said Wednesday that he plans to file legislation to stop Florida from paying CSX Transportation for railroad crossing maintenance and flagmen on public road projects. ...more

January 24, 2008

TAMPA - Former FEMA Director Michael Brown was in Tampa today to address a conference of property restoration businesses and shared his thoughts on Hurricane Katrina, Tampa's vulnerability to hurricanes, airport security and other topics. ...more

January 17, 2008