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 only thing more distressing than the increasingly darkening state budget picture in Tallahassee is the utter lack of leadership and problem-solving skills being shown by Gov. Charlie Crist and the Florida Legislature. ...more

December 10, 2008

PLANT CITY The Hillsborough County legislative delegation will hear public testimony this morning on a bill designed to crack down on predatory towing companies. The legislation would give Hillsborough's Public Transportation Commission enforcement powers over towing companies that target cars on private business property without the owner's written permission. ...more

December 2, 2008

State budget cuts put an end to summer FCAT retakes, reducing the opportunities for struggling high school students to pass the state assessment test. ...more

November 28, 2008

Every year, city and county government officials and civic groups make pitches to Hillsborough County's state legislators for money. They come with requests for road, water and redevelopment projects, and seeking state tax dollars for local issues. ...more

November 28, 2008

Sarah Palin is juggling offers to write books, appear in films and sit on dozens of interview couches at a rate astonishing for most Hollywood stars, let alone a first-term governor. ...more

November 22, 2008

Bad economic news flooded in from all directions Friday, as state economists predicted tax collections would come up short by $1.4 billion and new figures showed that unemployment had soared to 7 percent. ...more

November 22, 2008

Florida's revenue could plummet $1.5 billion lower than predicted a few months ago -- to $3.3 billion -- a conference of state economists suggested this morning. ...more

November 21, 2008

Although his name won't even be on the ballot Nov. 4, Spring Hill lawyer Jason Melton figures he still has a good chance of defeating Robert Schenck for the District 44 state House seat. ...more

October 19, 2008

OK, so it's not Sarah Palin trying to sell a state plane on eBay, but these tough economic times are prompting the state of Florida to sell off this 1985 Beechcraft King Air 300 twin-engine plane through a closed-bid sale. Estimated resale value: $1.94 million. ...more

October 17, 2008