A Senate committee unanimously approved a proposed tobacco tax hike Thursday - but only after stripping out a $50 million earmark for Tampa's H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute. ...more

April 1, 2009

A Senate committee unanimously approved a proposed tobacco tax hike today – but only after stripping out a $50-million earmark for Tampa's H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute. ...more

March 31, 2009

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

The state's Prepaid Tuition Program could be harder to cancel under a new rule change proposed by a South Florida politician. ...more

March 4, 2009

It is the policy of The Tampa Tribune to correct all errors of fact. To report an error, call (813) 259-7600 or e-mail news@tampatrib.com. ...more

February 17, 2009

Florida lawmakers were split Thursday over spending cuts and fund shifts to resolve a budget deficit of at least $2.3 billion. ...more

January 9, 2009

Travis Munnerlyn just wanted to add on to his Orlando home to make room for grandchildren coming to live with him and his wife. A couple years later, Munnerlyn cannot make the increasing payments on his adjustable rate loan - not even close - and could lose the house. ...more

February 20, 2008

Even though Florida voters just approved a referendum to lower property taxes for some homeowners, legislation has been introduced to raise the taxes elsewhere: on cigarettes. Rep. Jim Waldman, D-Coconut Creek, has introduced a bill to raise the tax on cigarettes by $1. Sen Ted Deutch, D-Boca Raton, plans to introduce a similar bill in the Senate. ...more

February 15, 2008

State legislatures have for years had a habit of increasing "sin taxes" - mostly on liquor and tobacco - to raise revenue. This year will be no different. ...more

February 13, 2008