Restoring money cut last year to prison education programs and increasing money to programs that would help prepare inmates to re-enter society are some of the top priorities for The Department of Corrections, the department's top official said Wednesday. ...more

November 19, 2008

First came the banks looking for a federal rescue plan to stay afloat. Next it was the automakers seeking a bailout. And now state governments say they, too, need emergency federal assistance to remain solvent. ...more

November 17, 2008

Sen. Robert Byrd, the longest-serving senator in history, is stepping down from his cherished post as chairman of the Appropriations Committee. ...more

November 8, 2008

In a time of dwindling budgets, Pinellas County Sheriff Jim Coats has salvaged two inmate rehabilitation programs by rolling them into one and having his staff do the work rather than outside contractors. ...more

October 27, 2008

More than three-fourths of the 7,500 developmentally disabled people scheduled to lose benefits this month have appealed the cuts, said a spokeswoman with the state Agency for Persons with Disabilities. ...more

October 13, 2008

A federal judge has ordered mediation of a lawsuit by a public access television network against the Hillsborough County Commission over $355,000 in budget cuts to the station. ...more

October 10, 2008

Q: Can a board of directors approve a special assessment simply to balance a budget? The members have been assessed what amounts to an additional fiscal quarter because the new board members have determined that there is a shortfall. Shouldn't a full membership vote be required for any assessments not deemed an emergency by the governor? BR, Naples ...more

October 5, 2008

The city will change the way it determines how much to increase water, sewer and sanitation rates each year if the city council approves an ordinance up for debate on Monday. ...more

October 5, 2008

I am writing to you today to express my opinion on an important subject. Music Programs across the country are having their budgets cut by lack of funding. ...more

September 30, 2008

The planned across-the-board 3 percent pay raises for Highlands County employees could be out the door, replaced by 2 percent raises. ...more

September 12, 2008