Seeking to dispel the notion of a do-nothing legislative session, Senate President Jeff Atwater today outlined an energetic program of education reforms and less-specific programs of deregulation to create jobs. ...more

March 2, 2010

No sooner had John Thrasher won the 8th District Florida Senate seat this past November than he's been catapulted to frontrunner candidate to become the next chairman of the Republican Party of Florida (RPOF), enthusiastically supported by a number of state Republican power-takers, including Jeff Atwater, Senate president. ...more

February 18, 2010

It's the cities and counties versus the Legislature. On Wednesday, the Florida Association of Counties sued House Speaker Larry Cretul and Senate President Jeff Atwater in Leon County Circuit Court over a new law that revises how impact fees can be challenged. ...more

February 12, 2010

With more than 1 million residents out of work, state lawmakers are trying to concoct the right blend of business incentives to bring jobs to Florida. ...more

February 6, 2010

Gov. Charlie Crist proposed a state budget this morning that restores the back-to-school sales tax holiday and boosts spending on schools and the environment while cutting business taxes -- priorities that lawmakers say they share but may not be able to pay for this year. ...more

January 29, 2010

Frances Haithcock, Florida's chancellor for K-12 public schools, is the rare public official who has the courage to tell parents the painful truth: Earning a high school diploma doesn't necessarily prepare a student for college. ...more

January 26, 2010

Gov. Charlie Crist said today that he'll delay an increase in the state's workers compensation tax until lawmakers can reduce it. ...more

January 21, 2010

a stinging defeat for Gov. Charlie Crist in his home county. ...more

January 19, 2010

Many thanks Editor: Thanks to all the people who attended our Friends of the NRA event. It drew more than 350 people, the largest number ever to attend an FNRA fundraiser and dinner in Pasco. Specials thanks in particular to Florida Senate President Jeff Atwater, who led the invocation, and former House Speaker Marco Rubio, who led the Pledge of Allegiance. ...more

December 23, 2009

The state's transportation future will be shaped this week by one clear, difficult choice. If modern passenger rail service is to come to Florida any time soon, the Legislature must pass a new law in special session that sets up a statewide structure to oversee and help pay for regional and city-to-city trains. ...more

December 6, 2009