TAMPA - Battle lines in the Amendment 1 skirmish were clearly set in the days leading up to the vote Tuesday. ...more

January 30, 2008

On Jan. 29 the voters of Highlands County will be deciding on an amendment to the Florida Constitution which, if passed, will result in some property tax relief. Is it everything we need in tax reform? No! However it does provide much needed relief to Florida residents who are "stranded" in their homesteads, unable to move to either a larger or smaller home because they would lose the protection they have accrued over the years through the Save Our Homes exemption. Amendment 1 will, if approved, make Save Our Homes portable. If the amendment passes, a young family will be able to take their lower tax rate with them when they outgrow their residence and purchase a larger home. A retired couple will be able to "downsize" without running the risk of doubling or tripling (or worse!) their current property tax bills. ...more

January 27, 2008

Governor Crist and the Legislature are not dumb people. They have to know, deep down, that a state can't lock in property tax rates at 1995 levels for 40 percent of its tax base and survive for very long in an economic and real estate downturn. Common sense needs to make a comeback in the economics of our state, and common sense tells us that Amendment One is in no way a serious attempt at true property tax reform for the future of the state of Florida and our own hometown communities. ...more

January 25, 2008

The state's university oversight board today ordered its schools to begin cutting enrollment as a budget deficit threatens the quality of higher education in Florida. ...more

January 24, 2008

On Tuesday, Jan. 29, the residents of Florida have an opportunity to complete two important tasks. One is to select a nominee for their political party to run for president of the United States. The second, and perhaps more important to their financial well-being, is their vote on Amendment 1. ...more

January 22, 2008

Leave it to lawmakers to try to ruin a smart state program that rewards Florida's most committed teachers. ...more

January 5, 2008

The plaintiffs fighting for the Board of Governors' right to set public university tuition in Florida have no standing to sue the Legislature unless they can show otherwise, a Leon County judge ruled today. ...more

January 3, 2008

Task Forces To Nowhere Regarding "Pipeline Of Seniors To Florida Slows" (front page, Dec. 20): ...more

December 29, 2007

Folks, once again we've been had. We elected leaders who said they would take all the insurance companies in Florida by the lobes of their ears, drag them to the courts and force them to reduce the exorbitant rates being levied upon us. ...more

December 20, 2007

SEBRING — The Highlands County Legislative Delegation will hold its annual meeting and public hearing from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 5 at the Highlands County Commission chambers, 600 S. Commerce. "This hearing is specifically designed to encourage the public to personally address their legislators on their concerns and issues involving state government," said Sen. J.D. Alexander, R-Lake Wales. ...more

December 2, 2007