In their zeal not to raise taxes, Florida lawmakers continue to look at selected fee increases as a way to cover the state's looming $5.7 billion budget deficit. ...more

March 27, 2009

In their zeal not to raise taxes, Florida lawmakers continue to look at selected fee increases as a way to cover the state's looming $5.7 billion budget deficit. ...more

March 26, 2009

The group that had been exploring the feasibility of turning the Palm Harbor area into a city announced Wednesday morning that it is calling a halt to its efforts for this year. ...more

March 25, 2009

State Sen. Dave Aronberg said he felt embarrassed when Kentucky's lieutenant governor called, urging him to help stop the flow of prescription narcotics out of Florida. ...more

March 22, 2009

The power drain on the wallets of Progress Energy Florida customers will drop some $15 to $18 a month on typical bills by April. Even so, state lawmakers could turn the lights out on a fee the utility began charging for preconstruction costs of a nuclear power plant that could take another decade to complete. ...more

March 21, 2009

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has given the go-ahead for construction to begin on a regional hurricane shelter and health care clinic planned for Arthur F. Engle Memorial Park. ...more

March 20, 2009

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has given the go-ahead for construction to begin on a regional hurricane shelter and health care clinic that will be built in Arthur F. Engle Memorial Park. FEMA sent an approval letter Wednesday to the Florida Division of Emergency Management, the office of state Sen. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey, reported. ...more

March 19, 2009

Key elements of a bill meant to protect people who work for police as confidential informants were stripped out of the legislation Wednesday at the insistence of law enforcement agencies. ...more

March 19, 2009

It's understandable that some Republican lawmakers in Pasco County are upset with school board member Cathi Martin, whose current term has been marred by numerous missed meetings. Everyone should be. ...more

March 16, 2009

Moved by the story of a terrorized local woman, Tampa Bay area state legislators are pushing to increase legal protections for victims of abuse or harassment by someone they dated. ...more

March 15, 2009