If Gov. Charlie Crist signs the bill, college tuition would rise by 5 percent in January. The increase, passed Friday by the Legislature, is part of an effort to make state spending comply with a revenue shortfall, which has been blamed partly on the housing market downturn. ...more

October 13, 2007

House and Senate budget leaders Monday finalized an agreement to cut about $1.l billion in state spending. The two legislative chambers will vote on it Friday in what should be a mere formality. ...more

October 9, 2007

SEBRING –– Old State Road 8 is too narrow, too bumpy and, in some places, sometimes under water. For Highlands County's plan to reconstruct this road over the next year, the state giveth $2.3 million. County officials are hoping the state, facing a billion-dollar revenue shortfall, won't taketh away. The fate of this project rides on the special 10-day session of the Florida Legislature starting tomorrow. Legislators and Gov. Charlie Christ need to chop $1.1 billion in spending to balance the budget. Highlands County Engineer Ramon Gavarrete said the reconstruction of Old State Road 8 isn't expected to get the "ax." But, he said, nothing will be certain until the Legislature finishes its budget cutting. ...more

October 2, 2007

TAMPA - Bay area auto insurance agents still don't know what to tell customers about changes in coverage that went into effect this morning. ...more

October 1, 2007

TAMPA - Bay area auto insurance agents still don't know what to tell customers about changes in coverage that went into effect this morning. State lawmakers have allowed the 36-year-old personal-injury-protection insurance to sunset. ...more

October 1, 2007

Is the county board taking the easy way out? We applaud the proposed lowering of the tax millage by a total 1.57 mils, which looks like it will fly tonight at the final budget hearing. But is this all a shell game? ...more

September 26, 2007

LAND O' LAKES - The Pasco County School Board gave final approval Tuesday evening to a $1.3 billion budget for 2007-08. ...more

September 12, 2007