Charlie Crist released his official proposal to transfer $672 million from the stabilization fund to cover the shortfall in general revenue. ...more

August 29, 2008

Five years after bombings forced the United Nations to pull out of Iraq, the world body is back. It announced plans Wednesday to help Iraq rebuild and create jobs after complaints the government has been unable or unwilling to spend its oil riches. ...more

August 14, 2008

Home prices are in free fall. Unemployment is rising. Consumer confidence is plumbing depths not seen since 1980. When will it all end? ...more

July 22, 2008

Here we go again. Seaside Sanitation is looking for another raise. They just got one a little while back. With their threat, they would stop collections unless they get the increase ...more

July 6, 2008

A civil liberties group filed a lawsuit Friday seeking an injunction against the District of Columbia police department's vehicle checkpoint program, calling the "military-style" initiative unconstitutional and ineffective. ...more

June 21, 2008

Wouldn't it be nice if we could just wish this bad economy away? Actually, that's not too far from the truth – at lease locally. Much of what ails the Highlands County economy is consumer confidence, not any one particular factor beyond our control with the possible exception of gas prices. William Pittenger, senior vice president and chief real estate economist with Seacoast National Bank, recently told members of the Lake Placid Chamber of Commerce that the local economy isn't as bad as a lot of people believe, and that with a better outlook, it could turn around much quicker. Pittenger is right about that. Our economy depends on consumers feeling confident to purchase goods. If they are scared jobs might not be there tomorrow, consumers are much less likely to spend. It's a self-fulfilling prophecy. ...more

June 18, 2008

Judging by some of the national media reports on the state of the housing market, many people probably are thinking that now's not the best time to buy a home, says Bob Glaser, president of Smith & Associates. He disagrees, arguing that, unlike other parts of the country, the Tampa Bay area's economy is strong, which makes the housing market more resilient. ...more

December 23, 2007