As families and advocates ask Gov. Charlie Crist to veto budget cuts affecting the developmentally disabled, lawmakers are trying to find a way to restore at least some of those dollars. ...more

January 24, 2009

Although the Florida Legislature slashed budgets for schools, children's health care and living assistance for the elderly in its recent special session, it ignored a couple of easy fixes - loopholes in corporate tax law - that could have produced revenue to avoid some of the worst cuts. ...more

January 22, 2009

They may be teenagers, but they're not immune to concerns about the economy. ...more

January 21, 2009

We all know there is a need for cutbacks in the budget, nationally, on the state level, and even in our own homes, but I feel the State of Florida has gone too far in their budget cuts. I attended the District School Advisory Council meeting at the Highlands County School Board for January and came away disheartened at how little our children seem to mean to the State of Florida. According to the paperwork I received there, our state ranks 50th in school spending and the budget just keeps getting cut further. ...more

January 19, 2009

If given a choice, would Hillsborough County school employees choose layoffs and salary cuts to help close a multimillion-dollar deficit, or would they take a few days off without pay? ...more

January 17, 2009

If given a choice, would Hillsborough County school employees choose layoffs and salary cuts to help close a multimillion-dollar deficit, or would they take a few days off without pay? As the head of the teachers union put it, it's like asking, "Would you rather cut off your right arm or your left leg?" But the district wants their input. School officials circulated a survey to 25,000 employees this week, asking for their thoughts on the grim options they're considering to save as much as $55 million. ...more

January 16, 2009

If given a choice, would Hillsborough County school employees choose layoffs and salary cuts to help close a multimillion-dollar deficit, or would they take a few days off without pay? As the head of the teachers union put it, it's like asking, "Would you rather cut off your right arm or your left leg?" But the district wants their input. School officials circulated a survey to 25,000 employees this week, asking for their thoughts on the grim options they're considering to save as much as $55 million. ...more

January 15, 2009

About $400,000 for conservation land purchases in Highlands County this year will be lost if, as expected, the state legislature suspends the state's Florida Forever land conservation program. ...more

January 13, 2009

Preschoolers may find their summer classes a bit more crowded while speeders and other traffic violators can expect to be hit with steeper fines under separate deficit-elimination plans passed Friday by the Florida House and Senate. ...more

January 10, 2009

Principal Michael Hoskinson sent out a ParentLink phone message to Coleman Middle School parents saying there would be no cell phone tower erected on the school's campus. ...more

January 9, 2009