Florida has turned its back on major problems for years, which has helped make this year's budget crisis harder to manage. ...more

March 1, 2009

Here's hoping that the most significant event to come out of the upcoming legislative session is not the formal debut of newly anointed House Speaker Larry Cretul. The Ocala Republican takes over for Ray Sansom, whose Funnel Vision finally caught up with him. ...more

February 11, 2009

Here's hoping that the most significant event to come out of the upcoming legislative session is not the formal debut of newly anointed House Speaker Larry Cretul. The Ocala Republican takes over for Ray Sansom, whose Funnel Vision finally caught up with him. ...more

February 11, 2009

Finally, it's official. There will be a special legislative session next month. Gov. Charlie Crist, not a proponent previously, is now on board. That (2008-09) $2.3 billion state budget hole - that could deepen to $3.8 billion or more in 2009-10 - plus possible harm to Florida's credit rating and Medicaid scenarios from hell has everyone finally fixated on a resolution. Presumably, everything is on the table, especially in a state that hasn't fundamentally changed its revenue-raising ways from the LeRoy Collins administration years. ...more

December 24, 2008

Charlie Crist, who was considered a possible running mate to Republican presidential candidate John McCain before Sarah Palin got the nod, is one of several Florida governors who had a chance at the second top spot and lost it. ...more

September 14, 2008

Gov. Charlie Crist, we are continuously reminded, is on a roll. The popular Republican hybrid has been riding high since hitting the daily double with John McCain and Amendment 1. ...more

February 13, 2008

Gov. Charlie Crist, we are continuously reminded, is on a roll. The popular Republican hybrid has been riding high since hitting the daily double with John McCain and Amendment 1. ...more

February 11, 2008

No matter what economic surprises await over the horizon, the Florida Chamber of Commerce Foundation is right that a cornerstone of smart planning must include a vigorous quest for the best jobs and an increased emphasis on excellence in education. ...more

December 20, 2007

Florida's lawmakers are once again scrambling to shore up the state budget in the face of a slumping economy. It's human nature to deal with the here and now. But what's needed - and desperately so - is a plan for the long haul, not just the next election cycle. ...more

November 20, 2007

If you've ever wondered why the University of South Florida got its name, look no further than to the newspaper you're reading. ...more

October 17, 2007