Author: News Service of Florida

TALLAHASSEE — Senate President Mike Haridopolos on Wednesday downplayed claims by Florida business groups who contend jobless workers are gaming the unemployment compensation system to receive benefits. “There might be a small few that are gaming it, and that’s what…

TALLAHASSEE — House Speaker Dean Cannon said Wednesday he thinks it will be very difficult to cut taxes this year, agreeing in principle with earlier remarks by Senate President Mike Haridopolos. "If there's a way they can be reduced and…

Florida tourism officials told Gov. Charlie Crist in no uncertain terms Wednesday they need cash now to save the Panhandle hospitality industry that has been decimated by the threat of oil-soaked beaches that do not exist. Visit Florida board members…

Gov. Charlie Crist is exploring adding renewable energy measures to a special session he may call to put on the November ballot a constitutional ban on oil-drilling in Florida’s gulf waters. Crist spoke Monday with Senate President Jeff Atwater, R-North…

More than half of Florida's residential property insurers lost money last year, in addition to the three that became insolvent and were shut down, insurance agents said Wednesday, adding ammunition to their push for higher property coverage rates. The Florida…

Florida could lose a total of 315,000 jobs by 2010 with unemployment rising as high as 8.4 percent, a University of Central Florida economist projected Thursday. Sean Snaith, director of UCF’s Institute for Economic Competitiveness, forecasts that unemployment will peak…

With prices off 24 percent from where they were just a year ago, Florida homebuyers are scooping up bargains. Existing home sales rose again in October, increasing 15 percent over what they were in October 2007, the Florida Association of…

TALLAHASSEE — Gov. Charlie Crist said Tuesday that an executive order putting a moratorium on foreclosures for the holiday season could come as early as next week. Crist said he discussed the proposal with Florida Bankers Association president Alex Sanchez…

Florida House Republicans Wednesday morning began a three day retreat at the posh WaterColor resort in SeaGrove to discuss their priorities for the upcoming legislative session. The retreat is paid for entirely by the Republican Party, with no state tax…

A glitch in Florida’s tax code may cost corporations the benefits of a recent federal economic stimulus package and state lawmakers need to fix it now, Florida TaxWatch urged on Monday. If lawmakers don’t fix the glitch, corporations may lose…

In the wake of a Florida Supreme Court hearing that will allow for higher attorney fees in some cases, the organization that makes rate filings for workers compensation insurers in Florida says it will ask regulators next month to raise…

PANAMA CITY – A federal judge on Thursday dismissed a challenge to the federal environmental permit needed to continue work on the new Panama City – Bay County International Airport. The final order was issued by the U.S. District Court’s…

Lobbyist Michael Dobson of Tallahassee has entered an agreement to pay back a client for work that he allegedly didn't do to settle two claims against him filed with the House.    Rep. Jimmy Patronis, R-Panama City, filed a complaint…

JACKSONVILLE — The St. Joe Company (NYSE:JOE) announced today that it will host an interactive conference call to review the company’s results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2008. The conference call will be held on Tuesday, November 4,…

TALLAHASSEE – Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum today announced that Florida and several other states have reached a multimillion dollar agreement in principle with Countrywide, a newly-acquired subsidiary of Bank of America. The agreement includes a $150 million foreclosure relief…