ENVIRONMENT | FLORIDA LEGISLATURE

Florida Forever land protection faces budget ax

Legislative leaders plan to freeze the Florida Forever program that has saved some of the state's choicest lands. 1231477280

Florida Legislature expected to slash hospital budgets

Florida's legislators will vote Thursday on two plans to close the state's $2.3 billion deficit by slashing programs that, some hospital officials say, could set off a statewide healthcare system crisis.

LEGISLATURE

Florida budget cuts impact schools, social services

As budget cuts move forward in the Legislature, the pinch is being felt in classrooms, nursing homes and even identity-theft investigations.

FLORIDA LEGISLATURE

Florida House Speaker Ray Sansom quits college post

Florida House Speaker Ray Sansom resigned from his job at a college amid criticism over money he steered to the school.

STATE BUDGET

Budget crisis getting worse, Florida lawmakers are told

Lawmakers returned to Tallahassee to cut the state budget and close the deficit but were greeted with more bad financial news.

FLORIDA LEGISLATURE

Florida Legislature about to chop budgets for education, other services

The Legislature will tackle the state's budget crisis Monday by cutting programs and borrowing money, but tougher measures likely loom in March.

LEGISLATURE | ETHICS COMPLAINT

Florida House Speaker Ray Sansom hires attorney in ethics case

An ethics complaint against House Speaker Ray Sansom has prompted the lawmaker to hire a high-profile attorney.

LEGISLATURE

Florida Legislature to hear public's views on budget cuts

As the Legislature heads into a special session on the state's budget crisis, lawmakers will offer the public a chance to speak out on proposed cuts.

TALLAHASSEE

Northwest Florida State College has a friend in Legislature

E-mail shows close ties between House Speaker Ray Sansom and Northwest Florida State College, where Sansom landed a job.

TALLAHASSEE

Gov. Crist's budget plan spends savings

Gov. Charlie Crist's plan to close a budget shortfall includes tapping into the state's savings accounts.

FLORIDA SUPREME COURT

Second Cuban American in running for Florida Supreme Court seat

First out of the running for the Florida Supreme Court, Jorge Labarga now has an interview scheduled for Wednesday.

Weston lawmaker Franklin Sands among Madoff's victims

Weston legislator Franklin Sands -- Democratic leader of the Florida House -- said Monday he and his wife Leslie Sands are among investment advisor Bernard Madoff's victims. He didn't specify their loss but said it's ''significant'' and that he is assessing his options for recovery.

THE LEGISLATURE

Lawmakers cash in with campus jobs

Former and current lawmakers are finding employment at community colleges and state universities, even in times of cutbacks and curbs on enrollment.

GAMBLING

Powerful forces oppose Seminoles' gambling expansion

New pressure is mounting to stop the Seminoles' expansion of blackjack throughout Florida.

LEGISLATURE

Crist offers up ideas for balancing budget, sparing services

Gov. Charlie Crist has a plan to eliminate Florida's $2.3 billion budget shortfall without cutting services too deeply. Will lawmakers approve?

MIAMI-DADE SCHOOL BOARD

Miami-Dade School Board lobbies Tallahassee over spending

Miami-Dade's school board blitzed the state Capitol for two days asking legislators to spare classrooms from further cuts, but in tight budget times, was it enough?

INSURANCE

Firms keep eye on workers comp rates

A hearing on an insurance group's request to raise workers compensation rates promises to be the first of many fights between big business and trial attorneys.

LEGISLATURE

Big Tobacco moves closer to tax hike. But there's a catch.

With the state budget crisis worsening, a higher cigarette tax might be coming -- if Big Tobacco can get lawmakers to raise fees on an Opa-locka rival.

FLORIDA LEGISLATURE

Florida Legislature sets special budget crisis session

At a special session early next month, legislators will focus on cutting the budget and closing funding gaps.