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MONDAY, SEPT. 24, 2007
TALLAHASSEE:
Florida Democrats to Defy Party On Primary [Sun-Sentinel]
Florida Democratic leaders threw down the gauntlet Sunday on the Democratic National Committee, pledging to move ahead with the state's Jan. 29 presidential primary even if it means losing all delegates to the nominating convention.
Related article:
TAMPA BAY:
Host of Builders Bleeding Greenbacks [St. Petersburg Times]
Two years ago, builders were making a ton of money. Today, they are happy to break even.
For most home builders in the Tampa Bay area, the gold mine of 2005 has turned into the money pit of 2007.
Related articles:
STATEWIDE:
Look for More Private-Invested Roads, Tolls [Sun-Sentinel]
A stretch of Alligator Alley, the BeachLine Expressway in Central Florida and the Sunshine Skyway Bridge across Tampa Bay could be leased to private investors under a plan being considered by Gov. Charlie Crist.
In exchange for a 50-year lease to run the toll plazas and maintain the roadways, a private vendor could raise tolls from $2 to as much as $10 within a decade, records from the governor's office show.
More on this topic from Florida Trend:
FORT MYERS:
Death Is the Life of Body Farm Advocate [Miami Herald]
A forensic anthropologist who works among the dead is trying to establish a body farm in Florida for the scientific study of donated corpses.
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
›Deal Cut In Effort to Keep No-Fault [Palm Beach Post]
In a closed-door meeting in Gov. Charlie Crist's office Friday afternoon, lobbyists representing hospitals, auto accident treatment clinics, trial lawyers, chiropractors and insurers were told that a compromise had been reached.
›Business Thrives On Graying Market [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
A consultant who specializes in the needs of seniors says other states are trying to draw retirees away from Florida.
›Medical Campus Sits In Maze of Confusion [Miami Herald]
UM's growing but disjointed medical campus seeks a prescription to improve its surroundings. Related from Florida Trend: Med School Startups
›2 Are Leading Drive to Rein in Florida Development [Orlando Sentinel]
Lesley Blackner is the public face of Florida Hometown Democracy, a statewide petition drive whose goal is to rein in Florida's rampant development. Related from Florida Trend: Who's Lesley Blackner?
›Where Have All the Techies Gone? [St. Petersburg Times]
For many potential hires, the luster of information technology careers has faded because of misperception about job availability.
›Swampland Sales Mired In Court Duel [Palm Beach Post]
Like thousands of others who want a slice of South Florida sunshine, William and Betsy Guthrie hoped to get theirs by investing $8,200 in 1981 on an acre-and-a-third of northern Palm Beach County swampland.
›Seminoles Keep Gaming Suit Alive [Miami Herald]
The Seminole Tribe still wants to reach an agreement with Florida to add new games to its casinos, but if no compact is reached, the tribe is pursuing a lawsuit that could bypass the state.
›State's Bet On Storm Season Is Paying Off [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
Trying to cut insurance rates, the state agreed to pick up as much as $32 billion in risk -- that is $10 billion more than the state's total debt.
›Panama City Divided as Boot-Camp Trial Begins [Tallahassee Democrat]
The court action comes after protest marches on the Capitol, a sit-in at the governor's office, the release of two conflicting medical examiners' reports and a controversial $5 million settlement by the state to Martin Lee Anderson's parents.
›Violent Times Take a Toll On Business [Florida Times-Union]
Rare is the day we're spared hearing about, or even seeing, violence in Jacksonville.
›Opinion: Florida's Biggest Shame - The Big Con [Orlando Sentinel]
St. Johns River Water Management District went back on its promise not to sell land to a developer.
›Recession May Be Good for What Ails Us [Palm Beach Post]
Not too many experts will come right out and say so but a minority chorus has long argued that the Fed should reverse the easy policy that successively fueled a dot-com boom, a consumer spree and an unprecedented surge in the housing market.
›Bright Futures Draws Fire Despite Success [Daytona Beach News-Journal]
Mark Rosenberg, chancellor of the State University System, describes the setup as "totally upside down." About $400 million in lottery funds will cover this year's merit-based Bright Futures Scholarships. That's about three times as much money as the state will spend on need-based aid.
›USF Officials Urge Calm After Meningitis Infects Student [Tampa Tribune]
Lots of students have been calling since school officials announced Saturday night that a USF co-ed had meningitis. Not to worry, they say. Related: USF student dies of meningitis
›Employers Offering Perks to Attract Workers to S. Florida [Sun-Sentinel]
The costs of housing, insurance and property taxes are prompting bigger relocation packages and sign-on bonuses. Businesses also are asking existing employees to refer new workers, offering thousands of dollars in incentives.
›Effort to Curb Fla. Petitions Draws Fire [Lakeland Ledger]
Lawmakers, with some help from voters, have made it more difficult in the past three years for citizens to change the state's constitution.
›Florida Unemployment Continues Creeping Up [AP]
Florida's unemployment rate ticked up slightly again in August to 4 percent, the highest it has been since April 2005, the state's Agency for Workforce Innovation said Friday.
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