• Michael Peltier: Energy emissions up, more people to blame Published 11/15/2009 at 5:15 p.m.

  On one hand, Florida is one of the major contributors of greenhouse gases in the United States. On the other hand, we are, at least individually, not creating any more atmospheric trouble then we did nearly a generation ago.

• Michael Peltier: Election supervisors want relief Published 11/08/2009 at 6:40 p.m.

  Already footing the tab for recent changes to voting systems as state officials looked to bolster confidence in Florida’s election process for 2008, supervisors of elections are asking state lawmakers to push back a deadline to provide new voting equipment ...

• Michael Peltier: Oil talk returns to Tallahassee this week Published 11/01/2009 at 5:40 p.m.

  The debate over offshore drilling returns to Tallahassee this week as members of the House panel looking into the issue meet to begin crafting a bill to open up state waters to oil and gas exploration. The meeting, scheduled for ...

• Michael Peltier: Hudson says blackjack must stay at Immokalee casino Published 10/25/2009 at 4:26 p.m.

  For Matt Hudson, it’s all about jobs for the people in his district. The Naples Republican House member expressed that rationale succinctly when asked last week for his reaction to a letter written by his House leader that asks the ...

• Michael Peltier: State, national economy attempting to make a recovery Published 10/18/2009 at 4:37 p.m.

  Florida’s unemployment inched up in September to 11.0 percent as the state continues to be dogged by a sluggish economy that shed 360,000 jobs from a year ago. The rate, the highest since October 1975, was 4.3 percentage points higher ...

• Michael Peltier: State lawmakers battling DCA secretary over growth Published 10/11/2009 at 6 p.m.

  Civics books often tell you how it’s supposed to work. Legislators make law and, if the governor approves, civil servants carry them out. In reality, however, it’s not always quite so straight forward. An ongoing feud between lawmakers and a ...

• Michael Peltier: Score one for open records Published 10/04/2009 at 6:11 p.m.

  In a case that open record advocates say has sweeping ramifications, an appellate court has ruled against the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) in its investigation over academic cheating among some athletes at Florida State University.

• Michael Peltier: Collier case has statewide interest Published 09/27/2009 at 5:08 p.m.

  Clerks of court around the state are eyeing with interest a long simmering Collier County case that may bolster their ability to remain watchdog of the public’s money. A ruling made last week in the Second District Court of Appeal ...

• Michael Peltier: Pro-life drive begins again Published 09/13/2009 at 3:58 p.m.

  Mirroring campaigns in other states, a group calling itself Personhood Florida has begun the lengthy process to put a pro-life issue before voters as early as 2010. The ballot language reads: “The words “person” and “natural person” apply to all ...

• Michael Peltier: Budget picture to stay cloudy Published 09/06/2009 at 5:51 p.m.

  A top legislative economist has cautioned state lawmakers that they will need an additional $2.8 billion in general revenue next budget year just to pay for critical programs as the state continues to pull its way out of recession.

• House leader wants Feds to shut down blackjack, card games at Seminole casinos Published 10/21/2009 at 12:03 p.m.

  House Speaker Larry Cretul on Wednesday asked the federal agency regulating Indian gambling to force the Seminole Tribe to shut down blackjack and other card games at its Immokalee casino until the state hammers out a compact with the tribe.

• Capital Column: Cabinet decision has statewide growth impact Published 09/20/2009 at 3:45 p.m.

  The case may have been about a piece of central Florida horse country, but a unanimous vote cast last week by Gov. Charlie Crist and the cabinet sent a loud message to local governments and developers from Pensacola to Naples.

• Dog deal: Track owners upset about new Seminole Casino proposal Published 09/01/2009 at 12:49 p.m.

  rack owners say Tuesday the deal reached by Gov. Charlie Crist and the Seminole Tribe of Florida is a one-sided pact that hurts non-Indian pari-mutuels around the state, including the Naples-Fort Myers Greyhound Track.

• Crist picks ex-aide George LeMieux to replace Sen. Mel Martinez REACTION Updated 08/28/2009 at 7:44 p.m.

  Gov. Charlie Crist chose trust and loyalty Friday over Washington experience or potential political gain in choosing former chief of staff George LeMieux to replace Republican U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez.

• Some State Farm customers to see higher rates Published 08/06/2009 at 6:45 p.m.

  State regulators Thursday approved a slate of requests from State Farm Florida Insurance Co. that will raise premiums for homeowners by an average of 28.4 percent.

• Michael Peltier: Fundraising gearing up for 2010 elections Published 07/12/2009 at 6:01 p.m.

  The 2010 elections are still more than a year away, but it’s never too early to start raising money. Southwest Florida lawmakers joined their colleagues in raising funds for their upcoming reelection bids. Though like many of their fellow lawmakers, ...

• Lee County, others, challenge state's growth law Published 07/08/2009 at 8:58 p.m.

  Calling it unfunded and unconstitutional, a coalition of local governments including Lee County on Wednesday asked the courts to throw out a new growth management law they say will leave them holding the bag. Six weeks after Gov. Charlie Crist ...

• Michael Peltier: House leader pledges more efficient session Published 07/05/2009 at 4:11 p.m.

  Florida’s Speaker of the House says lawmakers can be more efficient in how they handle the state’s business and can spend less time — and taxpayer money — in the process. Meeting with business leaders last week, House Speaker Larry ...

• Michael Peltier: Battle over voters having say in local comprehensive plans heats up Published 06/21/2009 at 6:33 p.m.

  The battle over a proposed amendment requiring voters to approve local comprehensive plan amendments moves from the courtroom to the ballot box. This comes after a Florida Supreme Court ruling that clears the way for an expected clash on the ...

• Michael Peltier: Sen. Richter named Chamber’s most valuable lawmaker Published 06/14/2009 at 3:55 p.m.

  Citing his support of business issues including pro-business workers’ compensation legislation, the Florida Chamber of Commerce named Sen. Garrett Richter its most valuable lawmaker for 2009. The Naples Republican received the Chamber’s highest legislative award for his work as chairman ...

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