With news breaking on Friday that the unemployment rate in Florida dropped to 10.6 percent, Republicans and conservatives at the state and national levels looked to blame President Barack Obama and Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, who is up for a third term in 2012, for the Sunshine State continuing to lag behind the rest of the nation in job recovery.
Despite critics' cries of "nuclear socialism," the Florida Public Service Commission is expected to approve $337 million in utility rate hikes on Monday.
Florida Power & Light and Progress Energy are seeking "early cost recovery" increases to kick-start four proposed nuclear reactors on the east and west coasts. Under state law, utilities can seek rate hikes to cover planning, design and other preconstruction costs.
But opponents say customers may never benefit from the projects which, ultimately, may never be built.
Gov. Rick Scotts 2012 Job Creation and Economic Growth agenda includes an encouraging focus on Floridas STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) subjects.
Public schools have enviously watched the rapid rise of charter schools in Florida, with over 500 charter schools statewide and dozens more poised for approval.
The main complaint is that charters have been able to operate with more flexibility than school districts. For instance, charters can use longer school hours, don't have to bargain with unions on teacher pay and have relaxed standards on class-size requirements.
When state Sen. Alan Hays suggested that the creation of "Hispanic districts" be predicated on legal citizenship, not illegal residency, everyone ran for cover.
The Florida Chamber of Commerce remains opposed to new and increased taxes, but also believes that taxes currently on the books -- even in the paperless world -- should be collected.
Chamber President Mark Wilson said it isnt fair that businesses in Florida must collect the state sales tax while online companies, such as Amazon, can advertise the same item to Floridians without having to charge the same sales tax.
He said the loophole puts small businesses at a disadvantage.
