Gulf Power Co. this summer plans to ask for a $95 million increase in base rates, arguing that the cost of supplying electricity to the Panhandle has jumped during the past decade.

The Pensacola-based utility filed a document this month with the state Public Service Commission that outlines the proposal.

If granted, the proposal would translate to a 21.5 percent increase over Gulfs 2010 base-rate revenues of $442 million -- though it is too early to know how such a hike would affect individual customers bills.

WASHINGTON -- Every Arab-Israeli negotiation contains a fundamental asymmetry: Israel gives up land, which is tangible; the Arabs make promises, which are ephemeral.

Officials at the James Madison Institute (JMI), a Tallahassee-based think tank that backs free-market solutions and increased liberty in the Sunshine State, said during a Thursday forum that, generally speaking, Florida lawmakers are moving the state in the right direction.

It is just plain refreshing to see the way this Legislature does its business, said William Mattox, a resident fellow at JMI. Noting his experience in Washington, Mattox contrasted the Legislature to Congress. Having to balance the budget forces the Legislature to deal with real issues.

Three people have applied for the job of Floridas education commissioner, with more applicants expected before the midnight deadline.

The three applicants are Thomas Goodman, a former charter school superintendent from California and now superintendent with Education Management Systems; Carlos Lopez, the superintendent of the River Rouge School District in Michigan; and Bessie Karvelas, the district chief instructional officer for Chicago Public Schools.