WASHINGTON -- Barack Obama, an unbeliever genuflecting before the altar of frugality, is asking Congress, as presidents do, to give him something like a line-item veto. Coming in today's context of his unrelenting agenda of expanding government, his proposal constitutes a counterfeit promise to get serious about controlling spending and the deficit.

With almost 500 years of recorded history, Florida history buffs have a number of excellent books to read this Memorial Day to honor the soldiers and sailors who fought, and in some cases died, for the country.

There are also some excellent books on the Florida campaigns during the Revolutionary War, when the British and the Americans battled for control of East Florida.

Looking to honor the Memorial Day holiday this weekend while still treating yourself to a good time? Look no further -- we've got your answers.

While attacking the Republican Party of Florida for reckless credit-card expenditures, the Florida Democratic Party racked up plenty of charge card expenses of its own.

In 2008, the state Democratic Party paid $6,294 in "card member services," according to records obtained by Sunshine State News.

A rematch between two conservatives is shaping up in the 21st House district as Rep. Charles Van Zant, R-Keystone Heights, will face former Putnam County Commissioner Linda Myers, the Democratic candidate he defeated by the skin of his teeth in 2008.

Van Zant won the 2008 election by a small margin, edging Myers by fewer than 2,000 votes. The district stretches through the inland of North Florida, encompassing all of Putnam County, the southern half of Clay County, the eastern part of Marion County and smaller parts of Bradford, Lake and Volusia Counties.

The jobs bill on the governor's desk and awaiting his signature at this hour will provide smoother sailing for luxury yacht buyers, but not so much for jet purchasers.

A late amendment to Senate Bill 1752 placed an $18,000 cap on the sales tax that applies to luxury boats. That means the tax paid on a $3 million vessel, or even a $10 million vessel, will be the same as the levy paid on a $300,000 boat.

Already ridiculed by the Legislatures ruling Republicans, Gov. Charlie Crist is poised to further antagonize many of those in his former party when he signs Floridas $70 billion budget Friday.

Crist is expected to veto the Legislatures shift of $160 million out of the states Department of Transportation trust fund into public school spending, a move that had been pushed by Republican leaders in the House but supported reluctantly by the Senate.

Gov. Charlie Crists switch on the militarys dont ask, dont tell policy Thursday left the no-party Senate contender caught in a crossfire of criticism from his Democratic and Republican opponents.

With Congress moving toward votes on repealing the policy that prohibits gays from serving openly in the military, Crist dropped his support for continuing the ban. As recently as Monday, Crist told reporters that the current policy, has worked pretty well for America.

But by Thursday, Crist said he supports the repeal.

The pursuit of a wood-burning biomass power plant that could generate 100 megawatts of electricity for Gainesville overcame a major hurdle Thursday.

After a lengthy debate, the Florida Public Service Commission approved the Gainesville Renewable Energy Center by a vote of 3-2.

The high-profile project is a step forward in supporting renewable energy development in the state, the commission decided in its need-determination hearing, despite uncertainty about its impact on rate payers.