When I first began to study the history of slavery around the world, many years ago, one of the oddities that puzzled me was the practice of paying certain slaves, which existed in ancient Rome and in America's antebellum South, among other places.
If you're not a cigarette smoker, chances are you've never heard of Dosal Tobacco Co. Lawmakers in Tallahassee apparently want to keep it that way.
Exempted from the state's Big Tobacco settlement in 1997, the little-known Opa Locka-based cigarette maker has quietly grown to be the third largest seller in Florida. Dosal has thrived as a bargain brand that doesn't have to pay the settlement costs required of its competitors.
By some estimates, that loophole has the state missing out on $200 million a year.
Wearing reflective vests and hard hats, more than 400 transportation workers rallied at the Capitol on Tuesday, protesting any cuts to the State Transportation Trust Fund (STTF).
Gov. Charlie Crist's veto of Senate Bill 6 didn't do Florida any favors scholastically or economically, business leaders say.
"We're very disappointed. It's critical that our students are on the cutting edge. Doing the same thing simply nets the same results," said Nancy Stephens, executive director of the Manufacturers Association of Florida.
"We need to challenge our students and we can't allow teachers to be complacent either."
Age: 49
Residence: Marianna
Time in the Legislature: 5 years
Political Affiliation: Republican
Children: Kristin, Vance, Hunter
What did you want to be when you were growing up?
A teacher, and I've taught English in junior high school.
What do you consider to be your greatest political achievement?
My husband died of cancer and I've devoted my time in the Legislature to laws regarding cancer research.
What was your biggest political faux pas?
Age: 53
Residence: Jacksonville
Time in the Legislature: Two years
Political Affiliation: Republican
Spouse: Brenda
Children: Lake IV, Forrest, Hampton
What did you want to be when you were growing up?
I wanted to teach history at the college level.
What do you consider to be your biggest political achievement?
The chief backers of bills to reform the Public Service Commission moved closer to an agreement Monday, but differences remained between the vastly different plans.
While the House had been a barrier to previous gambling pacts in 2007 and 2009, state representatives joined the Senate on Monday in passing a Seminole gaming compact by a 74-39 vote.
Rep. Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton, maneuvered the measure through the session, bringing it to both a second and third reading on Monday and then moving it through questions and debate.
A Senate panel voted Monday to offer as much as $100 million in tax credits for investing in Florida ports.
The Senate Transportation Committee unanimously passed a bill that aims to improve the states 14 public ports in preparation for the widening of the Panama Canal and an expansion of trade.
This is a great step toward our future, said Jacksonville Republican Rep. Lake Ray, sponsor of the House version of the bill.
