Hurricanes are a constant threat when you live on a Southeastern U.S. coast. But so are high wind-insurance premiums. Wind premiums can prove just as damaging to an insured's bank account as a high-powered windstorm can be to a home and family -- even for residents protected by state-sponsored insurers of last resort.

And in Florida, where June marks the start of crowded beaches and hurricane season, statistics in neighboring states show coastal wind-insurance for older homes is no bargain.

The Senate worked late into the evening Thursday to wrap up spending $18.2 billion to pay for 60 more days of unemployment benefits and COBRA health benefits, and also to ensure doctors don't face a 21 percent cut in their reimbursement payments from the government. The price tag for the bill is being added to our debt, thanks primarily to the Democrats in Congress.

Talk of the Legislature heading toward overtime emerged Friday as House and Senate leaders struggled to reach agreement on how much money they have to spend in the 2010-11 budget.

With a mid-afternoon deadline looming for setting the start of negotiations this weekend, the two sides remained snagged over whether to include $880 million in long-anticipated Medicaid cash from the federal government.

Fresh after vetoing a bill to implement a teacher performance pay standard, Gov. Charlie Crist spent Saturday on the campaign trail for his U.S. Senate bid. Crist was stumping in the district of Sen. John Thrasher, R-St. Augustine, the chief champion of performance pay in the Legislature

The wizard behind Florida's investments drew back the curtain Friday to reveal some details of how his office operates.

Ashbel Ash Williams, executive director and chief investment officer of the Florida State Board of Administration (SBA), spoke to the Economic Club of Florida, focusing on how Florida public pensions measure up to other state retirement programs.

A day before unconfirmed reports surfaced that Gov. Charlie Crist will bow out of the U.S. Senate race and let George LeMieux and Marco Rubio duke it out for the Republican nomination, Crist considered one of his defining acts as chief executive of Florida.

Losing his political clout amid sinking polls, a beleaguered Crist did the calculus.

Mobilizing against chemical and biological threats in Florida, 75 specialists converged on Indian River State College this past week.

Rep. Eric Eisnaugle

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Age 33

Residence Orlando

Time in the Legislature Two years

Political affiliation Republican

Spouse Carrie

Children Eric III

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What did you want to be when you were growing up ?

A doctor until I found out I had to study math. I graduated from Vanderbilt Law School and became an attorney.

What do you consider to be your biggest political achievement ?

Five hours after vetoing the teacher merit-pay bill pushed by House and Senate Republican leaders, Gov. Charlie Crist exited the Capitol for Leon High School, where he was cheered by teachers and students in a rally on the school steps.