What role -- if any -- does state government have in shepherding Florida through tough economic times?

Test story... from reporter. This is to test draft reversion to see if Reporter can access.

Hurricanes have written a large, violent and costly chapter in Florida history.

The big storms have created barrier islands and wiped them out. Overnight. They've ruined crops, dashed dreams, turned boardwalks into tinder.

With publication of "On the Origin of Species" in 1859, the hunt was on for the "missing link." Fame and fortune awaited the scientist who found the link proving Darwin right: that man evolved from a monkey.

Most discussions of health care are like something out of Alice in Wonderland.

What is the biggest complaint about the current medical care situation? "It costs too much." Yet one looks in vain for anything in the pending legislation that will lower those costs.

Despite the Senate's seeming reluctance to lift a 20-year ban on offshore oil drilling in Florida waters, the first legislation on the subject was filed in the upper chamber.

Meanwhile, House leaders said Monday that they would not be deterred by a report last week that found that drilling in Florida waters would "have no discernible impact" on gas prices or the nation's dependence on foreign oil, even if it would pump millions into state coffers.

State Sen. Mike Haridopolos, R-Melbourne, the incoming Senate President, has filed Senate Bill 2622 Regulation of State Lands and Oil Gas Resources as the opening salvo in what looks like a protracted discussion in both the Florida House and Senate during the current session.

Utilities and Public Service Commission staff, take heed.

State senators have started considering passage of a bill that would ban and punish off-the-record communications between PSC staff and utilities on current or upcoming cases. The bill, introduced to the Senate floor Tuesday but tableduntil today, also outlaws off-the-record communicationbetweenthe PSC and the governors office, lawmakers, lobbyists and others.

It starts with the countdown10-9-8-7the anticipation builds.6-5-4.your heart begins to race3-2-1Blastoff! Watching a rocket take off from the Kennedy Space Center on television is an impressive sight. It is a moving experience that leaves you awestruck when you see it in person.