Floridas regional workforce boards want to put young peopleto work this summer in temporary employment programs.

But they might need to go without a critical injection of extra federal funds, and at least three agencies are considering scaling back or abandoning the programs that put cash in

From the first day of the legislative session, when a looming tax hike for employers was postponed, business arose as a high priority this year as lawmakers endeavored to pull the state out of a still-troubled economy.

Oil spilling into the Gulf of Mexico at an estimated rate of 210,000 gallons per day could reach Floridas shores late this week, and the states Gulf Coast businesses are bracing for the worst.

A controversial push by Florida utilities to raise consumer rates to recoup the cost of renewable energy projects suddenly lost power in the final hours of the 2010 Legislature.

A group of educators, teacher advocates and lawmakers recently chosen by the governor to ensure Florida wins $700 million in federal money for education is recommending that the state implement a revised form of teacher performance pay.

And, says a member of the group, the decision was unanimous.

I think that sends a powerful message to the governor that this is a good plan, said the group's chairman, Alberto Carvalho, Superintendent of the Miami-Dade County School District

Disregarding a threat by House Democrats and the admonishment of one male Republican, the Senate voted Thursday to require that most pregnant women in their first trimester pay for an ultrasound when seeking an abortion.

The Senate passed by 23-16 a House health care bill amended with the ultrasound requirement, proposed by Orlando Republican Andy Gardiner. The bill now goes back to the House for a vote.

In a late development that provoked resistance from Democrats and all female senators but one, the Senate amended a health care bill to require that pregnant women in their first trimester submit to an ultrasound when seeking an abortion.

The Legislature moved closer Tuesday to giving Floridas largest investor-owned utilities the power to raise rates as they gain ground in the states renewable-energy sector.

Despite fears of imposing a new fee upon Florida taxpayers and putting smaller energy producers at a disadvantage, the House voted 83-34 to give the utilities the power to raise rates to fund renewable-energy projects.

Lawmakers have proposed to take $69 million from the Tampa-Hillsborough County Expressway Authority and add it to the state budget.

Early Monday morning, budget negotiators agreed that the authority should turn over the money it was banking on for an anticipated road project. Now the project might be dead, and the head of the authority is most unhappy.

The state taking our money for a statewide purpose isnt consistent with our mission, said executive director Joe Waggoner.

Lawmakers have backed away from a demand that applicants for the merit-based Bright Futures Scholarship Program file for federal financial aid.

During a weekend budget conference, the House and Senate removed from a proposed Bright Futures overhaul the requirement that scholarship hopefuls file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly known as FAFSA.