In an effort to make Florida recycle 75 percent of its solid waste by 2020, a state Senate committee voted Wednesday to require businesses with 25 employees or more to report their recycling rates biennially.

TheSenate Environmental Preservation and Conservation Committee unanimously passed SB 570, sponsored by Sen. Lee Constantine, R-Altamonte Springs, to get businesses on board with the states recycling goals.

We are woefully behind other states, Constantine said. And, we need to promote programs that implement 'Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.'

State senators voted Tuesday to make Florida the 20th state to demand a balanced federal budget and limited federal restrictions on state spending, despite Democrats complaints that such a measure could limit federal aid to the states.

A proposed gambling compact that would give four Seminole casinos exclusive rights to blackjack and other banked card games in Florida continues to hold the state capitol in thrall with the ulimate outcome still unclear.

Thursday, a powerful House committee takes up the issue.

From a desk in Tallahassee topped by a lamp with the leering alligator head of his alma mater printed on its shade, Jay Schleuning works long hours to keep Florida Chamber of Commerce members informed and connected.

Youve probably never met J. R. Kelly. But in the past two years, hes fought to keep your electricity bills low.

As the public counsel to the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC), Kelly represents state consumers in every case involving a request for a utility rate increase.

A state constitutional amendment that would loosen class-size restrictions is headed to the Senate floor. And, Senate Democrats arent happy about it.

A bill that could spare emergency room doctors and other emergency medical care providers from healthcare lawsuits passed the Senate Health Regulation Committee in quick order Thursday.

Senate Bill 1474, sponsored by Sen. John Thrasher, R-Jacksonville, Chair of the Republican Party of Florida, passed 5-2.

Florida Crystals executives, in Tallahassee Wednesday for Palm Beach County Days, said they have been seeking a settlement with the Department of Community Affairs to continue the company's Inland Logistics Center south of Lake Okeechobee.

Businesses fretting over a major hike in the state unemployment compensation tax can relax. At least, for now.

On their first day of session, lawmakers delayed until 2012 a looming increase that could have resulted in as much as a twelvefold increase in the unemployment tax for businesses. Gov. Charlie Crist immediately signed the bill into law.

If taxes had not been delayed, the minimum unemployment tax businesses would pay per person would have risen from $8.40 to $100.30. Businesses paying the maximum rate per person would have seen a rise from $378 to $459.

The South Korean government and Space Florida are launching discussions that could put Space Coast technicians to work in the high-speed rail industry.

Soon-Man Hong, deputy minister of South Korea's Ministry of Land, Transportation and Maritime Affairs, is meeting in Tallahassee today and Wednesday with the state aerospace industry board.