The Florida Public Service Commission sanctioned the Tampa Electric Companys energy conservation plan, which could save 175 megawatts of electricity over 10 years, or enough to power about 52,000 homes.
Nathan Skop has 31 days left in his term as a Florida public service commissioner, but he is not exactly going quietly.
Nineteen named storms swirled all over the Atlantic in 2010 -- 12 of them big enough to become hurricanes -- but none seriously threatened Florida. Nevertheless, homeowners needn't think their good fortune will translate into windstorm insurance savings.
Florida still has the second-highest foreclosure rate in the nation and its unemployment rate remains dangerously close to 12 percent, but some businesses and economists see signs for cautious optimism for a steady, albeit prolonged, recovery in the months ahead.
The unemployment statistics for Florida released last week revealed a slight increase in jobs but no movement in the overall unemployment rate -- a trend that is likely to continue if state economists predictions are correct.
Floridas jobless rate remained at 11.9 percent in October, the same as in the previous month, according to a report released Friday by the Agency for Workforce Innovation.
With buzz increasing that he will launch a bid for the Republican presidential nomination in 2012, former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson showed up in Tallahassee Thursday night still touting the trademark libertarian social issues -- legalization of marijuana, for one -- that put him in the minority of the GOP.
Taking up Senate President Mike Haridopolos call to make Medicaid reform within Florida a priority, Senate leaders held a freewheeling discussion Wednesday with health care providers, insurers and patients in the first step toward comprehensive legislation.
Sen. Mike Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island, was formally elected and sworn in as Florida Senate president Tuesday, then in an impassioned address signaled his intent to focus on the economy, limited government and fiscal discipline.
Two bills that were originally part of 10 measures slated for a veto override vote during a special session Tuesday have been dropped from the agenda.
