This column is a vehicle for a number of items in a bits-and-pieces, strictly opinion, sometimes irreverent format. Look for "Just Sayin'" to run once a week in this spot.

No wonder sugar people are so loathe to speak up in their own defense. This week the twisted tongues of environmentalists showed us why.

Certainly in most areas of American society, I stand tall for free-market principles. I always have. But when the conversation turns to eliminating what remains of the Certificate of Need Program (CON), I strongly oppose deregulation.

Despite a new, business-friendlier commission majority elected last fall in Martin County, the dictatorial regime of the last commission woke up a pair of unincorporated Martin communities.

This column is a vehicle for a number of items in a bits-and-pieces, strictly opinion, sometimes irreverent format. Look for "Just Sayin'" to run once a week in this spot.

It's incredibly sad to watch House members who heartily supported Enterprise Florida during other sessions now talk nonchalantly about  flushing Florida's economic success down the toilet as if it happened by magic. As if Rick Scott didn't spend the last six years kicking the door open, hauling the state economy up by its bootstraps, turning Florida into the envy of every governor in America.

The Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on the Environment and Natural Resources, chaired by Sen. Rob Bradley, R-Fleming Island, on Wednesday passed Senate Bill 10, legislation to reduce harmful discharges from Lake Okeechobee and further other critical water resource protection.

In his opening-day speech, Senate President Joe Negron dashed past the strike-all filed moments earlier in his southern Everglades reservoir bill. But lawmakers shouldn't be fooled. They might want to pump the brakes, crack the hood and take a closer look at this sneaky little amendment.

Tallahassee photographer Colin Hackley has been taking pictures for Sunshine State News almost since our beginning -- whenever we need him, he makes himself available to us.

Floridians should feel relieved Gov. Rick Scott and the Florida Legislature insisted on open and competitive bidding for a new Statewide Law Enforcement Radio System (SLERS).