BILL KACZOR

Associated Press Writer
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Fla. woman fights ruling that kept her in hospital

Samantha Burton wanted to leave the hospital. Her doctor strongly disagreed, enough to go to court to keep her there.

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Fla. Senate president: No new taxes or fees

Florida Senate President Jeff Atwater told his chamber's budget writers Wednesday not to raise taxes or fees during this election year to close a projected spending gap of up to $3.2 billion.

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Most of Florida Power & Light rate hike rejected

State regulators under pressure from politicians and consumer advocates Wednesday rejected more than 99 percent of Florida Power & Light Co.'s request to raise base rates by $1 billion this year and all of a $247 million proposal for 2011.

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New Fla. prescription tracking law has glitches

Florida's new prescription tracking law doesn't say what should happen if a pain clinic fails an inspection and gives the state's "drug czar" an added job raising funds to help pay for the program, state officials told lawmakers Tuesday.

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Fla. regulators reject Progress Energy rate hike

State regulators on Monday unanimously rejected a $500 million-a-year base rate increase sought by Progress Energy Florida, the state's second-largest power company.

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Fla. PSC staff backs smaller utility rate hike

Public Service Commission staffers recommended the panel approve only about a third of a $1 billion annual rate increase being sought by Florida Power & Light Co.

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Teachers union raps Florida stimulus application

Florida's statewide teachers union Thursday discouraged local affiliates from endorsing the state's application for up to $700 million in federal stimulus grant money that would require the adoption of merit pay plans.

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Small increase seen in Florida revenue estimate

State economists crunched numbers into the night Friday, but preliminary figures show Florida's general revenue will be a bit higher than previously forecast for the current fiscal year and the three that follow it.

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Florida Legislature clears way for rail systems

A bill that would clear the way for commuter and transit rail systems, which may in turn attract federal stimulus money to also build a high-speed line, sped to Gov. Charlie Crist's desk Tuesday.

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Rail bill's fate in Florida Senate in doubt

The fate of legislation that would clear the way for a commuter rail system in central Florida remains in doubt.

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Florida's utility regulators focus on ethics

It was like going back to the future for Florida utility regulators Tuesday as consumer advocates urged a ban on most off-the-record communications as recommended by a statewide grand jury 18 years ago.

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Fla. Ag candidate says 'No, Baby, No' to drilling

A Democratic candidate for agriculture commissioner has a response to Republican calls to "Drill, Baby, Drill."

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Fla. jobless rate climbs to 11.2 percent in Oct.

Florida's unemployment rate continued its steady upward climb in October to 11.2 percent — a mark last seen in the 1970s and a tenth of a percentage point higher than September's adjusted rate, state officials said Friday.

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Retailers want rollback of Fla. unemployment tax

Some Florida businesses want to partly roll back an increase in their unemployment compensation tax after being shocked by its magnitude.

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Fla. unemployment tax on businesses to skyrocket

Unemployment compensation taxes paid by Florida businesses will skyrocket next year due to the state's high jobless rate that hit 11 percent in September, revenue officials said.

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Second lawsuit attacks Florida school funding

State officials are facing a second lawsuit filed in as many weeks accusing them of shortchanging public schools in violation of a state constitutional provision requiring a "high quality" education for Florida's children.

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Fla. investment panel raps its executive director

Gov. Charlie Crist and two Cabinet members who sit on a panel that invests state money chastised their top staffer for failing to keep them updated on a Securities and Exchange Commission investigation.

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Court again upholds Fla. homeowner tax breaks

A three-judge panel Tuesday rejected another challenge to state constitutional amendments that give property tax breaks to Florida's primary homeowners, but not to owners of second homes.

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Judge rejects objections to Fla. pollution deal

The federal government will attempt to set Florida's water pollution standards — the first time it'll try that for any state — under an agreement approved Monday.

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Better ties between Fla. lawmakers, univs sought

When former Lt. Gov. Frank Brogan became the Florida university system's chancellor three months ago, he faced an imposing list of financial and political problems.

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Fla. regulators to do ethics self-examination

The Florida Public Service Commission is planning a self-examination amid complaints the agency has been too cozy with the utilities it regulates, the panel's top staffer told lawmakers.

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Fla. justices consider mediation for foreclosures

Mediation would be a good way to expedite a flood of mortgage foreclosures, members of a foreclosure task force said Wednesday, but some disagreed on the details in oral arguments before the state Supreme Court.

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Fla. offshore drilling being debated on Internet

Citizens across the state got a chance Wednesday to question a panel of supporters and opponents of a proposal to open Florida waters to oil and natural gas exploration.

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Fla. regulators delay electric rate increase votes

The state Public Service Commission agreed Tuesday to delay voting on major rate increases sought by Florida's two biggest power companies, allowing both of Gov. Charlie Crist's two new appointees to take part in those decisions.

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Florida governor names new state utility regulator

Former journalist David Klement is getting an early start in his new job as a Florida utility regulator, after Gov. Charlie Crist on Thursday appointed him to immediately succeed Public Service Commissioner Katrina McMurrian.

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