Hometown Democracy Will Appear on the 2010 Ballot
Ballot casters going to the polls in November 2010 will be asked whether changes to local comprehensive plans must be approved by local voters, state election officials announced Monday. A week after the Florida Supreme Court ended a legal challenge to its initiative, Florida Hometown Democracy officials received notice from the Department of State saying [...]
July Launch Set for New Google Phone
Following huge introductions of the Palm Pre and new iPhone 3G S, T-Mobile today announces July availability of MyTouch 3G, the second phone on Google’s Android operating system. It’s the first of 18 new Google-powered phones coming worldwide by the end of the year, Google says, declining to provide specifics. Tech and telecom analysts expect [...]
Battle Over Corrections Contract Has New Allegation
A high-stakes battle over multi-million dollar contracts with the Department of Corrections took an ugly turn on Monday. Lawyers representing MHM Correctional Services Inc. alleged in a court filing that a high-ranking DOC official may have been negotiating to get a job for a friend from Correctional Medical Services at the same time he recommended [...]
High Court Sidesteps Decision on Voting Rights
The Supreme Court on Monday declined to decide whether a key provision of the 1965 Voting Rights Act is constitutional, sidestepping by an 8-1 vote the dilemma at the heart of a closely watched case. The disputed provision gives the U.S. Justice Department power to review proposed election-law changes in several states, mostly in the [...]
Eco-Friendly Claims Go Unchecked
The federal watchdog that’s supposed to crack down on product labels that make false environmental claims has taken almost no enforcement action over the last decade, even as “green” marketing claims have exploded, agency records show. Companies touting eco-friendly products or biodegradable packaging are supposed to abide by guidelines issued by the Federal Trade Commission [...]
Lawmakers Steer Stimulus Money
Most of the $2.2 billion in economic stimulus money for Army Corps of Engineers construction projects will be spent in the home districts of members of Congress who oversee the corps’ funding, a USA TODAY analysis found. Two-thirds of the money will be spent in states or districts represented by members of the House and [...]
The Business of Government
Recently Mayor Peyton sent everyone an e-mail in which he said that it was his intention to run the City of Jacksonville like a business. The problem is that the City of Jacksonville should not be run like a business at all. His Honor does not own the City of Jacksonville . The individual citizens [...]
Groups Ready for Battle on Comp Plan Amendment
The battle over a proposed amendment requiring voters to approve local comprehensive plan changes moves from the courtroom to the ballot box following a Florida Supreme Court ruling that clears the way for an expected clash on the controversial proposal. The court threw out a law that allows voters to change their minds after [...]
Richard’s Weekly Sports Round-Up
It was another non-stop week of excitement in the sports world. Stories were whizzing by left and right. The U.S. Open at Bethpage State Park has lasted what seems like a full week. With happiness, sadness and a little in-between, sports always give us a nice dose of what we need. With summer truly upon [...]
Struggling Airlines Pin More Fees on Passengers
Figuring out the cost of his parents’ recent trip between Dallas and Southern California was “a nightmare” for frequent flier Thomas McDonnell. Comparing airline baggage fees and other extra charges was so difficult that McDonnell had trouble determining the most economical flight. “It was so complicated that driving became a strong option,” says McDonnell, of [...]
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