Hours after the Legislature voted on party lines to “opt out” of the new federal health law, the Obama administration said that will not be permitted.
Economy
Arizona Boots Up Brown Immigrants’ Guantanamo
The virus that led to Arizona’s anti-immigration law has crossed Arizona’s borders into the rest of America. Its carrier is as white as a bed sheet and by far the greater threat to America’s character than anything that ever crossed the Rio Grande.
Great Ocean View, Fun Pier, 5,000 Landlords. $3,329/mo. (Big Chains Need Not Apply)
Flagler Beach’s government is advertising for anyone interested in taking over the 20-year lease of the Pier Restaurant on the city’s landmark waterfront.
Gel Raising at Medallion of Excellence
That 4.5 tremor on the Richter scale you felt last night? That was the Davidsons rolling in their graves when Michael Redding replaced them at a Medallion of Excellence banquet.
Legislature’s Roadkill: Raiding Trust Funds
The Florida Legislature has balanced the budget by taking money from the transportation trust fund. It’s a short-sighted solution with dire consequences, argues Mark Wilson, president of the Florida Chamber of Commerce.
Splayed Girls and Smackdowns
A five-minute summary of what you’re missing in the paper, from overplayed snakebites to underplayed blowbacks against Volusia’s biggest development.
How Ginn Corp. Stuck Flagler Taxpayers With a $2 Million White Elephant
Once seen as a magic bullet, Ginn Development Corp. had Flagler County build it a $2 million palace at the county airport. Then Ginn defaulted. Taxpayers are now taking a bullet between the eyes.
Briefing: Florida’s Qualified Target Industry Tax Refund Program
Explanation of Florida’s $3,000-per-job tax rebate for companies creating new jobs in certain industries. The program is used by Flagler County and Palm Coast.
What Are They Building On Seminole Woods & SR100?
Actually, nothing–for now. The site is being cleared and drained for eventual development.
Sara Palin’s Cafeteria Christianity
Russell A. Pizer gives the once and future queen of reactionary Republicans a lesson in the Declaration of Independence and other spelling tips.
At 16.6%, Flagler Unemployment Crawls Lower
While Florida’s unemployment rate continues to break post-Depression records, Flagler’s may be steadying downward.
Rockwell Meets Rubio: A Tea Party Photo Gallery
Norman Rockwell reckognized a compelling subject when he saw one. Chances are he’d have recognized an equally worthy subject in the Tea Party movement, whatever its stripes.
Lawrence: Flagler Tea Party’s Four Values–and Aims
Tom Lawrence, chairman of Palm Coast’s Tea Party movement, sums up the 4 values of the movement as it conceives itself locally, and its aims in the next six months.
Old Kings Road Re-Opens on May 1
Closed since February 2009, the 1.5-mile, four-lane stretch is re-opening to traffic three months behind schedule.
Health Reform’s Bigger Windfalls for Florida
while there are still many unknowns about how the new federal health-care laws will be implemented, Florida stands to do very well financially and socially.
Florida House: Medicaid “Reform” for All?
House leaders late Monday released a proposal that would require almost all beneficiaries statewide to enroll in managed-care plans — including seniors who need long-term care.
US Economy Adds 162,000 Jobs, 1st Increase Since 2007
U.S. employers added 162,000 jobs in March, the first time the economy adds a significant number of jobs since November 2007, when it added 94,000. The March unemployment rate was unchanged, at 9.7 percent, with some 15 million people unemployed (compared with 13.3 million unemployed a year ago). The situation remains grim for the long-term […]
Rubio’s Health Care “Model” Isn’t Functioning
Marco Rubio says the nation should adopt his Florida Health Choices, claiming its market approach is “happening right now.” He’s wrong. Florida Health Choices has yet to insure anyone.
Weimar Germany’s Shadow Creep on Main Street
Philip A. Farruggio argues that the United States is forgetting the lessons of 1930s Germany–and Sinclair Lewis’ prophetic warnings–at its own risk.
He Had His Moments, But…
There’s too much reaching for the old magic–which is just the problem: this lunge for “magic,” this desire to make the impossible real, when it should be the other way around.
16.9% Unemployment in Flagler, 11.6% in Fla.
One in six working-age adult is out of work in Flagler County, the highest proportion in the county’s history.
Now Showing: Coming Theater Near You
Palm Coast’s 14-screen movie theater is rising fast in Town Center, but questions remain whether the county can support a major cineplex.
Black Crow Sued Over $38.9 Million Debt
GE Capital wants its own receiver to take over Black Crow Media and recover GE’s $38.9 million loan.
Brighthouse, Worst Company in Florida
Brighthouse puts a happy face on its business. For customers of cable and internet service, Brighthouse can be a miserable experience. If it’s customer care you’re looking for, it ain’t there.
Disney’s Monorail System Goes Off Course
An accident, a death, 300 stranded passengers: Disney’s monorail system is in disarray. 911 calls included.
Teddy Roosevelt on Socialism
Many of the men who call themselves Socialists to-day are in reality merely radical social reformers, with whom on many points good citizens can and ought to work in hearty general agreement.
Initial Unemployment Claims Up 17,000
Weekly unemployment claims are up 17,000 from the previous week’s unrevised figure of 457,000. The 4-week moving average was 473,750, a decrease of 7,750 from the previous week.
What Health Care Reform Means for the Underinsured
Besides the nearly 50 million uninsured, some 40 to 50 million Americans are underinsured. Reform would vastly improve their lot.