Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Wednesday, Nov. 14

Click on a headline to read the complete story:

 

Crist, tribe agree to 25-year gambling pact

The Seminole Tribe of Florida declared victory Wednesday and Gov. Charlie Crist proclaimed it ”a very historic day” as they signed a 25-year pact to allow the tribe to operate high-stakes gambling on its land in return for giving the state as much as $1 billion over five years.

 

Governor needs time to do state’s business

Florida has been negotiating with the Seminole Tribe about an expansion of gambling for more than two years, dating back to when Jeb Bush was governor — and has yet to settle on terms that it likes.

 

Crist appoints local man to drug task force

Gov. Charlie Crist has appointed Jeffrey D. Carlen, of Bradenton, to a seat on the Drug Paraphernalia Abatement Task Force.

 

Economists Unsure of Fla.’s Path

With the state government facing a $2 billion shortfall in next year’s budget, many analysts are pointing to the state’s slumping housing market as the primary reason for the economic decline and the drop-off in state tax collections.

 

FEMA denies funding for aquarium

NEW ORLEANS – In what some see as another bureaucratic absurdity after Hurricane Katrina, FEMA is refusing to pick up the cost of restocking New Orleans’ aquarium because of how the new fish were obtained: straight from the sea

 

Crist staying positive about Florida’s economy

Although the housing market has slowed, Gov. Charlie Crist said there is ‘no way’ the state or Southwest Florida has slipped into a recession.

 

Attorney: Rep. Allen didn’t get fair trial

Greg Eisenmenger accuses prosecutors of misleading jurors in the lawmaker’s sex-solicitation case.

 

Bill Would Provide Incentives for States to Enforce Stronger Building Codes

States that already have a mandatory statewide building code and have enforcement measures in place would be eligible for an additional 4 percent of federal disaster relief funds under recently introduced federal legislation.

 

Oregon Names New Insurance Administrator

The Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services (DCBS) said it has picked a Louisiana regulator to be administrator of its insurance division, replacing Joel Ario, who left in July to become Pennsylvania insurance commissioner.

 

Michael Peltier: Saunders hopes to end career with enviro bang

TALLAHASSEE — With one legislative session left to go, Sen. Burt Saunders is attempting to go out with an environmental bang as he tries to build on successes of the past several years.

 

Consumers At Sea Over Auto Rental Insurance

Forty-two percent of U.S. consumers are confused about whether to buy insurance when renting a car, a survey has found.

 

Insurers subprime lawsuit loss up to $3 billion: brokers

Insurers who protect top officials of companies that made subprime loans could face up to $3 billion in losses as angry investors sue those financial companies, according to two insurance brokers.

 

At what point will the price of gas cause you to carpool or take public transportation?

Gas prices on roller coaster ride Experts say gasoline prices could drop before Thanksgiving, and hit a peak in spring.