The Budget - "Budget talks between Senate President Jim King and House Speaker Johnnie Byrd snagged Thursday over what amounts to pocket change in Florida's $52 billion spending plan -- underscoring what has become an increasingly corrosive relationship between the two legislators.". See "Budget talks bog down".
Sounds Like A Plan - "Doctors and hospitals in Florida would see their medical malpractice insurance premiums slashed this year under measures approved overwhelmingly Thursday by the Florida Senate. The three-bill malpractice insurance package requires insurance companies to reduce liability insurance rates by July to levels in place Jan. 1, 2002. The savings for health providers could average 20 percent to 30 percent, according to Senate Republican leaders."
"If private insurance carriers fail to cut their premiums to the 2002 level, the Senate plan also calls for the state to set up a physician-run insurance carrier to offer cut-rate medical liability coverage backed with state trust funds.". See "Senate OKs malpractice laws".
"Jeb!" Snaps His Fingers, And The House Reverses Itself - "After declaring that Floridians won't have the opportunity to kill the rail project that voters stuck into the state constitution in 2000, the House on Wednesday abruptly decided that the chamber should vote again. Gov. Bush, who wants the new vote, still needs a three-fifths majority in both houses before recision would go on the 2004 ballot." See "Only politics on track".
Telephone Industry Snaps It's Fingers, Let's See What The House Does - "The Florida House plans to take up a measure today that could spark the biggest increase in local phone bills in state history, and lobbyists warn that Republican leaders may stage a hurry-up final vote in the chamber to stifle growing public opposition to the plan." See "House has phone rate hot potato on agenda".