More than 200,000 people in Hillsborough County live in poverty. You need not look far to see the numbers corroborated — the homeless man spending the night on a swinging bench along the shiny, new northern stretch of the Tampa Riverwalk; belongings piled in front of an apartment after a family's eviction; services like the Joshua House for children in crisis bursting at the seams. here
The sugar industry has an edge over supporters of a plan to buy land to reduce Lake Okeechobee discharges, at least when it comes to the money both sides spent in political contributions in the 2016 election cycle. Florida's sugar growers gave more than
$11.5 million
to campaigns and political committees since the end of 2014. Compare that to
$561,000
from board members and top employees at the Everglades Foundation and Everglades Trust. here
The Florida Supreme Court cemented death sentences for nearly 200 prisoners Thursday, ruling that they are not eligible for lower sentences or rehearings under a revamped death penalty law.here
To show appreciation for lenders who work with low-income borrowers, Florida's housing agency hosted a $52,000 dinner that featured filet mignon, broiled lobster tails and a bar stocked with "deluxe brand liquors.''here
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When thousands of Floridians were waiting for help in saving their homes, the agency awarded a total of nearly $443,000