The Florida Public Service Commission Tuesday reached a settlement with Florida Power & Light Co. that will allow the electric company to charge its ratepayers more -- though not as much as the company originally had sought. The increase will bring in an additional $75.5 million, but FPL's base rates will be frozen for the next two years.

Florida senators and state officials Thursday took up where so many of their litigious-minded colleagues left off earlier in the week, taking the federal Environmental Protection Agency to task over its water quality standards.  Those standards are set to be finalized in August 2012.

Floridians could get the chance to opt out of the federal health-care law if state legislators get their way.

Committee meetings for the 2011 legislative session begin Tuesday, and the biggest item on any agenda is Senate Joint Resolution 2, known as the Florida Health Care Freedom Act, which would place a constitutional amendment on the ballot to opt out of the Affordable Care Act.

Florida’s construction industry has had a rough time the past three years, but some builders have hope for a turnaround, despite the numerous challenges facing the industry.