"April," T.S. Eliot warned us at the beginning of his epic 1922 poem, "is the cruelest month." ...more

April 1, 2009

Hillsborough County Commissioner Kevin Beckner suggested today that commissioners look at cutting their own salaries or benefits as a symbolic gesture to show empathy for county employees facing layoffs. ...more

March 31, 2009

Fireworks could erupt this afternoon when the Hillsborough County Commission takes its first hard look at next year's budget shortfall. County Administrator Pat Bean surprised some commissioners Friday when she said the bleak economic outlook could force her to lay off 1,000 employees over the next two years. Commissioner Al Higginbotham questioned whether so many layoffs are necessary, and he accused Bean of using the layoff announcement to pressure Sheriff David Gee into reducing his workforce. ...more

March 31, 2009

Hillsborough County Administrator Pat Bean's announcement Friday that she may have to lay off 1,000 workers drew fire from a county commissioner today who accused Bean of using people's jobs for political purposes. ...more

March 30, 2009

Residents are battling a proposal for a borrow pit between U.S. 92 and Interstate 4, worried the heavy truck traffic could jeopardize students at five local schools. ...more

February 4, 2009

County Commissioner Al Higginbotham warned members of the Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce last week that a group of adamant Lithia residents could derail years of efforts to persuade the county to improve Lithia-Pinecrest Road. ...more

January 21, 2009

County Commissioner Al Higginbotham warned members of the Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce last week that a group of adamant Lithia residents could derail years of efforts to persuade the county to improve Lithia-Pinecrest Road. ...more

January 21, 2009

Hillsborough County commissioners were divided Wednesday about giving $50,000 in federal funds to a controversial Tampa nonprofit organization, the Housing and Education Alliance. ...more

January 8, 2009

It wasn't exactly Barack Obama at Grant Park, but observers agreed Tuesday's swearing-in of Kevin Beckner as Hillsborough County's first openly gay commissioner was historic. ...more

November 19, 2008

It wasn't exactly Obama at Grant Park, but observers agreed Tuesday's swearing in of Kevin Beckner as Hillsborough County's first openly gay county commissioner was historic and precedent-setting. ...more

November 18, 2008