Hoping to increase Tampa's share of federal stimulus funding for infrastructure upgrades and other needs, city officials are considering hiring a Washington lobbyist. ...more

November 11, 2009

Amid calls for more accountability by executives at U.S. automakers, House and Senate aides were hammering out legislation that would dole out billions to the companies within a week ...more

December 8, 2008

Highlands Today staff compiled this Q&A on a proposed multi-billion rescue package Congress is deliberating to shore up the financial markets, and the $500 billion the government has pledged to help some troubled financial institutions. ...more

September 26, 2008

House and Senate negotiators reached a deal Tuesday on a major railroad safety reform bill that will require new technology to prevent crashes and limit hours engineers can work. ...more

September 24, 2008

In trying to assemble a bipartisan package to jolt the slumping economy, the White House and Congress have turned to familiar tools that experts say have worked in the past. But there is also a lively debate among economists about which measures will best accomplish the goal. ...more

January 19, 2008

A recent letter to the editor made an excellent point about politicians constantly raising money for their next election. The writer stated that if these politicians focused instead on representing their constituents, and being real leaders, they wouldn't need nearly as much money to be re-elected. That's the point that almost no one gets anymore. It's also what's ruining our country. It's a lot easier to win a race by holding fundraisers and kissing the rings of special interests than it is to be a real leader. The money buys smoke and mirrors, sound bites and enough attack ads to win an election. To be a strong leader, well, that requires work, backbone, integrity and brains. It seems like few of our leaders at the state and national levels have enough – or any – of these attributes. Try to name a few leaders over the last 50 years who let their records win the election for them. Come on, be honest. How many members of Congress or presidents can you name who truly were great – or even good – leaders? The list is painfully short. ...more

November 25, 2007

More than a third of the Bush administration's proposed counternarcotics aid package for Mexico would be spent on aerial surveillance and the rapid deployment of troops, according to a breakdown of the plan. ...more

October 27, 2007