County commissioners didn't need another reminder of the bleakness of the Hernando County economy. ...more

July 23, 2008

Says market will improve when existing homes are sold. ...more

July 22, 2008

Kudos To Rowden With the exception of Hernando County Commissioner Diane Rowden, I cannot understand for the life of me the thought processes of the other four commissioners with respect to impact fees. ...more

July 22, 2008

Listen up, people. We're seeing a lot of hysterical arm-waving and hearing loud voices demanding that "they" do something to bring down the price of the gasoline we pump into our essential means of getting where we want to go when we want to go there. ...more

July 9, 2008

Save early, save often. That's the mantra of the financial-services industry. But the other side of the equation - those of us who are saving too much - is rarely discussed. ...more

July 6, 2008

Wouldn't it be nice if we could just wish this bad economy away? Actually, that's not too far from the truth – at lease locally. Much of what ails the Highlands County economy is consumer confidence, not any one particular factor beyond our control with the possible exception of gas prices. William Pittenger, senior vice president and chief real estate economist with Seacoast National Bank, recently told members of the Lake Placid Chamber of Commerce that the local economy isn't as bad as a lot of people believe, and that with a better outlook, it could turn around much quicker. Pittenger is right about that. Our economy depends on consumers feeling confident to purchase goods. If they are scared jobs might not be there tomorrow, consumers are much less likely to spend. It's a self-fulfilling prophecy. ...more

June 18, 2008

The scene at an auto auction Wednesday might have been unthinkable just a couple of years ago. ...more

May 12, 2008

The number of newly laid off workers seeking unemployment benefits dropped much more than expected last week. ...more

May 9, 2008

After years of avoiding the task, lawmakers may have to review and vote on whether to keep special-interest sales tax exemptions on the state books. ...more

February 13, 2008

The Tampa Bay area is months away from the bottom of the downturn in the single family housing market, and prices aren't expected to fall further, a well-known Florida economist said Tuesday. ...more

February 6, 2008