A government of the people, for the people and by the people. We are no longer a democratic government. Somewhere along the line, we have a dictator type of rule, where those we have elected, "our employees," have taken control. ...more

March 17, 2009

Gov. Charlie Crist's prepared remarks to the Florida Legislature, as released by the governor's office: ...more

March 3, 2009

A combination of mild weather and the lagging Florida economy pummeled earnings at TECO Energy Inc. ...more

February 7, 2009

Tampa-based electric and natural gas utility owner Teco Energy Inc. said Friday its fourth-quarter profit tumbled 87 percent from a year-ago period boosted by a one-time gain, as the Florida market continued to slow. ...more

February 6, 2009

PLANT CITY The Hillsborough County legislative delegation will hear public testimony this morning on a bill designed to crack down on predatory towing companies. The legislation would give Hillsborough's Public Transportation Commission enforcement powers over towing companies that target cars on private business property without the owner's written permission. ...more

December 2, 2008

Every year, city and county government officials and civic groups make pitches to Hillsborough County's state legislators for money. They come with requests for road, water and redevelopment projects, and seeking state tax dollars for local issues. ...more

November 28, 2008

Given the economic problems dominating the headlines these days, it would not be surprising if people are feeling glum. At such moments of seeming gloom we should recall that the first Thanksgiving was held during the Civil War. ...more

November 26, 2008

Given the economic problems dominating the headlines these days, it would not be surprising if people are feeling glum. Housing sales continue to fall, thwarting hopes for a turnaround for a key component of the local, state and national economies. The "Big Three" U.S. automakers are jetting, hats in hand, to Congress and asking for money to help them stave off bankruptcy. Banks and other financial institutions need help from the Treasury clearing bad loans and other dubious investments from their books. With all this and more going on, retailers are worrying that the black in the traditional post-Thanksgiving Black Friday start to the holiday shopping season will refer to more than just the mood of shoppers battling large crowds and overflowing parking lots. ...more

November 26, 2008

When the finance ministers of the world's top economies convened in Washington last month around the annual meeting of the International Monetary Fund, they developed a successful international strategy for responding to the financial crisis, which had reached panic proportions in the markets. It was promptly implemented by the key countries and quelled the worst of the anxieties. ...more

November 15, 2008

When Highlands County had an opening for a clerical assistant at Emergency Medical Services recently, at $9.29 per hour, on the low end of the pay range, 63 people applied. ...more

July 10, 2008