Jeff Swanagan, executive director of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium and former director of The Florida Aquarium, died Sunday at his home in Ohio from an apparent heart attack. He was 51. ...more

June 29, 2009

I've had a few questions lately about this idea of Florida getting oil-drilling revenues to help with its sagging budget - and things like schools. If you're swayed by this argument and big oil's latest push to put rigs off the tourism state, then you need to know something: Oil money from federal leases cannot be used for that kind of stuff. It can only be used to clean up the mess and damages from drilling. ...more

June 16, 2009

On any given day, legions of city-owned cars, trucks and SUVs haul away garbage, fix potholes, put out fires and patrol neighborhoods. ...more

June 10, 2009

Richard E. Allard of New Port Richey says the schools should teach a course caused Life. ...more

June 3, 2009

Tips to decorate in a recession ...more

May 21, 2009

The city has started running ads this week to hire an architect and engineer for the long-awaited fire station renovation. ...more

May 8, 2009

House and Senate negotiators have agreed the state's share of expanded gambling at Seminole Indian casinos should go to education. ...more

May 5, 2009

It will be difficult, dangerous and plain foolish to balance next year's budget through spending cuts alone. So why is there no discussion of an increase in the county gasoline tax? With every single source of revenue in decline, and little reason to expect a reversal anytime soon, the BOCC must look for additional sources of income. Five cents per gallon would generate $20 million for Hillsborough County. Such a broad-based tax would create significant revenue while minimizing the pain. It is hard to argue an additional $1 per tankful is an unmanageable burden when gas was $2 a gallon higher just a few months ago. But this is more than a source of badly needed funds. It is the type of policy we need to wean ourselves off oil and reduce emissions. No one likes a tax increase, but compared to some of the budget cuts being proposed, it is the lesser evil. As one local baseball manager might say, 5 cents equals $20 million. ...more

May 2, 2009

We were told that user fees are not a tax. Please put user fees on all alcohol. It will also help save lives. ...more

May 1, 2009

Your tax dollars at work! Today a woman came down my street and told me she was with the U.S. Census. She was "mapping out" all the houses on our street. ...more

April 25, 2009