Governor Crist and the Legislature are not dumb people. They have to know, deep down, that a state can't lock in property tax rates at 1995 levels for 40 percent of its tax base and survive for very long in an economic and real estate downturn. Common sense needs to make a comeback in the economics of our state, and common sense tells us that Amendment One is in no way a serious attempt at true property tax reform for the future of the state of Florida and our own hometown communities. ...more

January 25, 2008

It's understandable that environmental activists would worry that an agricultural exemption to Hillsborough County's wetlands rule will create a loophole that allows widespread abuse. ...more

January 19, 2008

The family of a boy seriously injured last year when a speaker fell on his head at BayWalk is seeking millions of dollars in damages, their attorney said Wednesday morning, moments after he filed a lawsuit at the courthouse in downtown St. Petersburg. ...more

January 17, 2008

ST. PETERSBURG - The family of a boy seriously injured last year when a speaker fell on his head at BayWalk is seeking millions of dollars in damages, their attorney said this morning, moments after he filed a lawsuit in the courthouse in downtown St. Petersburg. ...more

January 16, 2008

Connie Perdue's Dec. 29 letter, in which she complimented Charley Reese as a "complete idiot," requires an answer, says Valentino Iandiorio of New Port Richey. ...more

January 16, 2008

Regarding "USF Compromises Integrity Dodging Moffitt Cheating Charge" (Our Opinion, Jan. 9): ...more

January 14, 2008

Sitting here on this New Year's Eve morning it's early for me at 7 a.m., usually I have a cup of coffee and read the newspaper from my sitting area overlooking beautiful Lake Istokpoga and watching the birds and wildlife as the beautiful sunrise illuminates the woods. We who live on this lake do so because we choose to and are willing to deal with the bugs and the low water, high taxes and all the downsides that no one has control over. Last night I went to bed at 10:30 p.m. with the noise of airboats thumping and humming past the house until late into the night and waking me at 6:15 a.m. this morning. Having friends with airboats and enjoyed them myself years ago, I understand the fun and excitement they are to a lot of people, and feel that this being a big lake can be enjoyed by all the people if we all use it responsibly. ...more

January 3, 2008

SEBRING — Break out your matches. Blistering sky, maddogg and sonic boom fireworks are now for sale. Judy Ray will open up her TNT Fireworks stand at 10 a.m. today in front of Albertsons grocery store, located at 3610 U.S. 27 N. "We sell what are called 'safe and sane' fireworks," said Ray. "We don't sell the explosive kind." Fireworks available at the stand include sparklers and stand-up displays that spray multi-colored sparkles and designs. Also available are classics like snakes and party poppers. ...more

December 27, 2007

Defying Common Sense Regarding "Illegal Immigrants Costly To States" (Nation/World, Dec. 19): ...more

December 27, 2007

If you're like me, you recently received another sack of phone books at your door. I am so sick and tired of these bloody things I could scream! Within the past six months 13-plus pounds of near-useless paper has been dumped at my doorstep. We didn't ask for the phone books. We did not put out an urgent call to Verizon or AT&T to please bring us some more dead trees or child booster seats. There they were anyway waiting annoyingly on our front stoop. ...more

December 20, 2007