It was a small increase, but an increase just the same. Faced with rising energy costs to keep New Port Richey illuminated at night, city staff had recommended the city council raise the street-lighting fee by 22 percent. ...more

June 5, 2008

When it comes to runaway energy costs and inflation, Congress fails to represent the American public. It would rather represent the super rich in their quest for greater profits. Congress has failed "we the people," for over 60 years. Greed of the super rich has and is controlling the government. World War II demanded that all would have to pay for the war, not so in this war that was a pre-emptive war, under false pretense that has lasted longer than World War II. Only blue collar workers have borne the cost in this war, both in manpower, deaths and finance. In World War II, war bonds funded the fight for freedom and also gave every American citizen a solid way to contribute to the war effort. Nearly $50 billion worth of bonds were sold during war time, a great majority, thanks to the efforts of American celebrities, actors, actresses, singers and others who used their names and notoriety to draw the crowds. Kate Smith was one prominent bond representative, as was actress Carole Lombard. Ms. Lombard, the young wife of Clark Gable, lost her life in a plane accident after a war bond rally in Indianapolis, during which she helped sell $2.5 million worth in bonds. Clark Gable was an actor turned Air Force gunner during the war ...more

June 2, 2008

Dow Chemical Co. will raise its prices by up to 20 percent almost immediately to offset the soaring cost of energy, and the chief executive officer of the chemical giant lashed out at Washington on Wednesday for failing to develop a sound energy policy. ...more

May 29, 2008

Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles Bronson is calling on Congress and the Bush administration to investigate skyrocketing fuel prices. Good for him. Although we are not sure if anything will come of it, give Bronson credit for at least trying to do something. "We're being taken for a ride, and the evidence is everywhere, from the escalating prices we pay to fill up our vehicles with gasoline to the purchase of virtually all consumer goods," Bronson said Friday. "It is almost impossible to conceive of a product that is not dependent on oil in either its production or transportation to the stores in which it is sold." ...more

May 24, 2008

As gasoline prices inch closer to $4 a gallon, the tips keep getting smaller for Jessica Mendoza and the other waitresses at a Village Inn restaurant in Tampa. ...more

May 23, 2008

The glowing amber dot on a light switch in the entryway of George Tsapoitis' house offers a clue about the future of electricity. ...more

May 12, 2008

Battered by a slumping North American auto market and unfavorable currency swings, Toyota is forecasting a double barrel of bad news this fiscal year: its first year-on-year sales slide in nine years and first profit slip in seven years. ...more

May 9, 2008

Retail sales posted a surprising rebound in January following a dismal December, though much of the strength reflected rising gasoline prices. Economists saw the increase as a temporary blip rather than a sustained recovery. ...more

February 14, 2008

The Pasco County Public Transportation system is facing an interesting dilemma. Just when rising gasoline prices might be tempting some to park their private vehicles and climb aboard a bus, PCPT officials are seeking County Commission approval for 100 percent fare increases for the county's fixed-route bus system and paratransit service for people with disabilities. PCPT, not surprisingly, is not immune from rising energy costs. ...more

February 12, 2008

Allow Gulf Drilling Sen. Bill Nelson and his "no drilling" cohorts should be proud of themselves. They have succeeded in sending gas prices over $3 a gallon and no end in sight. Of course, they can afford it. Most can't. ...more

November 17, 2007