LAND O' LAKES - The budget news for the Pasco County School District just keeps getting grimmer. ...more

February 19, 2009

Republicans are up in arms about Gov. Crist's support of the stimulus package. Many are also surprised that the governor is contemplating a Senate run rather than standing for re-election. A possible reason for both relates to something I have pondered for some time: Florida should raise the sales tax by one cent, at least temporarily. The stimulus package, manna for our charmed governor, will likely enable Florida to balance its budget this year. But unless the economy improves significantly, next year we will be back to where we are now, cutting into the marrow of our already bare bones state programs. Perhaps the governor sees raising taxes in the near future as the only logical way to maintain the modest quality of life the state provides to its citizens, while understanding that, as a Republican, raising taxes would likely end his political career. The smart thing is to let someone else do it. ...more

February 14, 2009

Clyde Bracknell has always managed to stay above the fray. He always let people have their say. He avoided controversy, and he stuck to his convictions. And after nearly 30 years in office, he will retire from the politics with far more friends than enemies. ...more

February 12, 2009

Barack Obama has succeeded where Hillary Clinton failed. She hoped to win a third Clinton term, but it is her vanquisher who is reconstituting the Clinton administration. Obama's just-named nominee for treasury secretary, Timothy Geithner, served under Clinton Treasury Secretaries Robert Rubin and Larry Summers. Summers is Obama's choice to head the National Economic Council. Both are part of Rubin's circle, known for its brains and its relative moderation. ...more

November 29, 2008

"American Wife," by Curtis Sittenfeld (Random House, $26) ...more

November 23, 2008

"American Lion: Andrew Jackson in the White House," by Jon Meacham (Random House, $30) ...more

November 16, 2008

U.S. Rep. Tim Mahoney did not use campaign funds to buy the silence of a former aide with whom he is accused of having an affair, his attorney said Wednesday. ...more

October 15, 2008

A powerful state senator who served time in federal prison has died in a Jacksonville nursing home. ...more

September 27, 2008

"Daniel Ruth is such a frickin idiot." "Daniel Ruth is such a moron." "Daniel Ruth exemplifies the liberal elitist arrogance." ...more

September 7, 2008

In response to your editorial question about voters, thank you for the question and the suggestions. I too believe that only those who are informed with the facts about their candidate of choice should vote. Since you offered the statement that; "anyone who believes Sen. Obama is a Muslim shouldn't vote." ...more

September 5, 2008