Opinion Pieces

  • Keeping Tampa a 'tanker town'
    Jun 23, 2012 - A united Tampa Bay community recently kicked off our "MacDill Means Mobility" campaign to highlight the strengths of MacDill Air Force Base to national policymakers. The region is a patriotic community that is especially supportive of MacDill Air Force Base, home to the 6th Air Mobility Wing, Centr... More
  • Seeking equal opportunities in surgery
    May 22, 2012 - In 2009, Tampa surgeon Dr. Sharona Ross launched the Women in Surgery initiative at the University of South Florida. Ross was troubled that so few bright, motivated female medical school students chose surgery as their specialty area. She is committed to turning that around. More than half of studen... More
  • Special Operations and Forces Indeed
    May 13, 2011 - When Special Operations forces brought Osama bin Laden to justice in an obscure Pakistani compound, commanders and personnel at U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM), U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) and MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa had every right to be proud. SOCOM and CENTCOM have been leadin... More
  • Health care law offers business tax credits
    Mar 23, 2011 - Significant tax credits for small businesses are available under the new Affordable Care Act. I am meeting this week with small-business owners to discuss job creation across the Tampa Bay area, including construction businesses, armed services contractors and Temple Terrace Mayor Joe Affronti's sma... More
  • Wisdom and Advice About High-Speed Rail
    Mar 2, 2011 - I read with interest over the weekend the letter from Warren Buffett, one of America's most renowned investors, to the shareholders of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. regarding his enthusiasm for rail investments. Buffett's thoughts provide an important lesson for Florida, job growth and our long-term econo... More
  • Making Life Better for our Defenders
    May 31, 2010 - By KATHY CASTOR Special to the Tribune On Memorial Day we are reminded of the brave sacrifice our troops have made for America. We remember those who have died defending our great nation, leaving behind mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, sons, daughters, husbands and wives. We also salute the cont... More
  • Strengthening Medicare - Tampa Tribune
    Mar 19, 2010 - Our parents, grandparents and neighbors throughout the Tampa Bay area and across America will see their Medicare coverage improve when landmark health reform passes. That's correct. Contrary to opposing claims, not one guaranteed Medicare benefit is cut. Here are the facts: •Effective immediately, t... More
  • New Housing Law Is Ray Of Hope For Tampa Area's Gloomy Market
    Aug 5, 2008 - New federal help for the big mortgage lenders and first-time homebuyers could help revive Tampa's housing market. The quicker markets stabilize, the less taxpayers will have to pay in the complex bill with an unknown price tag. President Bush signed it last week, but we don't blame him for doing it ... More
  • Floridians Should Not Be Panicked Into Sacrificing Their Coast
    Jul 11, 2008 - Big oil interests are using big lies to promote oil drilling off Florida's coast. Trying to capitalize on the public's dismay over high gas prices, the drill-everywhere crowd is misleading citizens about the likely consequences. Drilling, they say, represents no threat. Keep the rigs out of sight - ... More
  • Declaring Independence From Big Oil
    Jul 4, 2008 - Hardworking Tampa Bay area families are being squeezed by the rising costs of health care, housing, property insurance and, of course, gas prices. Many reformers have been standing up to the White House and urging them for years to change direction and focus on long-term solutions to our energy chal... More