Opinion Pieces

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  • Working Families Need Access to Resources in an Emergency
    Posted in Opinion Pieces on June 10, 2016 | Preview rr
    Tags: Economy

    Where do working families go when faced with an emergency? When the family car breaks down or needs a set of tires? When the AC needs servicing during a hot Florida summer? Or when your child needs that prom dress for the big dance? Read more

  • Save our soldiers from suicide surge
    Posted in Opinion Pieces on May 30, 2016 | Preview rr
    Tags: Health Care, Veterans' Affairs, Military

    Memorial Day is a day to remember Americans who lost their lives on the battlefield in service to our great nation. Read more

  • Investing in our inventors
    Posted in Opinion Pieces on April 14, 2016 | Preview rr
    Tags: Health Care, Economy, Jobs, Education

    Scientific discoveries and inventions in America’s college campus labs are accelerating modern technological progress at an astounding rate. Look at the advancements in 3-D printing, environmentally-friendly manufacturing, genomics and more. Universities and non-profit research institutions are the bedrock for our nation’s innovative work and progress. In 2014 alone, nearly 6,500 U.S. Utility Patents were granted to academic inventors around the world, according to a report by the National Academy of Inventors and the Intellectual Property Owners Association. Read more

  • Clean energy will drive Florida's economy and create jobs
    Posted in Opinion Pieces on January 26, 2016 | Preview rr
    Tags: Energy Independence

    Now that scientists have determined that 2015 was the hottest year on record, let's get serious about our clean energy future — and create jobs doing it. Read more

  • To combat Islamic State, strengthen Special Forces and insist on more help from other nations
    Posted in Opinion Pieces on November 19, 2015 | Preview rr
    Tags: Iraq War, Military

    To combat the ever-evolving terrorist threat, our military must have the flexibility to adapt to the tactics of the radical jihadis, and the Global Coalition to Counter IS must contribute more to the effort. Specifically, America’s Special Forces must have the most modern intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance tools to battle terrorist extremists and to keep us safe. Read more

  • Honor their service and preserve their memories
    Posted in Opinion Pieces on May 25, 2015 | Preview rr
    Tags: Veterans' Affairs, Military

    By U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, published in The Tampa Tribune on May 25, 2015. Every generation of American service men and women defines the courage and determination of our nation. Salutes to the Greatest Generation are especially poignant this year as we recognize the 70th anniversary of World War II Victory in Europe (V-E) Day and the 70th anniversary of Victory in Japan (V-J) Day. The Greatest Generation answered the call to ensure that freedom, hope and opportunity triumphed at home and across... Read more

  • Congress' delays on the infrastructure must end
    Posted in Opinion Pieces on May 22, 2015 | Preview rr
    Tags: Infrastructure, Legislation

    By U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, published in the Tampa Bay Times on May 22, 2015. America must move beyond the transportation gridlock and address its crumbling infrastructure. Yet Congress is poised to kick the can down the road again, while you sit in traffic, flights are delayed, transit systems await repairs and America stays stuck in neutral. We should all be frustrated that Congress will fail to meet the May 31 deadline to adopt a long-term transportation bill largely because Republicans are di... Read more

  • Tampa plays vital role in enlightened approach toward Cuba
    Posted in Opinion Pieces on December 21, 2014 | Preview rr

    Once again the people of Tampa were central to a historic, positive change for the Western Hemisphere. Read more

  • Energy efficiency saves money, creates jobs
    Posted in Opinion Pieces on August 4, 2014 | Preview rr

    Florida investor-owned electric companies recently asked the Public Service Commission to "free" them from energy efficiency and conservation standards. Such an anti-consumer move would be misguided. Read more

  • Keep eye out for insurance rebates, but beware new unregulated rates
    Posted in Opinion Pieces on July 31, 2014 | Preview rr
    Tags: Health Care, Protecting Consumers

    By U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor published in The Tampa Tribune on July 31, 2014 You and your employer should check the mailbox this summer for health insurance rebate checks. For the third year in a row, rebate checks from health insurance companies are on their way to customers. This is thanks to a provision of the Affordable Care Act that requires insurers to spend the majority of premiums — at least 80 percent — directly on medical costs rather than administrative costs, such as executive salaries,... Read more