Demonstrators continue to protest a bill that would make it a felony to be in this country illegally and would make it a crime to dispense aid to the nation’s 11 million illegal immigrants. What are your thoughts on the issue? Tell us what you think.
Creating jobs, cutting crime and improving mass transit were among the initiatives Mayor Pam Iorio talked about last year. How do you think the mayor has fared toward achieving her goals? Tell us what you think.
As we mark the third anniversary of the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, do you think we’ve made any strides? Has your opinion of the war changed during the past three years? What are your reflections on the war? Tell us what you think.
Catholics who have a beef with the rules will have to head out of town for a traditional St. Patrick’s Day meal.
This year, St. Patrick’s Day falls on a Friday during the Lenten season of fasting and prayer. As any good Catholic knows, you don’t eat meat on Fridays during Lent. For those who can’t celebrate the patron saint of Ireland without a slab of pink corned beef and a side of cabbage, there’s good news. Bishops in Florida’s other six dioceses have given varying degrees of dispensation to the religious obligation. That means you can drive to Orlando or Sarasota and order dinner with all the trimmings, sans guilt. Tell us what you’re going to do.
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Recent news reports about a “Support Our Troops” sign that an Army wife put in front of her house in Westchase have stirred debate about whether a homeowners association can keep residents from putting up such signs, a right guaranteed by the First Amendment and upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court. Should the constitution only protect citizens from action taken by the government and not private entities, such as the association? Tell us what you think.
Commuters met gridlock this week in downtown Tampa as 20,000 people headed to a sold-out motivational seminar. Some residents said this proved Tampa is not ready to host a big event such as a National Convention. Many others were left wondering what would happen if Bay area residents had to evacuate during a hurricane. Tell us what you think.
The Pentagon inspector general is examining allegations that Lonnie W. Smith, a high-ranking manager in the intelligence directorate at U.S. Central Command retaliated against a subordinate who complained that Smith used his influence to help his son-in-law get a job at Centcom - a potential violation of a federal law barring nepotism.
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State lawmakers are pushing a bill requiring coral-colored license plates for people whose driving privileges are restricted after DUI convictions. Some of the bill’s opponents say the plates create civil rights issues. Tell us what you think.
Imagine someone hands you a big pile of money.
What would you do with it? Throw a party or feed the poor? Help your family and friends or put a down payment on a new house? A little of all the above, maybe?
This year, Florida has $5.8 billion more in its budget than it did last year, and it’s all yours. It comes from new tax revenues, soaring property values and a robust economy, plus built up savings from each of the last five years.
You can’t spend it, of course. It’s all under the control of Gov. Jeb Bush and state lawmakers. And they have lots of ideas about what to do with it as they head to Tallahassee for the opening Tuesday of the 2006 session of the Florida Legislature.
They will consider a $70 billion budget proposal from the governor that includes the unprecedented surplus - projected revenues that exceed projected expenses.
Some want to use the extra dough for tax cuts while others say it should go towards school construction. There are health care needs, and people still struggling to recover from hurricane damage. Some suggest the unthinkable for politics - save it for a rainy day or pay off debts.
The $5.8 billion has inspired a free-for-all. Everyone at the Capitol wants a piece of this juicy pie, and before you know it only crumbs will be left.
How do you want them to spend it?
A Clearwater High School junior urinated in a trash can during his English class after his teacher, Lesley Campbell, denied his request to use the restroom. Campbell has been recommended for a 10-day suspension without pay by Clayton Wilcox, superintendent of Pinellas County schools.
The school district claims Campbell violated its policy that prohibits a teacher from making inappropriate remarks to a student or “exposing a student to unnecessary embarrassment or disparagement.” Do you agree with the suspension? Tell us what you think.
Imagine someone hands you a big pile of money.
What would you do with it? Throw a party or feed the poor? Help your family and friends or buy a new house? A little of all the above, maybe?
There is a lot of extra money in Florida this year, $5.8 billion, and it’s all yours – from new tax revenues, soaring property values and a robust economy.
You can’t spend it, of course. It’s all under the control of Gov. Jeb Bush and state lawmakers. And they have lots of ideas about what to do with it as they head to Tallahassee for the opening Tuesday of the 2006 session of the Florida Legislature.
They will consider a $70 billion budget proposal from the governor that includes the unprecedented surplus – projected revenues that exceed projected expenses.
Some want to use a big chunk of the extra dough for tax cuts while others say it should go towards school construction. There are health care needs, and people still struggling to recover from hurricane damage. Some suggest the unthinkable for politicians, who trade on the favors they dole out - save it for a rainy day or pay off debts.
The $5.8 billion has inspired a bit of a free-for-all. Everyone at the Capitol wants a piece of this juicy pie, and before you know it only crumbs will be left.
How do you want them to spend it?
A recent poll found that nearly three out of four U.S. troops serving in Iraq think U.S. forces should withdraw within a year, and more than one in four say the United States should leave immediately. Is it time to get out or do you agree with President Bush’s call for troops to stay “as long as they are needed”? Tell us what you think.
Mardi Gras parties in New Orleans are under way some six months after Hurricane Katrina devastated the city. Should New Orleans be celebrating? Tell us what you think.
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