Opinion

By Tom Hall
November 6, 2025

The Florida Aquarium at 30: How one building truly changed a city

A belief in Tampa — and a hope in an unseen vision — led a major success that defined three decades of growth.

Opinion

By Jeff Brandes
October 29, 2025

Former state senator: Expanded term limits will be a big win for Florida

No business can flourish if it changes leaders every two years. But that’s Florida’s Legislature. Twelve-years terms would breed better, smarter results.

Opinion

Sharon Hillstrom
August 27, 2025

Sky's the limit for aviation companies and careers in Manatee County

The industry is soaring in Manatee, with an assist from economic development officials who helped create a welcoming and pro-business environment.

Opinion

By Pat Neal
August 20, 2025

Prolific builder Pat Neal: Developers must help improve region's infrastructure

The population surge in Florida shows little signs of slowing, making vigilant preparation a key to managing the growth properly.

Opinion

By Jeffrey Brandes, Adrian Moore, Edward Pinto
July 15, 2025

Opinion: Sarasota affordable housing plan falls short

The affordability crisis is not a market failure. Sarasota needs to remove barriers. Other cities have done so and are seeing meaningful results.

Opinion

Matt Walsh
July 7, 2025

Historic, yes; could be better

Credit Speaker Perez and his House colleagues for finally reining in spending. But there are still political gimmicks and pet projects in the budget.

Opinion

Sharon Hillstrom
June 27, 2025

Bradenton action plan seeks to galvanize the city's economy and livability

City leaders aim to capitalize on Bradenton's momentum.

Opinion

Matt Walsh
June 6, 2025

Danny Perez: The new disrupter

At last there is a Florida speaker addressing what we have all seen: Our so-called conservative Republican lawmakers have a spending problem.

Opinion

Matt Walsh
May 6, 2025

Tyranny of Trump's tariffs

Who is ripping off whom in international trade. How can Donald Trump know more about tariffs than 250 years of economic evidence? Tariffs punish everyone.

Opinion

By Randall G. Holcombe
May 6, 2025

In truth, our trade deficits benefit Americans

While the Trump administration’s economic policies are aimed at least partly toward eliminating the nation’s balance of payments deficits, Americans should understand that they benefit from those deficits.

Opinion

Matt Walsh
May 6, 2025

Noted economists past and present on tariffs and free trade

In any discussion to understand free trade, protectionism and tariffs, there is no debate among credible economists: Free trade: good; protectionism and tariffs: bad.

Opinion

By Abigail R. Hall, Michael A. Coon
April 29, 2025

Tariffs are an economic hurricane for Florida businesses

"Tariffs are taxes. Just like any other tax, these tariffs will make goods more expensive. Florida businesses that rely on imports to provide goods and services will feel the pain."

Opinion

Sharon Hillstrom
April 24, 2025

Bradenton Area EDC leader: Businesses, educators can create modern workforce

The Bradenton Area Economic Development Corp. seeks to close the gap between "what students are learning and what businesses need now and in the future."

Opinion

Kat Wingert
April 16, 2025

AI: The next new frontier?

While some media organizations are clamoring to be leaders in artificial intelligence, the Observer is following a different approach.

Opinion

By Letter to the Editor
April 8, 2025

Full-day pre-K yields high return

Students and the economy will both benefit from increased investment.

Opinion

1 2 3 4 5 »

The Florida Aquarium at 30: How one building truly changed a city

Former state senator: Expanded term limits will be a big win for Florida

Sky's the limit for aviation companies and careers in Manatee County

Prolific builder Pat Neal: Developers must help improve region's infrastructure

Opinion: Sarasota affordable housing plan falls short

Historic, yes; could be better

Bradenton action plan seeks to galvanize the city's economy and livability

Danny Perez: The new disrupter

Tyranny of Trump's tariffs

In truth, our trade deficits benefit Americans

Noted economists past and present on tariffs and free trade

Tariffs are an economic hurricane for Florida businesses

Bradenton Area EDC leader: Businesses, educators can create modern workforce

AI: The next new frontier?

Full-day pre-K yields high return

Firm signs 63K square feet of Sarasota office space leases

Two years later, The Oyster Bar returns to St. Pete

Yeti buys Charlotte County drinkware company’s designs in $38M deal

Miami, local investors plan medical project on 14-acre Sarasota brownfield site

Sarasota County approves $2.5M for park on Phillippi Creek

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