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Opinion

  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • 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
  • For Subscribers Only
  • 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
  • For Subscribers Only
  • 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
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • 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
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • 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
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • 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
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • 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
  • For Subscribers Only
  • 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
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • 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
  • For Subscribers Only
  • 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
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • 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
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • 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
  • For Subscribers Only
  • 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
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Sharon Hillstrom
  • February 28, 2025
Manatee Technical College, Bradenton Area EDC partner for talent pipeline success

The school and the EDC work together to prepare students for local jobs in manufacturing and aviation maintenance, among other sectors.

  • Opinion
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • January 3, 2025
The Word for 2025: ‘Elon’

Elon Musk is flawed. We all are. Nonetheless, Musk is emblematic of the mood of Americans. He symbolizes the can-do, pioneering spirit that made the United States. Forget the moon; shoot for Mars.

  • Opinion
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