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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
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Sharon Hillstrom
  • December 27, 2024
Bradenton Area EDC reviews progress, looks toward productive 2025

Over the past decade, the Bradenton Area EDC and its partners have assisted more than 90 businesses with expansions and relocations.

  • Opinion
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • December 16, 2024
How to stop hurricanes

Research has demonstrated that turbine-driven wind farms in the gulf and ocean can produce energy and dramatically reduce hurricane damage.

  • Opinion
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Heather Kasten
  • November 7, 2024
Sarasota Chamber CEO: Don't retreat, cut corners amid adversity

Excellence is tested most during adversity. How we handle adversity defines the culture of our businesses.

  • Opinion
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • November 6, 2024
The Pfizer Papers: Pfizer’s crimes against humanity

Three governments tried to suppress evidence revealing that Pfizer and federal officials knew the company’s vaccine would not stop COVID and was deadly.

  • Opinion
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Dominic M. Calabro
  • November 1, 2024
Florida tax watchdog urges state to implement post-storm fixes

Florida TaxWatch says rebuilding after Helene and Milton will be a “multi-year endeavor.’ The state, the organization adds, can help by not overdoing it and over-complicating things on the taxation side.

  • Opinion
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