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Sarasota | Opinion

    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • November 12, 2015
School boards wrong again

Now that property values and home building are rising again, the Sarasota and Manatee school boards see an easy target for money: jack up the price of new homes.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
At this week’s City Commission meeting, Doug Logan presented a conceptual plan to address the 300 to 400 chronic homeless people in the city.
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • November 6, 2015
Common sense on homeless

Sarasota city’s homeless director, Doug Logan, created a conceptual business model that has merit. Crucial to implementation and success: someone to own the challenge.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • October 29, 2015
House always wins

The Seminole gaming compact and Florida lottery create a dichotomous hypocrisy. To limit gambling in Florida, ‘the state’ is the biggest operator and purveyor of gambling.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 15, 2015
A worthy investment

Underground utilities lines are like business assets: You must reinvest in them to stay competitive and add value.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 8, 2015
Our next president?

What a sad commentary that a man who espouses a government that confiscates your life and your property is gaining traction.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 1, 2015
Beware of the mob

Animal-rights proponents are pressuring Sarasota County commissioners to shut down retail pet stores’ puppy and kitty sales. There are other effective ways to reach the goal.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Speaker Designate Richard Corcoran. File photo
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 24, 2015
'The enemy is always ... us!'

Florida’s House speaker designate got it right: Lawmakers are the problem, not special interests.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • September 10, 2015
A deal with the devils

After 9/11, Americans united in pursuit of justice. They still want it. The Iran nuclear deal and Senate minority defy the people’s wishes and ignore the obvious truth.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Pat and Sen. Bob Johnson
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • September 2, 2015
OUR VIEW | Sarasota statesman

It’s not overstating to say Bob Johnson would rank among the top five individuals who, over the past half-century, have been dedicated to the betterment of Sarasota County.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 26, 2015
MY VIEW | Bobby Jones: Sell it

The national trend is for municipally owned golf courses to be sold. Selling Bobby Jones to a developer could help solve the city’s debt and affordable housing issues.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • August 20, 2015
The dirty Clean Power Plan

Every choice the president and Congress make is a trade-off, not a solution. Once again, the states are usurped.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Bill Nelson
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • August 11, 2015
Another appeaser

In spite of the American people’s overwhelming opposition to the Iran nuclear deal, Florida Sen. Bill Nelson claims there is ‘no other available alternative.’ He’s voting for it.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • August 6, 2015
City pension reform can’t wait

You have seen many times in these pages that the city of Sarasota has more than $150 million in unfunded liabilities in the city-employee pension systems. 

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 5, 2015
City pension reform can’t wait

You have seen many times in these pages that the city of Sarasota has more than $150 million in unfunded liabilities in the city-employee pension systems.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • July 30, 2015
It's a private-sector project

Sarasota is an ideal place to have a conference center. But not so ideal is the idea to fund one with tax subsidies. If it’s such a great deal, the private sector should do it.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
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