Tenants bid farewell to one of St. Petersburg\u2019s last affordable rentals | Dec. 15<\/p>\n
Across the country, states as politically different as California, Texas, Montana and Washington are demonstrating that meaningful housing reform is both possible and bipartisan. These states are cutting red tape, modernizing zoning, reducing parking mandates and allowing more homes near transit. Each of these steps helps make housing more affordable without placing additional burdens on taxpayers.<\/p>\n
Tampa should pay close attention to these examples. California now exempts most infill housing from lengthy environmental reviews that were often used to block new development. Montana has capped parking minimums, legalized accessory dwelling units and required cities to allow taller residential buildings in commercial zones. Washington and Maine have also reduced parking mandates and streamlined approval processes.<\/p>\n
These reforms succeed because they increase the supply of homes in areas where people already live, work and commute. Tampa faces similar pressures, including rising rents, limited land and a rapidly growing population. By allowing more housing near transit corridors, reducing excessive parking requirements and streamlining the approval process for infill development, Tampa can expand the availability of attainable and workforce\u2011friendly housing.<\/p>\n
As a longtime Florida real estate professional, I see every day how regulatory barriers limit options for families and workers. Other states have shown that practical and effective solutions exist. Tampa can choose to adopt these proven strategies or risk falling further behind.<\/p>\n
Tom Feaster, Tampa<\/p>\n
It\u2019s time for AI-enabling legislation, not just restrictive regulations | Column, Dec. 26<\/p>\n
According to guest columnist Sid Dobrin: \u201cThey (government) could start by providing state-level AI infrastructure tax credits for companies investing in high-performance computing centers, data center expansions, or specialized AI accelerators used for training large language models.\u201d No thank you!<\/p>\n
Taxpayers already subsidize industry by providing infrastructure like roads, water\/sewer, internet and power. In fact data centers are currently using excessive amounts of electricity and water in many communities, driving up rates and straining systems. Taxpayers also pay for public schools, parks, libraries, police, fire and rescue that make a community desirable for companies and workers.<\/p>\n
Business owners, including those in AI, shouldn\u2019t expect the public to share the risk and upfront costs of their endeavors. Capitalism involves a balance between risk and reward. When businesses shift the risk to taxpayers, instead of business owners and shareholders, they shield themselves from accountability and inevitably increase risk, which they expect the public to shoulder.<\/p>\n
Diane Love, St. Petersburg<\/p>\n
Rays officials say they are making progress on a new stadium for 2029 | Dec. 8<\/p>\n
As a huge Rays fan, I\u2019m very happy to read that the new ownership wants to keep the team in the Tampa Bay area. That said, I don\u2019t share the belief that putting a stadium in Tampa would be the magic formula to increase attendance. If that were true, where were all the Tampa fans last season, who barely showed up and couldn\u2019t fill 11,000-seat Steinbrenner Field?<\/p>\n
I have come to the opinion that this area doesn\u2019t support major league baseball. Over the last decade or so, the Rays have been a fun and winning team, and yet the vast majority of people around here watch it on their big screens at home, lamenting about having a low-budget club that has to trade away Cy Young winners. Baseball owners are just that, business owners.<\/p>\n
I wish more people would get on board with putting the stadium on the waterfront in St. Pete, where the little utilized Albert Whitted Airport now sits. It is owned by the city, paid for by taxpayers, and just took over a million dollars from the state to rebuild its aging facilities. It\u2019s 110 acres of prime waterfront, surrounded by a booming infrastructure of bars, restaurants and a major destination in Pinellas County. Surround the Rays new home in the middle of an area with a pulse, and it will feed itself. Make it cool to go to a Rays game, and fans will follow.<\/p>\n
Marc Rogers, Largo<\/p>\n
For nearly 30 years, we have spent many weeks each winter in our condo on lovely Madeira Beach. It was a perfect escape from the cold Western Canadian winters. The beautiful ocean and beach, lovely community, bike paths, great restaurants, and warm and friendly people all made it what it was to us. Sadly, despite all of those things, we will not travel to the United States now. We are disgusted with the reprehensible behavior of the president and his administration. Good luck to each of you as this scenario continues to unfold for another three years. Florida was always wonderful, and we thank each of you for warmly welcoming us and making those holidays so special.<\/p>\n
Monica and Orest Bykowski, St. Albert, Alberta, Canada<\/p>\n
\u2022 \u2022 \u2022<\/p>\n