Opinion | Sarasota | Your Observer

Sarasota | Opinion

Matt Walsh
June 4, 2025

Actually, we're in safe zone

Over a 125-year period, Manatee and Sarasota counties have been among the safest coastal counties in Florida when it comes to hurricanes.

Sarasota
Opinion

Mark Gordon
May 30, 2025

Israel: A Love story

Lots of people told me going to Israel would be a life-changing trip. They were right.

Sarasota
Opinion

Matt Walsh
May 29, 2025

Two stormwater storms

County commissioners are facing two storms that could blow them away: how to pay for and prevent another 2024 and dumping stormwater on the city.

Sarasota
Opinion

Matt Walsh
May 29, 2025

Speaker Perez has it right

While President Donald Trump and U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson gloat over the passage of their “big beautiful bill,” Florida Speaker Danny Perez is preparing for his own budget battle next month.

Sarasota
Opinion

Matt Walsh
May 28, 2025

Arts can (and should) stand on their own

Whenever the region’s arts organizations and their leaders and representatives convene for a conference or summit, inevitably, discussions get around to lamenting the state of taxpayer funding for the arts.

Sarasota
Opinion

By Letter to the Editor
May 21, 2025

'Save the Mira Mar' is inappropriate form of horse trading

Seaward's development plan rests on two shaky pillars that lacks an economic need and historic preservation, a reader says.

Sarasota
Opinion

By Adrian Moore, Eliza Terziev
May 21, 2025

How to boost affordability

There are some simple steps Sarasota city and county can take to relieve the lack of housing that is affordable — and it’s not requiring public subsidies.

Sarasota
Opinion

Matt Walsh
May 21, 2025

How we compare

Living in a capitalistic, competitive society, we all like to know how we compare. Are we best? Worst? First? Last?

Sarasota
Opinion

Matt Walsh
May 14, 2025

Manatee does it again

Learning Manatee commissioners voted to pursue voiding a contract was too much for SMR’s Rex Jensen.

East County
Opinion

Matt Walsh
May 8, 2025

There’s no need for search

The idea of enduring the City Commission's search for a city manager could make you cringe. So why do it when the best and right candidate is already here?

Sarasota
Opinion

Matt Walsh
April 30, 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.

Sarasota
Opinion

By Randall G. Holcombe
April 30, 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.

Sarasota
Opinion

Matt Walsh
April 30, 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.

Sarasota
Opinion

Mirabai Holland
April 28, 2025

Weight-loss drugs still require lifestyle changes

If you have to use the semaglutide medicines for weight loss, you still need exercise and a balanced diet.

Longboat Key
Opinion

Matt Walsh
April 23, 2025

A legacy for us to carry on

Modest, likable, trusted, respected, Charlie Stottlemyer is a testament to a life well-lived — and to which we should aspire.

Longboat Key
Opinion

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