The drama involving that massive budget cut for the USF campus in Tampa continues to dominate the local media, but perhaps we're taking the wrong perspective on all of this. I mean, J.D. Alexander is bringing together disparate members of the Tampa Bay area political/media/business establishment in a fashion rarely experienced. The latest to pounce on the Polk County legislator is former Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio.
The Tampa City Council chambers might be a little thicker than usual this morning. Not for any policy prescriptions to be debated per se, but because Tampa Bay Rays manager Joe Maddon and first baseman Carlos Pena will be honored by the body. But there are some interesting items scheduled to be discussed.
The House of Representatives continues to debate a transportation bill that would radically reduce funding for local transit and bicycle/pedestrian improvements. Oh, and it would also allow for drilling off of Florida's coast.
And even though it might bring down the spirits of those of you in love with your iPhone, iPad, iPod, or anything having to do with Apple, there is growing awareness of the industrial accidents, abuse of workers and use of underage labor in the factories who make those products in China.
This article appears in Feb 16-22, 2012.