Congresswoman Kathy Castor (D-FL) today visited Meadowlawn Middle School to personally witness a classroom of struggling readers using the locally developed Tune In to Reading program. The school has made the most gains in reading in Pinellas County, going from a “C” school to a “B” school thanks to its partnership with Tampa-based Electronic Learning Products. Read more »

New federal help for the big mortgage lenders and first-time homebuyers could help revive Tampa's housing market. The quicker markets stabilize, the less taxpayers will have to pay in the complex bill with an unknown price tag. Read more »

“Toys with lead and other dangerous chemicals are now banned. Our children and families deserve to be protected from and advised about imported toys and products that threaten their health.” Read more »

“Our landmark legislation today throws a lifeline to families who are struggling to maintain the American dream of home ownership during this housing crisis and economic downturn,” said Castor from the House floor. Read more »

Monday morning, Burke stood beside Castor as the representative spoke about her plans to address the backlog. Burke, who said she suffers from diabetic neuropathy and other ailments, first applied for disability benefits in 2000. After her application was denied twice, she hired a lawyer to help her slog through the quagmire. In the meantime, though, she had to move in with her mother, who, though past retirement, continued to work to help the family survive, said Burke, 40. Read more »

President Bush and VP Cheney continue to side with Big Oil over the interests of the American people. Bush’s claim that drilling off of coastal Florida will lower gas prices is a hoax and a sham. Even Florida’s biggest pro business lobby states that drilling off our coast will not do anything to lower gas prices. Instead, a comprehensive energy plan is required that targets oil speculators to lower prices, promotes conservation and transit, forces oil companies to drill on the 68 million acres already available to them but not being tapped, and encourages drilling in the national reserve area to more immediately increase our oil supplies Read more »

U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor says if oil companies are interested in drilling in the Gulf of Mexico, they should consider millions of acres already available to them that's not being tapped. Read more »

Jose Lopez has five mouths to feed and a mortgage to pay. His pregnant wife was recently laid off her job, and they're a month behind their mortgage payments. He brought his family to the Hunt Community Center at Al Lopez Park on Saturday, where financial advisers, bank representatives and nonprofit counselors helped about 600 cash-strapped residents discover ways they may be able to keep their homes. Read more »

Does anybody think this will be good for the state's economy or quality of life? Drilling off the state would do little to lower gas costs, at best a few cents per gallon, and would not even be available for seven years or more. It makes no sense to risk Florida's coast for such a puny payoff. Read more »

This Independence Day, renew your commitment to energy independence through better gas mileage for our cars, innovation, an end to profiteering, conservation and transit. Read more »