Most people blame the decline in Florida tourism last year on a fear of hurricanes, rising gas prices, insurance-spiked hotel rates and the security obstacles facing international visitors since Sept. 11, 2001. Red tide's an economic killer, too. One estimate puts the toll of its harmful blooms at $82 million a year. Read more »

In an opinion piece written for the Tampa Tribune, Representative Castor explains how President Bush's escalation of the war in Iraq threatens future missions. Read more »