Florida bear hunting can’t be more delicious

Florida is ready for another bear hunt. Two Ways to Improve It | Column, May 22

Not humane

The 2015 Bear Hunt was a wild bar and “was confused.” Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Committee response? Allowing bear food, lung-penetrating arrows and killer dog packs makes your next hunt even more lewd. And future hunts will be far from “transparent.” At the 2015 check-in station, the public was furious at the scene of the murdered Mama Bear and the Cubs. What is the response of FWC? Eliminate check-in stations! Protect Florida’s majestic black bears and stop this unethical trophy hunt.

Joan Zacharias, Tampa

Board approaches approval for bear hunting May 22, 2025

Play the lottery

I think the results of the committee’s vote will show approval for the bear hunt. I oppose such hunts. If the hunt is approved, I plan to enter the lottery, and if I win the permit, I will not use it. Pay $100 to save the bear’s life. I hope the other enemies do the same.

Tom Gregory, Tampa

Florida is ready for another bear hunt. Two Ways to Improve It | Column, May 22

I can’t get “good”

I usually don’t confront columnist Graham Brink. I often nod along with his take. But as for his recent column on how to make Florida bear hunt “better” way, we didn’t even have to read it to know we were off the rails. Let’s be clear. Organized killing of bears, wildlife trying to overcome the chaos created in their habitat, there is no more way to taste.

Dress up everything you want, it’s still a bloody sport. What’s next? A useful guide to making bulldosing more bear-friendly? The idea that this is about “management” or “conservation” is handy fiction.

Bears do not overload construction, overload human beings, or deliver excess. we. And framing this as a logistical issue to improve it is like discussing ways to clean up clear forests. Sorry, Graham – this is difficult.

David Berg, Tampa

Positive autopsy of failed Rays Stadium trade | Column, May 18th

Tropicana Field

Construction of the Empire State Building began in March 1930. It was open on May 1, 1931. It took only 14 months to build the tallest building in the world at the time. It takes twice as long to replace the tarp on the roof of the trop. What happened to us?

Robert Dunlap, Tampa

Trump’s FEMA “Reshape” should worry Floridians | Line, May 25th

Trump and Fema

John Hill wrote a fantastic, fact-based column on President Donald Trump and FEMA’s plans. There was only one problem. Trump doesn’t care what the usual number of citizens in his policies. He only has one goal, so that’s how to eliminate funds for what the government pays to allow him and his fellow Republicans to raise enough money to justify the increased tax cuts of the wealthy.

Angelimeson, St. Petersburg

Florida students will benefit from school choice and time for Florida’s major property tax reform | Column, May 25

Maga Day

On Sunday, the Times Opinion Page focused on right-wing solutions for schools and property taxes.

First, Christopher Pasra, the superintendent of the Catholic Schools and Centres in St. Petersburg, defended the use of taxpayer funds to support private schools by providing vouchers regardless of their parents’ ability to pay. The argument is that it saves taxpayers money – for a voucher of $15,938 vs. $7,763, we show better performance results. What is ignored in this equation is social and economic inequality. Vouchers don’t always pay the entire tuition fee. Parents must fund the balance and exclude poor children.

Most importantly, better outcomes in private schools reflect the financial stability of students and the school’s ability to choose students. The program will divert the funds needed from schools seeking to level the arena for underprivileged children. Taxpayers should not pay for private, often exclusive education.

Second, state legislators Adam Anderson, Danny Alvarez and Brad Jaeger claim we are being held hostages in taxes, and that property taxes should remain at levels or be excluded to provide relief to homeowners. This requires a sales tax, the most regressive tax increase of all. Our state wisely offers homestead exemptions. Over the years, portability and the inclusion of a 10% annual maximum for non-secret properties has been reformed. Many communities, including St. Petersburg, are already lagging behind infrastructure maintenance and upgrades to increase population. All costs rise every year. Fixing or eliminating taxes only exacerbates this issue.

Diane Love, St. Petersburg

Florida Major Property Tax Reform Time | May 25th

Incorrect priorities

Many Republican lawmakers say they are focused on reducing property tax burdens for Florida homeowners. I have owned my home since 2002, and during that time my property tax hasn’t risen much thanks to the Homestead exemption. Meanwhile, my flood insurance has increased by 300%, and my property insurance has doubled despite never filing a claim.

It feels like lawmakers are trying to fix the problem that is not a problem because they lack the political will to face the actual problem. The surge in cost of homeownership driven by runaway insurance premiums.

Melanie Yoshida of Tampa

This is how the FLA feels the impact of Trump’s tariffs | May 25th

Trump’s confusion

I read a paper on Sunday and couldn’t help but realize that every article in it named Trump said, “You’d think the expert (blank) is bad for Trump.” And all the letters mentioning Trump as negative.

President Trump’s encouragement and motivational speech was heard at the opening at West Point and at an anniversary ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery.

It’s a shame that we can’t say anything about the president because important local newspapers are so biased. Important for all Americans: inflation is the lowest level since February 2021. Egg prices are falling. Gasoline prices are falling. Revenue from tariffs boosted budget surplus in April. Our military services have surpassed recruitment targets for the first time in over 15 years. Many other positive outcomes for all Americans, regardless of ideology or political persuasion.

Terry Kemple, Brandon

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