Proposed change in alimony law hurts families

I’ve practiced law for 10 years and represented parties on both sides of alimony and time-sharing matters.

We all know families are unique; no two are the same. This is honored and taken into consideration when families go through a divorce and/or time-sharing agreement.

When parties separate, the dynamic they typically share remains, even after separation. So if the father cared for the minor child or children most of the time, then the parties, once separated, will maintain that same dynamic.

However, Senate Bill 1922 and House Bill 1559 would change all that. This state legislation would create an automatic presumption, which in many situations is not appropriate. It wouldn’t allow the courts to look at each family and the needs they have to arrange for an appropriate time-sharing schedule.

It would turn alimony into a numerical calculation that wouldn’t appropriately reflect the lifestyle or circumstances of each family.

These bills would severely and negatively alter alimony and time-sharing in Florida as we know it. I ask that lawmakers vote No on this legislation. It would devastate our state’s families and children.

– Marck K. Joseph,

Miami

GIVE TRUMP CREDIT

It was disappointing that President Biden did not give the Trump administration credit and thank the many dedicated people involved in Operation Warp Speed, including Gen. Gustave F. Perna, who was responsible for planning the distribution of the vaccines, and for enabling the development of the vaccines in “miracle” time.

President Trump first invoked the Defense Production Act in April 2020. Biden received his first shot on Dec. 21, 2020. On Jan. 14, 2021, more than 951,000 shots were administered in one day, and the rate was rapidly accelerating. Before Trump left office on Jan. 20, the United States had already exceeded a million shots a day.

Opinion content from syndicated sources may be trimmed from the original length to fit available space.

All scientists and physicians in the field of virology have acknowledged Operation Warp Speed.

In the interests of truth and unity, Biden should have also.

– Robert E. Panoff,

Pinecrest

GABLES REZONING

Re the March 11 story “Coral Gables commission OK’s four-story building cap on the Mile:” The article twice mentions that the zoning change reduces the permissible height for buildings on Miracle Mile from six to four stories. This claim is, at best, misleading.

Because of the parking requirement under thecurrent code, six-story buildings are not financially sound. None has been built, and there are no plans to build any.

The proposed change alters the parking requirements so that throughout Miracle Mile, four stories will be built. The proposed re-zoning is a gift to developers. Commissioners who support it are not listening to citizens, who prize the small-town feeling of the Mile.

Shame on the commissioners.

– Robert Rosen,

Coral Gables

VOTER REGISTRATION

Joe Biden is president because of voter turnout driven by mail-in ballots and early voting. Therefore, it should be no surprise that Florida’s Republican legislators will do everything they can to limit the votes of people who threaten their power.

Moreover, they are not hiding this goal. No amount of pressure, petitions or ads will change the outcome.

Given this certainty, those who believe in democracy should mobilize to counter those tactics. Let’s start registering people now at churches, colleges and on street corners. There are a lot of us who are prepared to give their time to this effort. I can’t think of a better cause.

– Leon Kellner,

Coral Gables

GOP OUTRAGE

Republicans like to accuse Democrats of promoting a “cancel culture.”

Democrats may have wanted to cancel superspreader events during the pandemic. But Republicans want to cancel workers’ right to organize, citizens’ right to protest, women’s right to choose, access to affordable healthcare and the voting booth, Social Security, the U.S. Postal Service and, after failing to impeach a wannabe dictator, maybe even democracy.

It seems the only things the GOP doesn’t want to cancel are the tax breaks for billionaires.

– Kimberly Diaz,

St. Petersburg

MIGRANT HELP

Re the March 12 editorial, “Stop the expulsion of migrants from Haiti:” I must have missed the editorial demanding to stop the expulsion of Mexicans. Those who come to Florida receive little to no benefits. Perhaps they just don’t have the money and connections.

– Roberta Leonard,

Miami