LOOKING AHEAD TO NEXT WEEK
DESANTIS APPEAL OUTSIDE HIS BASE,
Dick Batchelor, president, Dick Batchelor Management Group: Expect Gov. DeSantis to use his proposed $98.7 billion budget to be used for what I call “blue meat” issues that appeal to traditionally Democrat and more moderate voters. Look forward to full funding for affordable housing and teachers’ pay increases, including bonuses. Add in funds for police and all first responders to his proposals. There will also be substantial funding for environmental projects. With his speech appealing to the conservative voters, he will use the budget to appeal to those outside of his traditional conservative and arch-conservative base. Good optics. Good politics. Stay tuned.
SAVE THE MANATEES, A.J. Marsden, assistant professor, Beacon College: Florida manatees endured a horrific year with a record 1,101 deaths in 2021 — nearly doubling the 2020 death toll, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. In the past, boats were manatees’ main nemesis. That changed in 2021: more manatees starved to death as pollution-fueled algae blooms depleted their food source. Reducing boat injuries to save manatees is a difficult task but not impossible with speed zones and sanctuaries. Fixing Florida’s devastated ecosystem to save the manatees, however, is going to take a whole lot more from our elected officials.
COLLEGE CAREER PLANNING, Alex Martins, chair, UCF Board of Trustees; CEO, Orlando Magic: A new, interactive college and career-planning website demonstrates how UCF and Florida’s other public universities are affordable and a worthwhile investment. Students and families can review information about employment, salaries and debt for graduates of Florida’s 12 public universities. Data include the earning potential for each academic program at each university one, five and 10 years after graduation and the additional earning potential with advanced degrees. The site was created by the State University System of Florida and supported by the Florida Legislature and Gov. Ron DeSantis. Go to www.flbog.edu/MyFloridaFuture for more information.
BAD BILLS, Muhammad Musri, president, Islamic Society of Central Florida: The Florida Legislature began on Tuesday its annual 60-day session with more than 3,000 bills filed. While some proposals are needed, like the $1,000 bonuses for teachers and first responders and a gas tax holiday to save drivers $1 billion, there are partisan bills like stopping schools and businesses from teaching critical race theory and creating a new law enforcement office to fight election fraud which is nonexistent. This session will determine the next 10 years for Florida because the political maps will be redrawn, and many bills are pushed by Gov. Ron DeSantis to help get him reelected in November.
HONOR DR. KING’S LEGACY, Pamela Nabors, president/CEO, CareerSource Central Florida: “Oh, let us turn our thoughts today to Martin Luther King.” So starts a wonderful song tribute by James Taylor, which contemplates Dr. King’s message of equity and unity so sorely needed today. Dr. King encouraged all Americans to engage in their communities and seek opportunities to give back. This region is blessed with many organizations who live his mission, such as the African American Chamber of Commerce, the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and others. These nonprofits are leaders in fostering economic success for minority businesses and people of color. To honor Dr. King’s legacy, get involved where your heart leads!
ALL ABOUT STEINMETZ, Beverly Paulk, founding member, Central Florida Foundation and The Orlando Philharmonic: The amazing Steinmetz Hall deserves all the attention it is receiving. The final section of the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts is at last ready for its official debut. The hall is gorgeous and the sound outstanding. The versatility is mind-boggling as a multiform hall with different stage and seating configurations through the world’s best technology. CEO Kathy Ramsberger said 10 years from now that the community and the country will be proud of their world-class hall, forgetting about delays and costs. As COVID-safely as possible, enjoy your hall very soon.
VOTING PROPAGANDA, Gloria Pickar, president emerita, League of Women Voters of Orange County:
Gov. DeSantis called for more voting restrictions during his State of the State address, further fueling citizens’ distrust of our voting system. When the 1965 voting rights act was passed, 75% of Americans trusted their government. Today, just 15% do. Voting is the foundation of our democracy and government. Based on the Trump lie that the election was stolen, DeSantis wants $5.7 million for an election integrity unit to enforce election laws when our elections are lauded as fair and secure. He also wants purging of voter rolls when our election supervisors already diligently do so. Speak up for voting rights and against propaganda.
DANGEROUS TIMES, Nicole Wilson, Orange County commissioner, District 1:
Hurricane season isn’t the most dangerous season in Florida. Welcome to the Florida legislative session under our current governor. Every year, there are more and more attacks on everyday Floridians. This year features bills that obsolesce local government, destroy energy sovereignty, give inhumane puppy breeders a home in our state and attack a woman’s most fundamental right. These bills are out of touch with the reality of most Floridians’ struggles. What is even more frustrating is that, when local officials want to act on local problems, the state removes our ability to do so. Once again, please watch your elected officials this session.