FWC’s proposed regulations threaten pet industry
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will meet in Miami May 10-11. The commission will consider, and could adopt, an option for a proposed rule that would halt growth for many Florida pet businesses and could shut down the state’s pet trade. The commission will consider two proposals aimed at protecting the environment through restrictions on species that can be brought into Florida.
The proposals affect private landowners, the recreation and pet industries, aquaculture, humane interest groups, wildlife exhibitors, conservation organizations, universities and governmental agencies. However, both proposals were hastily drafted and will only harm responsible pet businesses while doing little to address the invasive-species problem.
Florida’s pet businesses support more than 100,000 jobs and contribute nearly $800 million in local and state tax revenue. Enacting rules that will damage jobs and tax revenue is not a decision that should be made quickly.
Nor should such a decision be made without consulting with experts, including those in the pet and animal exhibitor sectors that have been working to develop viable and science-based proposed rule changes.
The pet care community cares deeply about preserving the environment. For example, we support creating a prohibited species list, a more manageable and enforceable option that would protect Florida’s delicate ecosystem while also safeguarding the state’s pet business sector.
We urge the Florida
Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to take the time to collaborate with experts and develop a fully vetted, comprehensive set of proposed regulations.
– Mike Bober, president and CEO, Pet Advocacy Network,
Alexandria, VA
STADIUM ROOF
We needed a warm escape from a cold Minnesota winter and settled on the beautiful city of Miami. We enjoyed our time immensely, absent a visit to a Marlin’s game. It was a perfect evening for baseball: 80 degrees, clear skies, low humidity, and light winds. How we would love this on a May day in Minnesota.
Imagine our surprise
Opinion content from syndicated sources may be trimmed from the original length to fit available space. and disappointment when we arrived and saw the stadium’s roof closed. We’ve been to lots of cold games up north, but with the air conditioner running at loanDepot park, we nearly bought sweatshirts.
Why does the ballpark have a retractable roof if it’s not open on an evening like that?
PROUD YET?
Thursday was a great day for our republic. Its democratic principles regarding “the peaceful transfer of power” were successfully defended by the Department of Justice. Enrique Tarrio, former leader of The Proud Boys, a domestic extremist organization, and three other members, were convicted of crimes, including “seditious conspiracy.”
Tarrio, who appears to have modeled himself after Cuban dictator Fidel Castro, has yet to be condemned by any of Miami’s
BOB MCFARLIN
– Kevin Brauer, Park Rapids, MN elected U.S. officials, including Sen. Marco Rubio, and Reps. Maria Elvira Salazar, Carlos A. Giménez, and Mario Díaz-Balart. This could only be considered odd, if not repugnant.
Voters should question whether their failure to publicly condemn Tarrio’s Bolshevik-like behavior should be considered an indication of their support for violence and insurrection, or an unwillingness to draw ire from MAGA supporters and their caudillo, Donald J. Trump.
– Joanne Tomarchio, Miami
STAYING AWAY
Gov. Ron DeSantis seems to have turned Florida into a leper state. The Broward County School Board, seeking a new superintendent, is discovering that few want the job.
The position, of course, is difficult at best, but with all the restrictions on what can be said and taught — thanks to policies approved
ALEX MENA
by the governor and state Legislature — no qualified administrator would want this job.
If DeSantis continues his aggression against schools, the Disney company and LGBTQ groups, Florida will lose not only political influence but also residents.
– Sol Yanowitz, Miami
EVALUATION TIME
With the end of the 2023 Florida legislative session, it is time for a report card on South Florida legislators. We need to know how they voted on pressing issues affecting our lives. We need to publicly hold them accountable.
Vigilant voters make a strong democracy.
While it seems that most legislators are sloppy lap dogs for Gov. DeSantis’ political whims, revenge tactics and presidential aspirations, there must be some decent and reasonable elected officials who stood up for
DANA BANKER
democracy and for a degree of sanity.
Please run their voting records. Give us names and particular contributions. We want to carry that report card into the booth at the next election. – Luis A. Hernandez,
Coconut Grove
HELPING KIDS LEARN
As AmeriCorps members with Early Learning Corps, Jacqueline Jones and Anderson Elridge have focused on providing our students with extra practice and support to help build their skills and get ready for kindergarten. Over the past four years, they have collectively given 8,775 hours to help our students succeed.
Jones and Elridge are part of prekindergarten classrooms, where they spend their days talking, reading, writing, singing, and playing with students to help them develop early literacy and math skills. With the extra support they’ve provided, we’ve seen wonderful growth among our students. Jones and Elridge have been an invaluable part of their school community.
As the school year comes to a close, I celebrate Jones and Elridge and all they have done to support their students. As they move on to their next adventure, we’ll have big shoes to fill in the fall. Anyone interested in joining our team as an early learning tutor should visit join.readingandmath.org.
– Deontre’ Clayton, director of Florida programs, Florida Early Learning Corps, Pembroke Pines
ROARING MOUSE
Gov. Ron DeSantis has used the powers of state government to try to punish the Walt Disney Company for criticizing his policies — a gross violation of the constitutional right of freedom of speech.
I’m glad Mickey Mouse refuses to be silenced and is fighting back.
– Paul Bacon, Hallandale Beach