LOOKING AHEAD TO NEXT WEEK

CHILD TAX CREDIT, Mary Lee Downey, CEO, Hope Partnership: I’m looking forward to the Child Tax Credit rollout in our community. You’ve likely heard that these payments are expected to lift millions of children out of poverty, and that’s just the beginning of the good news. Many of the families we serve are classified as ALICE: asset-limited, income-constrained, and employed. They earn too much to have access to support systems intended for those in poverty, and they earn too little to sustain and succeed in this community. For these families, the extra funds can transform their standard of living. Let’s make these payments permanent!

DYING PANTHERS, A.J. Marsden, assistant professor, Beacon College: In the first four months of this year, 18 Florida panthers died — with 13 killed by cars. Collier County accounts for half of those deaths, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, where six panthers were hit by cars, two starved to death, and one panther’s death attributed to unknown causes. Despite the alarming number of panther deaths in its backyard, Collier County commissioners still voted to approve two new 1,000-acre villages that border the Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge. If we don’t act fast, the Florida panther will be on our extinct species list — its life sold to the highest bidder.

DOWNTOWN NIGHTTIME RULES,

Brendan O’Connor, editor in chief, Bungalower. com: The City of Orlando was poised to roll out some interesting guidelines in the Central Business District in an attempt to control a spike in gun violence and crime, attributed to an out-of-control “street party” culture downtown. A strong collaborative effort by downtown venues saw the city backpedal on efforts like a 10 p.m. curfew for all outdoor cafes and sidewalk cafes, but a moratorium on outdoor speakers will still be moving forward.

CRUISE-WORKER DILEMMA, Gloria Pickar, president emerita, League of Women Voters of Orange County: Imagine: You’re one of Florida’s 49,500 unemployed cruise industry workers who can’t return to work because the governor holds fast to his vaccination passport ban. No one will hire you because your resume indicates last employment as the cruise industry, believing eventually the ships will sail and you’d quit that new job — right after the new employer spends to train you. Then, the Florida Legislature cuts off your extra $300 federal unemployment benefits because people like you prefer to “live on the dole.” You could work, but you can’t. Isn’t this pandemic-related unemployment what the additional benefit is intended to mitigate?

BED TAX HELPS COMMUNITY,

Joanie Schirm, GEC founding president; World Cup Orlando 1994 Committee chairman: Orange County hotel tax collections returning to signs of life is excellent news. It says that the people who come from afar and leave their “donation” via a hotel bed tax to our county coffers are once again contributing to the greater good of our community. Orange County, over 44 years, achieved all of its original goals for the bed tax and more. What I like is that the word “community” was listed twice in what citizens read. Let’s always know that we, the host county “community,” deserve a fair share of the pot.

BUILDING COMMUNITY THROUGH GRIEF,

Beverly Seay, chair, UCF Board of Trustees: Pulse’s legacy of unity and hope remains strong at UCF, including in four Knights who received Legacy Scholarships from the onePULSE Foundation. One recipient, the sister of one of the 49 killed, reflected upon the foundation’s motto, “We open hearts, doors and eyes to others,” and said when she becomes a nurse, she can fulfill that by sharing her experiences and empathy with patients. As we commemorate the five-year anniversary, I hope we can remember the overwhelming care and support that brought communities together in the darkest times and carry that spirit of respect and inclusion forward.

UNITY EXISTS, Carol Wick, CEO, Sharity: Five years ago, in the wake of unimaginable tragedy, our community showed its true colors. Hundreds lined up in the heat to donate blood. Counselors, churches, restaurants, florists and untold others did what they could to comfort and support those who lost loved ones. We were one Orlando and the world mourned with us. In a world that seems so divided, we need only remember that unity does exist. Love one another, support those that need comfort and we can continue to be one Orlando.

VACCINE PASSPORT BAN, Michael Zais, political blogger for thedrunkenrepublican. com: The whiny clutching of pearls regarding the recent vaccine passport ban is beyond absurd. Should we not respect that the millions of Americans who have had the coronavirus and currently possess protective antibodies may legitimately want to delay before injecting themselves with what is still an experimental vaccine? These folks shouldn’t be able to fully participate in society? Sheer insanity. A recent study by the Cleveland Clinic found that those who had previously been infected with COVID-19 did not benefit from vaccinations. My advice for the worrywarts? Protect yourself by getting vaccinated, and respect the freedom of others to make their own decisions.