LOOKING AHEAD TO NEXT WEEK
WORKFORCE SUPPORT, Jeff Hayward, president and CEO, Heart of Florida United Way: This week, we celebrate Labor Day — a holiday created by the labor movement in the late 19th century that celebrates the contributions of American workers and recognizes the importance of fair labor laws. And while we certainly have much to celebrate, we still have a long way to go in supporting there are still opportunities to support America’s workforce. It’s vital that we continue to advocate for laborers who are working multiple jobs just to survive. In fact, many of the ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, and Employed) individuals that Heart of Florida United Way supports work two or three jobs and continue to suffer to make ends meet.
HURRICANE WATCH, David Kay, chair, Interfaith Council of Central Florida: We’ve crossed the halfway mark in the 2022 hurricane season and so far, so good. But it’s way too soon to let down your guard. Multiple systems are developing in the Atlantic, with decent chances of becoming full-fledged storms. Hopefully, they’ll break up or stay out at sea. But, as Floridians well know, it’s always best to expect the unexpected ... and be prepared.
MONEY IN ELECTIONS, Khalid Muneer, broker/owner Jupiter Properties Central Florida: With the primaries over, the election fever has not subsided with some big names coming to town soon for major fundraisers. Is there any end to the shocking amount of money being raised to buy elections? Or do the voters have the right to choose their own representatives?
FREE FRIDAYS AT THE Y, Brendan O’Connor, editor in chief, Bungalower.com: The YMCA of Central Florida will be inviting residents to try their facilities free of charge in September as part of a new initiative called “Free Fridays.” Every Friday during the month of September, residents can visit any and all YMCA locations in the region for no charge, including access to wellness centers, group exercise classes, pools, gyms, family programs, and more. Guests will need to provide valid photo identification and sign a waiver at check-in and the promotion will run until Sept. 30.
ELECTRIC BUSES,
Gloria Pickar, president emerita, League of Women Voters of Orange County:
Good news for the environment and the public — sick of smelly bus exhaust fumes and polluting emissions. Lynx will receive a $30 million federal grant to add 30 more electric buses to its main route fleet that already includes eight all-electric vehicles. Designated dollars are a combination of our share of the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and settlement funding from the Volkswagen emissions scandal. This is another steppingstone toward the 2028 Lynx goal of a 50% electric and 50% natural-gas fleet. The penny sales tax on the November ballot can now go even further to ease our public transportation woes.
ELECTRIC VEHICLES, Larry Pino, attorney and entrepreneur: A spate of recent news bodes well for the electric vehicle industry. General Motors is building electric automobile manufacturing facilities in Ohio, Michigan and Tennessee. Ford is building in Kentucky and Tennessee. Toyota is building in North Carolina and Stellantis is building in Indiana. Honda and LG Energy Solutions announced they would spend $4.4 billion to construct a new battery plant in the United States to fabricate batteries, essential for EV manufacture. The New York Times called these actions “the most profound shifts the auto industry has experienced in its century-long history.” Shift indeed — electric vehicles will be dominant 10 years from now.
HONOR THE LABORERS, Nicole Wilson, Orange County commissioner, District 1: As Labor Day approaches, let’s not forget that Labor Day celebrates the contributions of all the workers who fuel our economy and make Orange County a thriving, vibrant place to live, work and visit. Sadly, many of those workers in our community still go hungry or struggle to pay for basic necessities like housing and utilities. We cannot demand good service and simultaneously disregard our service workers. Take a moment this weekend to think about all of our neighbors who work tirelessly to ensure our essential services are provided and thank them for making Orange County magical.
MIAMI MAYOR ONE TO WATCH,
Michael Zais, political blogger for thedrunkenrepublican.com: Floridians Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis clearly get top billing in conversations surrounding candidates for the Republican presidential nomination in 2024. But it’s another Floridian that folks need to keep an eye on — Republican mayor of Miami Francis Suarez. And Mayor Suarez, a Cuban American, has plenty to crow about. In a recent interview, Suarez extolled the virtues of Republican policies that have given Miami 12% economic growth, 1.4% unemployment, and put them on track for the lowest crime rate since the 1930’s — a far cry from progressive-run cities that people are fleeing in record numbers. Overlook a potential Suarez White House run at your own risk.