TOP STORIES FROM LAST WEEK

Lauren Book,

This week I was humbled and honored to be selected by my fellow Democratic senators to serve as their leader for the 2022-23 cycle. As the next leader of our caucus, I have made it clear that I believe in consensus-seeking, in working across the aisle to get things done for our state and I very strongly believe that we are stronger together than when we are divided. I know that together we can be powerfully pragmatic without compromising our principles, and I also know that the people of Florida deserve at least that from their elected leaders.

Dr. Michael Dennis,

This week, NASA flew its small helicopter over the dusty surface of Mars, controlled from 178 million miles away. The copter even carried a piece of wing fabric from the Wrights’ plane at Kitty Hawk in 1903, accentuating the historical feat. This deserves monumental applause. But isn’t it tragic that this level of achievement cannot be emulated in problems closer to home? Improving health care for everyone, reversing climate change, comforting our immigrant population, eliminating disparities, better preparing our students for careers, infrastructure improvement, returning gracious behavior to politics — the list is endless.

Beam Furr,

Gov. DeSantis signed House Bill 1, a coded piece of legislation designed to dampen down legitimate protest. Most protestors are not looking to riot. To say so is fearmongering. Millions of Floridians have legitimate grievances about justice, education, inequality, health care and the environment. These issues are fundamentally about who holds power. Those in power often bristle when those who are at their mercy strive and speak up, so they create laws that further entrench their power. This law ruins the opportunity to see the humanity in others and the struggles they endure. Voices carry for a reason.

Marlon A. Hill,

I can breathe. At least for now. For many, the Chauvin trial and verdict on all three counts of the charges for the death of George Floyd is a seminal moment in American history toward the balancing of the scales of justice and life as a whole. We must continue working toward a society that holds all accountable for breaking the law. Until we push for greater reforms and training, we may not see the scales fully at equilibrium. The value of a human life in America deserves nothing less than the dignity of the opportunity to breathe freely under the law. This is what it means to work toward a more perfect union.

Burnadette Norris-Weeks,

A grand jury impaneled by Gov. Ron DeSantis targeting Superintendent Robert Runcie handed down indictments yesterday. The arrest of Runcie on unprecedented claims of perjury by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement comes one day after Derek Chauvin was convicted on all charges. Desantis’ immediate signing of anti-protest legislation this week seemed to send a message that racial wokeness is not welcome in Florida. As these attacks targeting race and Democratic Broward County leadership increase, so does talk in Republican Party circles of DeSantis’ presidential ambitions. Think these things are not related? Think again.

Jennifer O’Flannery Anderson,

Earth Day reminds us to treasure our natural resources. Here, between the ocean and the Everglades, we live in one of the world’s most beautiful environments. I take for granted the beautiful beaches, great parks, water experiences and places to walk my dogs and ride my bike year-round. We also take for granted valuable natural resources needed to sustain life. We must revamp the outdated and overmatched pipes, pumps and canals protecting us from flooding, restore beach dunes and protect wetlands that provide natural buffers. Working together, we can find solutions that protect the environment and our place in it.

Tom Powers,

On Monday, Gov. DeSantis signed the new “Combating Public Disorder Act” into law. This law protects citizens from rioters destroying homes and small businesses in the name of “social justice.” It protects municipalities from having to repair damage done to public property and memorials and includes increased penalties for individuals who are participants in violent or disorderly assemblies, while simultaneously guarding free speech and the right to assemble peacefully. Most importantly, this legislation insists on a safe community for all. It gives protection to law enforcement as they continue to heroically work to keep our communities safe every day.

Mike Ryan, Florida took away the unfair advantage online retailers have in not collecting sales tax. Technically, consumers were required to send to the state sales tax not collected by online sellers; now, sellers must collect from consumers. Sales tax is a regressive tax because the poor and the wealthy pay the identical percentage. Some view this new law as an annual $1 billion tax hike on the poor and middle class. What will Tallahassee do with all this new money? No new money for education, environment, health care or infrastructure. Instead, Tallahassee cut taxes for big businesses and commercial landlords.