This session I have joined several of my friends, neighbors, and fellow Glades residents in the many efforts to stop the ill-conceived plan to buy more farmland south of Lake Okeechobee. Why? Because Senate Bill 10 puts our economic, environmental, and financial future at risk.
Shaping up to be one of the biggest battles in the Legislature in many years, the fight on economic development incentives and tourism funding has been swirling throughout the halls of the Capitol the last few weeks. On one side are those who believe that taxpayer dollars should not be used to entice businesses and tourists to Florida; the other side sees these programs as crucial for creating jobs and boosting our economy.
The 2016 election has left our country feeling more divided than ever. Not only did candidates increase political incivility in our country through disrespectful remarks and name calling, but the tone of the campaigns even led to physical violence.
Farming has been my family’s business for many generations. My family began tilling the land in what is now Glades County back in 1918. For nearly 100 years we survived every type of disaster God and Mother Nature could throw at us -- hurricanes, the Great Depression, and family deaths. But now, in 2017, our family’s heritage and our way of life faces extinction.
As in most states across America, small businesses form the backbone of the Sunshine State’s economy, and account for the majority of our job creators. Hard work, dedication, and long-term planning are the foundational keys to success. So is having a responsive, attentive ally in the U.S. Congress like Florida’s own Bill Nelson, a senior member of the U.S. Senate’s Committee on Finance, which exercises oversight of our nation’s tax code. At a time when Congress appears poised to achieve first-in-a-generation, bipartisan, comprehensive tax reform that lowers the rate, simplifies regulations and treats all industries fairly, we are hopeful for Senator Nelson’s leadership on this issue.
Gov. Rick Scott is attacking state House members who voted last week for a bill to eliminate failing corporate welfare programs like Enterprise Florida. It is hard to believe but Scott is going to the representatives’ districts and publicly attacking them for standing on free market principles. Of course, the governor claims he is on a “jobs” tour to promote his failed economic incentive programs but, coincidentally, his schedule puts him in the districts of the representatives whom he has targeted for revenge.
A Jacksonville Human Rights Ordinance (HRO) -- a City Council proposal that would expand anti-discrimination protections to the LGBT community for housing, employment, and public accommodations -- is not, by nature, based on an accurate understanding of human rights violations.
Early in my legal career I had the privilege to serve as a law clerk to U.S. District Court Judge Joe Eaton. Born in Monticello, Judge Eaton was a star athlete in college. He also played professional baseball. During WW II, Judge Eaton served as a flight commander in the Air Corps and flew bombing missions over German missile sites (D-Day was his 51st bombing mission).
A 90-day ban on travel from seven countries has sparked tremendous outpourings of “worry” or outright opposition by some 33 medical organizations.
On Wednesday, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., took to the Senate floor and explained the importance of maintaining and expanding U.S. sanctions on Russia until they withdraw from Crimea and respect the sovereignty of Ukraine. Rubio also highlighted the plight of Russian dissidents Vladimir Kara-Murza and Alexei Navalny.
