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Wednesday's letters: Proposal would restore Florida Forever funding

 
Published Dec. 12, 2017

Florida Forever

Plan boosts land protection

Most of us thought funding for land conservation in Florida would be restored when we voted the Water and Land Conservation Amendment (Amendment 1) into law in 2014. It passed easily, with 75 percent of voters choosing "yes" on the ballot. Yet here we are, three years later, and the Florida Forever land acquisition program didn't receive a single dollar from the Legislature in 2017 — despite the nearly $800 million that was deposited into the Land Acquisition Trust Fund as the annual share of "doc stamp" revenues dictated by the amendment.

The language of Amendment 1 provided some latitude in deciding how the funds could be expended in any given year. Such latitude was appropriate, given the many environmental and conservation challenges we face, and was likely one of the reasons it garnered such strong voter support. Needs like Everglades restoration, springs protection and providing recreational access to our protected natural areas cannot be addressed solely through land conservation. Yet legislators have settled on an interpretation that allows funds in the Land Acquisition Trust Fund to be expended on nearly anything except Florida Forever.

The Constitution Revision Commission process is a once-every-20-years opportunity that could allow a "do-over" of sorts on Amendment 1. Commissioner Jacqui Thurlow-Lippisch filed a proposed amendment, P-46, that would require at least one-third of the annual Amendment 1 revenues to be directed to the Florida Forever program. But first, P-46 must survive the CRC process. Without expressions of public support, it may die on the vine before having a chance to see the light of day.

The Florida Senate is considering a bill that would commit at least $100 million annually to Florida Forever. That is a substantial sum, and most conservation organizations have rightly expressed support for SB 370; however, it is far short of the $300 million the program received annually prior to the recession. P-46 would restore funding comparable to historic levels.

Florida has largely recovered from the recession, development and population growth have rebounded, and it makes sense for our state to restore some balance to the land development versus land protection equation. Those of us who care about land conservation should let the CRC know where we stand on P-46. Move it forward and allow the voters to decide — again! — next November. You can learn more about P-46, including contact information for members of the commission, on the CRC website at www.flcrc.gov.

Eugene Kelly, Brooksville

County can't afford teachers' pay raises | Dec. 8, editorial

Public education shortchanged

Thank you for stating the facts about Hillsborough County's budget woes and the inability to pay teachers what is owed them. It all made sense and I almost agreed with your stance until I read the last line about the realities of the private sector.

Did you mean the sector that still doesn't pay a minimum wage on which people can live while CEOs, hedge fund managers and football commissioners take home immoral paychecks? I think our teachers are well aware of the "reality" of which you speak. The reality is we don't pay enough in taxes for our public education system and what little we do spend is diminished by unaccountable charter schools. Shame on you.

Tony Marchia, Tampa

Bill may punish car theft victims | Dec. 9

Punish the criminals

I have a question for Rep. Wengay Newton. Should we go back to blaming the rape victims too? Or what if my package/mail gets stolen because I'm not home to get it, should I be charged? Maybe charge the UPS driver who left it at my door?

God forbid we should hold the criminals accountable for their actions. What an absurd piece of legislation to propose. These kids stealing cars should be charged as adults and locked up for years in an adult prison. They are repeat offenders. Their parents must not have taught them right from wrong. If it doesn't belong to you, don't take it. End of story.

Patricia Zito, Largo

Trump says America needs Moore to win | Dec. 9

Finally, a president who cares

I watched President Donald Trump's speech in Pensacola last week and was comforted by the realization that we finally have someone in the White House who truly cares about our country's interests. I heard someone who understands what many people have been feeling for years: hopelessness, frustration, discouragement. He let us know that our voices would be heard and not silenced by those with special interests to preserve the processes that benefit them at the expense of the average person.

I heard our president be unafraid of the consequences of mentioning God and religious values. I heard our president remind us of the battles we are fighting every day to preserve our country's values, goals and aspirations.

Marilyn Messina, Tampa

Jerusalem now Israel's capital, Trump declares
Dec. 7

Make it an independent city

I have a proposal to defuse the situation in Jerusalem and substitute an equitable and sustainable alternative model. Make Jerusalem an independent city-state in the manner of Vatican City and designate it as strictly an apolitical world heritage site. Jews, Muslims and Christians would be free to live and travel there in peace and tolerance of one another. The border could be patrolled by Swiss guards who would assure no arms entered and no defacement of the site took place.

I believe this proposal would be palatable to all religions, political states and interest groups. No entity is granted power or superiority over any other, but all are tolerated and respected. Political issues would be outside its arena, but its sacred and historical value would be maintained and the ongoing disputes would abate.

Alan Balfour, Tampa