A private public official

Student who tracked Musk’s jet now tracking DeSantis | May 25

How fitting that the Florida college student who’s tracking the mysterious flights of Gov. Ron DeSantis has previously tracked Elon Musk and Russian oligarchs. Keep at it, kid! The governor quietly signed SB 1616 to hide his taxpayer-funded flight records from the taxpayers’ prying eyes. The bill allows him to shield the names of others on these flights, too (family, campaign staff, lobbyists). The governor said it’s to “protect” him: “I get a lot of threats.”

In a poll of Floridians about the recent legislative session, one question stood out for near-unanimity. Only 8% want DeSantis to hide his taxpayer-funded travel records while a whopping 86% oppose it. Why such bipartisan support for transparency? In the 1970s, Florida led the world in passing “sunshine” laws. Democracy needs an informed population. And maybe budget-conscious Republicans just want to know where their tax dollars are going.

Claude Walker, St. Pete Beach

Weakened wetland rules

Court rules on wetlands | May 26

The Supreme Court’s new ruling weakening wetlands regulations defines wetlands as “a continuous surface (of water) connected to larger, regulated bodies of water.” In Florida, all bodies of water connect in one way or another to our underground aquifers, upon which we all rely. Just because our connectivity is underground, the results of this ruling will not be any less disastrous. The court would be wise to educate themselves on matters they have no knowledge of, or at least seek the advice of experts, before issuing such all-encompassing rulings.

Susan Bullard, Gulfport

A matter of dignity

DeSantis signs 18 education bills into Florida law | May 17

I am writing to express my gratitude to the Florida House and Senate for unanimously passing CS/HB 389 and to Gov. Ron DeSantis for signing this legislation that authorizes school districts to make menstrual hygiene products available, at no charge, in Florida’s middle and high schools. This is a significant step forward in addressing period poverty in our state, which affects students’ education and well-being. It is alarming that 1 in 4 teens has missed class due to a lack of period supplies. We are happy that Florida’s leaders recognize that sanitary menstrual supplies are as essential as toilet paper and soap for maintaining good health and school attendance. Providing period products in student bathrooms will allow girls to manage their periods safely and with dignity.

Jan Healy, Atlantic Beach