Blame Florida, Texas and Arkansas

Slow action on Medicaid | Nov. 18

The lead story in the Tampa Bay Times about 30 million of America’s neediest losing their Medicaid coverage says that Florida, Texas and Arkansas are experiencing a variety of problems and are swiftly disenrolling thousands. The problem isn’t the federal government; it’s the leadership in states where this is happening. I believe that Govs. Ron DeSantis, Greg Abbott and Sarah Huckabee Sanders don’t like or care about the well-being of their neediest constituents. They’ve made a nightmare out of something that should be automatic. Can’t get anybody on the phone for help, forms don’t make sense, they’re consistently given bad information. The same people have made registering and voting more difficult. Good luck collecting unemployment and, if you do get it, good luck living on it. People without insurance suffer unnecessarily and end up costing the system more in the long run. This is just shortsighted and mean, which I think is the trademark of DeSantis, Abbott and Sanders. I hope the federal government has the means to force them to do the right thing for these people. A governor is supposed to work for the benefit of all of citizens, not just the ones who voted for you or give you money.

Jeff Cutting, Brandon

Disrespecting the people

Let Floridians vote on abortion rights | Editorial, Nov. 19

It will not matter if in 2024 Florida voters approve abortion access or any other matter regarding the Florida Constitution. In 2018, the majority of Florida voters approved Amendment 4, affording felons the opportunity to have their voting rights restored. Newly elected Gov. Ron DeSantis and his allies in the state government did all they could to undermine the will of the majority. Until Florida has a fairly elected representative state government that respects and honors the state and federal constitutions, there is no point in trying to pass any amendments Florida’s iron-fisted governor does not fully support.

Brian Valsavage, St. Petersburg

How many lawsuits?

Suit: Fla. violated rights | Nov. 17

Another day and another lawsuit against the “anti-woke” governor of the free state of Florida for planning to ban some free speech on college campuses. How many lawsuits is this guy defending? I don’t know, but I do know he is using and wasting hard-earned taxpayer dollars to defend multiple cases he is likely to lose.

David Burg, Tampa