Why are lines so long?

Georgia enacts a dangerous cure to a nonexistent problem | Column, March 30

It seems to me that if there are voting lines long enough to warrant handing out water, the problem isn’t about thirst, it’s about the polling place itself -- how many stations and booths are there inside to handle the volume of voters? Are there laws, mandates, guidelines or “best practices” about the number of polling places and booths based on the number of voters in a location and length of ballot?

Nancy Sanford, Largo

Cut the tax until the fund dries up

No remedy yet for Hillsborough’s transportation sales tax refund | March 31

The easiest way to refund the Hillsborough transportation sales tax is to slice a percentage point from the current sales tax until the money already collected from the unconstitutional transportation sales tax is used up. Most people in the area will spend at close to the same levels as before and will benefit from the reduced tax rate. When the saved money is used up, revert to the regular rate. It’s not perfect, but closer than any other solution will allow.

Mike Mikkola, Tampa

Build it and then maintain it

Biden Cabinet to tout infrastructure plans | April 2

President Joe Biden’s presentation of an infrastructure plan is long overdue and welcome. However, I was unhappy to hear him broadcasting that this is a “once in a generation” action. Not keeping up with our infrastructure as repair and modification was needed is exactly what has caused us to be so far behind, in so many areas. The current remedy should include a plan to maintain our foundations “as we go.” The simplest way to accomplish this is to create a Department of Infrastructure which would subsume and replace the Department of Transportation, and would be charged with forecasting national and regional infrastructure needs, and implementing them before a crisis develops.

Larry Lentchner, New Port Richey

A bonus for teachers

DeSantis touts bonuses | April 1

Wow, Gov. Ron Desantis is attempting to give teachers $1,000 bonuses. The teachers union says, “Oh, no, it’s political! If everyone doesn’t get a bonus, no one gets a bonus.” Idiocy. First of all, everything is political, people. Get over it. Why deny deserving public servants a thank you just because some folks will not get it? I hope it passes the Legislature and these folks get a little something for their commitment to our children.

Daniel Raulerson, Plant City

Matt who?

Two parallel Gaetz investigations continue | April 1

I wonder how long it will take for the Florida GOP lawmakers to claim they hardly know Matt Gaetz.

Eileen Stafford, St. Petersburg