Opinion: Florida Forever Program protects our environment

Each year, the Legislature convenes its 60-day session to address the funding needs of our state. This constitutional responsibility for funding Florida's government must be accomplished in a fiscally prudent manner. Our state has been fortunate over the last five years with ample revenue to meet our needs. This year, our revenues have not grown at the same pace, requiring us to better balance both our source and use of funds. These concerns led the Senate to its position on the use of a portion of unencumbered revenue in the Preservation 2000 (P-2000) Trust Fund for Everglades Restoration. As of Feb. 28, the program had a total of $274.9-million in unencumbered revenue. The Senate's proposed budget appropriates $100-million of that money for the Everglades Restoration Program.

This action allows those monies to be reallocated toward education and health and human services issues. Our federal/state agreement for Everglades restoration stipulates that the $100-million revenue match comes from state dollars, but does not require any specific source. The Senate proposal complies with the federal/state agreement, and our commitment to use those funds for Everglades restoration in no way jeopardizes that agreement. Further, our proposal does not affect current or pending projects under P-2000. Any argument to the contrary is disingenuous. The Florida Senate is committed to protecting our environment, and I am proud to continue this commitment under the newly created Florida Forever Program.

In the next 30-60 days, the sale of the first series of the Florida Forever bonds will yield approximately $300-million and, together with the balance of the P-2000 program, will generate $474.9-million for the purchase of environmentally sensitive lands. The second series of bonds sold in May 2002 will yield an additional $300-million.

This is an estimated $774.9-million in funding for the Florida Forever initiative over the next 14 months alone for the purpose of land acquisition. Since July 1999, P-2000 has purchased environmentally sensitive lands at an average monthly rate of approximately $28.7-million. When dividing the previously mentioned $774.9-million by this monthly spending rate, there will be sufficient funds to purchase environmentally sensitive lands for 27 months -- clearly enough to cover the next 12-14 month expenditures. Further, in May 2003 and every May until 2010, an additional $300-million will be put into the Florida Forever account. Florida leaders must exhaust all avenues to provide innovative solutions to the problems facing our state. In times when medically needy individuals could go without services, common sense tells us to look at every idle dollar to meet the demands of our most vulnerable.

To do otherwise is unconscionable.
-- John M. McKay, president, Florida Senate, Tallahassee

Again, hypocrisy reigns

Re: Bill puts older kids in car seats, April 20.

How much was donated to campaign funds and what lobbyists are responsible for this asinine bill? A booster seat that is designed for bigger children that "can" cost less than $20? It's reassuring to know our legislators are so concerned about our children's safety. But, as always, it is the consumer who must pay for this safety concern.

Again, hypocrisy reigns, as our legislators pass the "no-helmet law" and now expect parents to spend $20 (per child) for booster seats so the seat belts, already installed, will conform to the person sitting. The no-helmet law is ridiculous in showing regard for vehicle safety, but this "booster-seat bill" for children up to 8 years old (plus meeting a certain height requirement) is just puts money in somebody's pocket.

With the exorbitant prices we pay for new vehicles in this day and age, it seems to me that redesigning of seat belts by the auto manufacturers would be the most efficient and practical way of ensuring the safety of the driver and passengers, no matter how tall or what age (infants and toddlers excluded). The price of these vehicles escalates every year anyway, with more emphasis on luxury than safety; yet the Legislature passes this new bill as though it is the parents who disregard their children's safety.

It's high time our legislators realize their constituents have only "so much money" to go around to please their lobbyists and conglomerates to support the economy of this country.

It's high time that our legislators put some of the blame on the "other side of the fence." We elect government bodies to ensure our equal rights in this country. Where does our equality lie anymore when it comes to monetary concerns?

It's high time the consumer stops paying more to appease our elected officials, whose only concern is to justify their jobs.

It's high time our legislators face the reality for which they were elected.
-- Jack Peter Burlakos, Kenneth City

Just say "no' to more gambling

I see once again Florida must suffer the agony of saying "no" to slot machines. This time horse and dog tracks are using a group called "For A Level Playing Field," or something like that. I think it sounds more like "Let's help the rich guys get a lot richer."

A level playing field would let everyone put slot machines everywhere. We could have them at Publix or the corner store. Anyone who could afford one and buy a license could put them anywhere. Slot machines are where the money is. These are the moneymakers for any casino. So I think the only fair thing to do is give the rich guys their wish and give them their slot machines, or we could just send them all our money right now and avoid all the trouble that will come with the slot machines.

Slot machines are for losers, unless you own them. Say "no" when asked to put them on the ballot, and keep saying "no" to more gambling in Florida. We don't need it.
-- Tom Shepard, Spring Hill

Something is wrong with our diet

According to a draft report just published on the Environmental Protection Agency's Web site, the risk of cancer from exposure to dioxin among individuals who consume large amounts of meat and dairy products may be 100 times higher than previously suspected. More than 36,000 cancer deaths per year, as well as development defects in children and altered hormone levels, are attributed to such exposure.

One of the most potent chemical toxins known, dioxin is a waste product of paper-pulp production and waste incineration. It enters the human food chain through consumption of fish in contaminated waterways, and meat and dairy products from animals eating contaminated forage.

First came the warnings about animal cholesterol and cardiovascular diseases, then the fast-food industry and obesity epidemic, "Mad Cow" disease, "Foot and Mouth" disease and now this! Is somebody trying to tell us something about our diet?
-- Suzanne House, Tampa

Newspaper nuisance

In response to your April 13 editorial, Bad billboard bills, we will try one more time to offer an analogy that perhaps you can understand.

Cities, counties and the state of Florida have been debating the fact that newspapers are a nuisance in Florida. Newspapers are a major contributor of solid waste to Florida landfills, the ink is seeping into Florida's pristine aquifers, and newspapers are using less recycled paper and destroying countless trees. Unregulated vending racks are clogging our public rights of way and are a major traffic safety hazard.

Legislation is passed statewide to amortize the newspaper out of business over a five-year period. No compensation -- just go away!

"First Amendment, freedom of speech, foul play!" the newspapers cry. The various governments reply that people can get their news from television and radio. You can publish on the Internet. But no more solid waste after five years -- that will give the newspapers plenty of time to recoup their investment.

Is this fair? Newspapers would then be hiring their "big guns," and the "cartels" would be covering the halls of the Capitol begging for relief from this unfair, unjust violation of your rights. But then, the St. Petersburg Times has always operated on a "Do-as-I-say, not-as-I-do" basis.

Back to reality. If anything, this unfair or unjust happens to any other business in Florida -- even the newspapers, our competitor -- I hope there will be senators and representatives like Sen. Jim Sebesta and Rep. David Russell there to protect your property rights.
-- Shawn M. Ulrich, president, Florida Outdoor Advertising Association, Tallahassee

A suspicious political deal

In your news story, Police Chief Davis to be deputy mayor (April 20), the Times stated as a fact that Goliath Davis and Mayor-elect Rick Baker met two days after Baker's March 27 election and Davis "shocked the new mayor" with his retirement announcement.

I suspect that the political deal to promote Police Chief Davis to deputy mayor was worked out prior to the mayoral election as a condition of Davis' political support in the recent election.

Shame on the Times for not asking the tough questions of our politicians and public officials and taking Baker at his word, especially after he was allowed to deceive the citizens of St. Petersburg and was not more forthcoming concerning the legal and criminal history of his immediate family, especially when it involved felony convictions in matters of public trust.

When is the Times going to start acting again like a member of the Fourth Estate and the Watchdog for our citizens, instead of as a member of the other three estates of government? You can start by asking the tough questions and stop listening to the political spin doctors who gave you that story to run in your newspaper.
-- Robert Davis, St. Petersburg

People didn't choose deputy mayors

Odd, I don't remember Rick Baker's election platform including a plan to create a "pyramid of power" at and around the mayoral level. With the election just weeks ago, it is unlikely Mr. Baker has just recently come up with this plan. It is sad the citizens of St. Petersburg did not have anything to say about this new plan, let alone our elected City Council.

What is sadder yet is that these three "deputy mayors" are not elected by the people. But then, if Rick Baker had been honest with the voting public about his intentions, he would not be in office today. Looks like we are in for four years of surprises.
-- Donna Festa-Moore, St. Petersburg

Jamerson will be missed

Education lost a true friend Saturday with Doug Jamerson's passing. I had the privilege of being able to observe and work with Doug while he was in the Florida House of Representatives and as the Commissioner of Education. His door was always open and he was a powerful advocate for Florida's public schools. He was highly informative and entertaining in his anecdotes and oration on the floor, and it was very apparent that he loved serving the people.

I can just imagine him up in heaven now, organizing a gathering with his good friend, Jack, and wondering why the rest of us down here are being so emotional.

We'll miss you, Doug.
-- M. "Kip" Mitchell, St. Petersburg

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