Where’s our better life?
Workers deserve fair pay, safe working conditions, affordable healthcare and the freedom to retire with dignity. We deserve the right to join unions that give workers a voice; an economy that works for all families, not only the wealthy; and a democracy where every voice is heard and every vote counts.
Workers and families deserve fully funded public schools that are safe, welcoming, relevant and engaging, as well as higher education that is accessible, affordable and free from political intrusion.
President Donald Trump campaigned on making life better and more affordable for working families, and I’m sad to say that his administration has not delivered on these promises. Instead, we have seen funding slashed for schools, healthcare, child care and more while handing tax breaks to the ultra-wealthy.
Our family members and communities will be sicker, hungrier and poorer. We deserve so much better.
Whether it’s peacefully protesting with our neighbors and co-workers in the streets, forming a union at our workplaces, or engaging with elected officials in Congress, let’s work together to fight for the future that all workers deserve.
Stephanie Moody, BPS teacher and parent
Courts cost us a fortune
I’m hearing this more and more: “Let the Courts Decide.” Are you aware that every time one of the Florida battles happens and lands in court you, yes, you the taxpayer, are paying to have this court battle? Where else can the money be coming from? If every little disagreement with DeSantis, Ladapo, banned books, schools, etc., ends up in court, this is going to cost taxpayers a fortune.
Stop with the lawsuits and start thinking rationally. We need to elect people who won’t get us entangled with this lawsuit stuff and start making legal and righteous decisions on our behalf — not just their ideas but American ideals. This isn’t so hard.
Laura Petruska, Melbourne
Preventing teen driving tragedies
Florida has taken an important step toward safer roads with its new law expanding driver education requirements for teens. By increasing classroom instruction from four to six hours, adding a 50-hour supervised driving requirement, and extending the learner’s permit period to one year, lawmakers have signaled that teen driving safety matters.
But six hours in a classroom alone won’t solve the problem. Florida teens are dying in car crashes at rates nearly 50 percent higher than the national average. The real difference comes from time behind the wheel with engaged adults modeling safe habits – driving in varied conditions, putting away phones, and reinforcing seatbelts and speed limits.
As an attorney who has sat with families shattered by preventable crashes, I know the stakes. Stronger laws help, but parents hold the keys. If we want fewer funerals and more teens coming home safely, it will take a partnership between policymakers, educators, and parents.
Florida’s new law is progress. Now let’s build on it – because when it comes to teen drivers, every extra hour of guidance could save a life.
Merick Lewin, Founder and Managing Partner, Good Guys Law
Shootings have one thing in common
What do all these shootings in our country have in common? Guns. No matter what the perpetrators’ beliefs are, the easy access to obtain guns is the problem.
Judy McGee, Melbourne
Don’t forget pets during storm
As storms churn through the Atlantic, including the system expected to become Hurricane Imelda, authorities are urging millions along the East Coast to prepare for high winds, flooding, and possible evacuation. One of the most important steps is remembering your animals.
Pack a “go bag” containing at least a week’s supply of food and water for each animal, plus medications, veterinary records, and litter supplies for cats. Include familiar items like toys or blankets to reduce stress. Make sure animals are microchipped, wear collars with current ID tags, and that you keep recent photos in case you’re separated. Research animal-friendly hotels, campgrounds, and friends and family who can help and tuck a list in your bag.
Take animals with you in an evacuation, keeping dogs on a harness and leash, and cats and other small animals in secure carriers, as frightened animals may try to flee. Leave carriers open in a cozy spot at home so cats see them as safe spaces; many will even nap inside.
If authorities force you to evacuate without your animals, never leave them tied up or confined. Rising floodwaters can quickly turn deadly. Open fences and stalls to give animals a fighting chance to escape.
A few minutes of preparation today could save lives tomorrow.
Melissa Rae Sanger, The PETA Foundation
FPL president on rate settlement
Florida families and businesses count on reliable, low-cost electricity every single hour of every day.
That’s why we’ve asked the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) to approve a settlement agreement developed jointly with a broad coalition of customer groups.
The agreement enables necessary investments for reliable service in our fast-growing state – investments to replace aging infrastructure and build more power plants and battery storage to serve Florida’s growing power needs, as well as add more innovative technology like smart grid which helped avoid 2.7 million customer outages last year.
The agreement supports all of this while keeping bills low, stable and predictable through the end of the decade. FPL’s typical 1,000-kWh residential customer would pay about $2.50 more a month next year, or less than 9 cents a day – and the typical bill in 2026 would be about 20% lower than it was 20 years prior when adjusted for inflation.
We reached this settlement after several months of listening to customers. We compromised on some issues without compromising on our core principles of delivering reliable service while keeping bills as low as possible.
We believe the PSC and the public will agree this settlement is a win for FPL customers and a win for Florida.
Armando Pimentel is the president and chief executive officer of Florida Power & Light Company.
Trump’s poor leadership
In over 60 years that I have voted for our presidents, never have I seen such poor leadership in our country. Rather than
“Make America Great Again,” Trump’s campaign slogan, it is more like “Trump’s Dynasty” combined with “Trump’s Old TV Show The Apprentice.” Never have we had so many lawsuits contesting presidential actions and presidential “Do it my way or else” changes in government spending that are at the expense of lower- and middle-class citizens of the USA.
Tom R. Baldwin, Cocoa Beach
Letters to the editor should be 250 words or less and sent to letters@floridatoday.com with “letter?” or “LTE?” in the subject line.
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Letters to the Editor: FPL president reaches out about rate settlement
Reporting by Florida Today / Florida Today
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
