A costly mistake as Florida shuns many more millions | Letters to the editor
Why are low-income Florida residents once again losing out on potential benefits from the federal government?
The latest insult is Florida passing up $400 million in federal money to help low-income households install energy-efficient solar panels. Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Republican Legislature have consistently passed on President Joe Biden’s green energy agenda.
With more Floridians believing that climate change is real, why won’t they lead the way for our state?
I am asking on behalf of all Floridians, let’s not let personal politics prevent our state from moving forward and receiving our fair share of funds to make our state a better place to live for all citizens.
Ronald Jones, Pembroke Pines
Governor, come home
Our governor is just that, a governor. He’s not the president. I want him to stop spending our money on things that are the responsibility of the federal government, not the states.
No migrant flights, no arms to Israel, no Israeli flights.
The people of Florida have many unresolved issues that should be addressed by our governor, using budgeted funds for those dire needs. He’s not doing right by the people. He is campaigning and seeking the kind of attention that is given to a hero, which he is not. It must stop.
He must govern our state, which he hasn’t done in a long time, except to pass laws secretly and to serve his own agenda.
Nina Leonard, St. Augustine
Obscene spending on ads
With the 2024 election now a year away, political ad spending on the presidential race at this point is already at $200 million.
At this point in the 2020 cycle, spending had reached $60 million. Again, this is with one full year to go. I’m not sure if I can think of too many things that are more obscene than the amount of money spent on advertising for an election, especially one “decidedly undecided.”
All told, including Senate, House, gubernatorial and various down-ballot races, we are likely to see more than $10 billion spent in this election cycle, which means about 600 days of campaigning. For comparison, the United Kingdom permits five weeks of campaigning for any election.
As they say, “Follow the money.” Especially those candidates who are campaigning while holding another office, such as governor.
Alex Jimenez, Winter Park
A double standard
Attorney General Ashley Moody’s concern regarding the “avoidance” of Florida’s Sunshine Law at FAU was interesting.
When the state Legislature, at the behest of Gov. Ron DeSantis, passed SB 520 in 2022, allowing secret university presidential searches and dismembering our once sacred Florida Constitution, that was apparently OK.
Paul De Young, Pembroke Pines
No ice? It costs extra
As prices continue to rise, companies keep finding new ways to “fee” us.
My most recent example is Dunkin’ Donuts. They now charge you a fee if you do not want ice in your iced tea.
Iced tea, according to industry sources, is one of the highest profit items a food establishment can offer. The profit margin is between 500% and 900%. How much more tea do they have to add to replace the ice? Not a lot and certainly not enough to change the profit margin.
Charge extra for not having ice? Come on.
Bill Gralnick, Boca Raton
(Editor’s Note: We emailed Dunkin’ Donuts corporate media office on Oct. 30 to ask about this policy, but received no reply.)