http://www.tampabay.com/opinion/editorials/Editorial-A-good-first-step-in-restoring-the-right-to-vote_164781623
This article from January 24th, 2018, talks about the citizen-led petition in Florida to let ex-convicts have their voting rights back upon completion of their sentences as opposed to how the law works now, where they must qait until they have their full civil rights back before gaining the right to vote, which has proven to take many years.
Supporters of this petition, which will be appear as Amendment 4 in the state ballot, point to the fact that Florida is only one of three states that do not grant ex-convicts from voting until they are given clemency, and how these people have already repaid their debt to society and should get all of their rights back immediately.
Lawmakers who oppose of this amendment have attempted to prevent this amendment from reaching the 60% vote it needs to become law, by adding other voting bills to the ballot to try and confuse the public. Those who support the amendment must unite and gain a strong following if they want to get this amendment passed.
The Problems: Ex-convicts in Florida are not being granted their voting rights following their completion of their sentence unlike most states in the country.
The People: Ex-convicts, Rick Scott, Constitution Revision Commission, Florida Voters
2. Competing Scientology-related events "the last thing we need for our downtown"
http://www.tampabay.com/news/scientology/City-Competing-Scientology-related-events-the-last-thing-we-need-for-our-downtown-_164633450
This article explains the rift between two organizations, specifically events attempted to be hosted by both the Scientology community in Clearwater and by high-profile and celebrity defectors of the Scientology community. Event applications were sent in less than a week apart, one from the defectors as a meet and greet about Scientology, and one application from the actual Scientology organization. Both applications were denied, with the city manager not interested in competing functions.
This issue is not just about the friction between these two organizations. Several event applications were denied this month simply because of supply and demand imbalances. There are not enough police officers available and willing to work overtime to work all of these events and make sure things go smoothly, so as a result, many of them are not able to host these planned events.
These rejections from the city council for hosting these events has not deterred some of these organizations. The Scientology community still plans to host its block party event, but are limited to just the sidewalks of the city.
The Problem: Not enough officers to supervise potential events planned in Clearwater
The People: Scientology, Scientology defectors, City council and managers, and Clearwater police force
3. Bay area foster care shortchanged
http://www.tampabay.com/opinion/letters/Sunday-s-letters-Bay-area-shortchanged-on-foster-care-funds_164630206
An increasing opioid problem in the bay area is causing a rapid increase in children being placed in bay area foster homes. The problem is that, as the number of children being placed in these homes, due to parent addiction to these types of drugs, the funding for these bay area foster homes are stagnated and cannot support the increasing numbers.
One of the surprising statistics given is that Hillsborough county has nearly 700 more people involved in its foster care system, yet receive 20 million dollars less funding annually than the foster care systems in the Miami-Dade area. Also, Pinellas county has as many kids in its foster care system as Miami-Dade, yet they receive 28 million less annually.
Citizens are calling for increased resources being allocated to the children involved in these foster care homes as well as to local agencies so that they may invest in strategies that have worked in the past that allow these children and families the opportunity to heal and recover.
The Problem: Foster care homes are being unequally funded throughout the state, and in some areas, the children and families in the foster care system are receiving enough resources as they need.
The People: Bay area foster children and families, Local legislatures
4. Federal chaos comes home; state officials cope with the impacts of the government shutdown on Florida
http://www.tampabay.com/florida-politics/buzz/2018/01/19/florida-braces-for-government-showdown/
The Government shutdown in Washington has the potential for profound effects in Florida. Most places will stay open and functional yet the lingering effects from hurricane Irma can make this shutdown particularly stressful.
With the government shutdown, certain crucial hurricane Irma relief programs are in danger of being shut down or interrupted. Many cities are still waiting for bridge, road and many other maintenance repairs.
If the shutdown is anything like the once that happened in 2013, there could be political consequences as well. Veterans had difficulties filing claims, and national programs to distribute food were temporarily halted. This time around, the shutdown was caused by disputes over DACA receipt-ants. Governor Rick Scott stood with president Donald Trump on his tough stance on border security.
The Problem: The possible bad effects on a weakened Florida from the current government shutdown
The People: Florida Citizens, National Government, Rick Scott
5. Its so cold that.. Farmers fear for crops, black ice causes a crash and utilities troubleshoot http://www.tampabay.com/weather/Tampa-Bay-record-lows-burst-pipes-threaten-berry-and-fish-farms_164634457
The extreme cold weather unusual to the state of Florida has been causing dramatic effects to the agriculture and infrastructure of the state. Burst pipes as well blackouts have been common place during this stretch of cold weather.
One driver struck struck a small patch of ice and lost control of her BMW, causing the car to strike the median wall, she was not badly injured. To prevent accidents like this from happening, some of the roads were shut down so workers can chisel the ice.
Other problems have affected Florida's agriculture industry, many strawberry farmers have been affected since the berries cannot grow in this type of weather. Many local farmers will not make it through due to the financial hardships that accompany this cold weather stretch.
The Problem: The freezing temperatures Florida is experiencing is causing a financial burden on farmers and many other citizens
The People: Farmers, Florida Citizens
I was surprised at the article you posted about the opioid crisis' effects on the foster care system throughout Florida. I know that there is an epidemic of drug abuse going on, but I never really took a moment to think about the kids of these people. I wasn't aware of the disparity in the funding for foster care system across Florida. On another note, thankfully the shutdown was temporarily fixed. Maybe the politicians can get their act together and fund the government which is their most basic job.
ReplyDeleteAll these problems are definitely relevant. I did hear about the government shutdown even though I thought that it was made up by the media. The first article about convicts able to vote is really interesting since it can affect the elections results greatly especially in a swing state like Florida. I did hear about about how farmers in Florida lost lot of their crops due to the unusual coldness this winter. I hope that the farmers get some aid from the government and dont have to go through this again.
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