Florida conservation is a win for landowners, environment
Land ownership has been a cornerstone of the United States for hundreds of years, so much so that our Founding Fathers enshrined the right to private property in the Constitution. In recent years, this right in the state of Florida has been under increasing threat.
The Florida Landowners Association’s mission is to defend the rights of property owners throughout Florida and to educate the public on the vital role these rights play in supporting both landowners and their communities. We believe that when landowners are empowered to make decisions about their land, communities are stronger, and Florida’s legacy is preserved.
Recently, Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet demonstrated forward-looking leadership by approving conservation projects across 12 counties, including Osceola. These actions will ensure that thousands of acres are protected, preserved, and made available for public use. Not only is this a win for landowners, but the communities across these counties.
The approvals included conservation and Rural and Family Lands Protection easements and acquisitions. Together, they will expand parks, protect water quality, preserve working lands and safeguard wildlife corridors. From farmland and ranchland to coastal areas, this package reflects a statewide commitment to protecting Florida’s land and water resources for generations to come.
These recent decisions at the state level show that conservation and property rights can coincide with one another. Thanks to DeSantis, the Cabinet, and Commissioner Wilton Simpson for their leadership. When landowners are respected, Florida’s natural heritage is protected for generations to come.
Brandon Tucker Okeechobee
Brandon Tucker is the executive director of the Florida Landowners Association.
FDR’s words ring true
This may be a time in our American history to recall these two statements by Franklin Delano Roosevelt:
“We must scrupulously guard the civil rights and civil liberties of all citizens, whatever their background. We must remember that any oppression, any injustice, any hatred is a wedge designed to attack our civilization.”
“I never forget that I live in a house owned by all the American people and that I’ve been given their trust.”
John Almeida Altamonte Springs
Don’t pay Congress during shutdown
I don’t care whether we are Republicans, Democrats or have no party affiliation, how can any sensible person justify the fact that members of Congress (House and Senate) are getting paid during the federal government’s “shutdown”? Those are the ladies and gentlemen (along with a chief executive) who are responsible for millions of federal workers, not being paid last Friday and for the foreseeable future. Democrats are fighting to restore affordable health insurance to millions and Republicans are insisting that the subsidies must be ended in order to offset the loss of revenue resulting from slashing income tax rates for high earners. The president has told Republicans not to concede and though he has elected to forgo his annual $400,000 salary for four years, the Treasury is still spending millions of taxpayer dollars flying him here and there, paying his staff and members of his administration while he’s living lavishly like a king in our White House. This hypocrisy is unconscionable and untenable. This is not the time to remain silent.
David Kahn Boca Raton
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