Hillsborough commissioners should do the right thing on school tax | Letters

Do the right thing

How county nixed teacher pay tax | July 21

The two largest public service providers should be collaborating on what is best for the citizens of Hillsborough County. The county commission, by blindsiding the school district with its 4-3 vote to push putting the property tax referendum out another two years, is certainly taking an adversarial rather than collaborative position.

With the deadline to get the referendum on the ballot only about a month away, it seems unlikely that a lawsuit could be filed and favorably ruled on in time. Despite the limited chance of succeeding, the district may believe they have to try due to how dire the situation is.

Perhaps the only potentially successful course of action is to take the high road by appealing to the four commissioners on behalf of the 200,000-plus students, their parents and the many other citizens who value educating Florida’s children.

It would take a courageous commissioner to change his or her vote in the face of the no tax stance of the current Republican Party leadership. Is there one among them who would do the right thing at the possible cost of their political career? Or maybe one who would view “doing the right thing” as a matter of conscience?

Richard Warrener, Tampa

The writer is the former chairperson of the Hillsborough County Public Schools Financial Advisory Committee.

Make AI affordable

GenAI is transforming higher education, and Florida is leading the way | Column, July 7

As policymakers continue to discuss the future of artificial intelligence, it is absolutely critical that policymakers consider the unique needs of the small business community and how AI can help keep small businesses secure and safe from cybersecurity attacks that are plaguing companies across the country.

In my career running a cybersecurity IT company, I’ve seen many small businesses struggle to properly protect themselves from bad actors. However, with the rapid growth of AI, it has never been easier to do so. While small business owners are busy with the day-to-day of their businesses, AI can serve as a useful tool in monitoring systems and helping detect and prevent potential data breaches and compromised emails.

Congress and the Florida Legislature should be mindful to not make access to AI unattainable via burdensome regulations that make AI platforms cost-prohibitive or difficult to implement for small business owners. By taking into account the enormous potential AI presents to the small business community, legislators can craft smart AI policy that protects consumers while ensuring small businesses have access to the technology they need to protect their livelihood.

Reginald Andre, Miami

That’s the ticket

DeSantis endorses 6 Tampa Bay area school board candidates | July 20

Voting for the Pinellas County school board candidates couldn’t have been easier for me. I just look at who our esteemed governor endorses and vote for the other candidate.

Alan Aipel, St. Petersburg

Stop the ugliness

J.D. Vance slams Kamala Harris during his solo campaign | July 23

With the 2024 election looming closer and many issues on the ballot, perhaps it is time to school the candidates on the purpose of a campaign. First of all, elections are all about choosing the right candidate to fit the position — the person is most important, not the party. Second, campaign on the issues of the country instead of dissing the opposing candidate. Name-calling and other slurs have no place in a civilized nation. Third, focus on the people, not the politics. Since President Joe Biden reversed his position to run on the Democratic ticket, there has been nothing but vitriol commentary from the opposing side. How can a nation regroup and reorganize under a kinder mantra with so much animosity being spewed? If that’s all they’re able to concentrate on, perhaps they need to give up. As a people, we are tired of the violent rhetoric and insulting remarks. This nation is a melting pot of people and cultures that needs to be recognized and respected. Stop the ugliness, this nation and its people deserve better.

Carol Hess, Hudson

Help us out

Duke Energy deeply cuts Florida rate hike request | July 19

The settlement announced last week that will force “Duke Energy (to) cut Florida rate hike request by hundreds of millions” raises the obvious question: Will Tampa Electric be next? As with Duke’s attempted rate hike, Tampa Electric’s request to increase base rates next year — despite customers facing some of the highest utility bills in the nation — has encountered significant public and legal opposition.

The Public Service Commission reconvenes in August to approve, amend or reject Tampa Electric’s request for rate increases. The Hillsborough County Commission, which represents hundreds of thousands of Tampa Electric customers, has a crucial role to play in influencing this decision.

At the recent commission meeting, I was among a dozen concerned residents organized by Food & Water Watch and the Hillsborough Affordable Energy Coalition who urged our Hillsborough commissioners to intervene in the rate case and oppose Tampa Electric’s proposed hikes. Regrettably, Chairperson Ken Hagan and the commission have yet to take a stand, leaving many residents to struggle with soaring electricity bills during these sweltering summer months and the specter of higher bills to come next year.

I urge commissioners to act decisively and intervene before the PSC to oppose Tampa Electric’s rate hike and adopt an Affordable Energy and Climate Plan to insulate residents from volatile fuel costs and utility price gouging. Inaction is not an answer.

Isabella Moeller, Tampa