2018-06-22

6
Rising Seas Threaten Florida, Little
Action From Scott and Legislature
by Jake Stofan , CNS
Orlando Advocate | Jun 22 - 28, 2018
One out of 10 Florida homes could be
subject to almost daily flooding by the end
of the century according to a new report by
The Union of Concerned Scientists.
The culprit… rising sea levels resulting
from climate change.
The report suggests Florida stand to be
affected more than any other state.
Predictions by the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration show up to 6
1/2 feet of sea level rise by 2100.
An increase of that magnitude would
cost billions of dollars to the state and local
governments in lost property values.
“If tax values, property tax evaluations
are going down and tax input to these cities
and counties is shrinking, it’s going to be
very difficult for them to cope,” said Dr.
Jeff Chanton, a professor of Oceanography
at Florida State University.
Environmental groups say the new
predictions should sound a major alarm.
“This report is a serious wake up call
in a series of wake up calls. Unfortunately
our leaders have been pushing the snooze
button for too long,” said Jonathan Webber
with Florida Conservation Voters.
Scientists say not only have lawmakers
been hitting the snooze button, but many
including Governor Rick Scott have been
slow to even accept there’s a problem.
“The state government until quite recently,
climate change was a dirty word and
not to be mentioned,” said Chanton.
The U-S Supreme Court just cleared the
way for states to collect sales tax from out
of state internet vendors.
A previous decision made before computers
were commonplace banned the
collection.
Some estimates suggest Florida could be
losing as much as a billion dollars a year.
James Miller with the Florida Retail
Federation says the decision will go along
way to stabilizing brick and mortar retailers.
“Online has had such a competitive
advantage. You know, when you’re not paying
six, seven percent, especially on those
A recent review of the Governor’s most
recent financial disclosures showed onesixth
(about $20 million) of Scott’s 2014 net
worth of more than $132 million was tied up
in companies who have said climate change
Legislation stood to hurt their businesses.
But most of Scott’s wealth is hidden
away from the public in blind trusts.
“We have no idea the full extent of his
investment in opposing climate change,”
said Attorney Don Hinkle, who is suing
Scott in an effort to gain access to the details
of his blind trust.
Scott has to file a new financial disclosure
next month as part of his bid for the
U.S. Senate.
It may be the most clear look the public
has gotten of Scott’s investments.
Scientists also fear if the Governor’s
constitutional amendment to require a
supermajority in the Legislature to approve
new tax hikes passes this November, it could
further stifle proactive measures to combat
rising seas.
In response to this story the Governor’s
Office made a point of noting this past session
Scott secured $3.6 million for a new
Florida Resilient Coastline Initiative within
the Department of Environmental Protection,
which will assist local governments
with sea level rise planning and coastal
resilience projects, in addition to protection
of coral reef health.
U.S. Supreme Court Clears Way for
States to Tax Online Purchases
big ticket items, so that can be significant
savings, so people are going to use those
sights rather than some of the Florida based
ones. So this is great news,” said Miller.
“We’re excited by it. Again, level playings
field. Everyone’s playing by the same
rules. And because of that competition and
innovation is are going to determine who
succeeds, not who ever’s paying taxes and
not paying taxes.
State law already requires residents who
buy out of state merchandise to voluntarily
pay sales tax, but few do.
Enacting internet collection will require
an act of the Legislature.
What Does the Future Hold For Immigrant
Children Housed in Homestead?
Video provided by the
Department of Health and
Human Services shows
the first glimpse into the
conditions at the 1,200 bed
Homestead facility housing
immigrant children.
At least 94 children
housed there were separated
from their families while
crossing the boarder.
“They’re already fleeing
some form of persecution
and trauma and this certainly
was another layer
that the U.S. Government
inflicted upon them,” said
Human Rights Attorney and
Immigration Expert Mark
Schlakman.
While President Donald
Trump ordered an end to
the practice of separating
families, the future for the
2,300 already separated
remains uncertain.
“Will those 2,000 families
be reconnected to their
loved ones? Do we know
where their loved ones are?
This is a total absence of
moral leadership in my
opinion,” said Gubernatorial
Candidate and Tallahassee
Mayor Andrew Gillum.
“It would be reasonable
to presume that there would
be some effort to reunite
these young children with
their families,” said Shlakman.
T h r e e D e m o c r a t i c
Gubernatorial Candidates
confirmed on Twitter that
they plan to march together
outside the facility this
weekend.
Gillum also plans to
attend.
“For me personally it
was hard to shake the images
of these kids being
torn away from their family
members,” said Gillum.
“It’s not who we are as a
by Jake Stofan , CNS
country.”
The future is also uncertain
for more than 1,000
teenagers also being housed
at the Homestead facility,
many of whom crossed the
boarder unaccompanied
seeking asylum.
While Gubernatorial
candidates march outside,
U.S. Senator Bill Nelson
will be inside the facility
speaking with the children
housed there as well as
staff.
It’s believed there are
an additional 174 separated
children housed throughout
Florida, aside from those in
the Homestead facility.