Bring back ’70s-style gas-price protests
Tuesday’s front-page photo told the whole story: A RaceTrac in Ocoee with gas that cost $4.14 per gallon of regular, with diesel $6.39 (“Florida gas prices above $4 a gallon,” Sept. 15). Even the MAGA Trump supporters, if they were honest, would cuss the person or reason for these outrageous prices of fuel. Even those nitwits might be able to figure out why everything else also costs so much. It’s a no-brainer and yet there’s almost not a peep from MAGA, the GOP and especially GOP members of Congress. How long are you guys going to allow this lunacy to continue? Come on!
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Some of us were around when President Jimmy Carter was basically tarred and feathered for a similar situation with fuel. Farmers drove their tractors to D.C. to protest, along with truckers and ordinary consumers. Where are they now? You would think that folks would not be very happy with this dumb Iran war situation and all the negative fallout from it. Of course with Trump supporters, it’s “don’t confuse me with the facts, just keep it simple.” It’s ridiculous.
— Thomas Erickson, Orlando
Trump’s aim is false
Diesel prices here in the U.S. soar past $6 a gallon and what does President Trump do? He implores Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to stop striking Russia’s oil refineries. Trump doesn’t call for Russia’s Vladimir Putin to end what I see as a criminal and illegal war of aggression by Russia against Ukraine, where innocent people are apparently being murdered. Instead, he knows that the rising costs of fuel are adversely affecting his and the Republican Party’s political position here at home. It’s all about Trump. Always has been, always will be.
— Richard Sutherland, Winter Haven
Amendment 3 is a problem, not a solution
The Florida Realtors trade group is spending $10 million to support Amendment 3, claiming it will ease Florida’s housing affordability crisis by encouraging empty nesters to downsize. But homes become affordable when more homes are available, not when local governments are forced to cut services that make communities livable.
Amendment 3 would reduce local property tax revenue on homesteaded homes, but the costs wouldn’t disappear. Cities and counties would have less money for police, fire, roads, sidewalks, parks, libraries, recreation programs, planning, and events. Renters could also carry more of the burden, despite already struggling with affordability.
The local impact would be significant. Florida TaxWatch estimates Seminole County would lose about $75 million in the first year and nearly $687 million over five years. Oviedo would lose about $5.5 million in the first year and nearly $52.3 million over five years. Those are real service, job, and quality-of-life cuts.
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Residents should also expect local governments to close the gap through higher fees, new road or sidewalk charges, or other increases that shift costs rather than eliminate them.
Florida has no state income tax and relies heavily on local revenue for everyday services. Amendment 3 would weaken that system and limit local decision making. If state leaders want to make Florida more affordable, they should address homeowners insurance, utilities, and housing supply.
Amendment 3 is not a real affordability solution. It risks cutting the services that make our communities safe, functional, and worth living in. Vote no on Amendment 3.
— Meghan McCollum, Oviedo
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