Connect with us

Politics

Lawmakers launch bipartisan budget push to protect Jewish college students

Published

on


A bipartisan dream team of Florida lawmakers is pushing for new state funding aimed at enhancing security and cultural protections for Jewish students at three of the state’s largest universities: the University of Florida (UF), Florida State University (FSU), and the University of South Florida (USF).

The proposal seeks to bolster physical security, counter misinformation, and strengthen community ties in response to increasing concerns about antisemitism on college campuses through supporting campus Hillel organizations at UF, FSU and USF using a model that combines security enhancements with education and relationship-building efforts.

While Florida has invested significantly in security for Jewish K-12 schools and community centers, this initiative marks the first major effort to extend dedicated funding to protect to Jewish college students. And if passed, Florida would become the first state to implement a large-scale, data-driven program specifically aimed at Jewish student safety at the college level.

Sen. Danny Burgess, a Zephyrhills Republican who is championing the funding request at USF, emphasized the importance of a proactive approach.

“This is about taking action — not just reacting to antisemitism but actively working to prevent it,” Burgess said. “USF, UF and FSU are leading the charge, and we hope these efforts can serve as a successful model elsewhere.”

Across the United States, college campuses have become hotbeds of antisemitic rhetoric and violence. National data from the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) found that 83% of Jewish college students have experienced or witnessed some form of antisemitism since following the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, with more than a quarter (27%) reporting antisemitic activity by faculty.

These trends are seen in Florida, too.

“Florida has done more to protect Jewish residents than any other state, but significant challenges are seen even here,” said Karen Cyphers, partner at Sachs Media and Vice President of the Tallahassee Jewish Federation.

“We’ve been surveying Florida residents on antisemitism regularly since 2018, and the trendline is disturbing. In the past two years alone, the share of Floridians who believe Jews are responsible for what happened to them in the Holocaust has risen four-fold and even more disturbing is the steady share of young people who say Hamas was justified in carrying out the October 7 attack.”

This victim-blaming appears correlated with current events. Multiple Florida voter surveys by Sachs Media over the past year show that 40% of Floridians under age 45 believe Hamas was justified in its attack on Israeli civilians, 58% are unaware of Hamas’ stated goal to eliminate Israel, and 26% say violence against American supporters of Israel is justified.

To counter these trends, this proposed initiative includes increased security personnel, surveillance and training; cultural programs celebrating Jewish heritage and fostering understanding; educational initiatives to combat misinformation and antisemitism; community outreach through dedicated liaisons to improve campus relations; and counseling and training for students affected by antisemitism.

Sen. Corey Simon, a Tallahassee Republican who is leading the funding request at FSU, stressed the importance of ensuring all students feel safe on campus.

“We cannot allow antisemitism to fester on our campuses,” Simon said. “Every student deserves to feel secure expressing their identity, and this effort ensures that Jewish students at FSU and across Florida have that right.”

House Democratic Leader Fentrice Driskell of Tampa, who is advocating for USF’s portion of the funding, described the initiative as a necessary measure for student safety and cultural understanding.

“We have an obligation to make sure every student, of every background, feels safe on campus,” Driskell said. “Safety stems from a sense of understanding, and this project is focused on building those kinds of bridges.”

At UF, the proposal is backed by Sen. Stan McClain, an Ocala Republican, and Rep. Chad Johnson, a Chiefland Republican.

“Education should be a space for dialogue and learning, not fear and intimidation,” McClain said. “This funding will help ensure UF remains a safe and welcoming environment for Jewish students.”

“If approved, this funding would make Florida the first state to implement a large-scale, data-driven initiative focused on Jewish student safety at the college level,” Johnson said.

Democratic Rep. Allison Tant of Tallahassee, leading the effort at FSU, emphasized Florida’s leadership role in protecting Jewish communities.

“Florida has led the way in protecting Jewish communities, and Florida State has demonstrated exemplary support for these students,” Tant said. “This is the next step, to amplify these efforts from a grassroots level up. What we do here can serve as a national model.”

Advocates argue that the initiative’s impact will go beyond security, helping to shift campus culture by fostering understanding and dispelling harmful misinformation. Brian Pelc, Executive Director of Hillel at FSU, highlighted the unique support Jewish communities receive in Florida compared to other states.

“Jewish communities in Florida receive a level of support from our public institutions, including state leaders and college administrations, far beyond what peers experience in other parts of the country,” Pelc said. “This project is designed to make sure we’re building on those efforts by honing our communications, deepening understanding, and strengthening relationships to mitigate the spread of antisemitism.”

With strong bipartisan backing, proponents remain optimistic about the initiative’s approval in the upcoming legislative session.

“Jewish students at USF should feel safe and supported, both physically and culturally, on our campus and in our surrounding communities,” said Sylvie Feinsmith, Executive Director of Hillel at USF. “This initiative allows us to not only enhance security but also to invest in education and relationship-building, ensuring that misinformation and antisemitism have no place in our community.”

“This effort is about more than just protection, it’s about reinforcing a campus climate where Jewish students can thrive without fear and contribute to campus culture, life, and academics in the many beautiful ways they do. By strengthening security and fostering greater understanding, we are ensuring that UF remains a place of learning, respect, and inclusivity for all,” said Rabbi Jonah Zinn, Executive Director of Hillel at UF.

“By allocating these funds to protect Jewish students and organizations on university campuses, Florida will continue its commitment to its Jewish community which has faced an alarming rise in antisemitism,” said Daniel Frank, ADL’s Florida Regional Director. “All students should be free to learn in an environment without fear for their safety and engage in campus activities without fear of harassment or intimidation.”

These funding requests (Forms 2206, 2318, and 3321 in the House, and Forms 2938, 1508, and 1681 in the Senate) are currently under review and will be debated in the coming months.


Post Views: 0



Source link

Continue Reading

Politics

Florida’s heartland needs EV infrastructure, not more barriers

Published

on


Florida is at a pivotal moment.

Our state now has over 400,000 registered electric vehicles (EVs), the second-highest in the country and consumer demand for clean transportation continues to grow, driving a critical need for charging infrastructure, especially in rural areas and evacuation zones. Unfortunately, proposed efficiency audits threaten to stall progress, discarding millions in federal grant funds while pushing rural communities further behind and exposing them to continued soaring gasoline prices.

Over the last six years, Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Republican Legislature have focused on striking a balance to make sure Florida is ready to embrace the future while ensuring fiscal conservancy. The Florida Department of Transportation’s (FDOT) recent study cited that for every dollar invested in transportation the state generates a return of $4.40.

Recognizing that EV adoption continues to accelerate with 1 in 10 new vehicles sold in Florida in Q4 2024 being electric, FDOT created the state’s Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Deployment Plan in 2021. However, despite ranking second in the nation for registered EVs, Florida’s charging infrastructure isn’t keeping pace, with rural regions lagging the most and critical gaps in coverage still remaining.

Last year, Florida spent time and money deploying temporary mobile EV charging stations along Interstate 75 and Interstate 4 during Hurricane Milton to meet the demands of residents along evacuation corridors and in rural areas. After both Hurricane Milton and Helene, Florida’s EV stationary charging stations were up and running swiftly, while gas stations struggled for weeks with long lines and inadequate fuel supplies.

Investing in permanent EV charging infrastructure along evacuation routes and in rural areas would cut costs, improve efficiency, and increase resilience — helping Floridians before, during and after disasters.

Rural communities from Immokalee to the Panhandle continue to wait as new and unnecessary bureaucratic barriers slow funding distribution and create uncertainty. With rural drivers spending 30% more on transportation annually than urban drivers and with limited public transit options, reliable EV infrastructure will be crucial to reducing costs and meeting their community’s needs.

Creating new barriers and task forces isn’t just red tape — it prevents rural Floridians from saving over $10,500 on the lifetime of their EV purchase, savings they’ll miss without access to charging stations.

Investing now in future-ready infrastructure is not only efficient, it’s essential to keep Florida ahead of the curve. Our state’s leaders have long championed cost-effective, market-driven solutions that reduce government waste while delivering real savings to everyday Floridians.

The transition to electric vehicles presents an opportunity to uphold those values — reducing transportation costs, increasing fuel independence and making rural communities more resilient — regardless of your ZIP code. By funding mobility solutions today, we ensure Florida is prepared for tomorrow’s transportation needs, reducing long-term costs and positioning the state as a leader in sustainable innovation.

___

Ali DySard is a senior policy and program specialist with the Environmental Defense Fund.


Post Views: 0



Source link

Continue Reading

Politics

Taylor Yarkosky says Anthony Sabatini fraudulently included names on Lake Co. GOP petition

Published

on


Lake County Republican Party activists claimed last week they had needed signatures to force a meeting to install new members. But Lake County Republican Party Chair Taylor Yarkosky now says many names wrongly appeared on a petition, and no meeting will occur before April.

“Over the past week multiple LCREC (Lake County Republican Executive Committee) members reached out stating their names were fraudulently added to a petition calling for a special meeting in March without their consent,” Yarkosky wrote in an email blast. “Let me be absolutely clear — this is a serious violation of election integrity and it will not be tolerated.”

But Lake County Commissioner Anthony Sabatini, a former Lake County Republican Party Chair, said that’s a mischaracterization.

“66 members asked to have their names listed; 2 later rescinded after they had travel plans,” Sabatini said. On social media, he said it did not matter if individuals later wanted their names taken off a petition after the fact.

“Although a member is at liberty to later remove their names, the decision to remove their names does not cancel a duly called REC meeting, according to RPOF rules or the county model constitution,” Sabatini posted on Facebook.

Yarkosky, though, said this wasn’t just a matter of people wanting names off a petition they signed, but of names appearing on the petition without permission in the first place. He told Florida Politics that at least 10 people whose names were listed on the petition have reached out to him and said they did not sign it.

“Some members reported not even being contacted before their signatures were added,” Yarkosky wrote. “Fraudulent misrepresentation of member signatures is a direct attack on the integrity of our organization, and we will pursue every available remedy to ensure accountability.”

He referred the issue to the party’s attorneys, and wants law enforcement to take further action. Yarkosky encouraged anyone who believes their name was fraudulently added to the petition to contact the party.

“We are not backing down on this,” he told Florida Politics. “He (Sabatini) is out of control and unhinged, bullying and hurting people at all costs.”

Yarkosky also encouraged party members to report any emails received by Sabatini or ally Tom Vail to the REC.

“Your voice matters and we will not stand by while deceptive tactics are used to undermine the LCREC,” he wrote in his email blast. “We will not allow fraudulent activity to go unchecked. Integrity, transparency, and accountability are not negotiable in our party.”

Sabatini, meanwhile, said the email blast from Yarkosky was a “false and defamatory email.”

Yarkosky said no meeting of the REC will take place until April 21, when the county party will host Sen. Blaise Ingoglia, a former Republican Party of Florida Chair.

Importantly, Yarkosky serves in the House, and the Legislature is currently in Session. The Clermont Republican is a member of the House Student Academic Success Subcommittee, which is scheduled to meet Thursday afternoon in Tallahassee.

Sabatini opposed Yarkosky’s election as county REC Chair, and argued the lawmaker’s victory only came because new members had recently been qualified for precinct committee spots ahead of the vote. Sabatini said on Facebook he expects a meeting to take place Wednesday regardless, with the purpose of admitting new members into vacancies.

“The current chairman, 3x arrestee Yarkosky, and several board members have been BLOCKING new members, and so a special meeting had to be called in order to accept the 35+ new applicants,” Sabatini wrote on Facebook.

Yarkosky said any new members will be sworn in at the April meeting, and that holding a meeting in March is neither required nor productive.

Sabatini has criticized Yarkosky over bounced checks allegedly written by his Advanced Plumbing Technology business. The business sent money to cover the checks after a recent Action 9 investigation. Yarkosky said the issue with the bounced checks involved the closing of a bank account for a business, and the matter was quickly resolved when it came to his attention.

“Over the last 20 years, I have serviced upwards of tens of thousands of residential customers whether in sinkhole stabilization, different contracting work done as well as a robust piping rehabilitation business we have built,” he said.

“This had to do with a company that no longer does residential work. The operating account was shut down. When I learned about this, I contacted someone on the administrative side and the customer was wired the money within a couple days.”

Yarkosky said the disparagement of his business and character at this point is typical from Sabatini, and said the party needs to drive the far-right figure from local politics.


Post Views: 0



Source link

Continue Reading

Politics

Miami-Dade Tax Collector says he’s cracking down on DMV ‘appointment scalpers’

Published

on


Miami-Dade Tax Collector Dariel Fernandez says the long lines and wait times that have plagued Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) sites in the county for years aren’t exactly happening naturally.

His Office said it has uncovered a “network of appointment scalpers profiting from driver’s license scheduling.”

They use the DMV’s free appointment-scheduling online portal to hoard appointments, the Office said, and then resell them for a profit, creating false demand and a headache for those truly seeking services.

Fernandez said he’ll be working with Miami-Dade officials and law enforcement to crack down on the “fraudulent and exploitive activity.”

“We know who they are and how they operate. We will not accept any appointment obtained through system abuse,” Fernandez said in a statement Monday.

“Our office is committed to ensuring that all residents have fair and equal access to services without interference from those seeking to exploit the system.”

Residents have long complained about seemingly endless queues and canceled appointments at driver’s license locations across Miami-Dade and Broward counties. To address the issue, some sites have added kiosks and Florida Highway Patrol officers have been sent to DMVs in Miami-Dade to handle security and address safety disturbances.

Fernandez, a software technology entrepreneur and past Community Council member, successfully ran for Tax Collector last year on a promise to leverage technology to improve services and accessibility to county services. That may include putting much of the DMV’s currently in-person-only services online.

The Miami-Dade Tax Collector’s Office this year is absorbing the responsibilities of the DMV for the first time. Other counties started the process more than a decade ago.

The long DMV lines in South Florida have gotten the attention of the Legislature, whose top officers are working on allocating millions to fix the problem.

“We know it exists and we’re working on it,” Senate President Ben Albritton told WPLG Local 10 News this month, adding that he and House Speaker Daniel Perez are working closely with the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles on budget earmarks to enhance DMV systems.


Post Views: 0



Source link

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © Miami Select.