For decades, asphalt shingles have been the roofing material of choice for Florida homeowners, providing an affordable and reliable solution to protect homes from the harsh Sunshine State climate. Yet recently, reports have circulated that legislators may consider restrictions favoring alternative roofing materials.

This idea, driven more by market interference than sound policy, misrepresents the reality of Florida’s roofing industry and could ultimately hurt the very homeowners our laws should protect.

I’ve been a roofer and business owner my entire adult life, so I’ve spent decades on rooftops across Florida. I know firsthand what works in our state’s unique climate and what doesn’t. I also had the honor of serving in the Florida Senate and House and recognize bad ideas that would favor a select few at the expense of the general public.

Metal roofs are a great option that homeowners should have access to, but they should not be pawns in choosing winners and losers. Asphalt shingles have proven themselves to be a cost-effective, durable, and accessible roofing option for millions of homeowners. Any effort to restrict them would do more harm than good.

Asphalt shingles remain the most widely used and versatile roofing material in Florida, covering approximately 70-75% of homes. This isn’t by accident — homeowners choose asphalt shingles because they offer a combination of affordability, durability, and aesthetic appeal that other materials often can’t match.

Some critics point to the large number of insurance claims related to asphalt shingles as the reason to push for alternatives and restrict the use of asphalt. But this argument ignores a basic fact: asphalt shingles simply cover more roofs in Florida than any other roofing material. Damage doesn’t occur because of the roofing material itself – instead, it’s affected by whether the roof meets modern standards and, in some cases, by the quality of installation.

Government overreach is going to cost homeowners more money without any benefits. Rather than restricting options for Florida homeowners, we should be focused on strengthening overall roofing performance across all materials.

Over the years, Florida’s building codes have improved significantly and modern asphalt shingles have evolved to meet higher standards for wind resistance, hail impact, and fire protection. The industry continues to innovate, with manufacturers working alongside regulators to improve installation practices and durability.

There are already proposals to further enhance Florida’s building codes to improve roofing resilience — without placing unnecessary financial burdens on homeowners and would-be homebuyers.

If Florida were to impose new restrictions or disincentives on asphalt shingles, the biggest losers would be working families and middle-class homeowners who can’t afford more expensive roofing materials like metal or tile. Roofing policies shouldn’t be dictated by the commercial interests of those selling competing products but should instead prioritize consumer choice and economic fairness.

As someone who has built a career in the roofing industry, I know that no two homes — and no two budgets – are alike. Homeowners should have the freedom to choose the roofing materials that best fit their needs.

As a roofer, a business owner and former legislator, I urge policymakers, industry leaders, and regulators to take a measured, fact-based approach to roofing discussions. Let’s focus on ensuring strong building standards, promoting consumer education, and allowing homeowners the freedom to choose the roofing materials that best fit their needs and budgets.

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Keith Perry is a former member of the state Senate representing Alachua, Putnam, and part of Marion counties in North Central Florida.

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The latest U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) forecast for Florida’s citrus harvest this season is a bit more optimistic than the past few months, but not by much.

The March citrus crop forecast for the Sunshine State projects there will be 11.6 million boxes of oranges harvested from Florida groves in the 2024-25 season, along with 1.2 million boxes of grapefruit. Both of those figures are up by only 100,000 boxes in each category compared to February’s forecast.

It may not seem like much. But the forecast at least puts a stop to plummeting projections for the growing season. Forecasts have fallen each month since Hurricanes Helene and Milton ravaged Florida in September and October, respectively. Citrus officials worried that growers would not recover much of the fruit that was lost due to those storms.

While the latest forecast shows an uptick in the forecast compared to February, it’s still not as high as January’s prognostication. In the first month of the year, the USDA projected that there would be 12 million boxes of oranges harvested by the end of the growing season and 1.2 million boxes of grapefruit would be produced.

This month’s forecast for the harvest of tangelos and tangerines remains the same, at 350,000 boxes.

Nevertheless, Florida citrus officials are encouraged that there was at least some increase in the forecasted harvest this month from the USDA.

“Today’s steady increase in the citrus crop estimate offers a glimmer of hope that production may be on the road to recovery. Despite setbacks from hurricanes and citrus greening, citrus growers and researchers are working hand-in-hand to leverage technologies and sustainable practices to rebuild Florida citrus production,” said Matt Joyner, CEO at Florida Citrus Mutual.

“It’s crucial that industry, academia and government continue working together to ensure the future is bright for Florida citrus. Florida’s citrus industry continues to receive an outpouring of support from state leaders, including Senate President Ben Albritton and Florida Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson. With continued resources from the state and federal levels, Florida citrus growers can preserve Florida’s citrus legacy as the iconic symbol of our state, providing jobs and shaping our culture for more than a century.”

As the Legislative Session is ongoing, lawmakers in Tallahassee will consider citrus proposals fronted by Gov. Ron DeSantis. He proposed the Focus on Fiscal Responsibility Budget for 2025-26, which calls for more than $20 million for the Citrus Health Response Program and other citrus research. About $7 million of that money, if approved, would go to advertising and additional research through the Florida Department of Citrus to increase the production of trees and advance technologies that produce trees resistant to citrus greening.

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Lakeland City Commissioner Sara Roberts McCarley has announced she will run for Mayor in November.

“Lakeland is an incredibly special place to raise a family and run a business,” Roberts McCarley said. “I’m ready to roll up my sleeves and continue to serve the community I love, because I know that together, we can meet the challenges of tomorrow and get real results that move us forward.”

That makes Roberts McCarley the first candidate to file in the 2025 city elections.

The native Lakeland resident has served on the Lakeland City Commission since 2019, representing District C Southwest.

She previously served as Executive Director of Polk Vision, a community planning effort. She also served as the state director for Best Buddies International.

Roberts McCarley also volunteers with the Bonnet Springs Park Board, Randy Roberts Foundation Founder, Polk Arts and Cultural Alliance Board, Junior League of Greater Lakeland, Sun N Fun Board, and Night to Shine. She is Vice President of the Ridge League of Cities.

Roberts McCarley founded the Randy Roberts Foundation, named for her late first husband, which has provided more than $300,000 in scholarships to more than 245 students, according to her LinkedIn page.

Lakeland Mayor Bill Mutz announced last year that he will not seek another term, according to LkldNow. He has served as the city’s Mayor since 2018.

Roberts McCarley is one of six City Commissioners. She said her platform includes “keeping local government accountable and transparent, protecting taxpayers’ hard-earned dollars and supporting Lakeland’s first responders.”

Roberts McCarley’s seat is also up for re-election this year, as is the District D Southeast spot and an at-large Commission seat.

A General Election is scheduled for Nov. 4. A runoff, if necessary, is scheduled for Dec. 2. Elections are nonpartisan.

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