logo
ENع
I don't care if they rename Southern Boulevard for Trump. But let locals decide.

I don't care if they rename Southern Boulevard for Trump. But let locals decide.

Yahoo07-03-2025

So, how do you feel about a couple of state lawmakers living roughly 200 miles outside of Palm Beach County filing legislation to change the name of a section of Southern Boulevard near Mar-a-Lago to President Donald J. Trump Boulevard? House Bill 697 and Senate Bill 1408, would glorify an area that every MAGA supporter in the county knows well.
State Rep. Danny Nix Jr., R-Port Charlotte and state Sen. Jay Collins, R-Tampa, filed bills, which would rename the boulevard from South Ocean Boulevard in front of Mar-a-Lago Club on Palm Beach island, across the Intracoastal Waterway to Kirk Road in West Palm Beach. The legislative session just started and both bills are beginning to move through the committee process. Given Trump's popularity with Republicans and the Republican-led Florida Legislature's zeal to please him, the odds of the bills becoming law are good. It doesn't hurt either that one of the sponsors chairs the Senate's Transportation Committee.
Don't get me wrong. I don't have a problem renaming a street, government building or public facility after a president. Hialeah has a road named after Trump. Rivera Beach has a highway named after former President Barack Obama, and by now almost every Floridian has been cruising on the Ronald Reagan Turnpike after state lawmakers renamed the Florida's Turnpike after the 40th president. Floridians, like most Americans, think highly of their favorite presidents. I get that.
Opinion: Trump delivers a pièce de résistance in defense of the English language. Bravo!
I'm just a little aggrieved that state legislators with little connection to this community are proposing the change. It was the residents of Riviera Beach who convinced their city council in 2016 to rename a section of Old Dixie Highway after the 44th president. In 2023, the Hialeah City Council unanimously approved a proposal to call a four-mile stretch of Palm Avenue, President Donald J. Trump Avenue. They even gave Trump one of the new street signs.
There hasn't been much of a groundswell among West Palm Beach residents, and more importantly persons living on Palm Beach island, clamoring for the name change. So the job fell to outsiders from Florida's west coast who want to show support for the president, the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office and law enforcement in Charlotte and Hillsborough counties. The bill contains name changes for another strip of Southern Boulevard and roads in west Florida.
Opinion: The natural beauty of Florida's state parks has long been under attack
The legislation hasn't had a hearing yet, but given the hold the president has on the Florida GOP, I would be surprised if the two bills didn't get any consideration in this legislative session. Lawmakers face more pressing issues — a looming condo crisis and an ongoing property insurance debacle to name just two.
Honorary designations, though, resonate in the state capitol. Even if they further undermine what's left of home rule.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: FL roads shouldn't be named for Trump without local support | Opinion

Hashtags

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

4 Social Security changes Washington could make to prevent benefit cuts
4 Social Security changes Washington could make to prevent benefit cuts

USA Today

time17 minutes ago

  • USA Today

4 Social Security changes Washington could make to prevent benefit cuts

4 Social Security changes Washington could make to prevent benefit cuts Show Caption Hide Caption Biden criticizes Trump administration's handling of Social Security Social Security overhaul sparks criticism from Biden over service disruptions, layoffs and automation as Trump defends changes as efficiency. Straight Arrow News Social Security is an important source of income for millions of Americans, but the program has a serious financial problem. Costs have increased faster than revenues in recent years because the aging population is growing more quickly than the working population. As a result, the trust fund, the financial account that pays benefits, is on track to be depleted within a decade. Specifically, the Congressional Budget Office estimates the trust fund will be exhausted in 2034. That would eliminate one source of revenue (i.e., interest earned on trust fund reserves), and the remaining tax revenues would only cover 77% of scheduled payments. That means a 23% benefit cut would be necessary in 2035. Fortunately, the lawmakers in Washington have several years to find a better solution. Here are four Social Security changes that could prevent deep, across-the-board benefit cuts. 1. Apply the Social Security payroll tax to income above $400,000 Social Security is primarily funded by a dedicated payroll tax, which takes 6.2% of wages from workers and employers. But some income is exempt from the payroll tax. Specifically, the maximum taxable earnings limit is $176,100 in 2025. Income above that threshold is not taxed by Social Security. Importantly, the Social Security program is projected to run a $23 trillion deficit over the next 75 years as it's strained by shifting demographics. But the deficit could be slashed by applying the payroll tax to more income. For instance, including income above $400,000 would eliminate 60% of the 75-year funding shortfall, says the University of Maryland. 2. Gradually increase the Social Security payroll tax rate to 6.5% over six years Under current law, the Social Security payroll tax rate is 6.2% for workers and their employers. But gradually raising that figure would eliminate a portion of the long-term deficit. For example, increasing thetax rate by 0.05% annually over a six-year period would eliminate 15% of the 75-year funding shortfall, according to the University of Maryland. Now that I've discussed two possible changes, let's step back and look at the big picture. There are basically three ways to resolve Social Security's financial problems: (1) increase revenue, (2) reduce costs or (3) some combination of the first two options. The changes discussed so far would increase revenue, but the next two changes would cut benefits. However, they are more subtle cuts than the 23% across-the-board reduction that would follow trust fund depletion. 3. Gradually increase full retirement age to 68 by 2033 Workers are eligible for retirement benefits at age 62, but they are not entitled to their full benefit — also called the primary insurance amount (PIA) — until full retirement age (FRA). Anyone that claims before full retirement age receives a smaller payout, meaning they get less than 100% of their PIA. FRA is currently defined as 67 years old for workers born in 1960 or later, but raising the figure would reduce the long-term deficit. For instance, increasing FRA to 68 years old by 2033, meaning it would apply to workers born in 1965 or later, would eliminate 15% of the 75-year funding shortfall, according to the University of Maryland. 4. Reduce benefits for retired workers with income in the top 20% Social Security benefits are determined as percentages of two bend points. Specifically, income from the 35 highest-paid years of work is adjusted for inflation and converted to a monthly figure called the average indexed monthly earnings (AIME) amount. The AIME is then run through a formula that uses two bend points to determine the PIA for each worker. Modifying the second (highest) bend point would eliminate a portion of the long-term deficit by reducing benefits for high earners. For instance, the University of Maryland estimates that reducing benefits for individuals with income in the top 20% could reduce the 75-year funding deficit by 11%. Here's the big picture: The four changes I've discussed would eliminate 101% of Social Security's $23 trillion funding shortfall, which would prevent across-the-board benefit cuts in 2035. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. The Motley Fool is a USA TODAY content partner offering financial news, analysis and commentary designed to help people take control of their financial lives. Its content is produced independently of USA TODAY. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook Offer from the Motley Fool: If you're like most Americans, you're a few years (or more) behind on your retirement savings. But a handful of little-known "Social Security secrets"could help ensure a boost in your retirement income. One easy trick could pay you as much as $23,760 more... each year! Once you learn how to maximize your Social Security benefits, we think you could retire confidently with the peace of mind we're all after. JoinStock Advisorto learn more about these strategies. View the "Social Security secrets" »

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store