Miami congresswoman is trying to bring, common-sense real immigration reform to Congress
Re: Maria Elvira Salazar's April 27 op-ed, 'I'm offering a solution to our immigration problem.' Thank you, Congresswoman Salazar, for shedding factual light on yours and other congressional leaders' efforts to bring real immigration reform to the U.S. House floor in the form of proposed legislation. As such, we appreciate you informing us of your proposed Dignity Act.
People need to know that facts and data matter. We should not allow politics to interfere with common sense legislation. We need common sense immigration reform, from leaders with common sense.
Keep doing what you are doing and do not fall victim to the white noise.
Jimmy Tate,
North Miami
Far from home
A family friend who had recently fixed our house floors told me he's moving to Lehigh Acres, a town next to Fort Myers. After moving from Peru and working for 30 years, he realized his dream of buying a home was impossible — if he stayed in Miami.
The Miami Herald has been covering stories like his in 'The Shrinking Middle' series, showcasing how extreme housing prices have pushed people out of Miami. We must advocate for zoning reform; more multi-house units, fewer single-family homes.
Reform, however, isn't about changing our way of life, it's about keeping our culture alive. Affordable, multi-unit housing is about protecting people like my friend — and abuelo and abuela — from being priced out of the city. Today, more of our families are being fractured by Miami's outrageous housing costs, like the aunt who moved to Orlando, the cousin who found work in Tampa, or the brother with the view in Austin.
Miami is nothing without those who built it. If we want to defend our city's culture and keep those who make our city special, we must demand zoning reform.
Angel Aguilar,
Homestead
Pope's message
Pope Francis emphasized that global leaders must not turn their backs on the suffering of migrants and vulnerable populations, calling for greater international solidarity and action. His remarks are a moral reminder that addressing crises at their source, through efforts like global health initiatives, is a shared responsibility.
As Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations, Congressman Mario Díaz-Balart plays a critical role in ensuring continued U.S. investment in global health. Ongoing support will uphold America's leadership in promoting humanitarian values and help create healthier, more stable communities abroad. This addresses the interconnected challenges of public health, poverty and migration.
Díaz-Balart's commitment to global health aligns with humanitarian principles and strategic interests. Continuing to champion these programs is not only the right thing to do — it is also smart policy for a more secure and compassionate world.
Ellen Haghighi,
South Miami
Changed stripes?
Reading about Casey DeSantis's Hope Foundation made me laugh out loud. First, the resignations of the Foundation's top two administrators, at a time when they are needed most to help explain what happened. However, U.S. Sen. Rick Scott's statement was most humorous.
In the April 22 Herald online article, 'DeSantis officials with Hope Florida oversight won't get Senate confirmation hearings,' Scott said he wanted to know more about how the state spent money. Scott was CEO of Columbia/HCA, a healthcare company. He oversaw the largest Medicare fraud in the nation's history. Though he was never charged with a crime, before being forced to resign, he took a $10 million severance pay, a five-year consulting contract and $300 million in stock and options. The company eventually went bankrupt.
Is this really the same man who wants to know more about the spiraling Medicare fraud possibly committed by Florida's governor and possibly his wife? Is this really the same Scott or a new and improved Scott?
Perhaps we will never know.
Janet Weller,
Coral Springs
Divert-a-bear
Florida's black bears don't need more bullets — they need better trash management. More than a dozen scientific studies have shown that hunting is not an effective way to reduce human-to-bear conflicts. The real solution is common sense: secure garbage containers, remove food attractants and protect agricultural operations with electric fencing.
Most bear conflicts happen when people leave food and trash unsecured. Bears are smart and opportunistic. If they find an easy meal in an overflowing garbage can, a backyard bird feeder, or an unprotected chicken coop, they'll keep coming back. If there's no reward, they move on. Communities that invest in bear-resistant trash cans and dumpsters see real results — without killing bears.
Killing bears doesn't stop conflicts because hunting doesn't target the specific problem. Instead, it removes random bears from the population, leaving the attractants in place for the next bear to find. That's not management.
Instead of pushing for a hunt, Florida should invest in stronger garbage laws and proper enforcement and support for electric fencing around beehives and chicken coops. These are proven ways to reduce conflicts. Let's stop pretending that hunting is a solution when science says otherwise.
Leslie Sardinia,
North Miami Beach
Tougher teeth
Like chlorine, fluoride is a chemical, not medicine. Baby teeth routinely begin erupting at 6-7 months. Permanent tooth buds are developing underneath and begin erupting between ages 6-13.
If traces of fluoride can be incorporated during dental development by drinking fluoridated water, the outer shell, or enamel becomes a denser, harder substance and more resistance to decay.
Fluoridated toothpastes and topical fluoride treatments are encouraged, but cannot replace incorporating fluoride during tooth development.
Steven P. Willis,
Coral Springs
Fallen prestige
Harvard University, America`s oldest and richest University, has a storied history with countless alumni, including American presidents, Supreme Court justices and many accomplished graduates in business, science and the media.
The respect and prestige Harvard received has diminished over the years as the university embraced discriminatory policies which adversely impacted Asian applicants, as evidenced in the Supreme Court case Fair Admission v. Harvard. The Court ultimately struck down Harvard's admission policies, calling them discriminatory.
In recent decades, Harvard tilted further to the left with more left-leaning faculty members. More recently, were the allegations that the school's administration tolerated anti-Jewish hate and that some students were threatened with violence and intimidation. Congressional hearings highlighted Harvard's tolerance and indifference of antisemitism on campus. In response to its record on these issues, the Trump administration cut taxpayer funding. Efforts are also underway to further tax the university.
Harvard's taxpayer funding could be used for public colleges and vocational schools. Harvard can financially stand on its own. Perhaps these actions will lead to much needed internal reforms.
Tim Seale,
Miami
Time to pivot
With all due respect to Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, now is not the time to cower in a corner and tell us that she is anxious and afraid of retaliation. Nor is it the time to use her 'charm' to get a few scraps of concessions.
This is the time to put on her 'big girl panties' and fight — fight for her home state; fight for her constituents; fight for the United States; fight for democracy!
If she cannot fight, we understand. She should just step aside and let those who are willing and able do the fighting.
Jeannette Garcia,
Miami
Senior discount
Recent news reports state that President Trump's aides are considering $5,000 bonuses to families to reverse declining birth rates and push conservative values.
While on its face this appears discriminatory on account of age, maybe to avoid that claim a discount could be given to senior citizens for just going through the motions?
Harry N. Turk,
Miami
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California Democrats' push for redistricting faces a tight legislative deadline
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So far, California is the only state beyond Texas that has officially waded into the redistricting fight, although others have signaled they might launch their own efforts. California Democrats, who hold supermajorities in both chambers, unveiled the new map Friday. State lawmakers in both houses will hold hearings on the map and vote to put it to voters in a special election in November. If voters agree, the new map would replace the one drawn by an independent commission that took effect in 2022. The new map would only take effect if Texas or another Republican-led state moves forward with their own mid-decade redistricting and would remain through the 2030 elections. Democrats said they will return the map-making power to the commission after the next census. The current effort is to save democracy and counter Trump's agenda, they said. 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The proposal makes exceptions for officers wearing a medical grade mask, coverings designed to protect against exposure to smoke during a wildfire, and other protective gear used by SWAT officers while performing their duties. Proponents said the measure would boost transparency and public trust in law enforcement while also preventing people from trying to impersonate law enforcement. Opponents, including law enforcement, said the bill would disrupt local undercover operations without addressing the issue because California doesn't have authority over federal agents. Another proposal would require law enforcement to identify themselves during official business. State Democrats are also championing several proposals that would limit immigration agents without warrants from entering school campuses, hospitals and homeless or domestic violence shelters. A first-in-the-nation state task force released a report in 2023 with more than 100 recommendations for how the state should repair historic wrongdoings against Black Californians descended from enslaved people. The California Legislative Black Caucus introduced a reparations package last year inspired by that work, but the measures did not include direct payments for descendants, and the most ambitious proposals were blocked. The caucus introduced another package this year aimed at offering redress to Black Californians. One of the bills would authorize universities to give admissions priority to descendants of enslaved people. Another would ensure 10% of funds from a state program providing loans to first-time homebuyers goes to descendants. A third would allow the state to set aside $6 million to fund research by California State University on how to confirm residents' eligibility for any reparations programs. Some reparations advocates say the proposals fall short. They say many of the measures are ways to delay implementing one of the task force's key recommendations: direct compensation to descendants of slavery.
Yahoo
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California Democrats' push for redistricting faces a tight legislative deadline
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So far, California is the only state beyond Texas that has officially waded into the redistricting fight, although others have signaled they might launch their own efforts. California Democrats, who hold supermajorities in both chambers, unveiled the new map Friday. State lawmakers in both houses will hold hearings on the map and vote to put it to voters in a special election in November. If voters agree, the new map would replace the one drawn by an independent commission that took effect in 2022. The new map would only take effect if Texas or another Republican-led state moves forward with their own mid-decade redistricting and would remain through the 2030 elections. Democrats said they will return the map-making power to the commission after the next census. The current effort is to save democracy and counter Trump's agenda, they said. State Republicans vowed to legally challenge the effort, arguing that voters in 2010 already voted to remove partisan influence from how maps are drawn. Climate change State lawmakers are contending with how to balance meeting the state's climate goals with lowering utility and gas prices. Those discussions have been colored by the planned closures of two oil refineries that account for nearly 18% of the state's refining capacity, according to air regulators. The Legislature will have to respond to those concerns when it debates whether to reauthorize the state's cap-and-trade program, which is set to expire in 2030. The program allows large greenhouse gas emitters to buy allowances from the state equivalent to what they plan to emit. Over time, fewer allowances are made available with the goal of spurring companies to pollute less. A large portion of revenues from the program goes into a fund that helps pay for climate, affordable housing and transportation projects. The program also funds a credit that Californians receive twice a year on their utility bills. Newsom wants lawmakers to extend the program through 2045, commit $1 billion annually from the fund for the state's long-delayed high-speed rail project and set aside $1.5 billion a year for state fire response. Many environmental groups want the state to update the program by ending free allowances for industrial emitters, ensuring low-income households receive a higher credit on their utility bills, and ending or strengthening an offset program that helps companies comply by supporting projects aimed at reducing planet-warming emissions. Response to mass immigration raids Lawmakers will vote on a host of proposals introduced in response to the escalation of federal immigration crackdowns in Los Angeles and across the state. That includes legislation that would make it a misdemeanor for local, state and federal law enforcement officers to cover their faces while conducting official business. The proposal makes exceptions for officers wearing a medical grade mask, coverings designed to protect against exposure to smoke during a wildfire, and other protective gear used by SWAT officers while performing their duties. Proponents said the measure would boost transparency and public trust in law enforcement while also preventing people from trying to impersonate law enforcement. Opponents, including law enforcement, said the bill would disrupt local undercover operations without addressing the issue because California doesn't have authority over federal agents. Another proposal would require law enforcement to identify themselves during official business. State Democrats are also championing several proposals that would limit immigration agents without warrants from entering school campuses, hospitals and homeless or domestic violence shelters. Racial justice A first-in-the-nation state task force released a report in 2023 with more than 100 recommendations for how the state should repair historic wrongdoings against Black Californians descended from enslaved people. The California Legislative Black Caucus introduced a reparations package last year inspired by that work, but the measures did not include direct payments for descendants, and the most ambitious proposals were blocked. The caucus introduced another package this year aimed at offering redress to Black Californians. One of the bills would authorize universities to give admissions priority to descendants of enslaved people. Another would ensure 10% of funds from a state program providing loans to first-time homebuyers goes to descendants. A third would allow the state to set aside $6 million to fund research by California State University on how to confirm residents' eligibility for any reparations programs. Some reparations advocates say the proposals fall short. They say many of the measures are ways to delay implementing one of the task force's key recommendations: direct compensation to descendants of slavery. Trân Nguyễn And Sophie Austin, The Associated Press
Associated Press
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Texas Republicans set to resume push for redrawn US House maps
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Texas Republicans on Monday aimed to resume pushing through redrawn U.S. House district maps that would carve out a bigger GOP advantage in the 2026 midterm elections after state Democrats indicated they were ready to end a two-week walkout. In response, California Democrats are also moving ahead with their own reshaping of congressional districts to counteract Texas, putting in motion a potentially widening and unusually timed redistricting battle nationwide. The redrawing began in Texas but has been stalled since dozens of Democrats, who are the minority in each chamber, left the state on Aug. 3, with most of them going to Illinois. The absent lawmakers had signaled they were ready return to Austin after Republican Gov. Greg Abbott ended a first special session and California moved forward with its own plan. The Texas House was scheduled to try convening a quorum again Monday. Abbott put redistricting on the agenda at the urging of President Donald Trump, who wants to shore up Republicans' narrow U.S. House majority to avoid losing control of the chamber, and with it, prospects for Trump's conservative agenda in the later part of his term. It is unusual for redistricting to take place in the middle of the decade and typically occurs once at the beginning of each decade to coincide with the census. Many states, including Texas, give legislators the power to draw maps. California is among those that empower independent commissions with the task. The nation's two most populous states have been at the forefront of the resulting battle, which has reached into multiple courtrooms and statehouses controlled by both parties. On a national level, the partisan makeup of existing district lines puts Democrats within three seats of a majority. Of the 435 total House seats, only several dozen districts are competitive. So even slight changes in a few states could affect which party wins control. Texas' maps would aim to give the GOP five more winnable seats there. California Democrats, who hold supermajorities in both chambers — enough to act without any Republican votes — on Friday unveiled a proposal that could give Democrats there an additional five U.S. House seats. But any changes would first need the approval of state lawmakers and voters. Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom has said that his state will hold a Nov. 4 special referendum on the redrawn districts.
