Richard Donelan

We continue to hear about the culture war issues from the Donalds’ camp but I have never heard any residents in my county stress over crosswalk colors, airport names, or fake socialism. What I do hear (in meetings, townhalls, and emails) is worry about our wetlands, development boundary, and impact fees (SB180). I hear about our endless sprawl (ag enclaves, blue ribbon projects, HB399). I hear about the multitude of new “affordable” apartment projects (Live Local). I hear about our lack of a retail pet ban or environmental protections (SB170: local ordinance restrictions). I hear about AI Data Centers (the donations are in the bank). All of these nonpartisan concerns are what ACTUALLY affect your day-to-day lives. They are all products of the current Tallahassee establishment, corporate donors, and lobbyists and they are guaranteed to continue if we keep voting for the status quo. I would argue that these preemptions and attacks on home rule will, in fact, expand through a newly-stated mandate if we don’t vote in some guardrails. We need checks and balances to protect our communities and give us a voice. We have an opportunity to elect a moderate, thoughtful Governor who doesn’t claim that “things are just solved over a Scotch at 11 o’clock at night” behind closed doors with lobbyists and his friends in the legislature. A Governor Jolly would solve things WITH all of us, from all parties. @davidjollyfl is exactly who we need holding the veto pen to return the balance of power to YOU and bring back our home rule, limited government, and local control of growth management. If you care more about the party-line vote, then go ahead and vote the same way once again and hope for a different outcome. But don’t be surprised when you lose more of your control and your voice.