God-given rights

Carl Hiaasen’s feeble attempt to use humor to misinform readers in his Oct. 18 column, From God’s lips to Gaetz’s ears, is nothing short of offensive.

Rep. Matt Gaetz referred to the concept of natural rights, which are bestowed by God and not by government. This concept is enshrined in the Declaration of Independence, which clearly says that the people are “endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights.” Among these are the rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

It follows that if one has the God-given right to life, one has the God-given right to defend and protect that right, Hiaasen’s mockery notwithstanding.

Rene E. Lamar,

Coral Gables

Comments

In the final three weeks of their session, legislators have an opportunity to boost the economy by ensuring that affordable housing trust funds are used for their intended purpose. With the passage of the William E. Sadowski Act in 1992, legislators created a dedicated funding source for the development of affordable housing. Each year, the Act generates hundreds of millions of dollars through the collection of a documentary stamp tax on the sale of real estate. Unfortunately, over the past 10 years, the Legislature has diverted nearly $1.4 billion to balance the state budget. The continued raiding drastically reduces resources needed by local governments and developers to build quality housing for our teachers, police officers and health professionals. Gov. DeSantis and the state Senate are recommending full funding of affordable housing programs in their respective budgets at $331.9 million. However, the state House proposes to again divert $200 million into general revenue, with only $123.6 million going to housing projects. Creating affordable housing not only improves the lives of families, but improves the overall economy. In 2018, the state Legislature siphoned $182 million and allocated only $123 million to affordable housing. According to the Sadowski Housing Coalition, if the full $305 million had been used for affordable housing, the state would have realized $4 billion in total economic impact through the creation of 28,000 construction jobs and $1.4 billion in labor income. To truly address the affordable housing crisis gripping the state, our legislators should work together and refrain from sweeping crucial housing dollars to the state’s general fund. We must act now to address this crisis.

KEEP READING

Take Us With You

Real-time updates and all local stories you want right in the palm of your hand.

View Newsletters

God-given rights | Miami Herald

Letters to the Editor

God-given rights

Comments

Activists gather outside of Homestead shelter for migrant children on Good Friday

Miami Metrorail pillars turned into giant dominoes

Read Next

Letters to the Editor

Protect affordable housing funds to boost our economy

MORE LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Letters to the Editor

Why Key Biscayne did not stop Ultra in 2015

Letters to the Editor

This is what Dwyane Wade means for all of us

Letters to the Editor

Yes, Key Biscayne could have stopped Ultra, but failed to do so

Letters to the Editor

In April and year-round, Children’s Home Society is here to help

Letters to the Editor

Yes, Mexico’s drug cartels are terrorist groups

Letters to the Editor

Know the signs of endometriosis

Take Us With You

Subscriptions

Learn More

Advertising

Read Next

Unlimited Digital Access: Only $0.99 For Your First Month

#ReadLocal

MORE LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Take Us With You

Subscriptions

Learn More

Advertising