Republican state lawmakers must confront limestone blasting destroying residents’ homes | Opinion

I have watched members of my community struggle with the coronavirus pandemic in a way other Floridians have not. On any typical day, we’ll begin our mornings with video conference calls, or checking email, or trying to fill out unemployment claims. We debate whether and how to get groceries, scan social media or help our children with an online class.

But unlike other residents in the region, by midday our homes will tremble, the foundations will crack, the driveways wlll split open.

If we didn’t know better, we’d think it was an earthquake. But, it’s not.

The House district that I represent in Northwest Miami-Dade and southwest Broward, including Hialeah, Miami Lakes and Miramar, is home to a condensed deposit of limestone, one of six throughout the state. Ours is located in an urban, residential area of my district and operated by White Rock Quarry. Like other mining companies, to extract the limestone, it buries explosives underground, then detonates them. It has done this three to four times a week, every week, for years, to the detriment of my constituents and their property. These blasts can be heard and felt in as many as 15,000 homes.

With representation from an influential state senator and the speaker of the House, both of whom reside in this area, the residents of Northwest Dade were uniquely positioned to address the blasting issue in the 2019 and 2020 legislative sessions. Yet, the only bill heard on the topic did not provide a single solution for residents.

Instead, that bill failed to restore residents’ rights to civil action against the miners. It failed to address the disruptive impact of blasting on veterans suffering from PTSD. It also failed to make public the compliance reports that miners maintain. Worse, the bill’s sponsor, who does not live here and does not feel the blasts, came to the House floor seemingly unaware of these facets of the problem and spoke inaccuracies into the record.

As a member of the House minority party, amending legislation coming to the floor is the one way I have to force my colleagues to vote on these and other issues important to my community.

I used that process to force a vote. My amendments failed along party lines — including an amendment to address blasting’s unique impact upon veterans that was voted down by every Republican in the chamber.

Ultimately, the bill in question passed. I voted for it because one small step forward is better than none. It was not, however, a win for my district — nor was it anything near the substantial progress my district needs.

The subject of blasting is popular with candidates during this election season. Many are calling for a moratorium during the COVID-19 crisis. While I welcome even temporary relief from the tremors — such a pause should not invite elected officials, as has been a common practice for my district, to take a victory lap without having really accomplished anything. A true win for my constituents will take time and determined commitment from all elected officials in the area, including refusing to receive money from the related industries and their lobbyists.

There’s a favorite phrase from labor: “The power of the people is greater than the people in power.” I started out as an activist-mom, and every day I see others standing up to be heard on the issues that affect their families and communities. As a legislator, it is now my duty not only to bring information and resources to my constituents, but to listen and create bold legislation that prioritizes their concerns and best interests.

I will continue to fight for legislation that protects the financial interests and well-being of the residents of District 103. We must not be silent, or complacent, expecting change to happen with those that have allowed this for decades. We must be bold, we must speak our minds and hold elected officials accountable.

I will continue to do just that.

Cindy Sofia Polo is a Democratic member of the Florida Legislature representing the House District 103.