For generations, Florida’s public universities and colleges have been a source of immense state pride. Our institutions have consistently ranked among the best in the nation, providing a world-class, affordable education that prepares students to thrive in a diverse, global economy. Unfortunately, that hard-earned reputation is under direct threat.

Following months of intense gridlock during the regular spring session, the Florida Legislature wrapped up a high-stakes, three-day special session in June. The sole focus? Property tax reform. At the urging of Governor DeSantis, lawmakers passed House Joint Resolution 1-F (HJR 1F), a sweeping constitutional amendment that seeks to drastically alter how primary residences and commercial properties are taxed in Florida.

When we talk about the standard of living in Florida, we often focus on our growing economy, tourism, and housing. However, a quiet crisis is unfolding in the background for thousands of our neighbors. In Florida, individuals with severe intellectual and developmental disabilities face a heartbreaking reality: a wait of 14 years or more to receive critical state support services.

As parents, we constantly think about the future we are leaving behind for our children. We want them to inherit a world that is safe, fair, and full of opportunity. But just as important as the world we leave for our kids is the civic foundation we leave in them.

Civic engagement isn’t something that magically turns on when a person reaches voting age. It is a habit, a mindset, and a value system that starts right at home.

If you’ve lived in Lake Nona for more than a few months, you know that change constant. From new residential communities and bustling shopping centers to our world-class Medical City, our landscape is evolving at a breakneck pace.

But have you ever wondered exactly how these massive development decisions get made? Who gets to decide where a new commercial strip goes, how tall a building can be, or how much green space must be preserved?

We’ve all been there. You’re scrolling through Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), or Nextdoor, and you see a headline that makes your jaw drop. It might be a shocking quote from a politician, a scary statistic about the economy, or a claim about a new local policy that seems completely outrageous. Your immediate reaction is an emotional spike—anger, fear, or vindication—and your finger hovers over the "Share" button.