Proposition FF will keep Colorado kids from going hungry

Help hungry kids with Prop. FF

The Latinx community is almost twice as likely to live in food-insecure households. Rising costs are putting a lot of families in a tough position. This November, voters can help do something about it by supporting Proposition FF.

This ballot question would provide long-term funding for healthy school meals for public school students in our state. This will have positive benefits for schools, support local farmers and food producers, increase wages for the people who work so hard to prepare and serve meals for our kids, and most of all, it is a concrete and effective way to help eliminate food insecurity in our state.

Studies have shown that when children are given healthy food, they do better in school and stay healthier overall. Healthy food is as important as any other tool for children to learn, grow and thrive. Right now, low-income thresholds are leaving many children out of current school meal programs.

The Healthy School Meals for All program is an investment in public education and in our children who need healthy food to learn. I am excited to vote yes on this measure in the fall, and I hope that others will join me. No one should go hungry because their family is struggling to make ends meet. I hope folks will join me in supporting this important ballot question!

Karla Gonzales Garcia, Denver

Editor’s note: Gonzales Garcia is the director of organizing and community partnerships for Hunger Free Colorado.

Protect the innocent animals locked in cruel puppy mills

My husband and I volunteer at our local shelter, and it warms our hearts to witness the magical bond between people and dogs. For this reason, I was shocked to find out hundreds of dogs were suffering in horrific conditions at a commercial breeding facility in Iowa that was licensed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The USDA did not enforce the bare minimum standards under the Animal Welfare Act and allowed this puppy mill to operate despite being cited over 190 animal welfare violations. I am asking all Coloradans to contact Sens. Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper, and your U.S. representatives, urging them to co-sponsor Goldie’s Act.

With Goldie’s Act, the USDA would be required to intervene in cases of visible neglect and to notify local law enforcement of documented AWA violations. Dogs in puppy mills like the one in Iowa are victims of cruelty. Please support laws that protect those most vulnerable in our communities.

Chau McAusland, Frederick

Rebuilding isn’t always the right answer

Re: Joe Heller Oct. 6 political cartoon

Your editorial cartoon Thursday showed a Floridian standing amid heaps of rubble declaring, “I shall return!!” A hurricane nearby says the same thing.

In that regard, America, it is time to stop doing “stupid stuff” like rebuilding in areas that will be prone to natural disasters. The private insurance industry has already largely abandoned the Florida home insurance market because they know that they can not charge the premiums necessary to cover their potential losses.

It is also not the responsibility of the federal government to do what private insurers refuse to do. If you want to live on the coast (or in a forest), you should realize that there is a personal financial risk involved in doing so. And you shouldn’t expect other people to subsidize your lifestyle.

By all means, the federal flood insurance program should abide by its insurance policies. But it should also make clear that after a flood claim, a property will no longer be eligible for federal flood insurance.

Guy Wroble, Denver

What is the true speed limit?

A recent assignment found me traveling east on Interstate 70 through the new tunnels toward Aurora. Many times while traveling 10 mph over the 55 mph speed limit, traffic would blaze by me in the express lane while a Denver motorcycle officer with a hand-held radar gun scanned them but did not pursue them.

I wonder what the speed threshold is before a ticket is issued?

If you venture into the currently toll-waived express lanes, be prepared to go at least 80 mph or you will find other motorists riding your rear bumper.

Bill Powell, Wheat Ridge

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