The Orlando Metropolitan Area, encompassing Orange County, has seen rents rise at an unprecedented rate year over year. On Tuesday, the Board discussed possibilities for rent stabilization, policy requiring rent increase notice, as well as strategies to increase housing supply. Housing issues are urgent. Moving ahead, I look forward to a robust special session relatingContinue reading “Rent Stabilization and the Need for a More Accessible Code”
Author Archives: honorablenicolewilson
Rural Settlements
Last Tuesday, the Lake Avalon Rural Settlement was protected from a detrimental intrusion. Orange County has 21 rural settlements, and all of them serve essential functions including preserving rurality in the ever-developing corners of Orange County, maintaining green spaces, and facilitating aquifer recharge. These communities are constantly threatened by encroaching development. Large scale projects threatenContinue reading “Rural Settlements”
Memorial Day Freedoms
On Memorial Day weekend, we honor those who have served in the United States armed forces and who fought for the freedoms of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Since the Uvalde, Texas massacre, there have been at least 20 shootings. The freedom to live peacefully, send your children to school, go to aContinue reading “Memorial Day Freedoms”
Pride Month
June marks the beginning of pride month, a month of celebration and reflection for the LGBTQ+ community. This designation commemorates the 1969 Stonewall Riots and first Pride march in 1970. Here in Orlando, this month also marks the anniversary of the Pulse massacre, reinforcing the need to keep marching, organizing and advocating for our LGBTQ+Continue reading “Pride Month”
Long Awaited Bird Island Protections
Last week, we passed a safe swim area ordinance for Bird/Egret Island located on Lake Butler. What was meant to be a sanctuary protected by the Audubon Society has for years been disturbed by people skirting the rules around trespassing and playing loud music. After more than a year of effort, we have passed aContinue reading “Long Awaited Bird Island Protections”
Hurricane Season Prep
June 1st marks the beginning of the 2022 Atlantic Hurricane Season. For Floridians, preparation is paramount. From May 28th to June 10th, residents can stock their shelves during a sales tax holiday on items ranging from batteries and generators to pet food and smoke alarms. The full list can be found at the State ofContinue reading “Hurricane Season Prep”
Caring for our youth:
According to the United States Census Bureau, twenty-two percent (22%) of Orange County’s population is under the age of eighteen. As our children’s intellectual and mental safety is under attack by the State, it is more important than ever to foster a safe place for our youth. To this end, I am setting up aContinue reading “Caring for our youth:”
Discussing the Harmful Don’t Say Gay bill:
This week, Governor DeSantis is likely to sign the “Don’t Say Gay” Bill, HB 1557, into law. The bill is among many this Legislative Session which are unconstitutional and unrepresentative of Floridians. HB 1557 limits the ability of schools to discuss sexuality, sexual orientation, and gender. It also allows teachers to tell the legal guardianContinue reading “Discussing the Harmful Don’t Say Gay bill:”
Celebrating International Women’s Day:
International Women’s Day was adopted by the United Nations in 1977, dedicating March 8 to celebrate the work women do every day to make this world better. It is a time to honor the strong female role models in our lives, including my fellow Commissioners Christine Moore, Mayra Uribe, Maribel Gomez Cordero, Emily Bonilla, andContinue reading “Celebrating International Women’s Day:”
COVID-19 Remembrance:
This week marks the second anniversary of our local response to the COVID-19 pandemic. We expected COVID-19 to bear similarities to the flu and yet here we are two years later. I am grateful for the community leaders who made unprecedented decisions for the sake of public health and safety. I am beyond grateful forContinue reading “COVID-19 Remembrance:”