Some of my best preparation for being an elected public servant grew out of the basic life advice my parents gave me while I was growing up: Listen to and encourage the ideas and opinions of others, always be open to learning, and leave things better than you found them.
But nothing in my life prepared me for the experience of visiting the crime scene at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School just 48 hours after the shooting occurred – imagining the terror, consoling the grieving, knowing that something had to be done, and it was for us to figure it out – fast.
Florida’s 60-day legislative session was past the midpoint when the horrendous shooting occurred. The incredibly courageous, articulate, and intelligent young people who endured the shooting quickly channeled their grief and anger into advocacy and action.
Their lives will be forever changed, and not just by the tragedy, but by the life lesson that raising your voice matters. At a time when many young people are cynical about whether our political institutions and the machinery of our government can effect change in polarized times, they saw it happen before their very eyes and they were part of it.
That’s not to say they were completely satisfied by the outcome. A testament to the legislation Florida ultimately passed is that no one – on either side of the aisle – thought it was perfect. It went too far for some, or not far enough for others. Representatives of both political parties and special interests of every stripe had some criticism of the work product, and us for passing it.
But it’s hard to deny that the policy and budgetary reforms Florida adopted might have made a meaningful difference had they been the law prior to last February. The shooter may not have been able to possess the weapon he used against his fellow students. There would have been fewer gaps in communication and response among first responders.
Newly enhanced policies regarding mental health screening of young Floridians might have guided the deranged gunman toward a less destructive path. Funds to harden the physical structure of the school and provide additional safe school officers – and other individuals trained to respond to the threat – might have prevented the calamity.
The legislation also created a special commission, including parents of MSD victims, which I am confident will continue to generate additional positive ideas to improve the safety of the students entrusted to the care of our schools. Many of the ideas pioneered in Florida during such a heartbreaking time are serving as the foundation for policies in other states.
Now, six months later, as millions of students are beginning another school year, we cannot help but reflect back on that heartbreaking day. But, as we do, we can mark this moment in history as a time when grief galvanized action, and we were not immobilized by our differences.
Other states can learn the lessons of Parkland without paying our very high price. Compromise is possible — if it’s allowed. Politics don’t have to be played as a zero-sum game. We can do better. Our children deserve better.
As incoming Senate President of the third-largest state in the nation – a bellwether for others – I am committed to making sure our re-examination of school safety policies does not end here.
We cannot be complacent, or think our work is done – we must continually review existing policies and encourage new ideas to keep our students safe. Florida’s experiences and reforms should be shared and exported to other states. Some issues simply must transcend politics. The safety of our children is one.
Florida Sen. Bill Galvano is the incoming president of the Florida Senate.
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