Michael Polzella

Growing up during the ‘70s, I was fortunate enough to experience hit movies like “Smokey and the Bandit” along with TV shows like “B. J. and the Bear.” These Hollywood hits once inspired a generation of truck drivers who knew the trucking profession was cool.

Most states don’t comprehensively track their disaster spending. But with costs rising, the federal government is looking to manage spending in ways that could affect the federal-state partnership in disaster assistance.

Agriculture and food opportunities are secure, plentiful and lucrative. There’s a shortage of people seeking agriculture careers, due in part to a misunderstanding of careers that exist. Many believe food and ag careers are limited to field labor; however, the industry needs people in finance, technology, science, data analytics, sales and agronomy.

A lot has happened over the last four months. On the policy side, we’ve seen everything from tariff threats to Syrian strikes. While at the White House, chaos reigns supreme with cabinet shake-ups and new legal troubles for President Trump’s personal attorney.

The Beer Institute and our member companies appreciate President Trump’s commitment to protecting American jobs and his pledge to defend American workers.

This month, the Trump administration released its proposed budget for fiscal year 2019. This proposal isn’t legislation and doesn’t become law but serves as a request for Congress on how to fund the government. The proposed budget also shows the president’s priorities.

President Trump’s budget ignores the challenges working families confront every day.

The president’s budget is an irresponsibly extreme proposal that reflects a disdain for working families and a disheartening lack of vision for a stronger society.

Of the top 10 diseases that kill Americans, nine are declining and one — Alzheimer’s — is spiking.

In his budget, President Trump included funds for a paid parental leave program, confirming that this is a presidential priority.

The FY2019 federal budget proposes to end public service loan forgiveness because it will cost more than expected. Although only about $30 million will be forgiven in FY2018, the annual cost will exceed $5 billion in FY2021.

The president’s Opioid Commission called for health insurers to be held accountable for complying with the federal parity law, which requires them to cover mental health and addiction no more restrictively than other chronic illnesses. Without parity, we will never solve the crisis.

Rural America is facing an opioid epidemic. Seventy four percent of farmers and farm workers say that they have been affected by opioid abuse. We may want to think drug addiction is a big city problem, but this crisis is hitting close to home.

This question is no longer sufficient for employers to ask potential new hires. The misuse of prescription painkillers and synthetic opioids is well known, and its impact is devastating some companies to the level that The Journal Record hosted a panel discussion for the business community.

When America was in one of its darkest periods, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. rose from the embers.

Donald Trump’s news coverage during his first months in office broke all sorts of records.

America’s future is technology. Governors know this, which is why the National Governors Association has launched NGA Future, its first-ever office focused on emerging technology policy.

This past week the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) hosted a record number of state and local legislators in Nashville, Tennessee, for the annual States and Nation Policy Summit.

This is a historic moment for women. Across the country — and the world — women are speaking truth to power.

I participated in the 2017 Women Rule Summit because each of us has an obligation to support other female leaders – not just in politics and business – but in all aspects of life.

St. Petersburg has several “food deserts,” or areas where fresh fruits and vegetables are not readily available due to a lack of grocery stores, farmers’ markets and other healthy food providers.

Mississippi ranks 49th lowest in the nation for overall health, and more than 45 percent of the state’s adults are considered obese, according to the 2016 America’s Health Rankings report.

The St. Petersburg Free Clinic has significantly expanded its ability to provide food assistance in Pinellas County. The new Jared S. Hechtkopf Community Food Bank makes it possible for the Free Clinic to meet increased need for food and to provide more fresh, healthy options.

It’s time to focus on policies that will create jobs and strengthen the U.S. economy.

The key to creating jobs and fostering economic growth is tax reform. Congress is working to create a tax system that is simpler, fairer and will deliver much-needed relief to middle-class families.

Industries across the country are anxious to enact a territorial tax system because they want to create jobs and bring revenue that’s currently parked overseas back to American communities and invested in the pockets of hard-working Americans.

Equipment manufacturers support some 1.3 million U.S. jobs and added $159 billion to the economy last year.

Trade is hot. In 2017 alone:

When you make a new hire, you want the best available talent. Don’t shortchange your company by overlooking the rich talent pool comprised of veterans and military spouses.

When you tell a story, people slow down to listen.