OFM_Dept_Govt_Ron_DeSantis_0219_DEPT 1 / 23 / 19 11 : 45 AM Page 4 It’s the pumping of this polluted water out to sea that some scientists believe is making red tide occurrences worse . Red tide is a natural , recurring phenomenon that happens when certain photosynthetic organ - isms found in the Gulf of Mexico swell in number . These organisms produce neurotoxins that when ingested by marine life cause massive die - offs and subsequently beaches full of dead fish and seabirds . Although it’s a natural process , the severity of this past year’s occurrence of red tide has scientists and environmentalists concerned . The Everglades are mixed up in this too . The wetlands suffer from water quality problems like Lake Okeechobee’s and that is having a devastating effect on its ecosystem . To combat these interrelated problems , the U.S . Congress created and enacted the Compre - hensive Everglades Restoration Plan that provides a framework for protecting and preserving water resources in central and south Florida . The plan was originally passed in 2000 but has been slow to be implemented . Additionally , the Florida Legislature passed a bill to build a reservoir south of Lake Okeechobee in an effort to reduce harmful water discharges from the lake . The building of the reservoir will be funded by state and federal dollars . Mitsch says he’s concerned that the plan for the southern reservoir doesn’t pay enough attention to improving water quality . “ I hope the governor will recognize that it’s not a perfect plan yet and it needs some tweaking , ” he says . And he also hopes the governor will take into account the testimony of non - bureaucrats . “ We need some leadership at the governor’s level to know enough to ask scientists and engineers what’s going on and what should happen , ” he says . EDUCATION DeSantis has said he supports school choice , the idea that students should be able to opt out of the school they are zoned to attend for options such as public charter schools . Charter schools are publicly funded schools that are operated privately . Instead of being over - seen by the elected offices of a county school board like traditional public schools are , oversight comes from a nonprofit board . Ralph Arza , director of government relations for the Florida Charter School Alliance , says he’s happy to hear the governor has taken this stance . “ No child should be condemned to attending a school that is not going to help them achieve their full potential , ” he says . “ And there are schools in the state of Florida and teachers in the state of Florida that at times don’t provide the best environment for children . ” But some have questioned whether charter schools are really providing what they say . Ben Wilcox , research director for the non - profit and nonpartisan research institute Integrity Florida , says he’s concerned about the lack of over - sight charter schools have from the government . ORLANDOFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM september 2018 ORLANDO FAMILY xx ANDOFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM february 2019 ORLANDO FAMILY 15 ORL