Looking ahead to this week

Howard Simon, retired executive director, ACLU of Florida

Florida doesn’t only have a water crisis, it also has an air crisis. Research by marine scientists has established that because the cyanotoxins in blue-green algae are aerated, people breathing the air near algae blooms ingest the poison into their lungs. As a result, people living near large blue-green algae blooms are more likely to die from nonalcoholic liver disease. More research and leadership from Tallahassee — especially into the neurological effects of low level exposure — is urgently needed to guide changes in public policy to protect the health of the people of Florida.

Bradette Jepsen, president, League of Women Voters of Broward County

Americans like to think we are a nation of problem solvers. Yet, most of our elected officials refuse to address the nearly 40,000 firearm fatalities occurring in the United States each year. Candidates in the 2018 election needed no reminders of the critical need for gun safety legislation. In the weeks before the election, eleven people were killed in Pittsburgh and twelve more in California. A shooting in a Tallahassee yoga studio added to deaths that continue to rise. It is time for newly elected officials to be the leaders they claim to be, and act to reduce gun violence.

Michael Udine, member, Broward County Commission

Broward County’s first fleet of batteryelectric buses are finally hitting the road. Passengers were able to test ride the bus on route from the BB&T Center down to Brickell and the feedback was overwhelmingly positive. I had the chance to see the bus myself and I couldn’t agree more. Even for those who aren’t riding the bus, this is exciting news. The buses are better for our environment and cut costs on fuel meaning savings for taxpayers. The addition of these electric buses is a good move all around—from an environmental, financial, and citizen focused point of view.

Lori Berman, Florida state senator

We are fully in the midst of holiday season. Drivers are more distracted than ever, more people are on the road due to our beautiful winter season and weather and it’s easy to ohh and ahh over holiday lights blinking from every direction. Two pedestrians were killed this week, both in Boca Raton, and one of these was a hit and run. This is tragic and unnecessary. Please be safe whether it is the holiday season or not. Driving is a significant responsibility and lives should not be at risk due to easily avoidable distractions. Christine Hunschofsky, mayor, Parkland

After several months of meetings and countless hours analyzing information, the MSD Commission is finalizing their recommendations and will present its formal report to the Governor’s office by Jan. 1. While the commission was formed due to the MSD tragedy, their recommendations will affect all of us and will be the basis for local and state priorities and school safety initiatives. What we have learned is that these tragedies can happen anywhere. Everyone should review the recommendations, get involved and engaged. We must ALL have the collective resolve to work together to do our best to prevent future tragedies.

Kristin Jacobs, member, Florida House of Representatives

So many new faces, new hopes and new dreams of service to our state. Those new lawmakers, our new Governor and new cabinet members are each filled with the hope and energy. Our job is to keep up that optimism and hold onto that hope and especially to not let partisan squabbles or power struggles swallow us into despair. We share a common dream and while we may have different paths, let us all remember that we seek the same destination, a healthy Florida.

Beam Furr, member, Broward County Commission

The Trump administration proposed new guidelines that would reduce protections for small waterways like wetlands and streams. This couldn’t come at a worse time for the State of Florida, given the environmental crises it has faced this year. This is a step backward at a time when it is imperative we move forward to further protect our environment and waterways. The EPA’s job is to protect our natural spaces, not open them up for pollution and development. Everyone who cares about our water and wetlands should be concerned by this.

Jennifer O’Flannery Anderson, vice president, community relations, Nova Southeastern University

Last week I was in London with Leadership Florida. We met with the CEO of Lloyd’s of London. By far their largest and growing area of risk is cyber security. With more than 50 percent of their total business portfolio coming from the USA, this very much hits home for us. This has significant implications, not only for our personal information and holiday shopping, but for our businesses and organizations and how we store and protect the information we keep on our clients, employees and vendors.