LOOKING AHEAD TO NEXT WEEK

Lori Berman, member, Florida Senate. Many controversial bills were heard in the past few committee weeks, including a look at eliminating Florida’s no-fault personal injury protection insurance (PIP), COVID-19 liability protections for businesses, a bill that curtails voting-by-mail, and an anti-protestor bill with serious constitutional questions. But these are not the issues our constituents are concerned with. Floridians face unemployment and eviction. Minority communities are receiving fewer vaccines than white, affluent communities. Many constituents are without health care. Small businesses need more assistance to stay afloat. The 2021 legislative session is an opportunity to address these concerns and more — I fear the legislature will squander it.

Dan Daley, member, Florida House of Representatives. As we just observed the third anniversary of the tragic and violent attack in Parkland, it is with a heavy heart that I filed House Bill 951, the Parents Need to Know Act. It is unfortunate that legislation like this even needs to exist, but I am honored to have the ability to take this step for the future safety of our children. This bill will ensure that incidents and threats that occur in our schools are reported to parents, teachers and staff within 24 hours, along with what actions the school has taken to address the issue. I’d like to thank Stand with Parkland for their advocacy and for allowing state Sen. Shevrin Jones and I to file this good bill. They have taken unimaginable tragedy and turned it into action to prevent future atrocities. While we remember those we lost, we must continue to honor them with action.

Tim Ryan, member, Broward County Commission. On Tuesday, the Broward County Commission will consider a partnership with the Florida Department of Health for operation of at least eight vaccination sites throughout Broward. These sites will be in county parks, with the possibility of additional pop-up sites, depending on vaccine and funding availability. The sites will use the current reservation system but will also make accommodations for those with disabilities and special needs. The demand for vaccines is great, and the process to get shots in arms has been frustrating. This partnership will improve the process and bring us closer to full vaccination in the months ahead.

Tom Shea, chairman & founder, Right Management. Thousands of jobs and even more dollars may soon come back to the Sunshine State as Florida’s Senate committee approved a bill to create tax incentives for film producers. Florida has missed out on more than 70 major film and television projects that spent over $1.3 billion. Crews are obviously motivated to film in states with tax rebates such as Georgia, North Carolina, Louisiana and Texas. The bill would allow Florida to compete for bids to encourage companies to film here. To be eligible for the tax rebate, 60% of the cast and crew are required to be Florida residents.

Howard Simon, retired executive director, ACLU of Florida. While Gov. DeSantis may be able to commandeer the Legislature to enact his revenge bill against the “big tech” social media companies for “deplatforming” candidates (and others), his proposed “Transparency in Technology” Bill, if enacted, may find more problems in the courts, which are charged with the responsibility of enforcing the First Amendment. And not only do the social media companies have their own First Amendment protection to choose which viewpoints they wish to be associated with, blocking the dissemination of messages that incite violence or spread disinformation about our electoral system (like “stop the steal”) is a public service.

Andy Thomson, member, Boca Raton City Council. Not only does the Brightline rail system plan to resume its services this year, but the new Boca Raton station continues to make progress toward opening. The site plan for the station and parking garage is making its way toward approval later this year. In addition, thanks to a U.S. Department of Transportation grant of $16.35 million, the city’s contribution to the cost of the parking garage was reduced dramatically. Once those funds arrive, which should be in the next few months, construction of the station and garage will commence, and the station should be operational by mid-2022.

Dr. Michael Dennis, chair, FAU Schmidt College of Medicine. Politicians are coming increasingly under scrutiny for their management of issues in the COVID-19 environment — especially with respect to when they avoid the application of sound medical advice or withhold life-protecting information. Gov. Cuomo of New York is being accused of delaying the release of critical data related to patient morbidity from state-run health facilities. In response, 14 Democratic lawmakers are urging the New York Senate to terminate the executive powers of Cuomo that enable him to manipulate facts and figures. The safety of the public is paramount. Political posturing is not. Unfortunately, Florida has a similar situation requiring correction.

Joseph Goldstein, managing partner, Shutts & Bowen Fort Lauderdale. The city of Plantation has a strong-mayor form of government, where the elected mayor oversees day-to-day operations of the city while the elected city council makes policy. Nearly all municipalities in Broward County have a professional city manager that serves in the role of a strong mayor. At the initiative of Councilman Nick Sortal, the city has set April 24, 2021 for a nonbinding workshop to consider the issue. In a city where the most debated issue is often whether it should continue the use of blue garbage bags rather than cans, this fundamental governing structure issue deserves study and debate.