LOOKING AHEAD TO NEXT WEEK

Dan Gropper, dean, College of Business, Flor

ida Atlantic University. Federal government fiscal policy problems were on vivid display this week, as the national debt limit loomed. A basic economics reality: to increase spending, the government must either increase taxes, increase borrowing, or print more money. When taxes are raised on businesses, the prices of their products rise and consumers pay more. When government borrows money, that increases the national debt and the burden on current and future generations. When government creates more money, inflation inevitably results, effectively acting as a tax on everyone. A program may be worthwhile, but nothing government provides is free — someone, somewhere has to pay.

Dan Lindblade, president, Greater Fort

Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce. Broward County government has $48 million for fiscal year ‘21-’22 set for workforce and affordable housing. A request for applications will be released in November. This means roughly 1,000 new units. Now we need developers and cities to be part of the solution, sharpen their pencils and make things happen. Our working class deserves more affordable options than $2,000 monthly for an efficiency apartment. The special sauce includes dirt, higher density, attractive financing and willingness. Municipal government must be flexible with zoning modifications, too.

Peter Moore, president, Chen Moore and

Associates. I’m frankly disgusted with Congress and their inability to pass a fundamental piece of legislation like the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Business will grind to a halt and no one wins if infrastructure fails. Great societies have great infrastructure — it’s not a desire, it’s a fact. I can’t see why infrastructure is tied to a larger social agenda. I can’t see why those who are budget hawks would vote against it. Infrastructure, once put in place, pays for itself several times over. Our children and grandchildren deserve better. Let’s hope Congress listens and acts.

Eleanor Sobel, former member, Florida

Senate. The Biden administration recently reversed a ban that prohibited clinics from referring women to abortion clinics. The reversal will result in the reinstatement of a family planning program that diverts $250 million annually to clinics providing health care services to low-income women. When the taxpayer-funded program was banned under the Trump administration, clinics were no longer able to refer patients for abortions. This resulted in a 40% decrease in the number of clients family planning clinics served. Numerous medical institutions have argued that the Trump policy violated the clinician-patient relationship and women’s basic human rights.

Andy Thomson, member, Boca Raton City

Council. Each year, Americans purchase over 600 million pounds of candy for Halloween. This year, the city of Boca Raton is partnering with Loggerhead Marinelife Center on their Unwrap the Waves campaign, which collects candy wrappers and fully recycles them into school supplies like pencil cases and craft supplies through TerraCycle. You can participate by collecting your (clean) candy wrappers and bringing them to drop off sites around the city from late October to Nov. 7.

Thomas Wenski, archbishop, Archdio

cese of Miami. The continued removal of Haitian migrants attracted to the border because of mixed signals from the Biden administration is disappointing, draconian and discriminatory. The remain in Mexico policy violates both domestic and international laws. When the U.S. violates human rights and deports migrants without any due process, it enables other states — like Mexico and the Bahamas — to do the same. Here in South Florida, we have learned that immigrants represent not a threat but an opportunity. These people believe so much in the America dream that they have crossed a continent for a chance at realizing it.

Matt Willhite, member, Florida House of

Representatives. Next week, as lawmakers travel back to Tallahassee, we can expect that there will be a lot of questions as to why Florida was the only state not to submit a plan for its use of COVID funds. A letter sent from the U.S Department of Education asked Florida’s Department of Education why we missed the June, July and August deadlines. Again, $2.3 billion are at stake. School districts across the state are struggling with personnel shortages, including bus drivers, substitutes and teachers, due to the pandemic. So why would Florida schools be any less deserving of these funds than any other state in our country?

Beverly Williams, vice mayor, Lauderdale Lakes; president, Broward League of Cities.

Water conservation is important to me because water plays such a vital role in our communities. Businesses, parks and hospitals all rely on water. I was shocked to learn from the EPA that the average American family uses 300 gallons of water per day of which 70% is used indoors. There are a few simple things we can all do to help conserve water: Turn the water off while brushing your teeth, run your dishwasher and washing machine when they are full, and use a low-flow shower head. Learn more ways you can conserve water at epa.gov.