LOOKING AHEAD TO NEXT WEEK

Anthony J. Abbate, architect. In the weeks ahead we will begin to feel the fallout from the Florida’s new legislation. The focus has been on firmly establishing an imposed set of restrictions on what is considered acceptable excessive of our constitutional rights of speech and assembly in our communities, schools and workplaces. While these laws are largely based on unspecified claims and rumors rather than evidence, issues that required attention, such as building safety after the collapse of Champlain Towers South in Miami-Dade County, were left unattended.

Lori Berman, member, Florida Senate. As anticipated, Gov. DeSantis has called a special session for the week of May 23 addressing the skyrocketing costs associated with homeowner’s insurance. This massive, multi-faceted issue has many associated concerns, ranging from free speech issues of solicitations by roofers to public adjusters pushing insurance companies to approve claims. While these concerns should have been addressed during the regular session, this ever-present perfect storm has left an unprecedented number of homeowners falling on Citizens for coverage. The market has become unsustainable, and we need to seek legislative solutions immediately.

Jason Hughes, executive director, ArtServe. A new Florida law enacted in early April will help more Florida children gain access to behavioral health services outside the classroom, mental health professionals say. With a 2016 Broward County lawsuit as an impetus, the bill, HB 255, had bipartisan support, with former Broward County School Board Chair and current state Rep. Robin Bartleman among the co-sponsors. Currently, public K-12 schools allow certified applied behavior analysts and Florida-licensed mental health professionals to work in classrooms. Previously, this did not apply to behavior technicians working under their direction. The new law adds “registered behavior technician” to those allowed to provide applied behavior services in classrooms.

Chip LaMarca, member, Florida House of Representatives. Beginning April 30 the Fort Lauderdale Air Show is back! The show will run until May 1, with the U.S. Air Force F-16 Thunderbirds headlining this year’s show. This year’s lineup also includes the USAF A-10 Thunderbolt Demo Team, the Navy F-18 Rhino Demo Team, the Red Bull team and much more. Be sure to get your tickets beforehand, as this event is known to be a full house. For all ticket option and more information, please visit fortlauderdaleairshow.com. Looking forward to seeing everyone there!

Tom Powers, chairman, Republican Party of Broward County. Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed an election administration law, ensuring that Florida continues to have secure and accurate elections. This legislation strengthens election security measures by requiring voter rolls to be annually reviewed and updated, strengthens ID requirements, establishes the Office of Election Crimes and Security to investigate election law violations and increases penalties for violations of election laws. This is guaranteed to make elections safer. We can thank Gov. DeSantis that in Florida, our vote counts and our elections are fair.

Eleanor Sobel, former member, Florida Senate. Gov. DeSantis dissolved Disney’s special district status and an exemption for technological social media exchanges. Why? Because Disney did not support “Don’t Say Gay” (HB 1557) and Disney opposed eliminating critical race theory in schools and employee diversity training (HB 7). Didn’t the Supreme Court rule in Citizen’s United that corporations are persons? If so, denying Disney the right to their First Amendment rights is unconstitutional. Revenge politics does not work, especially when the First Amendment is at stake. Another negative side effect of the withdrawal of Disney’s special status is the huge bill taxpayers of Orlando and Osceola counties will receive.

Michael Udine, mayor, Broward County. Anchors away! The U.S. Navy and Coast Guard are coming to town for Fleet Week. The USS Lassen, USS Delbert Black and USCGC William Flores will be docking right at Port Everglades. The crews of these vessels will visit our community for the week, in addition to welcoming aboard tours and showcasing our nation’s finest ships. I encourage you to visit the ships for a tour, participate in some of the events, and enjoy concerts from Navy Band Southeast that are free to the public. Check out the full agenda of events at browardnavydaysinc.org! See you there!

Thomas Wenski, archbishop, Archdiocese of Miami. The Biden administration’s “Uniting for Ukraine” initiative for displaced Ukrainians seeking to enter the U.S. is a flawed policy lacking the array of necessary services that usually is afforded to those in the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program, meaning basic social services so that they don’t strain local communities and access to permanent legal status. Like Afghans, they are left in a poorly defined “parole” status that impedes full integration into life in the U.S. While all those fleeing persecution and violence should be welcome by us and receive full support, we can and should do better by Ukrainians (and Afghans).