TOP STORIES FROM LAST WEEK

Our panel of 100 influential leaders discusses the most important issues affecting you.

Pastor D.H. Dawkins Sr., Praise Tabernacle International: So Robert Aaron Long allegedly goes on a shooting spree in Atlanta killing eight people, six of them Asian Americans, and is arrested with no incident. I have seen nonviolent, unarmed Black students get beat down to the ground by police officers. All I’m saying is, can American police treat Black people like they treat armed white men who just slaughtered several people? Seems they get treated better for doing worse while white than doing less while Black.

Bernie Fernandez Jr., M.D., CEO, Baptist Health Medical Group: March 11, 2020, will not soon be forgotten. It marks the day the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus pandemic. We, in health care, braced for the onslaught of patients who eventually came to our doors, while trying to understand the evolving information about the virus and COVID-19, the illness it caused. Through this year of learning and adapting, we have an enhanced appreciation of transparent communication, collaboration between industries and community support. We encourage everyone to continue to wear masks, socially distance and get whichever approved vaccine is available to you. Working together, we can put this pandemic behind us.

Lois Frankel, member, U.S. House of Representatives: The House took action to advance equality and safety for women in our country. A resolution removing the arbitrary deadline on the adoption of the Equal Rights Amendment was passed setting the stage for putting in place the 28th amendment to the Constitution, guaranteeing women equality under the law. The House also reauthorized the Violence Against Women Act, with strong prohibitions against domestic violence and increased resources to aide survivors.

Frank Ortis, mayor, Pembroke Pines: An amendment to the Florida Senate’s vacation rental bill is going in the right direction but may not go far enough. The amendment allows current local laws governing vacation homes to remain, but also allows them to be modified to be less restrictive in the future if a city chooses to do so. That’s fine, but I think we should still have full control over this issue, not just partial. The state should not overturn what a local community wants and needs to do for its residents. Residents should be able to expect and get peace in their home and neighborhoods.

Tom Powers, chairman, Republican Party of Broward County: Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody recently filed a lawsuit against the Biden Administration over new and reckless border policies which prevent criminal aliens from being deported. These policies directly violate the law by cancelling detainers on known criminals. The Biden Administration must be held accountable for these irresponsible actions, which will make Americans less safe and undoubtedly cost millions of dollars in law enforcement among states that are required to release these prisoners into the community. Florida once again has the right idea in standing up to protect its citizens and visitors by fighting these egregious policies.

Kerry Ann Royes, CEO, YWCA South Florida: On March 16, eight people, including six Asian women, were shot dead in a shooting spree at three Asian-owned day spas in Georgia. There is no doubt that anti-Asian rhetoric amplified by COVID-19 and disregard for value of human life unlike our own played a major factor in this crime. So, here we are again. This is another clear reminder that the land of the free isn’t free for all. Those who are wondering how to do more than issue statements — get involved in policy, don’t laugh at racially charged jokes and check on your friends and neighbors of Asian descent. Chances are, they are not OK.

Robert Weinroth, member, Palm Beach County Commission: The pandemic’s grip on our economy continues to loosen. Palm Beach County’s unemployment rate dipped to 4.8 percent, compared to 6.8 percent nationally. Two-thirds of our region’s jobs have been recovered since the height of the economic shutdown last year. CareerSource Palm Beach County, a local nonprofit leading county workforce development, has amassed over 2,000 area job openings and is actively recruiting for applicants through virtual job fairs. At the same time, the county’s Business Development Board will soon be able to announce several new projects that will open thousands of new, well-paid employment opportunities to our residents.

Matt Willhite, member, Florida House of Representatives: I’m proud to be the prime co-sponsor of HB 79, which establishes the Purple Alert. This alert will help law enforcement search for young adults with a mental or cognitive disability, an intellectual or developmental disability, or brain injury. This alert is similar to the Silver Alert or the Amber Alert but includes those who do not fall under either alert. Last week, HB 79 passed unanimously through the House Appropriations Committee and has one hearing left before it is ready to be introduced on the House floor.