LOOKING AHEAD TO NEXT WEEK

Lori Berman, member, Florida Senate. Plain and simple, abortion is health care. On the heels of another Supreme Court hearing, this time in Mississippi, I have filed a bill declaring abortion is a fundamental right. SB 1036/ HB 709 bars state and local government and civilians from unduly burdening or denying a woman the right to an abortion and provides a legal avenue to recover legal fees should a woman feel this was violated. Florida’s Constitution provides a right to privacy, and we need to reaffirm these rights. Attempts to chip away at Roe v. Wade and pass unconstitutional regulations are abhorrent and need to be curbed.

Michael De Lucca, president, Broward Regional Health Planning Council, Inc. HIV continues to remain a major public health issue that affects millions of people around the world. Globally, in 2020, there were approximately 37,700,000 people living with HIV, 680,000 people died from HIV-related causes, 1,500,000 people were newly infected and 73% of adults living with HIV received lifelong antiretroviral therapy (ART). World AIDS Day is celebrated annually on Dec. 1, and this year’s theme is “End inequalities. End AIDS,” with a special focus on reaching people left behind. This year, the World Health Organization and its partners are highlighting the growing inequalities in access to essential HIV services.

Melissa McKinlay, member, Palm Beach County Commission. As we approach Christmas, I believe we should be focused on the families in our communities that still need help due to rising rents, evictions, increased food prices and struggles with child care. The pandemic began the process of peeling back the onion layers and exposing the fine line so many families walk between being able to support their families and the effects one catastrophic incident can have on that ability. We may have COVID behind us for the time being, but now we need to focus on what it exposed — too many middleto low-income families still struggling.

Kerry Ann Royes, CEO, YWCA South Florida. On the heels of the approval of the recent social and environmental spending plan, members of Congress are in talks to sign into law the Family and Medical Insurance Leave, or FAMILY, Act. Currently, 79% of workers do not have paid family leave, while 60% do not have access to paid medical leave. This means only a fraction of Americans can take paid time off to care for a newborn, a family member or even themselves. This legislation is critical for women, especially those of color. Now is the time to implement a national paid leave.

Roni Raab, host, Shalom South Florida on WWNN. This week, Jews worldwide celebrate Hanukkah, the joyous Festival of Lights. This eight-day celebration marks the triumph of good over evil, of light over darkness. In a world and time with rampant negativity and pessimism, this is a good opportunity for all good people to reflect on priorities and commit to shining light on the world, to bringing good and happiness to other people. A custom of Hanukkah is lighting candles, starting with one, and adding another each night. The uniqueness of a candle is that even when one borrows light from it, it does not diminish the warmth and glow of the original candle. Share your light.

Tom Powers, chairman, Republican Party of Broward County. Gov. Ron DeSantis has appointed Torey Alston and Jared Moskowitz to the Broward County Board of County Commissioners. Both Alston and Moskowitz are Broward natives with a demonstrated record of public service, most recently serving as Chief of Staff for the Florida Department of Transportation and director of the Division of Emergency Management, respectively. This greatly changes the makeup of the commission, and I look forward to a commission that will represent all Broward citizens, and not divide based on individual agendas. As Gov. DeSantis said, these two have a “proven ability to work across party lines to get things done” and will “bring sane, rational leadership to the commission.”

Thomas Wenski, archbishop, Archdiocese of Miami. Nine states and the District of Columbia have passed laws permitting assisted suicide. Such laws violate the dignity and sanctity of human life. Often loneliness, depression and the wish not to be a burden on loved ones are factors that lead one to contemplate suicide. However, the lonely, the depressed person, someone not wanting to burden another are, by definition, vulnerable people. Vulnerable people need the protection of law and the compassion of their neighbors. Hospice Movement has shown a compassionate, humane, and relatively pain-free alternative to suicide for those with mortal illnesses.

Jason Hughes, executive director, ArtServe . Many are still struggling with long-term COVID-related distress, making this week’s reopening of the Broward Rental Assistance portal a critical event. The federally funded Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) allotted $53 million for residents in need. Although the process has been slow, the county is now ready to receive applications at Broward.org/RentAssistance.

To read responses from more South Florida 100 participants, go to SunSentinel.com/100