TO PST ORIES FROM LAST WEEK

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

Mike Caruso, member, Florida House of Representatives. It is that time of year again! Tuesday, Jan. 11, marked the first official day of the 2022 legislative session. My priorities will remain to fight for legislation that will improve the lives of South Floridians. This will include but not be limited to: Much needed criminal justice reform, increased transparency for sober home certifications, sales tax relief and securing funds for drainage and flooding in our local communities. In the coming weeks, I plan to provide updates in the South Florida 100 regarding progress on bills I am championing in the state House.

Gary Farmer, member, Florida Senate .On Jan. 11, the Legislature gaveled in the 2022 legislative session in Tallahassee. Kicking things off, Gov. DeSantis addressed both chambers on the current state of the state. In his speech, DeSantis laid out a horrifying agenda that promised to push what amounts to perhaps the most dictatorial set of policies that our state has ever seen. Over the past two years, DeSantis has pushed Florida rapidly down a dangerous path to authoritarianism. With elections coming up in less than a year, you the people are best empowered to stop this threat in its tracks. Pay attention now, and vote in November.

Beam Furr, member, Broward County Commission. Broward County swore-in two new county commissioners this week in Jared Moskowitz and Torey Alston. These new appointments came as a result of the U.S Congressional District 20 special election. Broward County residents are lucky to have a commission that works so well together. Commissioners listen to each other’s arguments. Often, we change each other’s minds. In many other places throughout our country, this is not the same. I expect that this positive way of working together will continue with these two new members, and I look forward to continued collaboration on behalf of all of our residents.

Marlon A. Hill,

Something does not smell right in the fish tank with the firing of Coach Brian Flores. We are not getting the full story as to why he was not the best fit for the Dolphins culture. It is disappointing when South Florida citizens who are the main stakeholders in funding the balance sheet of the organization are left wondering. We deserve a level of communication that builds and sustains trust. If his interpersonal skills triggered a loss of respect or productivity within the locker room, then just tell us. But he was certainly building a winning formula on the field.

of counsel, Weiss Serota Helfman Cole & Bierman, P.L.

Debbi Hixon, member, Broward County School Board. The 2022 legislative session began this week. I implore legislators to look at the state budget and vote to ensure they are funding public education appropriately. All school districts should have the funds they need to pay teachers and staff adequately, provide a safe and enriching school environment and provide mental health resources needed for students and staff. Although we collect money from our local property taxes, not all of that money finds its way back to our local schools. Rather, it is pooled together at the state level and then legislators allocate what comes back to us. The funding allocations must increase!

Nancy Metayer, city commissioner, Coral Springs. We commemorated 12 years since the devastating 2010 earthquake ravaged Haiti. The Haitian people are more vulnerable than they’ve ever been. They face poor or nonexistent infrastructure, environmental degradation and constant human rights abuses. Broward County is home to one the largest Haitian Diaspora communities in the South Florida metro. As the Biden administration continues to remain indifferent regarding the severe circumstances in Haiti, I am hopeful that Broward will continue to be a sanctuary community for those who seek asylum and assist in creating a pathway to citizenship that is attainable.

Tom Powers, chairman, Republican Party of Broward County. Gov. Ron DeSantis delivered the State of the State speech to a joint session of the Florida Legislature, highlighting his priorities to protect the right of Floridians to earn a living, provide businesses with the ability to prosper, ensure kids have an opportunity to thrive, and fight back against unconstitutional mandates. As Gov. DeSantis said, “Freedom works. Our economy is the envy of the nation. And the state is well-prepared to withstand future economic turmoil.” It is through his leadership that becoming a resident of Florida has become the desire of many. It’s time for the Legislature to go to work!

Nick Sortal, member, Plantation City Council. Hollywood City Commissioner Caryl Shuham continues to exhibit how a city can work to protect our environment. She joined Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried in Hollywood to support an initiative to phase out polystyrene food packaging in Florida. “Government at every level should be doing more to protect our environment,” Shuham notes. Hollywood has banned single-use plastic food service products on all city properties, and restaurants on the barrier island cannot use foam packaging for to-go orders. The intentional release of balloons is banned throughout the city as well. As Shuham says, “It’s not easy, but it can be done.”