Looking ahead to this week

Katy Sorenson, president, Good Government Initiative, University of Miami

Is it a surprise that Florida’s public schools are facing teacher shortages? Teachers are underpaid, disrespected as professionals and held to impossible standards. This is especially true in poverty-stricken communities where children are ill-equipped to learn and dealing with issues from lack of nutrition to domestic violence. It’s no coincidence that teaching is primarily a woman’s profession — it’s a tradition to underpay women. Now women can make different choices, and they are. It’s time to start investing in our public schools instead of robbing them to fund private, for-profit and religious "schools,” and pay teachers a wage commensurate with the awesome professional responsibilities.

Luther Campbell, founder, Luke Records

Bill Clinton was impeached because he lied about having oral sex with Monica Lewinsky. Now Trump has been lying to the American people about his national security adviser and Russia. Lying is cause for impeachment, so at what point will impeachment proceedings begin with him? Next up: Presidents in the past have used Camp David and the White House as their hosting place for visiting dignitaries. Trump is using his personal property and business in Palm Beach to do this, which indirectly increases his property values and the club’s worth. Imagine if Obama did this in Chicago? There would be an uproar.

Andrew Duffell, president, Research Park at Florida Atlantic University

The single most important responsibility the Florida Legislature has in crafting the 2017-18 budget is to protect and care of our most vulnerable citizens: abused, neglected and abandoned children. Second, it must provide for all children to have an education worthy of this state. That’s it. If it does those two things it has succeeded in its most basic function, and only then can we have a strong foundation to build on. I hope that in this year of tense politics and tight revenue projections, our elected representatives can maintain their focus on what’s important.

Earl Maucker, commissioner, Lighthouse Point; former editor, Sun Sentinel

With municipal elections just around the corner, let's hope the toxic rhetoric that dominated the national elections doesn't leak onto the local scene. Inventing crisis where there are none, statistics distorted and taken out of context and personal insults can have a negative and lasting impact on local communities. We've seen the damage it can do in too many of our South Florida cities. This past national election set the standard for appalling behavior and reverberates to this day. At the local level we must do better.

Mike Ryan, mayor, Sunrise

Broward County’s population is larger than 13 states. Yet, we do not have a county wide "governor." Instead, each year a new mayor is appointed by a majority of nine county commissioners. Kudos to the Broward Workshop, Sun Sentinel Editorial Board and Mayor Barbara Sharief for powerful words in support of an elected Broward County mayor. Continuity of agenda and consistency of identified leadership nationally and internationally is jeopardized with a rotating mayor. Voters are disenfranchised from choosing the mayor since only five commissioners can decide. Now is the time for Broward County to have an elected mayor.

Linda B. Carter, president, Community Foundation of Broward

February is African American History Month with organizations across Broward like Fort Lauderdale’s own African American Research Library and Cultural Center celebrating with a host of fun and educational events. Did you know that the month of February was chosen to coincide with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglas, or that it has been a designated month-long celebration in the U.S. since 1976? No matter what you’re cultural background, African-American history is the shared past of our entire nation. Let’s celebrate the rich diversity of our community as we are stronger for it.

Tim Ryan, member, Broward County Commission

Broward County Commissioners will meet Tuesday to discuss transportation issues, including rules related to taxis, limousines and transportation network companies (TNCs) like Uber and Lyft. After massive public outcry, TNCs were allowed to operate without many rules that still apply to taxis and limousines, including regulations on fares and the number of vehicles allowed to operate. This situation has placed taxis and limousines at an unfair disadvantage, though there is not agreement even among operators about how to level the playing field. Hopefully this discussion will yield solutions that bring fairness to the ride-for-hire industry while preserving consumer choices.

Barbara M. Sharief, mayor, Broward County

Broward commissioners are discussing zoning regulations for facilities involved in the cultivation, processing and dispensing of medical marijuana. The proposed ordinance regulates the location, security, parking, and other permitting requirements. Zoning could be industrial, commercial and/or general manufacturing. Owners will apply for a conditional use permit and pay a fee. Management will be fingerprinted and must pass a level two background test. A medical director must be employed to supervise and dispensaries cannot be within 1200 feet from one another, a place of worship, child care center or school. A public hearing is set for March 14.

Robert Weinroth, deputy mayor, Boca Raton

The upcoming legislative session has the hallmarks of being one pitting Gov. Rick Scott against legislative leaders from his own party. Scott has made job creation and tourism two of his administration’s priorities. Efforts by House Speaker Richard Corcoran to eliminate Enterprise Florida and Visit Florida’s $76 million tourism marketing funding are putting the Legislature on a collision course with the governor. Tourism officials from throughout the state have warned that killing state tourism incentives will harm businesses and cost jobs. The governor may be forced to play hardball when he receives the budget if these programs are omitted.