Looking ahead to this week

Archbishop Thomas Wenski, Archdiocese of Miami

Under the mantra “repeal and replace,” Congress gets another shot at health care reform. Catholic bishops have called for universal health care for more than 40 years. The late Cardinal Francis George of Chicago used to say, we need a health care system in which “everyone is cared for and no one is killed.” So, no federal funds for abortion or health care plans that provide abortions. Conscience rights should be honored and access ensured for everyone to comprehensive quality and affordable health care. Even as debates move forward, can Congress foster a spirit of cooperation for sake of common good?

Ted Deutch, member, U.S. House of Representatives

House Republicans’ long-awaited Obamacare repeal bill offers Americans less coverage at higher costs. That’s why they’re rushing it through the House without input from experts or enough time for people to understand how it will impact their care. This disastrous bill would result in millions losing coverage, strip away consumer protections, and defund Planned Parenthood. Even worse, it creates an age tax, with skyrocketing premiums for people over age 50. Why? To pay for tax breaks for billionaires and insurance corporation executives. I’m returning to Washington to oppose this bill and fight for affordable health care for all Americans.

Tracey Grossman, chairperson-elect, Florida AntiDefamation League

In 1989, the Anti-Defamation League successfully advocated for a hate crimes law in Florida. Although the law is better than most, it has serious gaps. State Senator Rader and Representative Pritchett have filed SB 1512 and HB 1413, which would close these gaps by expanding the law’s definition of disability, add the categories of gender and gender identity, and cover mixmotive hate crimes. In light of the spike in hate crimes and bias incidents that have occurred in Florida and the nation, it is critical that the Florida Legislature move this legislation forward.

Scott J. Israel, sheriff, Broward County

It has been five years since Trayvon Martin’s senseless and avoidable death. Yet, Florida’s flawed Stand Your Ground law remains unfixed. Sadly, new proposed legislation would expand the controversial law — making it even worse. It proposes making prosecutors prove in court an absence of selfdefense. In my four years as sheriff, I have been outspoken about the need to restrict Stand Your Ground to make Florida safer. Our laws should not encourage the use of deadly force outside the home when safe withdrawal is a reasonable option. The right to defend ourselves comes with the obligation to avoid needless violence.

Burnadette Norris Weeks, attorney, Austin Pamies Norris Weeks, LLC

Under the Obama administration the Justice Department made efforts to phase out the use of private prisons due to the declining inmate population. President Trump ran, in part, on a platform promising a crackdown on alleged rising crime. After a short time in office, President Trump and his Attorney General Sessions have already rescinded an Obama administration directive to reduce the use of private prisons. The majority of private prisons are run by two companies, Core Civic and The Geo Group. Both companies were major contributors to the Trump campaign. Expect the U.S. prison population to balloon in the coming years.

Robert Avossa, superintendent, Palm Beach Schools

I’ve extended a Twitter invitation to President Trump and Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos to visit our great public schools. We could do so much more for our students if we could be “de-regulated” like private and charter schools. No two children or schools are created equally, yet federal and state regulations force a one size fits all approach. I am for choice — the choice to serve our students with truly innovative and personalized public schools, more local control. Our doors are open to the president and I’m excited about the potential for meaningful conversations about education reform.

Frank Ortis, mayor, Pembroke Pines

We are finally moving in the right direction in banning fracking in our state. The Senate Environmental Preservation and Conservation Committee has voted unanimously to ban hydraulic and acid fracturing and matrix acidizing for oil and natural gas in Florida, reversing years of political opposition. Florida has a unique environment. Fracking is just too risky of a process to allow anywhere near our fragile aquifer. I don’t think this is going to be an easy bill to pass in the end. However, we must persevere and continue down this path to ensure fracking doesn’t destroy our state for future generations.

Michael Dennis, M.D., chairman, Florida Atlantic University Schmidt College of Medicine

It’s probably worse than when Jefferson and Adams tried to destroy each other politically because we now have information technology. The current White House resident has already reversed over 70 previous executive orders and seeks to repeal a health care plan named for his predecessor who appears to be actively seeking every opportunity for undermining the new administration. If one takes the first three letters of the new president’s name — TRUMP — and merges them with the last three letters of the past president’s name — OBAMA — by linking them through exchanging the middle two letters, one gets TRAUMA. Be prepared for more.

Greg Ross, mayor, Cooper City; president, Broward League of Cities

On Tuesday, Coconut Creek, Deerfield Beach, Hillsboro Beach, Lighthouse Point, Miramar, and Weston will hold elections. Municipal governments, the closest to the people, play an important role in the quality of life for all residents. The League of Cities urges you to get involved and know your municipal officials. We are there to help you and make our cities safer and stronger. If you have an election on Tuesday, please make sure you vote. For those with November elections, don’t wait. Reach out to your city officials now, engage with them and join the effort in connecting ONE Broward.

Richard Barkett, CEO, Greater Fort Lauderdale REALTORS

I might as well stick my head in the noose and share a long term outlook. Expect business to get busier but be ready for some major demographic shifts in housing. Housing demand over the next decade will be significantly higher than it is today. Growth in the job market likely will release a pent-up demand in housing over the next 10 years. The population is rising and more housing will be needed to meet the demand. So with reasonable expectations of economic growth and interest rate movements, home sales should do well over the next decade. I hope.

Irela Bagué, president, Bagué Group

While there continues to be division among our elected officials in Washington, we must remind them that our national parks unite us. They are what makes America great. Unfortunately, our nation’s parks are faced with a $12 billion infrastructure repair backlog that should be added to President Trump’s infrastructure proposal. Florida’s national parks alone have $215 million in repair needs. The Everglades, which welcomed over 930,000 visitors last year and supports 1500 jobs locally, has $53 million in road repair needs. It is time to fix America’s parks because investing in them also means investing in South Florida.

Tim Ryan, member, Broward County Commission

South Florida could see additional beach restoration funds under proposed state legislation. The bill would dedicate $50 million each year to repair eroded beaches and provide a system for ranking, prioritizing and planning restoration projects around the state. In the past, the state has allocated only about $30 million each year for beach restoration. The additional funds — along with the ability to plan projects in advance — would help local governments, which must often pay upfront for beach restoration projects and seek state and federal reimbursement later. Broward beaches are a treasure, and this proposal will help protect them.