Looking ahead to this week

Howard Simon, executive director, ACLU of Florida

The appointment of a special counsel to investigate Russia’s meddling in our elections was necessary given the conflicts of interest within the Trump administration. While we sued the FBI under his leadership, we applaud the selection of Robert Mueller, the agency’s former director, as special counsel. I’m confident that he can carry out an independent investigation. The investigation must also focus on allegations of collusion between Russian intelligence agencies and the Trump campaign. It also remains critical that Congress give this issue the public airing that it warrants, given the serious questions about the rule of law and presidential misconduct.

Melissa McKinlay, member, Palm Beach County Commission

It will be interesting to see how Gov. Rick Scott responds to the budget he’s just been handed. Will his criticism of a process that lacked transparency in many regards, including a last minute 270-plus page overhaul of Florida’s public education system disguised as a budget bill, lead to a veto override showdown or will he use his prized line item veto powers to send targeted messages of displeasure? With only a few months before the 2018 session committee weeks begin, his response will set the tone for a likely testy campaign season when voters are still weary from 2016.

Eleanor Sobel, former member, Florida Senate

Hear ye, hear ye! Special session needed. The Legislature’s greatest disappointment was failing to implement Amendment 2 — medical marijuana — denying the will of the people. Seven “seed to sale” marijuana businesses were grandfathered in with prospective businesses yelling “cartels.” Breakdown in communication between Senate and House defining “free market” number of licenses and dispensaries doomed the restrictive legislation. Skeptical legislators say “medical marijuana does not exist” although they’re aware of evidence of marijuana’s cure for pain. While deaths from opioids explode in Broward County, marijuana accounts for no deaths. The Department of Health or the courts should not be making policy.

Archbishop Thomas Wenski, Archdiocese of Miami

Department of Homeland Security will soon decide the fate of some 50,000-plud Haitians who were granted Temporary Protective Status (TPS) after Haiti’s earthquake in 2010. The decision is expected by May 23. Country conditions have improved little in the past seven years — and were worsened by several weather disasters including last year’s Hurricane Matthew. An extension would be the humanitarian and logical thing to do. New Orleans, located in world’s richest country, has yet to recover fully from Hurricane Katrina. We should not be surprise that Haiti, one of the poorest, has not yet recovered from the earthquake.

Marlon A. Hill, partner, Hamilton, Miller & Birthisel

As residents of the third most populous state, the 2020 U.S. Census count is critical for our growing multicultural population. The data determines the number of seats each state has in the U.S. House and is used to distribute billions in federal funds to local communities. With whispers of further underfunding of census operations, we are risking inaccuracies of how we ensure proper representation and budgetary allocations for the needs of our bustling state. We should not allow this important function of our government to fly under the radar without some concern and advocacy. Be counted and speak up.

Tracey Grossman, chairperson-elect, Florida AntiDefamation League

In these last weeks of the school year, students should be celebrating their achievements. At some schools in Broward, Palm Beach, and Lee Counties, though, celebrations have been marred by vandalism and cyberhate incidents. These incidents have included racist language and Nazi imagery. It is telling that those who wish to strike fear, based on ignorance, have targeted institutions of learning. As students begin their summer recess, parents should discuss with them their thoughts about why these incidents occurred, what their feelings were when they learned of them, and brainstorm actions to take to make a difference in the community.

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

When President Kennedy challenged Americans to put a man on the moon by 1970, he inspired an entire nation to dream big and aim high. Since his famous moonshot speech on May 25, 1961, generations of Americans have defied convention and changed the world. Last year, Congress authorized $1.8 billion for the Beau Biden Cancer Moonshot to accelerate our search for cures. With the help of Jett and Luke, two local third grade students, I’m introducing a bill to designate May 25 as National Moonshot Day to inspire our country’s future leaders to overcome today’s obstacles with tomorrow’s innovation.

Barbara M. Sharief, mayor, Broward County

With the attacks this legislative session on local government, it’s important to know what your local government does. Broward County is comprised of more than 50 agencies. We provide vital services such as owning and operating the airport and seaport, operating 911 call centers, building and maintaining parks, community centers, libraries, cultural centers, transportation and infrastructure, health and human services, waste facilities, jails, courthouse and emergency management while ensuring we provide healthy, vibrant and safe communities to our 1.9 million residents in Broward County — all while keeping property taxes low by reducing the property tax rate by 1 percent in 2016.