Looking ahead to this week

Chip LaMarca, member, Broward County Commission

The Wave Modern Streetcar Project has been a hot topic lately. Most recently, the Evaluation Committee rejected all bids, and the Project Team is now reviewing scope elements and options that are available that would not compromise the project’s safety or ongoing operations and maintenance costs borne by the eventual owner-operator (county), with the objective to rebid in the near future. Meetings to discuss next steps and possible alternative options have already begun and will continue. The goal is to improve transportation while promoting development, redevelopment and job creation in the downtown business corridor, but this cannot be at any cost.

Stephanie Toothaker, attorney, Tripp Scott

The Democratic Party was on a roll Tuesday with wins coast to coast. Clearly the antiTrump effect was in full bloom, though some will say it's too soon to call this a barometer on the midterm elections. This is sure to be a topic of conversation and political analysis in the coming weeks as Republicans seek to change the conversation about the losses, while Democrats begin to share their winning strategies with emerging progressive 2018 candidates.

J. David Armstrong Jr., president, Broward College

Three hundred thousand immigrants face uncertainty as the government begins to announce the end of Temporary Protected Status. TPS beneficiaries are here because of adverse situations in their home countries, such as environmental disaster and armed conflict. They have readjusted their lives and made excellent use of opportunities for work and education. They pay taxes and have become integrated into our communities. We have many who are students at Broward College. Ending TPS without a plan for transition will devastate their lives and our communities. Congress should propose legislation that would create a path for TPS beneficiaries to become permanent residents so they can continue to be solid contributors to our communities and our economy.

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

We are halfway through this year’s Medicare open enrollment period, which ends on Dec. 7. While over 4 million Medicare beneficiaries in Florida review their options for next year, House Republicans are pushing a tax bill that will force automatic Medicare cuts of $28 billion. Their plan to slash taxes for the biggest corporations and wealthiest Americans will add $1.7 trillion to budget deficits and trigger automatic and immediate cuts to vital programs to cover the costs. We should all oppose this tax giveaway that would cheat seniors out of the secure retirement they have earned with this tax scam.

Frank Ortis, mayor, Pembroke Pines

The issue of ending our state’s no-fault auto insurance system will once again be making an appearance on the 2018 legislative calendars. The House and Senate have different models to change the system, but the House just voted to back a measure requiring motorists to carry bodily-injury coverage instead of personal-injury protection (PIP). With the change, drivers at fault in accidents will be liable for damages and could shift some costs to health-care premiums. All I know is that I’m not sure there is a level playing field with PIP, looking at how severe some accidents are on our roads.

Tim Ryan, member, Broward County Commission

Local governments could face serious penalties under a bill advancing in the state Legislature aimed at so-called “sanctuary cities.” If passed into law, cities and counties that don’t cooperate with federal agencies seeking to deport undocumented immigrants could face daily fines of $5,000 and have elected officials removed from office. Broward County is considered a sanctuary county because the sheriff correctly follows federal court rulings that require a judicial warrant to detain someone — not just a request from immigration agents. Our national immigration policy warrants discussion at the federal level, but this proposal isn’t the right approach.

Robert Weinroth, council member, Boca Raton

If, as expected, Gov. Rick Scott runs for the U.S. Senate, a constitutional crisis will be averted. However, nomination of state Supreme Court justices should not result in a tug of war between an outgoing governor and one preparing to assume office. However, with the terms of three justices due to expire at the stroke of midnight on Jan. 8, 2019, and the governor’s term not expiring until a successor is sworn in later that same day, a very real crisis could be created. A minor tweak by the Constitutional Revision Commission would remedy this conflict once

and for all.

Ghenete Wright Muir, attorney, Realtor. LGBTQ advocate

The political landscape is transforming, with the first openly transgender candidates winning seats. In perfect poetic justice, Danica Roem defeated the anti-LGBTQ incumbent in Virginia and became the first openly transgender candidate to be elected to a state legislature. Andrea Jenkins, who won a Minneapolis City Council seat, became the first openly transgender woman of color to be elected to public office. And Phillipe Cunningham joins Jenkins on the City Council, becoming America’s first openly transgender man elected to public office.