The top stories last week

Anthony Abbate, Florida Atlantic University, Associate Provost, Broward Federal House and Senate tax bills are very problematic for students planning to pursue higher education, impacting everything from student loans and tax burdens on graduate students, to charitable giving. Add to that the confusion about who takes the helm of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau — which incidentally handles complaints related to student loans — leaving our youth vulnerable to unscrupulous actors and increasing their risk of losing the opportunity to get ahead. Have we abandoned our commitment to expanding access to higher education altogether? What price will we pay as a nation — in terms of global leadership in innovation — for this?

Sandra Bernard-Bastien, chief communications officer, Children’s Services Council of Broward County What a week this has been! Prince Harry engaged to Meghan Markle — a divorced, mixed-race, Hollywood actress who attended a Roman Catholic school. Meghan’s marrying the son of the next King of England. Justin Trudeau tearfully apologizing for the government’s role in “the systemic oppression, criminalization, and violence against the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and two-spirit communities.” Then, Matt Lauer fired from the “Today” show for sexual misconduct. None of this would have been possible a generation ago. We are experiencing a shift in what we view as acceptable and this shift can’t come soon enough.

Lauren Book, Florida Senate member This week we learned that the state of Florida has paid more than $11 million to settle cases involving sexual harassment of state employees. Some call these settlements “hush” money while others have intimated the number is that large because the state’s lawyers “too stridently” defend them. In either case, this means that each year our government pays — on average — over $350,000 to settle workplace sexual harassment claims. That also means that the culture within our government sits at an unacceptable level where workers exist in more than an “uncomfortable work environment.” We simply must work to change that culture.

Earl Maucker, commissioner, Lighthouse Point; former editor, Sun Sentinel President Donald Trump’s shameful battle with the media should frighten every American. His mindless tweets this week criticizing CNN for poorly representing U.S. interests internationally shows his complete lack of understanding of the role of the press. There is plenty of criticism to be leveled at CNN as well as other news outlets which are obsessed with this president’s shortcomings. But Trump’s lies and loutish behavior undermine his credibility. Trump’s hostility sends a dangerous message to those who believe a free and open press is the cornerstone of our democracy.

Clarence V. McKee, president, McKee Communications Sexual harassment allegations have led to the termination of employment of many major private sector media personalities. It appears that the best sanctuary for sexual harassers is to be a member of the Washington public sector political elite where you will be protected. Just look at how Senate and House Democrats have taken a so-called “due process” approach regarding Minnesota Democrat Sen. Al Franken and Michigan Rep. John Conyers. Rep. Nancy Pelosi said Conyers was an “icon” and urged due process and, not one Senate Democrat has said Franken should resign. Feminists silent. Hypocrites all!

Kristin Jacobs, member, Florida House of Representatives Kudos to Florida Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Noah Valenstein for his moxy in standing up to an administrative law judge by firmly saying “no” to an oil drilling permit in Broward’s region of the Everglades. Many do not know that two-thirds of Broward County is held in conservation in Florida’s Everglades. The DEP’s decision is vital not only to protect this delicate ecosystem, but Broward County’s water supply as well. The very last thing our precious Everglades needs is “exploratory” oil drilling. It takes courage to stand up to a court ruling. Thank you, Secretary Valenstein, for doing the right thing.

Mike Ryan, mayor, Sunrise Kudos to the Sun Sentinel Editorial Board for spotlighting the long overdue admissions by the Tobacco Industry of the reprehensible social and personal costs caused by the industry. As highlighted by the Sentinel, smoking kills 1,200 Americans a day on average. More people die every year from smoking than murder, AIDS, suicide, drugs, car crashes and alcohol combined. An intentionally addictive product, marketed even to children as safe, you and I pay the financial consequences of health costs and reduced productivity for an industry that still refuses to accept full responsibility for the injuries it continues to cause.

Robert Weinroth, council member, Boca Raton If you’re not at the table you’re likely on the menu. With congressional Republicans poised to accomplish their most significant legislative win since Senate confirmation of Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch, Democrats must come off the sidelines and collaborate with their colleagues to ensure the most seeping reform of a tax code, universally recognized to be arcane, inequitable and virtually impossible for people to understand, balances elimination of loopholes and rate reductions between businesses and individuals to create a fairer, more understandable system. It’s time for partisan politics to take a back seat so compromise and consensus can prevail.