LOOKING AHEAD TO NEXT WEEK

Peter Moore, president, Chen Moore and

Associates

I was an advocate for the one-cent transportation surtax in Broward, but I also believe that toll roads provide transportation options. That’s what makes what is going on with the Miami-Dade Expressway Authority (MDX) so scary. Legislation pending to go to full votes of each body would replace MDX with a new authority and mandate significant toll reductions which would impair MDX from repaying $1.3B in existing debt, and all but prohibit future borrowing, impacting the traveling public today and in the future. Legislators and local politicians should stop fighting and develop the best solution.

Lamar Fisher, member, Broward County

Commission

Monday, April 22nd is Earth Day! A great opportunity for everyone to celebrate the beauty of our planet and learn about ways to keep it healthy. There are many ways to show appreciation for our planet Earth. Broward County Libraries have been hosting fun programs spotlighting nature, conservation, and the Earth all month long. There are also several Earth Day events going on throughout the month at various Broward County Parks. For more information on any of these events please visit, www.Broward.org/Library or www.Broward.org/ Parks.

Eleanor Sobel, former member, Florida Sen

ate

Bill (SB1080-Sen. Book, HB 727- Rep. LaMarca) focuses on expanding the legal definition of hazing-after 2 recent deaths-to better suit the punishment for those who haze. Another component of the bill is holding those who organize hazing events just as responsible as those who participate. Additionally, it would grant immunity to the first person to call 911 seeking medical attention for a hazing victim. Anyone who renders CPR or provides aid to the victim would also be immune. These provisions could save current and future university students from facing the challenges of hazing that, to them, may seem unavoidable.

Robert Weinroth, member, Palm Beach County Commission

Measles, an extremely contagious virus, was effectively eradicated in the United States in 2000. However, it’s back and surging as twenty states are now grappling with how to stem its return. This is the second largest outbreak of measles in more than two decades. In Florida, thousands of public school students are unvaccinated for measles, mumps and rubella due, in large part, to debunked claims of a correlation between vaccinations and Autism. The ensuing public health emergency requires immediate state action to protect us from ourselves. The alternative is unacceptable as unvaccinated adults and children perpetuate this latest outbreak.

Anthony Abbate, associate provost, Florida Atlantic University, Broward

Earth Day began 49 years ago when millions of Americans took to the streets to protest the alarming levels of pollution in our air and waterways. Our children have no memory or experience with the stench and haze of exhaust from cars and factories — because tremendous progress made since President Nixon and Congress took action. However, we face a more serious threat from invisible pollutants such as CO2 — 40 billion tons of it pumped into the atmosphere each year. Earth Day 2019 is about “protecting our species.” Take time to learn more about why the rates of extinction are accelerating.

Lori Berman, member, Florida Senate

We are entering the final two weeks of our annual 60-day legislative session. Both the House and Senate will be in their respective chambers for most of the day each of these two weeks voting on the budget and what is typically the most impactful, meaningful, and sometimes, harmful legislation. These final two weeks top the list of times to be paying attention. If you have not been watching yet, now is the time to do so. Please be involved and make your opinions known.

Tina Polsky, member, Florida House

Amendment 4, which allows felons to have their voting rights restored, passed in 2018 with 64% of the vote. The Legislature decided it needed to define the parameters of when a felon has completed his/her sentence, much to the chagrin of those who voted for this amendment. The issue surrounds any restitution or fees that a felon might owe upon completion of the sentence and whether nonpayment makes them ineligible to vote. Supporters of the amendment argue that it is self-executing and does not require the Legislature to add restrictions. Watch for this very fiery debate on the House floor next week.

Beam Furr, member, Broward County Com

mission

Brave students and teachers from around the state made clear that they do not want guns in our classrooms. But our state legislators aren’t listening. State leadership should listen to the students who have become leaders of a national movement to prevent gun violence in our schools. They should listen to the teachers, who are just as loudly opposed to this bill. Teachers in Florida are in the bottom five in the nation in pay — we should be giving them raises, not weapons. Students do not support this bill. Teachers do not support this bill. Our state leaders shouldn’t either.