The top stories last week

Paul Castronovo, host, Paul Castronovo Show on Big 105.9

Wednesday was September 11th, and how it changed our lives forever. On my radio show one team member said, “I don’t remember much, I was in kindergarten.” So I pressed on, he remembered, “The teachers pulled us aside as our parents showed up, Johnny’s going home now.” I asked, “did they teach you about it?” He said he was taught the basics but not a lot of detail. That’s a tragedy, and it’s a day in our history that we can never forget. One bright spot: 13 children of fallen firefighters from 9⁄ will graduate this year from the fire acad

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Andrea Cristina Mercado, executive director, New Florida Majority

With the third Democratic presidential debate done, it’s becoming very clear that every day voters are no longer afraid of supporting bold candidates who are ready to question the status quo on health care, immigration, good jobs, living wages, housing, education and climate change. It’s imperative that the Democratic Party listens to the growing number of black and brown voters, including women and youth, who are raising their voice loud and clear to demand real and deep change. The candidates need to do better than just beating Trump because people are paying attention.

Tom Shea, president, Right Management

Florida is in a worker’s market right now. The demand for skilled workers is very high. The ‘quit rate’ is at a 10-year high. With this healthy market, the economy is flush with jobs. Wages have grown at or above 3% with inflation sitting at 2%. With the unprecedented demand for talent, companies need to pay more and commit to teaching their employees new skills for future job opportunities. With more than 10 million workers and a 3.3% unemployment rate as of July, Florida is in a better place than five years ago. Florida’s employment picture looks very good indeed.

Lori Berman, member, Florida Senate

Hurricane Dorian can only be described as one of the most catastrophic hurricanes in recent history. Virtually all infrastructure and communication grids in the Bahamas have been destroyed, making aid and recovery efforts particularly challenging. And while our neighbors to the east suffer, the Trump administration has shown little mercy, requiring Bahamian refugees to provide travel documentation when most have lost everything. I join the chorus of Florida lawmakers who are urging the President to waive visa requirements for Bahamian refugees because our country’s promise has always been to shelter those experiencing great loss. George Moraitis, chairman, Broward Republican Executive Committee

Governor DeSantis maintains the highest approval rating (58 percent) for a Florida governor in 10 years. This recent polling came just before the governor received strong reviews for his handling of Hurricane Dorian. In an era of hyper-partisanship, it’s good to see Floridians come together, in support of the Governor but more importantly in support of those in the Bahamas. The generosity of our area in meeting the needs in the Bahamas displays the valued function of private charity. Those making a difference deserve to be applauded. Supplies are still needed so if you are able, please give.

Ina Lee, owner, Travelhost Elite of Greater Fort Lauderdale

In another stunning environmental travesty, the Trump administration announced that the EPA would repeal the major Obama era clear water regulation that limited harmful chemicals from polluting our lakes, streams and wetlands. Polluters would no longer need a permit to release potentially harmful chemicals into our waters. How much further will this presidency go to place greed above protecting our citizens from pollution and harming our environment and health?

Beam Furr, member, Broward County Commission

This week, the United States House passed a bill that would ban offshore drilling throughout the entire country, including large portions of the Florida Gulf Coast that were not protected by last year’s Amendment 9. This bill would be a major step forward for America. Offshore drilling is potentially devastating to not only our ocean ecosystem, but to our tourism and fishing industry as well. Instead of drilling for more fossil fuels, we need to be investing in alternate energy sources. I encourage residents to contact their US Senators and ask them to vote for this important law.

Michael Udine, member, Broward County Commission

Society is on the cusp of a dangerous and alarming trend. Vaping is on its way to becoming a new national health problem. Young children to adults, everywhere you turn, more people are vaping. Many of the products in the market are counterfeit dangerous. People have no idea what they are inhaling into their bodies. We are hearing of new lung diseases and people dying from different illnesses linked to some of the products they are ingesting. Falling into a regulatory abyss, it is time for some federal regulations to curtail these illegal products and help protect the public.