LOOKING AHEAD THIS WEEK

Anthony Abbate, associate provost, Florida Atlantic University, Broward

We’re all intensely aware of the human, economic, and environmental toll of hurricane Dorian as aid efforts continue in the Bahamas. But work remains in Florida’s Forgotten Coast in the aftermath of Michael, and in Puerto Rico in the aftermath of Maria. As record-busting storms keep coming — a predicted consequence of global warming — our ability to respond is challenged. And we continue to do little to reduce carbon emissions. The misery is likely to spread and eventually reach us all if we don’t take a deep breath and make some preemptive changes before the cost escalates beyond our capacity.

Lamar Fisher, member, Broward County Commission

Next week, I look forward to having an in-depth conversation with my colleagues about Broward’s affordable housing crisis. We will discuss the Broward County Housing Linkage Fee and Residential Linkage Fee Nexus Studies prepared by the FIU Metropolitan Center in addition to several affordable housing policy options, while also considering the impacts of recent state legislation. As a recent study also points out nearly all of Broward County’s municipalities show high percentages of renter and owner cost-burdened households. This workshop will give us an opportunity to discuss these issues and find reasonable solutions.

Michael Ryan, mayor, Sunrise

High-achieving schools drive economic success in our cities. The Governor’s proposal to increase teacher starting salaries is commendable. But it will not do enough to address widespread teacher shortages. Young people are not choosing education as a profession. Far too many quit within five years. The reasons are not just low pay. Others include over-emphasis on standardized testing, favoritism toward charter schools and crumbling infrastructure. Increasing starting salaries should be just the start to supporting public education.

Richard Stark, member, Florida House of Representatives

Next week on October 15, the Annual Election Period (AEP) for Medicare begins, and it ends on December 7. The good news for Seniors is that the Medicare Advantage program has more dollars to work with this year, and so there are better plans available and more competition. Medicare Supplement plans for people on original Medicare have become more competitive as well. This good news of better plan offerings also includes the Part D prescription drug program. People shopping for Part D plans need to be aware that Medicare overhauled the quoting tool on its website, and did a poor job, so the process of picking plans for this year will take longer and require more patience.

Tina Polsky, member, Florida House

The Governor has announced his request to raise incoming teachers’ salaries to $47,500. While I am in agreement with the need for the raise (I proposed such a bill last session), there are outstanding issues: will veteran teachers and non-instructional personnel receive commensurate raises; will the House and Senate agree to the $603 million price tag? It is my sincere hope that we accomplish raises across the board this upcoming session but it will take some very tough work and compromise among multiple levels of government.

Robert Weinroth, member, Palm Beach County Commission

Fully three months after the firestorm caused by the comments of a Boca Raton high school principal who refused to acknowledge the Holocaust as a “factual historical event,” no resolution has occurred. The principal continues to receive his full salary while on “home assignment.” An Oct. 16 school board has now been delayed due to a bureaucratic snafu. This longfestering wound needs to be addressed immediately and, if need be, a special board meeting should be scheduled to provide the necessary due process to put this matter to rest.

Howard Simon, retired executive director, ACLU of Florida

The spotlight is about shine again on our legislature, particularly its failure to address Florida’s water crisis that is threatening the public health. After the 2017 - 2019 prolonged outbreak of red tide and blue-green algae, the legislature — shockingly — failed to enact any legislation addressing the sources nutrient pollution (leaky septic tanks, stormwater runoff, agri-business use of sludge from sewage treatment plants) that fuels toxic algae. But the Governor’s Blue-Green Algae Task Force is about to issue recommendations, so it will be harder for lawmakers to evade their responsibility.

Jennifer O’Flannery Anderson, vice president, community relations, Nova Southeastern University

Two women astronauts at the space station will go for a spacewalk next week, the first time two women will embark on such an adventure. Their task is to replace and plug in new batteries for the solar power system. Christian Koch and Jessica Meir are part of NASA’s 2013 astronaut class, the first one evenly split between men and women. What exceptional role models to young women everywhere they are for their scientific contributions, their leadership, their strength, and their courage to chart new territory in space and the workplace.