TOP STORIES FROM LAST WEEK

Ted Deutch, member, U.S. House of Representatives. This has been a blood-stained week for the people of Israel. For all of us in this community with a strong connection to the Jewish state, we have watched in horror as the violence kept coming: three attacks in eight days. There are no words or statements that suffice in a moment like this. No people should have to endure ongoing terror attacks. But the strength of the Israeli people endures, and support from our community will never wane.

Beam Furr, member, Broward County Commission. New data indicates that rent in our region has increased by over 55% in just the past year. Rent is twice as high as the median renter household can afford. It is now improbable that families in Broward County can stay and build something special, creating community within neighborhoods. We should be looking at ways to increase home ownership, which helps build communities and keeps families from being forced out. Home ownership creates generational wealth and builds assets for families, while encouraging residents to get involved in their neighborhoods. This is one of many needed solutions to our current crisis.

Sarah Leonardi, member, Broward County School Board. On Monday Gov. Ron DeSantis signed HB 1557 (the so-called “Don’t Say Gay” bill) into law. This new law is indicative of the dangerous culture wars the governor has chosen to engage in. While the governor focused on hateful legislation, the mental health of our youth declined considerably during the last few years. According to the Trevor Project, 42% of LGBTQ youth seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year, and 70% of LGBTQ youth said that during the pandemic their mental health was poor most or all the time. Florida deserves leaders who focus on healing our children instead of targeting the most vulnerable among them.

Daniella Levine Cava, mayor, Miami-Dade County. This week, I was on an official trade mission to Israel as the county’s first Jewish mayor. Along with a delegation of county representatives and business leaders, we spent the week establishing and fortifying our county’s cultural and economic ties with Israel.

Our message was “Miami-Dade is open for business,” and we met with business, educational, cultural and religious leaders to discuss the ways in which they can benefit from building, investing and hiring in Miami-Dade County. We also renewed our sister port agreement with the Port of Haifa, ensuring a steady revenue stream for our respective communities. As always, here or abroad, I am working for you.

Rob Pacienza, senior pastor, Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church. Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed into law a parental rights bill that bans teachers from giving classroom instruction on “sexual orientation” or “gender identity” in kindergarten through third grade. This gives parents the authority to raise their children as they see fit. Previous to this bill becoming law, schools could go as far as treating a child as the opposite gender without notifying the child’s parents. Bureaucrats should not be teaching children about these critical moral issues. Instead, it is the role of the family, and more specifically, the parent.

Joshua Simmons, vice mayor, Coral Springs. We are in the middle of one of the worst rent and homeowner insurance price hikes Florida has ever seen. We are also dealing with inflation and rising energy costs. Florida has touted its ability to address national issues, but on these topics, Florida falls silent. Gov. Ron DeSantis called for a special legislative session, not to deal with issues that are affecting Democrats, Republicans and independents, but to deal with the recently vetoed congressional redistricting map. The most recent legislative session largely ignored the kitchen table issues that are hurting everyday Floridians.

Gregory Tony, Broward Sheriff. The Broward Sheriff ’s Office is now accepting applications for the second annual BSO Youth L.E.A.D. Camp (Learning, Educating and Developing). The camp is an innovative eight-week summer leadership program that equips youth ages 10-18 with the tools necessary to become tomorrow’s leaders. Last year, BSO personnel, community leaders and a few special guests, including NBA great Shaquille O’Neal and model/actor Tyson Beckford, provided Broward County youth with the support, mentorship and life skills education needed to reach their full potential. To register, please visit sheriff.org/LEAD. The application period ends April 15.

Robert Weinroth, mayor, Palm Beach County. During Florida’s 2022 legislative session, lawmakers voted against the legalization of fentanyl test strips. Fentanyl test strips are a simple and inexpensive tool for detecting the presence of the deadly additive in recreational drugs. According to Palm Beach County State Attorney Dave Aronberg, 95% of drug overdoses in the county involve fentanyl. Experts believe legalizing the strips would reduce the number of overdoses, serving as an effective harm-reduction strategy, akin to the needle exchange programs, helping people adopt safer practices. It’s disappointing the Legislature struggles with the concept of a mitigating solution in response to the opioid crisis.