Looking ahead to this week

Ted Deutch, member, U.S. House of Representatives

The murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi has rightfully invoked bipartisan condemnation in Congress. Unfortunately, nearly four weeks after Jamal entered the Saudi consulate in Turkey, we’re still waiting for a forceful and consistent message from the White House. In fact, giving Saudi Arabia weeks to craft an excuse has given the troubling impression of coordination. And by focusing on our arms sales to Saudi Arabia, the President is placing a dollar value on human rights and Khashoggi’s life. I will support a strong response from Congress for maintaining American values.

Barbara Sharief, member, Broward County Commission

In efforts to encourage voter participation in the 2018 General Election, the Broward County Board of County Commissioners passed an ordinance to waive fees on Broward County Transit (BCT) buses on Saturday, Nov. 3. BCT buses stop near all of the county’s 22 early voting sites. Voting is a privilege, and to have your voice heard, you must vote. Early voting has begun and runs through Sunday, Nov, 4, on a 7 a.m 7 p.m. schedule. To plan your trip, visit Broward.org/BCT or contact Customer Service at 954-357-8400. To know when your bus will arrive, use the MyRide app.

Dr. Eduardo J. Padrón, president, Miami-Dade College

As voters navigate the lengthy midterm elections ballot, we kindly remind them to vote yes on Amendment 7 to add the national model Florida College System to the State Constitution alongside our State University and K-12 systems. And after election day, and in a very timely manner, we can all take a break from the elections season and dive into reading and books with MDC’s 35 Miami Book Fair at our downtown Wolfson Campus Nov. 11 – 18. Visit miamibookfair.com to learn more.

Michael De Lucca, president, Broward Regional Health Planning Council, Inc.

The health insurance marketplace open enrollment is Nov. 1 through Dec.15. The majority of enrollees receive financial assistance to help lower the cost of their insurance. Last year many even had a $0 premium option available. Explore your options by visiting HealthCare.gov or by calling the federally funded Navigator agency covering the tri-county area, The Epilepsy Foundation at 877-553-7453. Other inperson assisters are available by appointment at hospital district sites, federally qualified health centers and Broward Regional Health Planning Council.

Tracey Grossman, chairperson, AntiDefamation League

I urge every Floridian to vote yes for Amendment 4. It’ll restore voting rights to Floridians who’ve served their time for felony convictions, with the exceptions of murder and sexual assault. Right now there are 1.4 million adults who are prohibited from ever voting in Florida, including more than 10,000 military veterans and one in five African-Americans. We can and should make it easier for these Floridians to re-engage with public life.

George Hanbury, president, Nova Southeastern University

Broward County needs your YES vote for the transportation initiative on the Nov. 6 ballot. The South Florida Education Center has more than 70,000 trips per day, which is more than downtown or Sawgrass Mills. The county needs mass transit for its educational and economic future. This initiative will fund countywide transportation system improvements requested by municipalities, for the next 20-plus years. Please get informed on all issues and vote.

Alex Price, national director, community relations, Office Depot

This is the final week of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and with wonderful pink ribbon branding raising awareness, I found myself wondering: How are we truly trending in this fight? A great place to look is Susan G. Komen, the largest breast cancer research funder outside of our government. Just two years ago they announced their Bold Goal to reduce the nation’s 40,000 breast cancer deaths by 50 percent in 10 years. Momentum, however, is positive, thanks to local affiliates like our own Komen South Florida, whose Breast Health Navigators have helped low-income, high-risk patients receive more education, more diagnosis, and more free mammograms than ever before.I encourage us all to join with them to help reach the Bold Goal.

Dr. Michael Dennis, chair, FAU Schmidt College of Medicine

It’s doubtful Harvey Weinstein and other sexually abusive males ever thought they would create an unintended but wonderful consequence. Of 201 sexual predators removed from their high level positions of responsibility, almost half have been replaced by women! Traditionally, Human Resources personnel have viewed female applicants as somewhat risky for dependable attendance. They might, for example, exercise their unique capability and take maternity leave. Now it appears that men have risk factors as well. This is all excellent progress, but there’s work ahead. For instance, federal law doesn’t protect women working freelance or in companies of fewer than 15 employees.