Looking ahead to this week

Tracey Grossman, chairperson-elect, Florida AntiDefamation League

What will you text your family as we ease into summer? “Beach trip!” “So proud of our graduate!” “Get popcorn for the movie!” In the chaos of 2:06 a.m. on June 12th 2016, Eddie Justice texted: “Mommy, I love you. In club they shooting. Trapp in bathroom.” Eddie was one of the 49 murdered at Pulse — the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history. Dr. King said, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.” In honor of the 49, commit to shining light and love into the shadows.

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

One year ago, 49 innocent lives were taken in an act of anti-LGBT terrorism that was the worst mass shooting in our nation’s history. Since then, I’ve spoken out countless times demanding that House Republican leadership take up legislation to prevent gun violence. Despite overwhelming support among Americans, congressional Republicans have refused to schedule a single hearing or vote on common sense legislation to keep guns from suspected terrorists. To honor the 49 Pulse victims and the countless others who died senselessly from gun violence over the past year, Congress must take responsible action to make our communities safer.

Mike Satz, Broward state attorney

The Legislature’s passage of the Stand Your Ground bill, and Gov. Scott’s decision to sign the expansion of this controversial law into law, may well increase violence in Florida. The bill requires prosecutors to show “clear and convincing evidence” in a pre-trial hearing that the defendant did not act in self-defense. The state has to present all its evidence in a mini-trial before the actual trial. Now that the governor signed the bill into law, there likely will be an increase in the number of citizens whose violent crimes are not brought forth before citizen jurors. This bill makes a bad law even worse.

Gary Farmer, member, Florida Senate

Last week I introduced an important bill aimed at updating Florida’s firearms laws by closing the privatesale loophole of guns within this state. The bill is simple — require all gun sales within Florida be conducted through a licensed gun dealer. This small change to our law would ensure that a background check accompanies every gun sale in Florida, regardless of seller or venue. As the tragedies related to gun death continue — both in Florida and around the country — I refuse to recede from the idea that a few preventative measures may save lives.

Richard Berkowitz, CEO, Berkowitz Pollack Brant Advisors and Accountants

A recent report by the Kauffman Foundation announced the good news that South Florida is the top area for start-up activity in the U.S. However, the organization’s Growth Entrepreneur Index ranks South Florida 39 of 40 major metropolitan areas measured by growth and hiring benchmarks. This means we are good at starting but bad at supporting young companies. All sectors of the community need to pull together to create a positive ecosystem for new technology and other companies to help them succeed while producing highwage jobs and a better economy for our community.

Ina Lee, president Travelhost Elite of Greater Fort Lauderdale

The “back room” dealings in Tallahassee by our elected officials circumvents the process of good government and makes its very challenging for the constituents to participate in a meaningful way. We need to hold our politicians accountable. And, obviously, on a national level, the special interests of too many our of representatives are overshadowing their duty to the citizens of this country. What happened to our statesman (and women)?

Perry Thurston, member, Florida Senate

It takes an agreement to get results in a special session. Fortunately, for Floridians, the back-room deal crafted by Gov. Rick Scott and Republican leaders of the Florida Legislature is falling apart. In the chaos, there is opportunity to improve our public schools, hospital care and curb the zeal to spend public funds on unregulated privately owned charter schools. What’s more likely to happen is that Republicans will again retreat behind closed doors to support their agenda. Floridians can make a difference — in 2018. If the special session is the best one-party rule can offer, voters should consider an alternative.

Barbara M. Sharief, mayor, Broward County

If our weather from Memorial Day until now hasn’t convinced you that the climate is changing, I don’t know what else will. We have had fires raging out in the Everglades that overtook Alligator Alley and now we’ve had torrential downpours of rain that has flooded all of our communities and businesses and it’s going to continue all week. Broward is and has been a leader on climate change initiatives and we must remain steadfast in protecting our environment and listening to our planet. We are now at an urgent point and cannot afford to waste any more time.

Walter G. “Skip” Campbell Jr., mayor, Coral Springs; former member, Florida Senate

Most people didn’t pay much attention to “Infrastructure Week.” But people who travel in the air should be concerned by calls of President Trump to privatize our air traffic control system. While this proposal is welcomed by the airlines, it will result in higher user fees when you fly. We already pay too much to bring luggage on board. You pay for headsets, food and extra leg room. Only the large corporations will benefit. We have the safest system now. If it is not broken, don’t try to fix it.