COVID-19

The Covid-19 pandemic has fundamentally changed our society. Florida needs true leadership to address the problems we are facing. But we must also look to the future to ensure that Florida never faces a crisis on this scale again.

• Support local legislation that promotes PPE and economic aid for individuals and small businesses. 

• Invest in Florida’s public healthcare system to ensure that Florida never faces a health crisis on this scale again.

• Ensure that our front line workers have the support, resources, and tools needed to get through this pandemic.

• We must continue to prioritize public health and economic relief by emphasizing statewide testing, data, and research, small businesses support, and advocate for the unemployed.

• Work to decreased the time it takes to get Covid-19 test results back.

• Ensure that private contractors being paid by the taxpayer are held accountable as they conduct tests and treatment.

• Work with local, state, and federal agencies to ensure that our district receives the support and resources needed to build back stronger.

Economy and Jobs

No Floridian should live in Poverty. It is time for our leaders to fight for higher wages, economic justice, and a fairer playing field for our small businesses as they compete with the large corporations.  

It is time to end the “Race to the bottom” mentality being pushed by the Florida Government. For years, our leaders have been selling out our communities, public services, and workers in the name of attracting big business and corporate interests. It's time for a new direction. We need to reform the tax code to ensure that everyone pays their fair share, that our neighborhoods have the resources they need, and that our citizens have the security and protections needed to ensure a prosperous and thriving life, even in the worst of times.

We must always work to ensure that our small businesses have the support and resources they need to thrive and grow.

• $15 minimum wage.

• Invest time, energy, and resources into economic development programs and projects across the state.

• Support and expand union and labor power.

• Ensure that big businesses/corporations are paying their fair shares.

• Ensure that Floridians have the ability to get an education or trade for the jobs of tomorrow.

• Create a stronger and more stable economy that allows small business to start and thrive.

Labor

In order to secure a stable and thriving economy, we must ensure that our workers have the opportunity to make a living wage, collectively bargain, and reinvest in their communities.

• Expand unemployment benefits to at least $500/week and fight for a $15 minimum wage.

• Implement state standards for severance packages, bereavement leave, sick leave, and meals and breaks.

• Require that employers are providing their workers with all proper PPE equipment, health coverage, and support.

• Ensure that workers cannot be fired with the presence of “just cause”.

• Work with Florida’s unions to ensure that workers have the economic and political power needed to address the threats posed by economic and wealth inequality.

Education

Schools are the bedrock of our communities as parents depend on them as a source of protection, food, and knowledge for their children. We must ensure that they have the resources, staff, and funding they need. 

We must fight to ensure that all Floridians have the ability to get a higher education and get into accelerated training programs without the fear of crippling debt.

• Support and fund our public education system. 

• Give our teachers a long overdue raise.

• Work with school boards, teachers, and school administrations to reduce class sizes, ensure that students have easy access to guidance counselors, and that students are able to get the attention they need.

• Florida must invest in our schools and offer only the most competitive salaries for those teaching the next generation. 

• Expand access to more career resources and college prep.

• Expand funding for vocational schools, which focus more on education other than college prep.

Women’s Rights

It is long overdue for women to receive equality of rights under the law. We must ratify the ERA and begin to address the economic, political, and social inequalities that women face.

• Family planning should be between a woman, a doctor, and her God. Planning options also need to include well-funded parenting resources such as education, adoption, and daycare.

• Continue to advocate for the Equal Rights Amendment, a long overdue amendment that guarantees equal legal rights regardless of sex.

• Advocate that women have stronger, more effective systems to report sexual assaults and harassment.

Veterans

Our veterans are owed a debt that can never be paid back. We must work tirelessly to address the issues faced by the veteran community, including homelessness, mental health, and a well-funded and staffed Veterans Administration.

• Invest more money into the opening and maintenance of FLDVA Clinics and practices. 

• Ensure that our Veterans have proper and effective channels to file complaints, concerns, and issues regarding FLDVA procedures. 

• Work with federal partners and agencies to increase access to VA facilities and resources.

• Increase accountability and transparency within the FLDVA.

• Expand housing support for our veterans to ensure that those who served our nation are able to have safe, secure, and stable housing. 

Black Lives Matter

The time is long past for us to address the systemic issues that have plagued the black community for decades; such as unfair/racist housing and banking policy, over-policing, and political suppression.

• Support the Black Lives Matter movement and continue to fight for racial justice and equality.

• Advocate for people of color who have been disproportionately affected by the failings of our healthcare systems, criminal justice system, and electoral institutions.

• Work with leaders in the black community to address the various issues and problems affected the black community due to decades of government inaction and systemic injustice.

• Strengthen black communities through investing in our public healthcare system, increasing wages, guaranteeing housing, and organizing to hold political leaders accountable.

Police Reform

It is time for a conversation on what the role of the police is.

Modern society has grown dependent on the police to address the issues of many other systemic problems in our communities. These problems can include the lack of mental healthcare, access to economic opportunity, and housing insecurity.

We need to talk about the future of Florida’s communities and how we need to change them for the better and to ensure that our law enforcement officials are no longer bearing the brunt of government inaction.

• Support de-escalation and non-lethal tactic training to ensure our officers have the knowledge to handle situations in the best way possible.

• Demilitarize the police to ensure that they be looked at as members of the community, not a military presence within them.

• We must look into the creation of a statewide police violence database in order to hold officers more prone to violence accountable and ensure the protection of our communities.

• Re-invest in our communities to finally end the systemic issues that create the problems that the police deal with everyday.

Healthcare

Between the Covid-19 pandemic and the Opioid Crisis that is still plaguing our communities, we must ensure that every Floridian has healthcare as a human right.

We must invest in our public healthcare system and sure that our communities have access to well funded and staffed facilities, access to mental health clinics and counselors, and life saving medication.

• Expand Medicaid.

• Expand and invest in broad mental health services for all Floridians.

• We must stand up to the pharmaceutical industry and ensure that these massive corporations don’t inflate their prices and choose profit over human life.

• We will push for rehabilitation services over incarceration regarding drugs and our opioid crisis.

• Every Floridian has access to health care, regardless of pre-existing health conditions.

• Support medical cannabis.

• It's time to end the stigmas against mental health and drug addiction.

Environment

Our environment is our greatest resource and must be protected. We must invest in a Green New Deal that creates high paying jobs and secures the future of Florida’s ecological sites. Our district could lead the way for this safer, brighter, and more prosperous future.

• Create high-quality, middle-class jobs in cities and towns across the state of Florida.

• Invest in renewable energy and technology to help combat the effects of climate change.

• Stand up to the abuse of power by polluters who disproportionately harm communities of color and low-income communities; as vulnerable communities are disproportionately impacted by the climate emergency and pollution. 

• With two first-magnitude springs, Silver Springs and Salt Springs, in State House District 23, we must incentivize the use of best-practice management, and penalize negligence of these practices to protect the quality of our water. 

• We must oppose Nestle and other massive companies coming into North-Central Florida and turning our natural resources into sources of corporate profits. We must always protect our water systems.

Federal Issues 

There are many issues that are best handled at the federal level rather than the state level. Once in office, I will use the coalitions, networks, and resources I have to continue the fight to achieve these goals.

• Breaking up Big Tech

• Universal Childcare

• Medicare for all

• Universal Basic Income

• National Green New Deal

• Tuition-free college