Break the Grip of Special Interests

Florida voters, not special interests, should choose our lawmakers. It will take electing leaders whose campaigns are not funded by special interests to do what is necessary to end bad environmental policy that harms the health of our air, land and water  – because powerful interests responsible for environmental destruction should not have more access to lawmakers than the rest of us.

Environmental Conservation

Conserving Florida’s native ecosystems, plants, and animal life enjoys strong bi-partisan support in the state of Florida. Our state has some of the most unique, beautiful and biodiverse ecosystems in the country and the world. It is home to threatened and endangered species found nowhere else. We want to preserve our iconic Florida Panthers, Manatees, and all of our other unique plant and animal species. Environmental conservation is the backbone to the policies that comprise our environmental platform.

Stop Overdevelopment

Stop overdevelopment. It hurts us no matter where we live. People living in agricultural and rural areas are watching urban sprawl replace farms and beautiful natural areas. People who live in urban areas are watching their green spaces disappear, while density and traffic increases.  Floridians all over the state know we are paving over our critical wetlands and natural habitats at an alarming rate.  It is time to end unregulated and environmentally harmful development, wherever it occurs.

Climate Change Is Here

Floridians know climate change is real because we are all feeling its consequences – Increased flooding, more frequent and costly disasters, extreme heat, unaffordable homeowners insurance, inflated utility rates, inflated gasoline and transportation costs, and destruction of habitat. Put back the words “climate change” into our legislation, then restore climate policies that will address the crisis we are facing

Extreme Heat Safety Regulations For Outdoor Workers

Florida’s outdoor workers, including farmworkers, construction workers, landscapers, and public maintenance crews face increasing risk from extreme heat driven by climate change.  Take care of our workers, by enacting laws and regulations protecting them from extreme heat. 

 Water Pollution

All Floridians, including those who live or work on the water, are suffering from the economic and health consequences of toxic runoff, sewage spills, biosolids, industrial discharges, excessive herbicide use, and plastic waste. These contaminants have invaded the water we drink, the beaches we enjoy, and the ecosystems we depend on.  We must protect human health and restore our oceans, rivers, and wetlands with immediate, sustained action to clean up and end water pollution once and for all.

Affordability through Environmental Policy

End inflated utility rates, restore affordable homeowners insurance, and bring fairness to disaster relief and recovery programs so those resources benefit all Floridians. 

Protect and invest in existing affordable housing, providing resilience from flooding, and cleanup from toxic waste. Build new affordable housing that is energy efficient, climate resilient and environmentally friendly.

Regulatory Agencies

For years, special interests have removed the authority and funding necessary for U.S. and state administrative agencies to do their jobs. Worse, Republican Governor appointees run state agencies on behalf of the special interests that they are charged with regulating.   We rely on these agencies to regulate and enforce conservation and pollution laws, make insurance premiums and utility rates affordable, or make insurance companies cover legitimate claims. It is time for our federal and state lawmakers to restore to agencies the funding and authority to protect our pocketbooks, and restore the health of our environment.

Environmental Justice

Floridians living in low and moderate income communities are often the hardest hit by environmental destruction. They are getting sick from toxic waste dumped on or near their communities, and are most vulnerable to losing their homes from extreme storms. It is time for our candidates and elected officials to restore and reform government to work for the communities most vulnerable to the consequences of pollution and climate change.

Agriculture and Rural Lands

Sustainable agriculture is about feeding people without polluting their land, air or water, while protecting farmable land from unwanted suburban/urban encroachment.  As programs are developed, it is essential that programs like USAID and SNAP be restored, while developing food production using  the land and the water through enlightened policies.