Representing Brandon, Riverview, Temple Terrace, Plant City, Lakeland, and Bartow.
ACTIONABLE SOLUTIONS FOR REAL PROBLEMS IN DISTRICT 15
Education
We cannot establish the betterment of our economy tomorrow if we do not focus on our actions to support our education today. Therefore, I am compelled to ensure a progressive approach when it comes to our education systems. I support measures that allow for increase in teacher salaries, promote the acceptance and safety of our students, student loan forgiveness, and community-based schools.
Immigration
Immigrants are under attack every day in this country. We have to address this growing crisis in America! Unlike other congressional candidates, I believe in a pathway to citizenship contingent on an immigrant receiving a High school Diploma or work based pathway to citizenship ( for undocumented workers). I support DACA and the Dream Act programs. We are a country of Immigrants!
Veteran Support
Florida has the third largest Veteran population in the United States. Therefore, it is our duty to serve our fighters who have been ensuring our safety for generations. I support measures that allow us to amend our GI Bills to include full education, tuition, relief, healthcare, and transition programs for our brave soldiers in red, white, and blue!
Infrastructure
District 15 is continuing to grow at a very fast-pace. In order to ensure the continued growth and development of our communities, I plan to evolve our transportation system through the construction of greater connecting roads, the investment in our mass transit, and a high speed rail system connecting surrounding counties. I also believe we need to reduce our carbon footprint, invest in solar energy, and work to make electric cars more affordable.
Criminal Justice Reform
The U.S. has one of the highest incarceration rates in the world. This number significantly impacts the wealth divide and disproportionately affects Black and Latinx communities. To fix this, we need to focus on the root of the problem: systemic racism. I support diverting nonviolent drug offenses to treatment or prevention programs, measures the concentrate on mental health treatment, and decriminalizing certain offenses, like taking marijuana off the Controlled Substance Act and making it legal in Florida.
Police Brutality & Gun Control
I support legislation that ends police brutality, such as restricting deadly force (chokehold), mandatory body camera, creating a Citizen's Board to put a check and balance on the police, ending qualified immunity, and limiting power of policing unions that protect repeated abusers. I also support regulations on guns, such as banning assault weapons, requiring a universal background check, and banning bump stocks.
Affordable Housing
The private market cannot support housing for many people around the poverty line. As a result, Florida has a large number of people paying about half of their income in rent. Therefore, I support subsidizing public housing in order to increase supply and lower cost for lower-income families. I also support maintaining the funds that are allocated toward the Sadowski Fund.
Growth for Small Businesses
There are over 12,000 small employer businesses within Florida’s District 15. Therefore, it is important for us as a community to help support these hard-working businesses that make up the backbone to our economy! I plan to support measures that grow and uplift our dedicated small businesses and to crack down on predatory corporate practices.
Social Security
According to the Social Security Administration, in the year 2035, Social Security’s combined trust funds will only be able to pay about 80% of promised benefits. Social Security is more than 80 years old. Therefore, it is essential that it is reformed in order to uplift our hard-working families and guarantee that our citizens get the benefits they deserve.
LGBTQ+ Support and Protection
Any discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community should be illegal. I support legislation like passing civil rights reforms that include adoption rights, allied training, the transgender community's right to serve in the military, and Federal Housing Act for the LGBTQ+ community. I also propose a Non-Binary Classification system that should be used nation-wide, and pledge to call on other elected officials to oppose any effort to remove preexisting LGBTQ+ rights.
Women's Rights
Simply put, I believe in Women's rights. Women should have equal pay and have the choice with what they do with their bodies. These should not have to keep being debated. I support codifying Roe v. Wade. I also support maternity leave up to three months after the baby is born for both partners to be required for all businesses participating in interstate commerce.
Affordable Healthcare
No one should have to rely solely on employment to receive proper healthcare. I support measures that allow for a public option, which would include attaching a civilian component next to a Veteran’s Administration hospital. I support fair drug prices for Medicare, auto enrolling all Americans without healthcare coverage, increasing public spending on mental healthcare and providing more treatment for those without ability to pay, and also giving women access to their annual check ups at an affordable price.