Issues and Solutions

Environment

I am passionate about protecting our environment, especially our Florida treasures, the beaches and the Everglades. Governor Ron De Santis has worked tirelessly and with great success to secure federal funding and build miles of the Tamiami Bridge over Everglades National Park.  We are already seeing the restoration of the natural water flow in the Everglades which substantially reduces the excess water flow around Lake Okeechobee that is responsible for the increased levels of phosphates and nitrogen from fertilizers ultimately ending up our oceans. These pollutants are a main cause of algae blooms such as red tide and sargassum seaweed invasions of our waters and beaches. The Tamiami Bridge is allowing for rehabilitation of habitats and protection of endangered species.

We also must address flooding, storm drainage and sewage systems in our communities to protect our environment and property values.

Another issue that I intend to focus on is the removal of plastics from our oceans. The wildlife and marine life are now found to have ingested significant quantities of plastic. Not only is the plastic a dirty, eyesore in our oceans and on our beaches; it is dangerous to human health as we consume fish and other seafood. I would support a small tax of a few cents on every single use plastic container sold in the state which would be used directly to remove plastic from the ocean and beaches and send the refuse to recycling facilities.